DANIEL WEBSTER HOVEY
Page 601
DANIEL WEBSTER HOVEY
Page 601
 DANIEL WEBSTER HOVEY, a farmer residing on section 30, forest City Township, Mason County, is the son of Peres Gilbert and Hannah Jackson (Packard) Hovey. The father, who was born in Oxford, Worcester County, Mass., in 1796, was a scythe-maker and followed that trade until 1838, after which he engaged in farming. In the fall of 1839 he came to Illinois, and after a sojourn of two years in Troy, Madison County, removed to Bunker Hill, Macoupin County. In Worcester County, Mass., Peres G. Hovey married married Miss Hannah Jackson Packard, who was born in South Bridgewater, Mass., in 1803, being a daughter of Mayo Packard, a nail-maker by trade. Mr. Hovey passed away July 6, 1851, but his wife long survived him, her death occurring in July of 1892. Hey were the parents of twelve children who attained mature years, and of these eight are now living, viz: Daniel W., Mrs. Mary G. Lancaster, Mrs. Clarissa H. Barnes, Gideon, James Henry, Mrs. Eliza Jane Ness, Mrs. Olive J. Wilson and Mrs. Sarah H. Manley. The father was a minute man in the War of 1812, and one son, James Henry, served for four years as a soldier in the Civil War, marching with Sherman to the sea. The subject of this sketch was born October 22, 1829, in Charlton, Worcester County, Mass., and was a lad of ten years when he came with his father to Illinois. The journey hither was made in two one-horse wagons, and required six weeks and one day before the destination was reached. He was a student in subscription schools in boyhood, but his information has been mainly self acquired. January 25, 1855, he married Miss Rebecca Ann Barnes, who was born in Greenfield, N. H., February 28, 1836, and was educated in the public schools of the Green Mountain State. Mrs. Hovey is the daughter of Nathan and Sarah E. (Evans) Barnes, the former born in Greenfield, Hillsboro County, N. H., June 13, 1801, and the latter born in Peterboro, Hillsboro County, N. H., June 4, 1806. The paternal grandfather was William Barnes, a huckster by trade, and the maternal grandfather was Asaph Evans, a farmer by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes were married in New Hampshire, and in 1851 came to Illinois, settling in Bunker Hill, Macoupin County, where he died in 1871. Mrs. Barnes is still living. Of their ten children, seven now survive, namely: George E., Rebecca A., Ruben K., Asaph H., Almon H., Joseph H. and John B. Three of the sons were soldiers in the late war. The parents were members of the Baptist Church, in which for many years the father served as Deacon. In politics he was a Republican. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hovey resided in Macoupin County, Ill., until 1857, when they came to Mason County. At that time there was no house to the south for a distance of eight miles; all was prairie, which was often covered with water. Mr. Hovey built a frame house, in which the family lived until 1872, when the present substantial residence was built. In 1859 he bought one hundred and sixty acres, to which he has since added until he has now four hundred and sixty-seven acres. Here he engages in the raising of stock and grain. Six children comprise the family of Mr. and Mrs. Hovey, viz: Daniel Gilbert, who married Hannah Hepler and lives in Pennsylvania Township, where he owns a farm; Charles Nelson, John Nathan, deceased; William who died in infancy; Francis Peter, who died at the age of two years, and Joseph Henry, who married Miss Emma Johanna Knuppel, and lives in Pennsylvania Township, where he owns a farm. In religious belief Mrs. Hovey has been identified with the Baptist Church for forty years, and is especially interested in Sunday-school work. Politically Mr. Hovey affiliates with the Republican party and takes an intelligent interest in public affairs. For seven years he was Director of Schools and aided in the organization of School District No. 2, and was Trustee for three years. |