From: Smith, James H., 1880, History of Chenango and Madison Counties, New York. D. Mason & Co.. Syracuse, NY

Joseph Barnum Hoyt
Pages 682 to 683

The original text includes an illustration of Joseph Barnum Hoyt
 

        Among all the names of prominent men whose histories and deeds are recorded on the pages of this book, none will be read with more interest and pleasure than that of him whose name heads this brief sketch.  Well and favorably known to many of the citizens of the State of New York, never backward with tongue or pen in espousing the cause of right and justice, regardless of all else.  His is one of the names which will go down to posterity with undimmed luster -- one which will not be soon forgotten when the voice is stilled, and the hand that now wields the pen is motionless.
        Joseph Barnum Hoyt was born in the city of Utica, NY, September 28, 1806.  He is the second child and oldest son of David P. and Mary Hoyt came from Danbury, CT,and settled in Utica in 1803.  e received much of his education in the Utica Academy, and was a classmate of Horatio Seynour.
        November 24, 1829, he was married to Miss Margaret H. Gardner, of Salem, MA.  She was born in 1809.  The fruits of this union were six children, five of whom are now living, one being the wife of John Crapo, a prominent merchant of Albany, NY.
        Mr. Hoyt is well known as a writer of pamphlets and newspaper articles relating to the public good.  He is a man who feels and thinks more of the advancement of the public welfare than of his own interests and has devoted much of his time and best energies in that direction.  He was the first man to advocate the legal reduction of passenger fares on the NY Central RR to two cents per mile, and after a vigorous resistance made by those in the interest of the company, the measure was finally carried through the Legislature, and has undoubtedly been of great advantage to the company as well as the traveling community.  He also advocated about the same time the building of four tracks on the same line.  He was one of the first to advocate the Union Pacific Railroad, and recommended that it be built by the United States Government as a national enterprise.  He has been ever foremost in support of the great enterprises that have proved of permanent benefit to the people of the country, showing that he possesses in a marked degree the power of forecasting the future from the past and present signs of the times.  During his residence in Utica, he was prominent as a citizen, and held several offices of trust and responsibility.  Upon the death of his father he was appointed general agent by the administration of his estate, and settled up the same.
        Mrs. Hoyt died Feb 1, 1857.  The following year he removed with his family to Cazenovia, where he has since resided.