*****Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. This message must appear on all copied files. Commercial copying must have permission. ***** Submitted by Cindy Bryant CAPTAIN ROBERT W. HOY MRS. ELIZABETH (WILSON) HOY (1st wife) MRS. JANE R. (WILSON) HOY (2nd wife) MRS. MARY L. (GRACE) HOY (3rd wife) MRS. SARAH A. (GRACE) LANG HOY (4th wife) Capt. Robert W. Hoy was born in Canton, Stark Co., Ohio, Feb. 26, 1824. He was the son of Robert Hoy who emigrated to Plymouth, Richland Co., Ohio, at an early day, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of wild land. Six years later he died, leaving a wife and five children. Robert W. was the youngest. His brother, leaving home soon after the death of the father, left Robert at the age of thirteen in charge of the farm. The family continued the work of improving which had been pushed forward during the life of the father until it was a well improved farm, with good buildings, orchards, etc. Robert's time was so taken with the duties which devolved upon him that he did not get the advantages received by most of the boys of his day, receiving but a limited education. On the 29th of January, 1844, he was married to Elizabeth Wilson. To them were born Elizabeth A., Dec. 29, 1845; George W., Oct. 29, 1847; John W., Jan. 29, 1850; Robert F., Jan. 2, 1853; Eliza J., Feb. 5, 1855; and Walter L. F., April 21, 1857. Mrs. Hoy died May 4, 1857. They had, after their marriage remained on the Hoy homestead until 1853 when they moved to Lisbon, Noble Co., Ind., where Mr. Hoy engaged in the mercantile business, which he followed with fair success for three years. Failing health compelled him to leave the store, and then for a time he traveled for a manufacturing company. Then again settled down in Lisbon as its postmaster, which, connected with justice business, afforded him a comfortable living until August, 1863, when he raised a company, which became Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and Mr. Hoy was chosen its captain. The regiment left the State in March, 1864, and at Murfreesboro' joined the twenty-third Corps, which became part of Sherman's army in its Atlanta campaign, and they took part in the battles and skirmishes which resulted in the capture of Atlanta. They then went back with Gen. Thomas to Franklin, where they fought a hard battle, then fell back and were in the battle of Nashville, after which they joined Sherman, and at Kingston, N. C., saw their last battle. Soon after this, Capt. Hoy, who had ever been with his regiment only to be mustered out Sept. 9, 1865. In the summer of 1867 the captain came to Bushnell and bought twenty acres of land, which has since been his home. He was a Democrat until 1860, when the Democratic State convention of Indiana, under the leadership of Vallandigham, Voorhees, et al, passed resolutions which he could not indorse, and he then became an active member of the Republican party. In the fall of 1866 he removed with his family to Wood's Corners, Ionia Co., Mich., and engaged in the carpenter and joiner business. Having purchased a small farm in Bushnell, Montcalm Co., he removed there on the 13th of July, 1867, and in the following spring was elected justice of the peace, which office he has held to the present time; also the office of the supervisor continuously for nine years, to the entire satisfaction of his townsmen, with whom he is very popular. Before leaving Ohio he served two terms as sheriff to Richland County; was also elected county assessor and town assessor for a number of terms. In Indiana was twice elected trustee, four years justice of the peace, and five years postmaster. For his second wife, Mr. Hoy married Miss Jane R. Wilson. She died Sept. 5, 1860, leaving one child, Emma E., born Feb. 7, 1859. Oct. 26, 1865, he was married to Miss Mary L. Grace. She died Sept. 9, 1867. Mr. Hoy was again married, to Mrs. Sarah A. Lang, daughter of Bennett and Mary Grace, of Mercer, Pa., on the 2d of January, 1869. By her first husband Mrs. Lang had four daughters, who became members of Mr. Hoy's family. They are Gertrude E., born Nov. 25, 1855; Emily M., born March 1, 1857; Mary Adaline, born Jan. 1, 1862; and Sarah A., born July 10, 1864. This biography is taken from "HISTORY OF IONIA AND MONTCALM COUNTIES, MICHIGAN" by John S. Schenck. Philadelphia: D. W. Ensign & Co., 1881. Pages 414-415, Bushnell Township.