My Genealogy Hound

JUDGE THOMAS P. HOY was elected Probate Judge of Pettis County in 1890, and has been engaged in law practice in Sedalia since 1879. Many important cases have been brought before him as Judge, and only one of his decisions has ever been appealed from. This exceptional case was taken before the Circuit Court, which sustained his verdict, as did also the Supreme Court. During the war he fought valiantly on the Confederate side, with which, as a Southerner and one reared in Mississippi, his sympathies were enlisted.

The Hoy family originally owned the isle bearing their name, one of the Orkneys. Early members of the Hoy clan fought under Argyle for King James IV of Scotland. At the battle of Flodden Field one William Hoy was taken prisoner by the English, and he was allotted to a wealthy English earl, who made his capture. In the course of a few years he eloped with the earl’s daughter and went to Wales, where the family lived many years. Several years prior to the Revolutionary War the great-grandfather of our subject emigrated to America, and settled in Virginia, on the James River.

The grandfather, Thomas Hoy, participated in the latter war, and was present at the surrender at Yorktown. After the close of the war he went with Daniel Boone on his second trip to Kentucky. The grandfather settled in Madison County, Ky., and built a blockhouse, or private fort, at what is now called Foxtown, this being the second fort constructed in Kentucky. In Boonesboro, that state, occurred the marriage of Thomas Hoy and Susan Bush, the latter a native of Virginia. The grandfather continued to dwell in the fort he had built until the Indians were driven away. Later he moved to Bourbon County, and while there his father came to live with him. About 1795 Thomas Hoy removed to Simpson County, Ky., where he died about 1841, leaving a family of seven sons and two daughters.

William Hoy, the father of our subject, was born in September, 1794. January 2, 1822, he married Aurora Proctor, whose birth occurred in Kentucky in 1804. About 1832 they moved to Madison County, Miss., where some three years previously Mr. Hoy had purchased about three sections of land. For several years before moving to Mississippi he shipped products to New Orleans, going with his cargo and returning by the land route; and it was while making one of these trips that he concluded to become a permanent resident of Mississippi.

The birth of Judge Hoy occurred on the 9th of October, 1824, in Logan County, Ky. When the family went to Mississippi he did not accompany them, but continued his studies for a year in his native state. Subsequently he returned to Russelville Academy, in Logan County, Ky., and at the end of a year entered the freshman class of St. Joseph’s College, at Bardstown, where he continued for three years. His health became impaired on account of close confinement to his work, and for a few months he recuperated at his father’s Mississippi plantation. He then took up the study of law under Hon. Judge Mayes, and in three years, after an examination before the Supreme Court of Mississippi, was admitted to practice. Until the breaking out of the Mexican War he pursued his profession at Canton, Madison County, Miss., and in the territory adjoining.

In 1846 the Judge enlisted as a private soldier, becoming a member of Hayes’ regiment of Texas Rangers, and took part in the battle of Monterey. Afterward he was placed in the battalion made up of the remnants of this and other regiments, and for a time was under the command of General Chevallie. He took part in the battle of Buena Vista, and in numerous skirmishes, and was promoted to the rank of Adjutant. At the end of two years’ service he was mustered out, in July, 1848. Returning to Madison County, he spent some time in settling up his father’s estate, and in 1853 resumed his law practice, having decided on Louisiana, Pike County, Mo., as his future home.

In 1861 Judge Hoy was employed by the Confederate army in gathering supplies and recruits, principally in southeastern Missouri, and in the vicinity of Memphis, Tenn. In the latter part of the summer of 1861 he was placed under command of General Jeff Thompson, and for some time was a member of his staff. After the battle of Belmont he returned to Madison County, Miss., awaiting orders from Richmond. These came in February, 1862, and he reported to General Van Dorn, at Jacksonport, Ark., serving as Aid-de-camp. From the latter place he was sent to Memphis, where he was stationed until becoming a member of General Green’s staff. From the fall of 1862 until the close of the war he was employed in recruiting soldiers for the service, and established stations for that purpose in southeastern Missouri and northeastern Arkansas. Altogether, he recruited more than two full regiments, which he sent to the main army. During this time he had from four hundred to eight hundred picked men under his immediate command, he holding the rank of Colonel. After the Union troops took possession of Little Rock, he applied for permission to join the southern division of the Confederate army, but his request was not complied with by the Secretary of War, as it was thought he could be of more service where he was, by keeping open communication with Richmond, and at the same time keep a much larger body of Federals watching his movements. He was successful in his endeavors, and made frequent and regular reports to the capital of the Confederacy. The country had become infested by deserters from both armies, and they terrorized this portion of the country. Colonel Hoy found plenty to occupy his attention in suppressing these brigands, and in answer to his suggestion that some one be sent to compel their services in the Confederate army came General Jeff Thompson, who was soon afterward captured. The army career of the Judge was brought to a close at Wittsburg, Ark., on the St. Francis River, by his surrender, in May, 1865. He received a wound at the evacuation of Corinth, and also an injury to his left instep during a skirmish.

After the war Judge Hoy returned to visit his mother on the old Mississippi plantation. She was in destitute circumstances, and he did what he could to assist her, but her death occurred about a year later. In 1873 our subject moved to St. Louis, where he began the practice of law, and was thus employed there for six years, at the end of which time he became a resident of Sedalia. He is now the only survivor of his father’s family. His sister, who died a few years ago, left several children, and the Judge is educating one of the daughters at Columbus (Miss.) College. His father was a Mason of high standing, and during the war he also entered the order, taking three degrees.

The Judge, who is recognized as one of the able lawyers of the state, has always been a stanch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party.