Person:John Hovey (16)

Obit for John Fairfield Hovey

From: Elyria Independent Democrat
Issue: 9 Mar 1870

DEATH OF A CAMDEN PIONEER

The earliest settlers of the several townships in this county are rapidly passing away. and in a few years, none will be left who can be classed among the hardy pioneers.

Mr. John F. Hovey, one of the earliest settlers in Camden, died on the 8th ult.,at the residence of his son, Alvah Hovey, Esq., lacking 2 months of being 83 [85] years of age.

He was born in Lyme, New Hampshire, April 11, 1785, and early in his life removed with his parents to Brookfield, Vermont, which was then almost a wilderness. About the year 1812, he removed to Milton, in the same state, where he married and lived until 1834.

In May of that year, he removed with his family to Ohio, and in the fall of 1834, located in the dense forests of Camden, on the farm where he spent the remainder of his life. At this time he had but thirty dollars of money, which he paid to secure a contract for his farm of fifty acres, leaving him with a family consisting of a wife, and seven small children, without a penny of money, and without a shelter for their heads, except a rude shanty, made of logs covered with boughs. How he managed to live through that dreary winter of 1834-5, none can tell save those who have been placed in similar circumstances. He was in feeble health, but he had an iron resolution, and rather than make his wants known to the few settlers in the area, he was often reduced to the last morsel of bread, with no certainty of how the next meal was to be provided. Wild game was plenty, but as "man cannot live by bread alone" so he cannot support a large family with venison and rabbit.

After Jan 10, 1835, the struggles of "Uncle Hovey" as he was familiarly called so far as external struggles revealed them, were personally known to us, for our "pioneer life" commenced at that date. None of the pioneers could boast of an excess of comforts, but with feeling of sympathy that pioneer life engenders, Mr. Hovey's helplessness soon became known and late in the winter season all the settlers with one exception were promptly on hand, and by night the adjacent forest trees had been converted into a comfortable home. Spring time brought maple sugar and vegetables, such as leeks and wild onions, with an occasional bag of corn meal, preferred in exchange for labor, enabled the family to live more comfortably.

Many incidents of his early struggles at this period might be narrated which would show how a firm resolution will fi nally overcome obstacles that to many would seem insurmountable. But suffice to say, he struggled on, winning the love of his neigbors by his honesty and fidelity, and never in a known instance incurring just censure for deed or word that was not approved by his honest convictions of duty. But industry has its reward, and in a few years, Mr. Hovey found himself in a possession of a good house, surrounded by many comforts. In 1852, his health so far, failed him as to render active labor impossible, and he gave active charge of his farm to his son, with whom he had spent his declining years happily, and in a good degree of health.

He was one of the seven members who constituted the Baptist Church of Camden, at its organization, August 22d, 1835, and remained a faithful member until his death. Three of the seven original members are still living in Camden. His wife died several years ago. His sickness was of a short duration, and he passed away leaving pleasant memories that will long be cherished by his family, his neighbors and all who knew him.