A Remarkable Family

Rev. S. P. Hoy returned last week from Shelby county where he had been visiting. Last Monday he was present at a remarkable family reunion. Eleven children, the entire family, was present. There has not been a death in the family in 54 years. That was the father of Mr. Hoy, Peter Hoy, who in 1837 fell down an embankment while going home from class meeting. S. P. Hoy was the only child then. About a year afterward, Mrs. Hoy married David Hoy, a brother of her first husband. By him she had 10 children. The reunion was held at the residence of Daniel Mull in Moweaqua, and the entire family was present, including Mr. and Mrs. David Hoy, S. P. Hoy, Decatur; J. B. Hoy, Eureka, Kansas; J. W. Hoy, Ross county, Ohio; A. M. Hoy, Iowa; Wesley D., Jacob, Miss Catherine, Miss Mary, Julia, Albert, and W. J. Hoy, all residents of Shelby county. A grand dinner was served, and a photograph of the family group was taken.

Morning Review

Decatur, Illinois

April 12, 1891

Page 4

DEATH OF

DAVID A. HOY

Rev. S. P. Hoy received a telephone message yesterday

morning announcing the death of his step-father, David A. Hoy,

at his home in Pickaway township, Shelby county.

He was 94 years old and his death was quite unexpected.

David Hoy was a brother of Rev. Mr. Hoy's father

and raised him from a child.

He was born in Ohio and came to Illinois in 1854.
The funeral will be held today and

Mr. Hoy will go to Shelby to attend. 
 

Decatur Herald

 Decatur, Illinois

Friday, April 25, 1902

Obituaries, Tombstone Photograph & "A Remarkable Family"

Courtesy of

Loretta "Lorrie" M. Taylor

Another of the Wonderful People

I have met on Find-A-Grave

Mrs. Mary Hoy

Mrs. Mary Hoy, wife of David A. Hoy,

died at her residence in Pickaway Township,

Shelby Co., IL, Feb 22, of la grippe,

aged 75 years, 6 months and 20 days.

She was born in Fairfield Co., OH, 1816.

She was twice married, her first marriage was to Peter Hoy,

who was accidentally injured while going home

from a class meeting, Aug 12, 1837,

from which he died the next morning.

From this marriage one son was born, Rev. Simon P. Hoy.

Her second marriage was to David A. Hoy,

who survives her at the age of 84 years.

Her first and second husbands were brothers.

To the second marriage seven sons and three daughters

were born, all living. There are 33 grandchildren

and 6 great grandchildren.

In 1840, she with her husband, moved from

Pickaway Co., Ohio to Putnam County, Ohio,

where they lived for three years in a wilderness,

in a cabin, six miles from a wagon road.

In 1843, they returned to Pickaway County, OH,

and in 1854, on the 6th day of October the family

reached Shelbyville, IL., and have resided there ever since,

in the locality where she died.

At the age of 18 years, Mother Hoy was converted

to Christ and joined the M. E. Church.

In the year 1857 or 1858, she united herself with the

United Brethren Church, in which she lived a consistent life

and died a triumphant death. The great characteristic

principle of her life was kindness. No human being or even

animal was allowed to suffer if aid from her was possible.

As a Christian she was devoted to Christ,

rather than to any denomination.

Often in the night when all the family

 had retired to sleep, her voice would awaken some

member of the family by pleading in prayer in the

 garden or orchard, for herself and family.

She was a great sufferer from a physical infirmity.

But all is changed- no more suffering, no more Prayer,

all is turned to praise- mother is in heaven.

This is the first death in the family in fifty-five years,

although three of the sons were in the army." 
 

Shelbyville Democrat

March 10, 1892