HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
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Coast. Coining back to Illinois, he joined the working forces of the Springfield Watch Company, making that city his home for eight years. At the end of this time he became foreman of one of the departments of the National Watch Company, and returning to Elgin, made that city his home until his death, June 2, 1885. He was one of the directors of the Elgin Loan and Homestead Association, belonged to the G. A. R., and was a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was married in 1863 to Miss Mary E. Britton, daughter of Joel and Sarah (West) Britton, of Waltham, Mass. Mrs. Hoyt, and one son, Otis West, are at this date (1903) the surviving members of the family. Another son, William Britton, died in 1889.
ROLAND C. HOYT, retired farmer, Elburn, Ill.; born at Kaneville, Ill., Nov. 6, 1854; began his business career as a farmer in 1872, following that occupation until 1892, being interested in various enterprises for nine years since the latter date, but in 1901 he again turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He was married Feb. 15, 1887, to Emma Watson.
WILLIS HOYT, manufacturer, Aurora, Ill., was born Aug. 25, 1848, in Aurora, and was there reared to manhood, receiving his education in the local schools and at the Military Academy, Pulton, Ill., from which he graduated about 1866. In 1864 he enlisted in the 100-day service, but was rejected at Cairo. Entering a drug store while still a youth, he worked his way up from a clerkship to the management of the establishment. In 1871 he secured an interest in the wood-working machinery plant of Hoyt & Brother, and the following year the company was incorporated under the name of "The Hoyt & Brother Manufacturing Company," Willis Hoyt being named as Secretary and Treasurer. In 1887 the style of the firm was changed to "Hoyt & Bro. Company," Mr. Hoyt still retaining his former position. When his father died in 1893 he became President of the Company, and continued in that position until 1897. The plant was then taken into the American Wood-working Machinery Company of New Jersey, but has since been reincorporated under the laws of Pennsylvania, Mr. Hoyt being advisory man for the Aurora branch. He is an active Mason, as he is also in the Knights of Pythias Order. In 1874 he married Miss Jennie L. Endlong, of Oswego, Ill.
AUGUSTINE H. HUBBARD, Mayor, Elgin, Ill., was born in Salem, Washtenaw County, Mich., March 17, 1843, son of Harvey and Emily (Hamilton) Hubbard. In 1855 he went with his father to Minnesota, where that gentleman had laid out part of Winona, and was an extensive real-estate operator in that State. He graduated from the Minnesota Normal School at Winona, and in 1861 went to St. Paul to enlist in the Union army, but was persuaded by General Sibley to enter his service as special messenger to carry communications between the military posts and forts of the Northwest during the Indian troubles of that period. For three years he was engaged in this service, almost day and night in the saddle, and facing every kind of danger. In 1864 he went to Chicago, and after a full course of study was graduated from Eastman's Business College, and for the next three years was engaged in dairy-farming in English Prairie, McHenry County, III. In 1871 he came to Elgin and entered the office of R. W. Padelford, City Clerk, and Clerk of the Court, forming a partnership with him in the insurance business; in 1877 was elected Magistrate, and has held that office continuously for twenty-six years. In April, 1903, he was elected Mayor of Elgin. His first
