Hoyt is the oldest son of William and Avis A. Hollister, of Saratoga, New York. He was born April 28, 1825, and resided with his parents in New York until 1846, when he came to Oxford township, teaching the district school that winter, in the locality which he afterwards made his home. He opened a farm on section 20 the following year.

In October, 1853, he was married to Miss B. T. Townsend, the oldest daughter of Surgeon John T. Townsend, of the United States army, who then lived in St. Clair county, Michigan. By this lovable and estimable lady he has five children, two boys and three girls, who mourn with the father the death of their mother, which occurred September 20, 1871. Mrs. Hollister was a woman of fine traits of character, passionately loved by her family, and honored and respected by all who knew her. Her death was greatly lamented by not only the sorrow stricken family, but the entire neighborhood united in mourning her loss and bearing tribute to her worth.

Mr. Hollister has always been an outspoken temperance man, advocating total abstinence as the only safe rule. He is a member of the Christian church at Oxford, and is a warm friend of every benevolent enterprise. His interest in schools and public improvements has never abated, and he is always ready to give his support, moral and financial, to any project which has in view the better condition of the community. He is a farmer by occupation, and believes in it as the only avocation which develops the true wealth of the country, and which is the only real basis of all prosperity.