42 Sioux City Academy of Science and Letters. 
himself possessed of a diploma as bachelor of arts of 
Dartmouth college, with liberty to go out into the world 
to see what he could do with it. Mr. Hoskins spent 
several years teaching—from 1841 to 1846. In this, he 
was eminently successful, but breaking health made it 
necessary for him to change from school teaching to 
civil engineering. This latter became his life profession. 
Here also he acquitted himself with marked approval 
both to his superiors and to the public. On July 10, 
1856, he married Clarissa Virginia Bennett, of Weston, 
Lewis county, Va., the second daughter of Hon. James 
Bennett, an influential lawyer, who had often represent- 
ed his district both in the lower and in the upper house 
of the Virginia legislature. The Bennett family was 
numerous and prominent, and, though regretful of 
slavery, was outspoken in promoting secession. Because 
of this, and of interest in the Kansas war for liberty, Mr. 
Hoskins determined to go west, his first intention being 
to settle in Kansas; but his cousin, Mr. John C. Flint, 
insisted that he come to Sioux City before locating per- 
manently. This Mr. Hoskins did, arriving on the 5th 
of May, 1857, with the result that Sioux City became his 
home. Mr. Hoskins led a very busy life until 1878, since 
which time he has had no regular occupation. The last 
work in his profession was done in the autumn of 1866, 
when he made the preliminary surveys for the Sioux 
City & St. Paul railroad, of which he was first president 
and chief engineer. He has been honored with various 
positions of trust, showing the confidence and friendli- 
ness of his fellow citizens. Financially and socially Mr. 
Hoskins has been a recognized factor in the growth of 
Sioux City. Into the fabric of her history have been 
woven out of the strength of this man’s life the very 
threads which have made and are making for the per- 
. manent and the enduring. Krom the intellectual view- 
point, Mr. Hoskins was acknowledged to be a man of 
strength. He was one of the charter members and loyal 
supporters of the old Scientific Association—an associa- 
tion now reorganized into and rechristened, “The 
Academy of Science and Letters.” Of this he is a Fellow, 
giving, so far as his strength may permit, the devotion 
