ANNUAL REPORT. 285 



resented the town in the legislature, being a member of the House 

 in 1886. lie was one of the solid citizens who give character and 

 strength to a community, and his death will be a distinct civic 

 loss. He always stood for what was best in the community, and 

 his high character was an example and impulse for others. 



In 1903 he was appointed a member of the state board of 

 mediation and arbitration by Governor Chamberlain; by Governor 

 Roberts in 1905 and in 1907 by Governor Woodruff. His term 

 expired last June. 



He was interested in historical subjects and was a member 

 of the Middlesex County Historical Society. He was a pleasing 

 speaker, and a good writer, especially on subjects of historical 

 interest. The church also held his interest, and he was baptized 

 in the North Congregational church in 1832, and retained his 

 membership here, even while in Kansas. 



His funeral was largely attended from the residence of his 

 son on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 23rd. 



James Hoyt, of New Canaan, died Jan. 25, 1910, after 

 a brief illness. Mr. Hoyt had been a member of the Society 

 since its earliest years, and never failed to attend the meet- 

 ings. He was a unique figure at agricultural gatherings, 

 somewhat eccentric, yet genial and social by temperament he 

 made many friends. "Uncle Jim," as he was familiarly called 

 by his acquaintances, will be greatly missed wherever farm- 

 ers gather. 



Mr. Hoyt was a son of Stephen Hoyt, and a member of 

 the well-known firm of nurserymen — Stephen Hoyt's Sons, 

 of New Canaan. Mr. Hoyt, however, took a special inter- 

 est in dairy farming and managed that branch of the Hoyt 

 farm. Mr. Hoyt left a wife but no children. His brother, 

 Edwin Hoyt, the other member of the nursery firm, passed 

 away about a year previous. 



