Hovis, Samuel

SAMUEL HOVIS, farmer and justice of the peace, was born June 19, 1822, in what was then Irwin township, this county, son of William and Sarah (Baker) Hovis. William Hovis was born, it is thought, in Clinton township, and was a son of John Hovis, the original progenitor of the family in this county. He was a descendant of John Theodore Hofius, a minister of the Reformed church and one of the pioneers of Mercer county, Pennsylvania. William Hovis followed farming all his life. During the war of 1812 he joined a company of militia and marched to the defense of Erie. He died at an advanced age and is buried in the Methodist Episcopal grave- yard at Clintonville, of which denomination he was long a member. He was the father of nine children: John, of Irwin township; Peter; William; Mrs. Clarinda Moore, and Nancy, deceased; H.P. and A.J., of Clinton township; Mrs. Susanna Bonner, and Samuel, the subject of this sketch. The last mentioned married Eliza C. Welton of Cattaraugus county, New York, in 1842, and they are the parents of ten children: Lydia L., wife of J.B. Henderson, of Clinton township; Emmerilla, wife of Isaac R. Eakin, of Emlenton; William J., of Butler county; Monroe Z., of Clintonville; Sarah E., wife of James Osborn, of Mercer county; Samuel H., merchant and postmaster of Pearl; Joseph C., of Butler; Chester L., of Clintonville; Margaret C., and John D. The family is connected with the Church of God in this township, in which Mr. Hovis has served as elder since its organization. He has been a life-long Democrat, has filled various local offices, and takes an active interest in public affairs.