| Notes |
- ** From Craft's History of Bradford County **
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SIMMONS CLARK HOVEY
was born in Ulster, Bradford Co., Pa., Jan. 8, 1807, where he has spent his whole life. His mother was a daughter of Capt. Benj. Clark, a Revolutionary hero, who served seven years in the War of Independence, settling in Ulster soon after its close, having married Keziah Gore, whose first husband was killed in the celebrated Wyoming massacre. His father, Nathaniel Hovey, was an officer (ensign) in the War of 1812, and died at Sackett's Harbor during the war, leaving a wife, two sons, Simmons C. and William M., and a daughter, now Mrs. Hannah Horton. William M. died in 1850. His yourrgest son, Robert M., was adopted by his uncle Simmons, and carefully educated, and has been for some years general ticket agent and paymaster, and now chief clerk, in the G. I. & S. railroad office at Sayre, Pa.
The subject of this sketch received a good common-school education, and adopted farming as a profession, in which he has been very successful. He added to the small tract of land inherited from his grandfather Clark, by purchase at different times, till he owned an ample estate, where he resided till 1873, when he sold it and retired from active life to his residence in the village of Ulster,--still retaining, however, a farm on Moore's hill, purchased in 1837.
Mr. Hovey was married in 1829 to Miss Eleanor Boyce, who was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., May 14, 1812, and whose parents settled in Sheshequin, Bradford Co., Pa., during the War of 1812.
For some years before and after his marriage until their death, at the respective ages of eighty.seven and ninety-one, Mr. Hovey took care of his aged grandparents, Capt. Clark and wife, whose last days were rendered pleasant by the kindness of their filial grandson and his generous hearted and sensible young wife, who has proven herself a true helpmeet, as well as a loving and devoted wife, a good neighbor, a useful member of society, and a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church during her half century of married life. Mr. Hovey joined the same organization at the age of seventeen, and has been an active and prominent member for over fifty years. He has been class-leader, exhorter, and local preacher, and in 1840, he was regularly ordained by Bishop Roberts.
The Hovey mansion has for a generation been the home of the Methodist minister, and the headquarters of Methodism in Ulster. Mr. Hovey has been an active promoter of education, serving for twenty-three years as school treasurer. He also filled the office of town clerk for some years, and in all positions, public and private, he has acted his part well.
- Simmons C., born January 8, 1807, was one of Ulster's best and most useful citizens. He tenderly cared for his grandparents, Clark, in their closing years and occupied the estate after their decease. He was a promoter in all things, tending for the public good, a life-long member of the Methodist church and many years a local preacher. He was deeply interested in matters of education and served 25 years as school director and collector of taxes. He also held other offices of trust and in every instance served the people faithfully and well. Mr. Hovey married Eleanor Boyce of Sheshequin. They had no children. He died November 19, 1886
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1807 - 1886 (79 years)
