John Theodore HOFIUS OR HOVIS, JR.

                   Information from Ginger Ralston, 1988.

Occupation: Stone Mason & Constable.

Military Service: Was a soldier in the War of 1812-14.  He first commenced his service with the 132 Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia on a thirty day tour of duty at Erie, Pennsylvania with active duty starting on July 28, 1813 and which expired on 3 August 1813 as a Private with pay of $10.00 per month. John again served on active duty starting 1 January 1814 and served intil 10 February 1814 as a Corporal at $11.00 per month.  He was injured in the arms at the Battle of Bridgewater.

Work Experience: One of the early constables of his time.  John T. Jr., and his brother Earnest helped build the stone residence at the North end of Clintonville for Clinton NcKee, receiving 85 cents per day for their skilled labor.  The house was still standing in 1994.

John T. Jr. like his brothers William & Earnest his name was changed from Hofius to Hovis.  John Jr. was born in Westmoreland County in the area that became Washington County when it was formed in 1781.  He married Susanna Cogan in 1795 in Bedford County. In 1799 he came from Washington County on horseback to Clinton Twp., Venango Cty., with his son William, Wife & Brother Earnest and settled on a 400 acre farm 1 mile south - east of what is now Clintonville & 1 mile north of the Butler County line.

John T. Jr. first built a log home on the brow of a hill just above a beautiful spring.  His second house was built at the foot of the hill near the spring.  He then built a third house on the south end of his farm near the old brick yard on the James Cana farm, later known as the John Licke farm.  He lived in this house until he died at the age of 86.

John T. Jr., like his father was a very religious man and he and his family were leaders in the work of organizing and building the first Methodist Church in that area, on the nearby farm of Phillip Ghost Hoffman.  This church was built in 1828, being on record as the first church deed to be recorded in Venango County.  John T. Jr., served as one of the first trustees and as the first class leader until his death when his son, Jacob continued this work for the next 80 years.

He, his son William, & brother Earnest served under General Mead's Division, 132nd Regiment, Pennsylvania, Milita commanded by Lt. Colonel Samuel Dale, Company 5, Captain Hugh McManegal, commander during the War of 1812 at Erie, Pa.  William his son was listed as drummer boy for his Uncle Earnest. Susanna and John T. Jr., had 11 children, seven sons and four daughters.  Most of the Hovises were Methodists.  There are numerous branches.  Clinton Township's first settlers arrived in 1796.