Mrs. Eliza Smith Wheeler Hoyt
Taken From the Henry Republican
August 21, 1879
On Saturday morning last Mrs. Matthew Hoyt passed from earth. Her disease was dysentery, her illness being but a week. Her birth place was Russia, Herkinner county, N.Y., near Rome, where she married Matthew Hoyt of a neighboring town. Mr. Hoyt accompanies Silas Locke and family to Illinois in 1839, his family following soon after, occupying for a couple of years a log cabin on the farm now owned by Ed. Sparling at Snachwine Lake. Subsequently Mr. Hoyt bought land near town, and for the last 33 years Mrs. Hoyt has been the occupant of the homestead, where she ended this mortal life.
Her husband, Matthew Hoyt, died a few years ago, both living to that venerable epoch which scores three years and ten. Five of seven children survive the parents - two sons and three daughters. The daughters - Mrs. Charles Fulford of Dixon, Mrs. Frank Sapp of Bushnell, and the unmarried daughter living with the widowed mother, were present at the funeral on Sunday afternoon, the services being conducted by Rev. M. Moore of the Presbyterian church, from the house.
There was a large gathering of the friends and neighbors to pay the last offices for respect to one they had associated with of 30 years and upwards, and of whom they cheriched high regard. Of this number we notices Mrs. Chauncey Hoyt, Mrs. John Locke, Mrs. Orsemus Culver, Mrs. William Gallaher all of whose heads were silvered with age, and we might repeat the list ad infinitum had we space. The sons Frederick and Ephraim, residents of Iowa, were unable to be present at the obsequies. Mrs. Hoyt was one of the pioneers of the west side, and was one of the few left who endured the trials and privations of the early days of the settlement of the Prairie State. She rounded the cycle of a good old age ere she was gathered to the life to come.
John S. Hoskins
Taken From the Henry Republican
December 6, 1877
John S. Hoskins, the subject of this sketch, died of consumption, Nov. 3, 1877. Was born Jan. 12, 1814, near Chillicothe, Ross county, Ohio. Was married August 10, 1834 to Eliza Bonham, daughter of Warford Bonham, deceased. Emigrated to Illinois the same year with the family of his father-in-law, landing in Tazewell county October 24. In the spring of 1835 came to Marshall county; settled and improved a farm two miles north of Sparland. In the spring of 1850, removed to his late residence, where he lived until his death. He was a good and useful citizen, filling offices of church and township with fidelity and trust. Was a member of the M. E. church 35 years, and labored earnestly in its support. He leaves a wife and six children, who are bereft of a kind companion and indulgent father. The funeral services were conducted at the Bethel church, by the Rev. A. Beeler, after which the remains were conveyed to the cemetery near Sparland, followed by many sympathizing relatives and friends - Journal
Taken From the Henry Republican, Henry, IL
January 22, 1874
The cold clods of the valley fell and covered the mortal remains of Mr. Matthew Hoyt, on Tuesday afternoon. He was one of the pioneers of this prairie, an old settler, who endured much of the struggles of the early day, of whom a few words of honorable mention is not only fitting but deserved.
He was born on Trenton, Oneida county, N. Y., September 18, 1803, and at the time of his death had reached the age of three score years and ten. His boyhood was spent in his native town, where he also married Eliza S. Wheeler, in December 1829. He followed his father to Illinois in November, 1839, and for several years lived in a house (now torn down) on the Locke farm in Snachwine township. And here it may be noticed that he was one of the first men who settled there, Riddle Taliaferro being the only survivor who settled there before Mr. Hoyt. Mr. George Sparling came soon after Mr. H. and boarded some time in the family.
He moved to Henry in May, 1844, where all of his future life has been spent. At one time he was justice of the peace, holding the same four years, and was also a member of the board of supervisors many years ago. He was always a quiet, unpretending man, but a good and estimable citizen, one whose life and habits were swayed by the best of motives. He has had feeble health for many years, which has compelled him to forego farming, and all hard work, though he was always industrious. His wife is six years or more his junior, hale and hearty, and coming of a family whose longevity is proverbial, promises to survive her husband many years. She was one of 12, 10 of whom are living, the oldest 75, and the youngest over 50, all robust and strong.
The funeral took place at the homestead in the north part of town, on Tuesday, where were present his brothers Ephraim and William Hoyt of Chicago, formerly of Henry, and all his children, viz.: Frederick Hoyt of Clinton, Iowa; Ephraim Hoyt of Clarence, Iowa; Mrs. Charles Fulford of Peru; Mrs. T. F. Capp of Bloomington; and Miss Theola Coyt of this city. Thus passes away old and young - like the flower cut down and is withered - not knowing who may go next.