Thomas & Sarah (Faust) Hoy

Thomas Hoy, son of Henry was born February 5, 1833, in North

Manheim township. He received his education at Orwigsburg, attending
the common schools, and later for three months the Arcadian school, and
was brought up to farming, in which industry he had interest all his
life. A man of energetic disposition and executive ability, he was not
afraid to undertake any ordinary business enterprise, and his capability
was prominent in the success of everything he handled.

He owned the Fair View Farm at Orwigsburg, which consisted

of about 117 acres, and was one of the finest improved farm properties

in this part of Schuylkill county, and in addition to general farming

he carried on stock raising, dairying and butchering, there for a time.

He had the distinction of starting the first industrial enterprise at Orwigsburg, he and his partner establishing the first shoe factory

there in 1873, conducted under the name of

Orwigsburg Shoe Manufacturing Company.

Mr. Hoy and his associate traveled over the East and visited

a number of shoe factories in order to gain some knowledge

of the business before starting up their own plant.

The first move they made was to lease the
old courthouse building at Orwigsburg for ninety-nine years, at one
dollar a year. The concern was organized as a stock company, although
this was against Mr. Hoy's wishes.

He became general superintendent and treasurer,

and it had a prosperous career under his able management.
Eventually he sold his stock in this concern, and he was subsequently
engaged in the butchering business and the manufacture of phosphate for
some time. He was also one of the moving spirits in securing the
waterworks for the borough, although the idea met with great opposition
at first. However, as the project was seen to be feasible, it met with
more favor, and he was commended for his activity.

Mr. Hoy acquired large property holdings.

He had valuable timber and mineral lands in Lycoming county, Pa.,

and considerable property in Florida, five hundred
acres, which included a valuable farm and lots in various towns of the
State; with Martin Shaefer and David Brown he was the joint owner of real estate in Virginia containing granite quarries, and his real estate at
Orwigsburg included the "Central Hotel" property. He organized the
south Schuylkill Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and was its president
for a number of years. Mr. Hoy's versatile ability gained him such
confidence among his fellow citizens that he was chosen to the highest
office in their gift, that of chief burgess, which he held for two
terms. During his incumbency of this position he secured a new charter
for the borough, under which a number of desirable ordinances were
passed and made effective, and much good was accomplished in the
repairing of streets and sidewalks and the placing of street crossings.

He had also served as president of the town council, and as member of
the school board for a number of years. Politically he was associated
with the Republican party, and was one of its most enthusiastic workers
in his section. He was an Odd Fellow in social connection, belonged to
Grace Lodge, No. 137, I.O.O.F. Mr. Hoy was indeed one of the most
influential citizens of his day of Orwigsburg, and his death, which
occurred in 1899, was considered a loss to the entire community. He is
buried in the Lutheran cemetery at Orwigsburg.

On Sept. 3, 1854, Mr. Hoy married Sarah Faust, daughter of
Daniel and Elizabeth (Fegley) Faust, of West Brunswick township,
Schuylkill county, and she survives him,

being now (1914) in her Eightieth year.

She resides at Orwigsburg with her daughter Mrs. Deibert.

Walke Township, Sohs County, Pennsylvania
Living at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1914

Note - SOURCE: Vera Hoy Schmidt - Went to Iowa in 1891 and worked for George W. Hoy.
Made a return visit to PA in 1894 & returned to IA. Moved from IA to PA in 1924.