Jacob Albert Hovis

The Rev. Jacob Albert Hovis was born at Clintonville, Pa., Sept. 1st, 1847, and died at the same place Jan. 16th, 1923. 

Brother Hovis was on the way to visit his brother who was ill, but was called to his heavenly home before reaching the home of his brother.

He was a man of excellent Christian character, living very close to the heart of God. The influence of his spiritual life can never be measured. Who can tell what the harvest will be after more than forty years of precious seed sowing? He lived in the spirit of the following verses:

"Thy way, not mine, 0 Lord!
However dark it be;
Lead me by thine own hand
Choose out the path for me.

Smooth let it be, or rough,
It will be still the best;
Winding or straight it leads,
Right onward to Thy rest.

I dare not choose my lot;
I would not if I might;
Choose then for me, my God;
So shall I walk aright."

On retiring from the active ministry Brother Hovis came to Wesleyville, Pa., where he resided until called up higher. He was loyal to all church services and a great spiritual blessing to his pastor and to those with whom he came in contact.

He received his preparatory education at Clintonville, Pa., High School and graduated at Allegheny College in 1878. He was licensed a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1872, was received on trial in the Erie Conference in 1880, ordained a deacon by Bishop J. T. Peck, in 1876, and elder by Bishop E. O. Haven, in 1880, and was admitted into full connection in the Conference in 1882. He was transferred to the North Dakota Conference in 1886, to the Minnesota Conference, in 1896, and hack to the Erie Conference in 1903.

His appointments were as follows: 1878, Irving (supply); 1879, Brockport (supply); 1880, Brockport; 1881-3, Rimersburg; 1884, Belleview; 1885, missionary to North Dakota; 1885-6, Pembina, N. D. 1887, Hillsboro, N. D.; 1888-90, North West Dakota District; 1891, Devil's Lake District; 1892-3, vice president, Red River Valley University; 1894-5, Liston, N. D.; 1896, Slavton, Minn.: 1897-9, Le Sueur, Minn.; 1900-1, Zumbrota, Minn.; 1902, Mill Village, Pa., (supernumerary supply); 1903-4, Mill Village; 1905-06, Petrolia and Bruin; 1907-8, Polk; 1909-10, Wesleyville; 1911-12, Wattsburg; 1913, Cherry Creek and Leon; 1914. Jamestown, Brooklyn Heights; 1915-17, Sheridan; 1918, retired; 1919, Mill Village (supply) 1920, no appointment; 1921-22, Robinson Chapel and Perryville (supply).

The funeral services were held in the church at Clintonville, on January 19, in charge of District Superintendent, Dr. C. W. Miner. Revs. C. C. Mohney and F. S. Neigh read the Scripture lessons, and Revs. C. W. Miner and C. O. Mead and the writer spoke briefly of the life, work, and character of Brother Hovis. The opening prayer offered by Rev. C. H. Quick, the closing prayer and benediction by Rev. J. L. Stratton. At the crave the ritual was read by Revs. H. B. Davis, D. R. Dunn and C. W. Miner, his brethren in the ministry acting as pallbearers.

On December 2, 1869, Brother Hovis married Sarah C. Carroll, who survives him. Two children are also left to mourn his loss, Mrs. G. P. Barton, of Wesleyville, Pa., and Leon T. Hovis, Batavia, N. Y.

"The Saints of God, their wandering done,
No more their weary course they run;
No more they faint, no more they fall;
No foes oppress, no fears appall.
O, happy saints forever blest
In that dear home, how sweet you rest !"

By J. F. McIntosh, Memoirs of Deceased Preachers, Erie Conference Journal and Yearbook, 1923, pages 822-823.