His teaching career was cut short by the Civil War, a career he would pursue later in his life. His education background would eventually lead him to serve on the Board of Regents at the University of Washington, and then serve as a professor of law there. His career in the Civil War would win him many allies and give him a unique experience in dealing with the North-South rivalry that had developed in Arizona, mostly manifesting itself in the struggle for the territorial capital.
Born October 6, 1841 to David and Susan Hoyt at Augstinburg, Ashtabula County, Ohio. He was raised on the family farm and educated at public schools. He was preparing to be a teacher, but enlisted in the Army on May 27, 1862 as a private in Company H of the 87th Ohio Infantry . His company was captured by Confederates, he was later mustered out of the army on October 3, 1862. He re-enlisted August 3, 1863 as a commissionary sergeant with Company M of the 2nd Ohio Light Artillery. Mustered out as captain January 15, 1866. Afterward, he studied law in Jefferson, Ohio and graduated from Ohio State Union Law College of Cleveland in July 1867. He was admitted to the Ohio state bar thereafter. Later he moved to Tuscola County, Michigan and was elected County Prosecuting Attorney there in 1870. He was elected as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 1872-1874 and was the Speaker of the House there. He married Lettie J. Hoyt in December 1869 and would eventually have three children.
He was confirmed as Secretary of Arizona Territory May 22, 1876 and admitted to practice law at the Arizona Bar November 13, 1876. He was admitted to practice law in the Territorial Supreme Court on January 3, 1877. He compiled his Revised Statutes, known as the "Hoyt Code" in 1878 the compiled laws of the territory of Arizona 1864-1877. Later to become known as the Arizona Revised Statutes. He distinguished his career by this accomplishment. As Governor, he wanted railroad extensions, more mining operations, increased number of businessmen to the territory. Most importantly he had to contend with the conflict between the civil and military authorities as well as the rivalry between Northern and Southern Arizona. The South had felt that they were being underrepresented in the territory, still struggling for the capital. Hoyt supported a public school system following in former Governor Safford's footsteps.
When Fremont was appointed
as Governor of Arizona, Hoyt was appointed to the Governorship of Idaho.
From 1879-1887 he was associate justice of the Territorial Supreme Court
of Washington. May 1887 manager of Dexter Horton and Co. in Seattle when
Washington was admitted as a state. Served as Justice on state supreme
court from 1889-1897. Served on the Board of Regents from 1898-1902 at
the University of Washington, was a professor of law there from 1902-1907.
Died in Seattle, Washington August 27, 1926. His ashes are in the family
plot in Washellie Cemetery there.
Information from two sources:
Wagoner, Jay J. Arizona Territory, 1863-1912; a political history. University of Arizona Press, Tucson, 1970
Goff, John S. Arizona
Territorial Officials Volume 2. Arizona Black Mountain
Press, Cave Creek, 1975
Chapter 4
Websites
John Philo Hoyt and Women's Suffrage
http://www.c-wiggins.com/constitution/hoyt.html
Political Graveyard
http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/howlett-hubard.html#RKO0SAP98
Books/Manuscripts
Biography of John P. Hoyt
FB SACKS 25/5
The Compiled Laws of the Territory of Arizona,
1864-1877.
FE SACKS 3/5
