James Henry Hoyt

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James Henry Hoyt
Member of the Connecticut Senate
from the 12th District
In office
1857–1858[1]
Preceded byOrris S. Ferry
Succeeded byJulius Curtis
Personal details
Born(1809-04-14)April 14, 1809[2][3]
Stamford
DiedDecember 14, 1873(1873-12-14) (aged 64)[3]
Connecticut[3]
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseSarah J. Grey (m. January 31, 1838)
Occupationtimber merchant, railroad entrepreneur

James Henry Hoyt (April 14, 1809 – December 14, 1873) was an American railroad entrepreneur and member of the Connecticut Senate representing Connecticut's 12th District from 1857 to 1858.

Early life and family[edit]

He was born in Stamford, Connecticut on April 14, 1809, the son of William Hoyt and Sarah Wood.[2]

At an early age he was an apprentice to a cabinet maker.[2] He later went into business with his brothers in dry goods and groceries.[2] When he became an adult, he took on the business of his former master, and expanded it into the lumber trade.[2]

Beginning in 1831, he, along with his brothers, leased access to the canal extending from the harbor in Stamford into the center of the village.[2] They engaged in shipping and importing for the five-year duration of the lease.[2] After the lease was expired, he returned to the lumber business.[2]

On January 31, 1838, he married Sarah J. Grey of Darien.[2]

When the railroad was planned to be built through the area, he became a contractor for grading, building bridges, and providing railroad ties.[2] He was very successful, and became heavily associated with various aspects of the railroad industry, and in 1854 was named as superintendent of the railroad.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Roll of state officers and members of General Assembly of Connecticut, from 1776 to 1881
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Stamford Historical Society - James Henry Hoyt
  3. ^ a b c "Connecticut, Deaths and Burials, 1772-1934," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F7D4-F4S: accessed 27 May 2013), James H. Hoyt, 14 Dec 1873; citing reference, FHL microfilm 3144.
Connecticut State Senate
Preceded by Member of the
Connecticut Senate
from the 12th District

1857–1858
Succeeded by