HOYT, John

HOYT

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 5/31/2021 at 11:24:32

John Hoyt
born Aug 11, 1839

John Hoyt, one of the prominent and substantial farmers on Silver creek, Ida County, Iowa, was born in Waldo County, Maine, August 11, 1839, son of Benjamin and Abigail (Emmons) Hoyt. Several generations of his ancestors lived in America. He was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools of his native State. Mr. Hoyt emigrated to Wisconsin when a young man, and there, at the age of twenty-two, enlisted in the army, becoming a member of Company F, Thirty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. After a service of three years he was mustered out in Madison, having participated in twenty-three battles and skirmishes, prominent among which were the siege of Vicksburg, Red River campaign, Price’s raid in Missouri, battles along the march of the retreat of Hood, capture of Mobile, etc. Although he was in the thickest of the fight he never received a wound. After the war Mr. Hoyt made his home in Green County, Wisconsin, until 1869, when he came to Iowa and located in Dallas County, where he engaged in farming. Prior to coming to Iowa he was interested in the milling business. Mr. Hoyt passed through Ida Grove when it was a small hamlet. He spent a short time in Dakota, returned to Iowa, purchased 142 acres of land in section 7, Silver Creek Township, Ida County, and here he has since lived. This property he has developed into a valuable farm. His comfortable residence is surrounded by a nice grove and one of the finest orchards in the county. His barn is 24 x 32 feet, with an L, 16 x 32 feet, on each side for granaries, stock, etc. Prosperity has attended his earnest efforts, and he has been enabled to add to his original purchase, being now the owner of 222 acres. Mr. Hoyt was married July 5, 1868, to Miss Esther J. Schoonover, a native of Lagrange County, Indiana, and a daughter of Philander and Margaret (Eiman) Schoonover, who at an early day moved to Wisconsin. They have four children, namely: Alvin W., attending college at Ames, Iowa; Abbie E., a teacher of Ida county; and Leon and Ralph at home. Politically, Mr. Hoyt affiliates with the Democratic Party, and is an active worker in its ranks. He has served as Township Assessor six years. He is a self-made man, having by his own industry, integrity and frugality won his way to success, and throughout the county he is well-known as one of its most trustworthy and respected citizens.
Source: Biographical History of Crawford, Ida, and Sac Counties, Iowa, 1893, p.544