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.
[8] 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.
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.
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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.