Honorable Charles K. Hoyt Portrait and Biographical Record, Pgs. 315-317 HON. CHARLES K. HOYT, the present Representative of the Second Districtin the State Legislature, and a prominent business man of Hudsonville, has contributed as largely to the progress of Ottawa County along the lines of material and moral development as any other citizen now residing here. An excellent financier, shrewd business man and progressive citizen, he has, while still a young man, achieved a large measure of success, and has gained a position of distinction in this portion of the State. He traces his ancestry to England, whence in an early day members of the family emigrated to America. His grandfather, Keeler Hoyt, was a brave soldier in the War of 1812, and was,during the larger part of his career a resident of New York. The father of our subject, Nelson Hoyt, was a native of Manlius, N.Y., born January 16, 1820, and in the Empire State he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Peter Barber, both of whom were born near Baldwinsville. After their marriage the parents of our subject came to Michigan and settled in Waterloo Township, Jackson County, where the father still resides, being now among the oldest surviving settlers of his community. His first wife, the mother of our subject, died August 4, 1863, and he afterwards married again, becoming by the latter union the father of one child, Scaborn. In politics a stanch Republican, he was the occupant of a number of township offices and served with fidelity in the various offices to which he was elected. He was a liberal contributor to religious enterprises, and his wife, our subject’s mother, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject is one of six children, four of whom are now living. They are, Albine L., who married Fannie Finch, by whom he has become the father of five children; Rev. Peter B., who married Leora Hall, and resides in Commerce, Oakland County, Mich., Charles K.; and Harry H., of Lawton, who married Eva R., daughter of John N. Waite, of whom see sketch elsewhere in this volume. Harry H.and his wife are the parents of three children. The next to the youngest of the family is the subject of this sketch, who was born in Waterloo Township, Jackson County, Mich., June 18, 1859. He was reared on a farm, and was educated in the common schools of Waterloo Township, where he fitted himself for the professionof a teacher. He was thus engaged in Jackson County in the winter of 1875-76, and in Hanley Ottawa County, for two years, and later in Hudsonville for two and one-half years. From this place Mr. Hoyt went to Pierson, Montcalm County, where he was employed as book-keeper for E. F. Taylor, a lumber and drygoods merchant of that place. In 1885 he returned to Hudsonville, where he embarked in business for himself, opening a store and filling it with a complete stock of groceries, drygoods and notions. He still conducts this establishment, although he no longer gives his personal supervision to the details of its management. A Republican in political belief, he has for years been prominent in politics and has frequently served as a delegate to county and State conventions. For four years he filled the position of Clerk of Georgetown Township, and during the administration of President Harrison he served as Postmaster at Hudsonville, resigning that position in order to accept the nomination to the Legislature. In 1892 Mr. Hoyt was the Republican candidate for the position ofRepresentative of the Second District, and, being elected to that responsibleoffice, assumed the duties of the place on the 4th of January, 1893.He has served as Chairman of the Committee on Towns and Counties, as a member ofthe Committee on Insurance, and as a member of the Committee on the NorthernAsylum for the Insane, located at Traverse City; he was also on the Committee of Escort from the Legislature to the funeral of the Hon. Mr. Leavitt, of OceanaCounty. He has been prominent in fighting the saloon legislation and has worked ardently against increase of salaries, as well as for all measures beneficial tofarming interests. He was elected for a period of two years and is still filling the position, rendering satisfactory service on behalf of his constituents. The marriage of Mr. Hoyt occurred November 18, 1880, and united him with Esther M., daughter of William H. and Anna (Barber) McEachron, natives of NewYork and early settlers of Georgetown Township, Ottawa County. Later they resided in Jamestown Township, and at the present time (1893) they make their home in Hudsonville. They have been the parents of seven children, of whom fiveare now living. Their daughter Esther M. was born in New York March 19 1863, and was educated in this State, having formerly been a teacher in Ottawa County. Her parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and her father was Trustee of the church at Hanley, but she affiliates with the Congregationalists,and is an active worker in that denomination, to which Mr. Hoyt also belongs. Both are prominent workers in the Sunday-school, and he has officiated as Trustee in the church. They have a family of four children, Birney G., Ralph L., Harold R. and an infant unnamed. From his youth Mr. Hoyt has maintained a deep interest in the cause of education, and he has been a member of the School Board ever since becoming a resident of Hudsonville. The schools of this place compare favorably with those in larger towns, and an excellent system of grading has been introduced throughhis efforts, assisted by others. In his social connections he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has filled all the chairs in the lodge here, which he has also represented in the Grand Lodge. He is a member of the Order of Maccabees, and is at present officiating as Sir Knight Commander, being the first occupant of that position in the order in Hudsonville.

Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & OttawaCounties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company 

Transcriber: Susan Gates Davis
Created: 29 January 2003
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