The thrilling scenes which the pioneers passed through in the settlement of this portion of the State, must ever, awaken emotions of the warmest regard for them. To pave the way for those who followed, and make their settlement in the West a pleasure, they endured all the privations, and suffered all the ills, consequent upon an early residence in the West. But few of these spirits now survive; they have passed away full of years and honors, leaving their children and children’s children to succeed them, and enjoy the fruits of their toil and privations during their long and eventful pioneer lives.

Among the early settlers who yet remain is the subject of this sketch, who lives on a farm on section 14, Jefferson Township. He was born in Union County, Pa., on the 3d of March, 1813, and in 1847 migrated to the West, and settled in Jefferson Township, Stephenson County, where he has since lived. His farm consists of 180 acres of tillable land, and eighty acres of timber land.

Mr. Hoy was married in Union County, Pa., to Sarah Hoffman, who was also a native of that county. Nine children have blessed their union and have risen up to call them blessed. Their names are: John, Catherine, Mary, Herman, Amelia, Sarah, George, William and Emanuel. The last two are dead. It must be very gratifying to the aged father to realize that he has been permitted to live to see the children spared to him, happily married, and settled in life. John resides in Carroll County, Ill.; Catherine is the wife of Daniel Hoffman, and resides in Kansas; Mary is the wife of William Meyers, and resides in Jefferson Township; Henry married Eliza Johnson, and resides in Carroll County, Ill.; Amelia is the wife of William Mendenhall, and resides in Jefferson Township; Sarah is the wife of Edward Truckmiller, and resides in Carroll County, Ill.; George married Minnie Paton, and resides in Jefferson County; the latter have three children – Frank, Nettie and Hattie.

The wife of Mr. Hoy died in Jefferson Township in September, 1884. She was a member of the Lutheran Church, and for many years before her death was a leading spirit in the congregation to which she belonged.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 595-596.