HOYT FAMILY HISTORY

Martin Hanford Hoyt

1841 - Born the oldest of nine children of Walter and Hannah (Austin) Hoyt in North Wilton, Fairfield County., Connecticut, on November 4th. [1840 per grave information on the Internet] [ per 1880 Census, he was born in N. Y.]

1861 to 1864 - Martin served as a drummer in the Civil War in Co. E, Tenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry Enlisted August 24th, 1861, mustered September 6th, 1861 and discharged August 9th, 1962 at Camp Clear Creek near Corinth, Mississippi. He enlisted again in Company D, Ninth Iowa Cavalry on September 7th, 1863, mustered September 9th,1863 and discharged February 28th, 1864 at Little Rock, Arkansas.

1866 - After the Civil War ended, Martin married Louisa Hand on September 19th in Webster, Keokuk County, Iowa when he was 24 and she was 19. Louise was born in Bloomington, Monroe Co., Indiana on March 21st, 1847. She was a member of the G.A.R. (per gravestone)

They had nine children:

  • Estella Maude Hoyt (1868)
  • Eva Hoyt (1870)
  • Everetta Deola Hoyt (twin to Eva)
  • Edward Riley Hoyt
  • Fredrick Curtis Hoyt (1874)
  • Emery Harlen Hoyt (1878)
  • Mary Hannah Hoyt (1881)
  • Martin Legrand (Jake) Hoyt (1885)
  • Emma May Hoyt (1890)
Martin and Louisa lived in Chalmers, Keokuk Co., Iowa then moved (between 1870 and 1880) to Smith County, Kansas.
1900 US Census: Crystal, Norton co., Kansas - Children: Mary H., Martin L., and Emma M. [Linda Brandt dbrandt@kci.net]

1910 - Martin died on December 7th, in Cestos, Dewey County, Oklahoma. County Website He is buried in Lot 11-09 in Riley Cemetery in Dewey County.[NE Section 26 - Twp 19 - Range 18]

1918 - Louisa (Hand) Hoyt died on September 27th in Cestos where she and Martin are buried. She is buried beside her husband. Her gravestone reflects her name as Louesa. She may have died at Custer, Oklahoma and may be buried in Mutual, Oklahoma

This picture was taken of the family at her funeral.

 

1945 reunion in Arizona with brother and sisters.

Census Information:

Martin Hanford. Hoyt:

1870 Census- Liberty Twp., Keokuk County., Iowa: P. O. South English 112-112 Martin H. m 29 Farmer $800 $310 Connecticut

1880 Census - Lincoln Twp., Smith County., Kansas: Martin H. m 39 Farmer NY NY NY

Louisa (Hand) Hoyt:

1870 Census- Liberty Twp., Keokuk County., Iowa: Louiza 23 f keeping house Indiana

1880 Census - Lincoln Twp., Smith County., Kansas: Louiza f 33 wife keeping house Ind. Ohio Ind.

Martin Hanford Hoyt - Remembered

Martin owned and operated drug stores at various locations over the years including one at Chandler, Keokuk County, Iowa.--Bob Hoyt

Dad [Al Hoyt] said that his grandpa Hoyt [Martin] had been in show business and was always a lot of fun. He told that he always had something going on when they came by train and he loved their visits. He was a small man, he said, smaller than Corky.--Jackie (Hoyt) Laux, Jan. 2000

Per notes from Ed Dietrich, Martin had one sister, Kate Miller.

"Grandpa and Grandma Hoyt came to Fairfield to visit us from Oklahoma. I can remember my grandfather Hoyt. He was smaller than Corky (Carlos B. Hoyt). He was always a fun guy. He had been in show business. He always had things going on around the place when they would come. He was funny... I can just see them tonight (in my mind's eye) getting off the train and walking across the vacant lot to visit us."--Alvin Hoyt (tape recording)

Martin Hanford Hoyt had red hair as did his son Martin Legrand Hoyt. Martin had been in show business, was a printer and operated drug stores among other things and of course he served in the Civil War twice. First as a drummer boy and then latter as a Cavalryman. My Dad also said that he was a little guy with a very large wife.--Bob Hoyt, April 2000

"Newspapers" - A History of the Portis Newspaper

Mr. I. I. Bryant began publishing a newspaper in 1881 called the Portis Patriot, he only published two issues. It then became the property of the citizens of Portis who published it until Dec. of 1881, when I. S. Drummmond became editor and proprietor.

In Sept 1882 M. H. Hoyt, became a member of the firm known as Drummond and Hoyt. Under this management the Patriot continued until early 1887 when M. G. Woodward took charge. He was succeeded by Frank Drummond in 1888. In April 1888 Hoyt again purchased the Patriot and continued publishing the paper until Jan. 16, 1890. At this time E. R. Powell of Osborne was employed to do the editorial work.

On April 5, 1890 Mr. Powell changed the name to "The Whisper". On July 26, that year The Whisper consolidated with the Downs Times. In June 1890 Mr. H. Hoyt who had been publishing a paper in Downs known as the Globe moved his plant to Portis and published until Aug of that year. Then it was discontinued. In 1904 Wm. Woolman moved his plant from Glen Elder to Portis and established "The Independant". He edited the paper until Mar. 1909, then turned it over to his son Henry Woolman who became owner and editor.

Others who edited the paper were C. C. Clandy, Allen Palmer, J. E. Kissell.

In 1913 J. E. Kissell bought the Portis Independent and operated it for 30 years. The exact date of the last issue of the paper is not known but he published it July 15, 1943 and did not put one out after Sept. 1, 1943. The location of the office was at least in three different locations. The first was east of Main Street and east of the bank located just before you cross the railroad tracts to the old school building. Then it was moved to the basement of the bank about 1907. J. E. Kissell was in the bank basement for several years before he moved to the Turner building on the East side of the street where it was still located at the time of his death. It was on Lot 13 Blk 13 1st Ward.--Mrs. Paul Cone who has a copy of the book put out to celebrate 100th anniversary of Portis, Kansas (page 37).