William James Hoynes (1846 – 1933) was an Irish-American professor and academic who was the dean of the law department at the University of Notre Dame. He was also a veteran of the American Civil War, newspaper editor, lawyer, and was "famed as a philosopher, legal writer, linguist and … raconteur [who could] tell war stories or lecture a class in law, in Latin, Greek, Hebrew and half the modern languages in Europe with amazing facility."[1]

Early life and education

William Hoynes was born near Callan, County Kilkenny, Ireland on November 8, 1846[2] to Patrick Hoynes, a laborer,[3] and Catherine Kennedy Hoynes.[4] In 1853 the family emigrated to the United States, and in 1855 they settled in La Crosse, Wisconsin.[5][6][7] Shortly thereafter, William began training as a typesetter on the La Crosse Republican newspaper.[8]

Military service

At the age of 15, Hoynes enlisted as a Private in Company A of the 20th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War under the command of his friend Augustus Herman Pettibone.[9][6] He was wounded during the Battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas while charging on the Confederate position. He was made captive, but managed to escape in the confusion. While his wound was still healing, he participated in the battle of Van Buren and the siege of Vicksburg. Due to his wounds, he was discharged in November 1863.[9][10] Upon returning home, he found his father to have died and soon later his brother also passed. He then re-enlisted in Company D of the 2nd Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry in February 1864 and remained with that unit through the remainder of the war.[11]

Hoynes remained a military enthusiast throughout his life. In October 1885 Notre Dame organized its military company under the name of the "Hoynes Light Guards," with Hoynes as its commander, or "Colonel."[12] Hoynes was thereafter referred to as "Colonel" Hoynes, despite the fact that the highest rank he held in the U.S. Army was Private.

Newspaper work

After the war he returned to the printing office and was able to work and save enough money in three years to provide for his widowed mother and siblings.[10] In 1868 he enrolled briefly at Notre Dame.[13][14] He completed a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree at the University of Michigan in 1872.[15][10]

Hoynes practiced law occasionally following his graduation from Michigan in 1872, but focused most of his work in the newspaper business for a decade. From 1872 to 1874 he served as an associate editor of the New Brunswick (NJ)Times,[16] and from 1875 to 1879 he served as chief of staff of Pomeroy's Democrat (Chicago)[17] and associate editor of Pomeroy's Great West (Denver).[18] While serving as an associate of controversial publisher Marcus M. "Brick" Pomeroy in 1877, Hoynes received an honorary Master of Arts (A.M.) degree from Notre Dame.[19][7] From 1880 to 1882 he served as editor of the Peoria, Illinois Daily Transcript.[20] In 1882 he opened a law firm in Chicago.[7]

Notre Dame

In January 1883 Hoynes joined Notre Dame as professor of law[21] and by 1891 he had been appointed dean.[22] While the Law Department had been established in 1869,[23] at the time Hoynes joined "[t]here was no law room, no law library, not even a single law book."[24] During his tenure the course of study was increased from two years to four years and the number of graduates increased from 3–5 per year to 10–15 per year.[24]

Hoynes was on a leave of absence in 1908–09, during which time he was succeeded as dean by Timothy E. Howard.[25] In 1915 Hoynes accepted emeritus status and was succeeded by Francis Vurpillat as dean. In 1919 the University dedicated "Hoynes College of Law" (previously Chemistry Hall).[24][26] The building was renamed "Crowley Hall" in 1976.[27] In 1926, the school institute the Hoynes Award in his honor, and was first presented at a "Hoynes night" celebration thrown in his honor.[28][10]

Public life and honors

Hoynes received an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) degree from Notre Dame in 1888.[29] That same year he was the Republican Party candidate for Congress in the Indiana's 13th congressional district, narrowly losing to the incumbent, Democrat Benjamin F. Shively.[30] In 1890 President Harrison appointed Hoynes to serve as chairman of the commission to negotiate with the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians regarding their relocation.[31] In 1912 Hoynes was made a Knight of St. Gregory by Pope Pius X in recognition of his work for Notre Dame.[32]

Honors

Death and burial

Hoynes died in South Bend, Indiana on March 28, 1933, at the age of 87.[33][4][6] He is buried in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse, Wisconsin.

References

  1. ↑ "To Form GAR Post". The Pittsburgh Catholic. July 22, 1897. p. 3.
  2. ↑ "Notes and Personals [Obituary]". American Law School Review. May 1933. p. 876.
  3. ↑ 1860 U.S. Census, La Crosse, La Crosse County, Wisconsin page 66, dwelling 580, family 467.
  4. 1 2 "Col. William Hoynes of Notre Dame Dies". The Pantagraph. March 29, 1933. p. 1. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  5. ↑ "A Noted Man Is Guest Of Dubuque". Dubuque Daily Times. July 25, 1903. p. 3.
  6. 1 2 3 "William Hoynes, 87, Civil War Veteran, Dies In South Bend". The La Crosse Tribune. March 30, 1933. p. 11. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  7. 1 2 3 "William Hoynes, Law Dean, Dies". The Indianapolis Star. March 29, 1933. p. 4. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  8. ↑ "The Law Department". Notre Dame Scholastic. September 24, 1892. p. 42.
  9. 1 2 Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers, War of the Rebellion. Vol. 2. Madison, Wisconsin: Democrat Printing Co. 1886. p. 142.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Case and Comment. Vol. XIX. Lawyers Co-operative Publishing Company. 1913. pp. 505–506.
  11. ↑ Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers, War of the Rebellion, 1861–1865. Vol. 1. Madison, Wisconsin: Democrat Printing Co. 1886. p. 63. ISBN 9781178190182.
  12. ↑ "Local Items". Notre Dame Scholastic. October 31, 1885. p. 133.
  13. ↑ "Additional List of Students N. Dame". Notre Dame Scholastic. April 11, 1868. p. 6.
  14. ↑ "Arrival of Students at Notre Dame". Notre Dame Scholastic. September 1, 1868. p. 4.
  15. ↑ Chaney, Henry A., comp. (1875). Graduates of the Law Department of the University of Michigan : A Record, 1860–75. Detroit: Tribune Print. Co. p. 17.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ↑ "Our New 'Assistant'". New Brunswick (NJ) Times. May 19, 1874. p. 2.
  17. ↑ "Personal". Notre Dame Scholastic. January 13, 1877. pp. 298–99.
  18. ↑ "William Hoynes". New Brunswick (NJ) Daily Times. October 29, 1880.
  19. ↑ "Personal". Notre Dame Scholastic. September 8, 1877. p. 27.
  20. ↑ "Neighboring Counties". Bloomington (IL) Daily Leader. March 28, 1882. p. 7.
  21. ↑ "Local Items". Notre Dame Scholastic. January 13, 1883. p. 283.
  22. ↑ "Personal". Notre Dame Scholastic. August 22, 1891. p. 13.
  23. ↑ Annual Catalogue of the University of Notre Dame (PDF). 1868–1869.
  24. 1 2 3 "Addresses at the Dedication of the Hoynes College of Law". Notre Dame Scholastic. June 21, 1919. p. 548.
  25. ↑ "Notre Dame Will Build". Cedar Rapids (IA) Gazette. September 24, 1908. p. 9.
  26. ↑ "Hoynes College of Law, Notre Dame". images.indianahistory.org. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  27. ↑ "Music Department to celebrate its new home in Crowley Hall" (PDF). Notre Dame Observer. p. 6.
  28. ↑ "Hoyne Law School Award Latest At Notre Dame". The South Bend Tribune. March 19, 1926. p. 6. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  29. ↑ "Conferring of Degrees" (PDF). Annual Catalogue of the University of Notre Dame. 1887–1888.
  30. ↑ "Official Vote of St. Joseph County". South Bend (IN) Tribune. November 9, 1888. p. 1.
  31. ↑ "Local Items". Notre Dame Scholastic. October 11, 1990. p. 93.
  32. 1 2 "Pope Pius Honors Notre Dame Dean". South Bend (IN) Tribune. February 15, 1912. p. 2.
  33. ↑ "William Hoynes, 87, Civil War Veteran, Dies in South Bend". La Crosse (WI) Tribune. March 30, 1933. p. 11.
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