John Philo Hoyt
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John Philo Hoyt was born October 6, 1841 to David and Susan Hoyt in Augustinburg, Ashtabula County, Ohio.
Hoyt served in the Union Army for the four years of the American Civil War. After the Civil War, Hoyt returned to Ohio, enrolled in law school, and was admitted to the bar one year later in 1867. He practiced in Michigan from 1868 to 1878, where he was elected to the Michigan State House of Representatives and served a term as Speaker of the House.
Hoyt was confirmed as Secretary of Arizona Territory on 22 May, 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 of Arizona, he brought railroad extensions, more mining operations, and an increased number of businessmen to the territory.
Hoyt was appointed to the Governorship of Idaho Territory June 8, 1878, to succeed Governor Mason Braymen. Governor Brayman, the incumbent, had fallen from favor for his handling of affairs during the Nez Perce War. Hoyt had an opportunity to investigate the charges against Brayman before he was to take office. Hoyt concluded that Governor Brayman had been wrongly removed, and wrote to the President to decline the appointment. The president responded that Brayman could serve out his term of office since Hoyt declined the appointment, and offered Hoyt as an alternative, an appointment as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Washington Territory. Governor Brayman was returned to office, and Hoyt was appointed Justice of the Supreme Court of Washington Territory.
From 1879–1887 Hoyt 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.
Hoyt died in Seattle, Washington 27 August 1926. His ashes are in the family plot in Washellie Cemetery there.
| Preceded by Anson P.K. Safford |
Governors of Arizona Territory 1877–1878 |
Succeeded by John C. Fremont |
| Governors of Arizona |  |
|---|---|
| Hunt • Campbell • Hunt • Campbell • Hunt • Phillips • Hunt • Moeur • Stanford • Jones • Osborn • Garvey • Pyle • McFarland • Fannin • Goddard • Williams • Castro • Bolin • Babbitt • Mecham • Mofford • Symington • Hull • Napolitano |
