BIO: Francis H. HOY, Dauphin County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/runk/runk-bios.htm
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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, pages 320-321.
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  HOY, FRANCIS H., was born in Manayunk, Philadelphia county, Pa., June 
30, 1845, son of Robert M. and Mahola (Thomas) Hoy.  The father was a 
native of Belfast, Ireland, and the mother, of Yorkshire, England.  The 
father was superintendent of a large cotton factory in Philadelphia 
county for many years.  Robert W. Hoy, the grandfather, was an 
instructor in one of the colleges in Ireland, and master of six 
languages.  W. H. Thomas, the maternal grandfather, was professor of 
music and languages in his native city.  The father died in 
Philadelphia, January 6, 1854.  His wife is still living and resides at 
Portsmouth, Ohio.  Francis H. was the only child and was reared in 
Philadelphia up to his thirteenth year, when he removed to Schuylkill 
county, and in 1860 came to Harrisburg.  His education was obtained in 
the public schools of Philadelphia, and the Boys' grammar school of 
Manayunk, from which he was transferred to the high school after his 
removal to Schuylkill county, after which he learned the barber's 
trade.  In 1862 he enlisted in company A, One Hundred and Twenty-
seventh regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, First City Zouaves of 
Harrisburg, and served nine months' and re-enlisted in company C, Two 
Hundred and First regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers.  He was promoted 
to corporal, then to sergeant, and then to color sergeant of the 
regiment, and then to a field position on January 21, 1865, and 
assigned to detached duty.  After the war he worked at his trade for 
one year, and was then employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company 
for several years, in various capacities from brakeman to locomotive 
engineer.  After this he was with the Pennsylvania Steel Works for a 
time, and then resumed his trade at which he worked until 1891, when he 
was elected to the office of coroner of Dauphin county, in the 
administration of which office he proved to be one of the most popular 
officers in the State.  After the death of Sheriff S. F. Keller, he 
served as sheriff, until the assistant was named by the governor.  In 
his politics he is a Democrat.  Mr. Hoy has been the commander of Post 
No. 58, G. A. R., and is now aide-de-camp on the staff of the chief 
commander of the State.  On July 5, 1866, Mr. Hoy was married to Mary 
M. Kammerer, daughter of George Kammerer, native of Germany, resident 
of Harrisburg.  His children are:  George K., Robert W., Francis H., 
Jr., and Sarah F.  The family are members of the Presbyterian Church.  
The eldest son served as president of the Society of Christian 
Endeavor.  The second son is foreman of the Harrisburg Electric Light 
Works.