John R. Hoy

Sanders County's Oldest Resident

Is Taken By Death: Near to Century

James Hoy Would Have Been 100 Years Old

In April, Settled At Plains in 1900.

Civil War Veteran

James Hoy, oldest resident of Sander's county,

who, in a few weeks would have reached the age of 100 years,

died at the ranch home of his daughter, Mrs. Lewis Arnold,

20 miles out of Paradise, a few days ago,

according to word received here.

The ranch home is at Donlan between St. Regis and

paradise on the St. Regis cut-off of the Northern Pacific.

The Hoy family has resided in the Plains district for 30 years,

and Mr. Hoy was one of the early day ranchmen of that district.

He passed his ninety -ninth birthday in April of last year.

Although the weight of his years rested heavily upon his shoulders,

he had been enjoying good health and was active.

Born in Ohio

Mr. Hoy was born in Ohio. His father came to American

from Switzerland. A short time ago in talking to friends

he recalled that his grandfather told him that his ancestors

in Switzerland were in the meat business.

A recent genealogical search revealed that the relatives in

Switzerland are still in the meat business.

When the Hoys came to America they settled in Pennsylvania

and later went by ox team to Ohio, where Mr. Hoy enlisted

in the Union army during the Civil War. He was in no battle

but served as a guard for the city of Nashville, Tenn.,

and was discharged honorably from the army in 1865.

At the time of his death he was drawing a

pension from the government.

Mr. Hoy came west with his family in 1882 when they

settled at Redfield, S.D., and came from there to Plains in 1900.

His wife died in 1913 and after that Mr. Hoy

made his home with his daughter.

Acting Minister

As a young man he acted as a minister of the

Evangelical church.

He had been a student of the Bible all of his life and always

had a ready mind for biblical quotations.

Prohibition was his main hobby and he rejoiced

over the passing of the Eighteenth amendment

but of recent years has been too feeble to take an

interest in the present trend of prohibition.

Those who knew Mr. Hoy best state that he showed

the characteristic of his parental ancestry and was

serious minded and quiet. He seldom joked and

was slow to see a joke. The only time he was jocular

was in the presence of little children.

Relatives attribute his longevity to a simple life.

He never used narcotics. One thing he always cherished

was a cane that belonged to his mother's mother,

who died at the age of 100 years.

Mr. Hoy is the father of four children, all living.

He is the grandfather of 12 and great grandfather of 24.

The Daily Missoulian:

January 28, 1930

Obituary from the research of Cheryl Rogers.

This Obituary was found on the Family Web Site

"The Hoy - Smathers/Sloan Family Connection"

Submitted by Teresa Snyder.

The Following Comments Were Made by Teresa

Regarding the Above Obituary for "James Hoy".

"If you like a little embellishment with your history,

this obituary will give you that.

I don't know if John was actually

known as James in Montana but this is indeed John Hoy.

The story of the meat cutters from

Switzerland was pure fabrication,

and though I'd like to believe the story of the cane

coming from his grandmother, Maria Barbary Glick Ritter,

I have to wonder ..."

-Source: Teresa Snyder-

Per the June 1, 1885, South Dakota Territorial Census, John R. Hoy (55 and a Farmer)

is living with his wife, H. A. Hoy (53) and their children, Son - G. E. Hoy (20), Son - L. L. Hoy (17),

Living Next Door to them are: J. W. Hoy (26 and a Farmer) with his wife, S. E. Hoy (25), and their

children, Son - F. S. Hoy (6), Son - C. M. Hoy (4), and Daughter - E. M. Hoy (Born - May 1885).

Per the June 11, 1900, Mount Vernon Township, Davison County, South Dakota Census,

John Hoy (70, Born February 1830) is living with his wife, Hester (66, Born December 1833)

This Census also states that John & Hester have been married 36 Years (1864) and that

Per the April 20, 1910, East Cheney, Spokane County, Washington Census, Lorraine L. Hoy (40)

is living with his wife, Mable M. (28 and Born in Iowa), and their children,

Leland E. (8 and Born in Montana), Clayton (1 Year, 11 Months, Born in Washington)

Superintendant of Public Schools, and that He and Mable have been married 10 years.

Per the April 2, 1930, Tillamook, Tillamook County, Oregon Census, L.L. Hoy (58) is residing

and their children, L.E. (29, Born in Montana), C.W. (22, Born in Washington),

M.T. (20, Born in Washington), Vernon (15, Born in Washington) and Stanley (11, Born in Oregon)

L.L. Hoy is now employed as a Doctor/ Physician, L.E. is employed as a Machinest,

Also, it should be mentioned, that although L.E. and C.W. Hoy are listed on this census,