John Philo Hoyt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Philo Hoyt
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| 4th Governor of Arizona Territory | |
| In office May 30, 1877 – October 6, 1878 |
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| Nominated by | Rutherford B. Hayes |
| Preceded by | Anson P.K. Safford |
| Succeeded by | John C. Frémont |
| 4th Secretary of Arizona Territory | |
| In office July 8, 1876 – May 30, 1877 |
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| Nominated by | Rutherford B. Hayes |
| Preceded by | Coles Bashford |
| Succeeded by | John J. Gosper |
| Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives | |
| In office January 6, 1876 – 1876 |
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| Preceded by | Charles Croswell |
| Succeeded by | Newcomb Clark |
| Member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the Tuscola County district |
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| In office January 1, 1873 – 1876 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | October 6, 1841 Austinburg, Ohio |
| Died | August 27, 1926 (aged 84) Seattle, Washington |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Lettie J. Lewis |
| Profession | Attorney |
John Philo Hoyt (born October 6, 1841 – died August 27, 1926) was an American politician and judge. He served as the fourth Governor of Arizona Territory. He was also asked to become Governor of Idaho Territory but said no. Later in his life, he led Washington's meeting to write its constitution. He also became a Justice on the Washington Supreme Court.
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Early Life and Military Service
John Philo Hoyt was born on October 6, 1841, in Austinburg Township, Ohio. His parents were David and Susan Hoyt. He went to public schools and the Grand River Institute. After finishing school, Hoyt worked as a teacher.
When the American Civil War started, Hoyt joined the army. On May 27, 1862, he became a private in the 87th Ohio Infantry. After a month, he became a commissary sergeant. His group was captured by Confederate soldiers at the Battle of Harpers Ferry. Hoyt left the army on October 3, 1862.
He joined the army again as a commissary sergeant in the 2nd Ohio Heavy Artillery. Later, he became a second lieutenant in the 2nd Ohio Light Artillery. He left the army for good on January 15, 1866, as a captain. After the war, he was part of the Grand Army of the Republic, a group for Civil War veterans.
On December 27, 1869, Hoyt married Lettie J. Lewis from Adams, New York. They had one daughter named June and two sons, Harold and Arthur.
Beginning His Political Career
After the war, Hoyt started studying law in Jefferson, Ohio. He then went to the Ohio State & Union Law School in Cleveland, Ohio. He finished law school in July 1867 and moved to Vassar, Michigan.
In 1868 and 1870, Hoyt was elected as a prosecuting attorney for Tuscola County, Michigan. This meant he was the lawyer who brought legal cases against people accused of crimes. Later, he was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1872 and 1874. In 1875, he became the Speaker of the House, which is like the leader of that part of the government.
Serving Arizona Territory
President Ulysses S. Grant chose Hoyt to be the Secretary of Arizona Territory on May 22, 1876. Hoyt arrived in Tucson, the capital, on July 8, 1876, and started his job that same day. While he was Secretary, he also continued to work as a lawyer. He was allowed to practice law in Arizona on November 13, 1876.
As Secretary, Hoyt's main achievement was putting together a new set of laws for the 9th Arizona Territorial Legislature. This new set of laws was called the "Hoyt Code." It built upon an older set of laws but kept the same basic structure.
On April 5, 1877, Hoyt was chosen to become the new governor, replacing Anson P.K. Safford. Because of some legal issues related to his role as Secretary, he waited to become governor until a new Secretary could take his old job. The new Secretary, John J. Gosper, arrived on May 30, 1877. Hoyt was sworn in as governor on the same day. He stopped practicing law because the Secretary of the Interior said governors should not also be lawyers.
As governor, Hoyt had to deal with two main problems. He helped improve the difficult relationship between the civilian leaders and the military leaders in the territory. General Irvin McDowell even praised Hoyt for his good attitude. He had less success fixing the disagreements between the northern and southern parts of the territory. However, people saw him as a fair person who didn't favor one side.
During Hoyt's time as governor, new mining areas opened in Bisbee and Tombstone. A reliable civilian telegraph system was built, which helped people communicate. Also, Yuma was connected to California by the Southern Pacific Railroad, which was building eastward.
Even though most people in Arizona were happy with his work, Hoyt learned on June 12, 1878, that he would be replaced by John C. Frémont. Hoyt wanted to leave the territory right away, but he was convinced to stay until his replacement arrived.
Idaho Territory and Washington State
After leaving Arizona, Hoyt was offered the job of governor for Idaho Territory. However, he turned it down. He felt that the current governor, Mason Brayman, was being unfairly removed. Hoyt was also worried that if he took the job, people in Idaho might not trust him because of how he was appointed. Instead, Hoyt asked the Interior Secretary for a different job. When he didn't get a suitable position, he left federal service for a while.
Hoyt then traveled to Washington, D.C., and asked to be appointed as a territorial chief justice. In January 1879, he became an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Washington Territory. He held this job until 1887. In May 1887, he became the manager of the territory's biggest bank. In 1889, he was the president of Washington's meeting to write its constitution.
After Washington became a state, Hoyt was elected as a justice of the Washington Supreme Court. He served there from 1889 until 1897. From 1898 to 1902, he was a regent for the University of Washington. He also taught law at the university from 1902 to 1907. John Philo Hoyt passed away in Seattle, Washington, on August 27, 1926. His ashes were buried in his family plot at Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park.
