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Below is a family biography included in The History of Adams County, Illinois published by Murray, Williamson & Phelps in 1879.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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HOYT, CAPT. E. B., retired farmer; Sec. 2; P. O. Augusta, Hancock county, Ill.; was born in Richfield, Fairfield county, Conn., Oct. 8, 1805; emigrated from Connecticut to Orange county, N. Y., in 1828; married Mary Jane Reynolds, born in Monroe county, N. Y., Oct. 19, 1809; mother of ten children, five living: William R., born Jan. 8, 1830; Polly E., Oct. 10, 1831; J. S., Nov. 11, 1833; Edwin G., Nov. 27, 1835; Sarah J., Sept. 16, 1837 (died July 12, 1867); Benjamin F., born Nov. 9, 1839 (was wounded at the siege of Vicksburg, and died at Memphis, in the hospital); Charles B,, born March 10, 1842 (died July 15, 1843); Ebenezer B., born Sept. 20, 1843; Maria, Jan. 8, 1846 (died Aug. 4, 1873); Ann Eliza, April 1, 1848 (died Nov. 2, 1849). Mr. Hoyt lived in Orange county ten years, two years in New York; thence to Columbus county, Ohio, where he lived two years; then came to Adams county, where he has resided since; held the office of Assessor and Commissioner of Highways; is an auctioneer; has sold goods over all this part of the State; came here in an early day, and is one of Illinois’ “old landmarks.” J. S. Hoyt, where the captain now lives, owns a fine farm on Sec. 2; born in Orange county, N. Y.; emigrated to this county with his parents in 1840; has 212 acres of land, valued at $10,000; has one of the finest residences in this part of the township; married Polly M. Benedict. She was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., Jan. 31, 1835. One child, Ada, born May 8, 1859 (died Aug. 14, 1859). Came here when he was a boy, and has grown up with the country, and is one of its sound farmers.

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This family biography is one of 1444 biographies included in The History of Adams County, Illinois published by Murray, Williamson & Phelps in 1879.  View the complete description here: The History of Adams County, Illinois

View additional Adams County, Illinois family biographies here: Adams County, Illinois Biographies

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