I. Viricus (or Wirich) Hofius, b. 1651, Hamborn, Ksp. Beeck, Germany (He was born Wirich auf dem Hofe, at Hoffmannshof, Beeck Parish, near Duisburg) In 1667 he began studying theology at Duisburg, and was registered as "Wiricus Hofius Hammerensis". He later also studied at Wittenberg. From 1677 to 1725 (for 48 years) he held the first Reformist Minister's post at Radevormwalde. It should be noted that the parents of the minister Wirich Hofius are named after the type of business that they were a part of and also the property, which they inherited from father to son and apparently from daughter to son. The name Hofe means “of the yards or farm” and the associated name Hoffman means the “hope man” yards or “goods”, i.e the farmer. The farm at Hamborn "auf dem Hof", also called "Hoffmannshof" was also called "Cronenhof". Apparently there was a mill of some kind associated with the town of Hamborn. Therefore it seems that they were harvesters of some kind on their land or they were farmers or merchants of sorts; in other words, a family business handed down several generations by inheritance. Most likely farmers on the land they owned. The name on documents shows that the Hoffmans lived on this property. The family living there was called "auf dem Hof" or "Hoffmann". m. 12/5/1680, Hamborn, Germany, Maria Plucker (1659-1701) b. Hamborn, d. Radevormwalde, Germany. She died 1 yr after b. of last ch., 10 ch.

A. Maria Judith Hofius, b. 8/31/1681
B. Petrus Casparus Hofius, b. 2/5/1683
C. Peter Fottfried Hofius, b. 12/8/1684, Radevormwalde, Westphalia, Germany, m. 6/10/1715, Elberfeld, Germany, Maria Catherina Turk
D. Catharina Elizabeth Hofius, b. 10/16/1686, m. ---Syberg
E. Anna Sybilla Hofius, b. 10/18/1688, m. Johnann Peter Stutberg
F. Maria Margaretha Hofius, b. 7/30/1691
G. Johannes Hofius (1694-1754) b. Radevormwalde, Germany, d. Iserlogh, Germany, occ. Prot. minister, He registered at the Duisburg Seminary 10/10/1713, and ordained 7/31/1721. m. twice, 1st – 12/6/1722, Iserlohn, Germany, Ernestine Charolette Hatzfeld, d. ca. 1723, Germany, 1 ch., 2nd – 7/9/1726, Neuenrade, Germany, Sibylle Antionette Berck, (8/23/1704-12/26/1791) b. Neuenrade, d. Elberfeld, Germany, dau. of Theodor Heinrich & Katharina (Lange) Berck, 11 ch.

1. Ernestina Charlotta Hofius, b. 9/15/1723, Iserlohn, Germany
2. Catharina Maria Hofius, (7/15/1727-7/16/1788) b. Iserlohn, Germany, m. twice, 1st – 3/20/1745(6) Peter Volkmann, Iserloghn, Germany, b. 1715, 2nd – 6/12/1769, Iserlohn, Germany,  Johann Leonard Scultenus, d. 7/26/1791
3. Johannes Jakobus Hofius (10/6/1728-2/1/1730) Iserlohn, Germany
4. Johannes Andreas Hofius
5. Johannes (John) Theodor Hofius (7/31/1730-1808) b. Iserlohn, Westphalia, Germany. His godparents were Iserlohn's Mayor, Johann Hermann Hatzfeld; Johannes Brüninghaus; his grandfather, Theodor Heinrich Berck; and the mayor's wife. d. & bur. Hickory Corners, Hickory Twp., Mercer Co., PA. Following the death of his father in 1754, Johannes moved south to Limburg, in the Landgraviate of Hessen. m. twice, 1st – 2/2/1755, Phillipine Helene Landmann (a widow) , b. Limburg, Germany, d. 10/15/1794 at Dhunn, where her son (Peter) was a minister, 3 ch., 2nd – Nancy Baker (1734-1820) b. Lancaster Co., PA, then Bedford or Washington Co., near Pittsburgh, PA., occ. merchant in Limburg, Germany where he lived. He emigrated to PA 10/1765, on “Countess of Sussex” commanded by Captain Thomas Grey which sailed from Rotterdam to Philadelphia. Johan was a Reformed Church minister from Prussia (also known as the Rhineland), Germany. He left Germany after the religious persecutions of Protestants, but mainly because of the economy of the area. He was alone, no wife or children. It seems he only signed his name as Johan, or Joh.Theodor, not Johannes. Johan was married for only a short time in Germany. When he arrived in Philadelphia in 1765, he was then 35 years old. From there he went to Lebanon Co., PA, where he married Nancy Baker. He apparently went to Shaefferstown in Lebanon Co. where he was the First Schoolmaster in the Reformed Church. Moved to Hickory Twp., Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, bur. in Hickory Township., Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, at Pine Hollow Cemetery. Nancy bur. Clintonville, Venango Co., Pennsylvania, Methodist Cemetery. It is believed that the name was changed to Hovis in the first generation, although his first son by Nancy, George, retained the name Hofius. George was born 8 years after coming to Philadelphia. (See Baker Family)

a. Peter Friedrich Moritz Hofius (2/1/1756-8/1794) m. 8/26/1779, Dussel, Germany, Maria Christina Curten, b. 1752, Germany,
b. Johanna Maria Louis Henrietta Hofius (5/22/1758-1761)
c. Johann Wilhelm Carl Christian Hofius, b. 11/11/1761, d. young
d. George Hofius (1773-1842) b. Hickory Twp., Mercer Co., PA, served in War of 1812, m. Jane Clark, res. of Pymatuning Twp., Mercer Co., PA 1830, settled in Hickory Twp., Mercer Co., PA, near where his father d.

1) ---Hofius
2) ---Hofius
3) William Hovis (Hofius) b. 5/12/1806, Hickory Twp., Mercer Co., PA, in 1847-8 he moved to Jackson Co. IO, m. twice, 1st- Martha Dugan, dau. of Thomas Dugan of Trumbull Co., OH, she. d. 1841, 7 ch., 2nd – Mrs. Vaugn, 1 ch.

a) Seth Hovis, b. 5/1829, Hickory Twp., Mercer Co., PA, 1882 moved to OH, 1886 at Spearman Iron Furnace at Sharpsville, PA, m. twice, 1st --1850  Elizabeth Maxwell, of West Middlesex, PA, she d. 1862, 4 ch., 2nd – 1867, Margaret McGowan, of Campfield, OH, 5 ch.

i) William D. Hovis, b. 9/25/1862, West Middlesex, PA, occ. foundry business, Sharpsville, PA, m. 1882, Emma K. Laux, dau. of Louis Laux of Baltimore, MD
ii) Lewis W. Hovis
iii) Frank Hovis
iv) Annie J. Hovis, m. William Fair
v) Walter Hovis
vi) Charles Hovis
vii) Blanch Hovis
viii) Seth Hovis
ix) James Hovis

b) Azariah Hovis
c) Jonathan P. Hovis, occ. iron industry
d) Hulda Hovis, m. ---Bently of IO
e) Marilda Hovis, m. John Damond, of IO
f) Mary A. Hovis,
g) Martha Hovis, m. Melvin A. Thompson
h) George Hovis

e. William Hovis (1774-1820) d. Green, KY, m. 8/3/1795, Green Co., KY, Sarah Harding, b. 1770, Fayette Co., PA, settled in Wheeling, WV

1) Samuel Hovis, m. Eliza C. Welton, of Victory Twp., Venango Co., PA

a) Lydia L. Hovis, m. 1/13/1863, John B. Henderson, Clinton Twp., Venango Co., PA, son of Thomas & Catharine (Bonner) Henderson (See Henderson Family Outline)
b) Emmerline Hovis, m. Isaac R. Eakin
c) William J. Hovis
d) Sadie E. Hovis, m. James A. Osborn
e) Samuel H. Hovis
f) Joseph C. Hovis
g) Chester L. Hovis
h) Margaret C. Hovis
i) John D. Hovis
j) M.Z. Hovis, m. 1873, Susanna Shelly, dau. of John Shelly of Irwin Twp., Venango Co., PA, she d. 4/15/1880

i) Susie P. Hovis
ii) Henry B. Hovis

f. Barbara Hovis, m. Henry Koonce, of Clintonville, Venango Co., PA
g. Ernest T. Hovis, (3/23/1794-2/28/1869) b. Bedford, PA, d. Clintonville, Venango Co., PA, bur. Meth. Cem., Clintonville, PA, serves as private in Co. commanded by Capt. William McMun_ , 132th Reg., PA Militia, commanded by Col. Mead in War with Great Britain…drafted on 8/1/1813, he only served for 10 days as a drummer, he applied for bounty lands. m. 7/2/1811, Irwin Twp., Venango Co., PA, Margaret Hoffman (7/7/1793-7/22/1885) b. Westmoreland, PA, d. Barkeyville, PA

1) Nancy Hovis
2) Mary Hovis
3) John Ernest Hovis (ca.1817-ca.1870) b. Irwin, Venango Co., PA, m. ca. 1838, Irwin Twp., Venango Co., PA, Amanda Sherrah, b. ca. 1818, Irwin Twp., Venango Co., PA

a) William Hovis, b. ca. 1838, Irwin Twp., Venango Co., PA
b) Nicholas Hovis, b. ca. 1840, Irwin Twp., Venango Co., PA
c) Mary Hovis, b. ca. 1842
d) ---Hovis, b. ca. 1844, Irwin Twp., Venango Co., PA
e) John Hovis, b. ca. 1846, Irwin Twp., Venango Co., PA
f) David Hovis, b. ca. 1848, Irwin Twp., Venango Co., PA
g) Irwin Hovis, b. ca. 1850, Irwin Twp., Venango Co., PA
h) Sarah Hovis, b. ca. 1852, Irwin Twp., Venango Co., PA
i) Amanda Hovis, b. ca. 1854, Irwin Twp., Venango Co., PA

4) Catherine Hovis
5) Adam Hovis
6) George William Hovis (1/8/1823-2/6/1871) b. Clintonville, Clinton Twp., Venango Co., PA, d. Irwin Twp., Venango Co., PA, bur. Meth. Cem. Clintonville, Venango Co., PA, occ. constable in Hickory Twp., Mercer Co., PA in 1850, stonemason in 1870, served in Co. K, 4th PA Cav., as private, enlisting 1861, m. 3/15/1848, Sugarcreek, Venango Co., PA, Margaret L. Fleming, b. 11/8/1832, Centre Co., PA (her 2nd m. to James Andre in 1874) George owned 20 acres of land at his death which was turned over to his widow.

a) Vera Hovis, b. 1850
b) Susan Emily Hovis (3/20/1852-3/12/1920) b. Irwin Twp., Venango Co., PA, m. 4 times, 1st - John Johnston, 1 ch., 2nd – George Worden, 3rd - Joseph Liles, 4th – Aaron A. Smith
c) Sidney Hovis, b. 1856
d) Mary (Jane) Hovis (8/20/1858-post11/4/1880) m. W.H. Wood, res. Bleakley Hill, PA in 1938

i) C.E. Wood
ii) Florence Wood
iii) Minnie Wood

e) Margaret Hovis, b. 1860, Irwin Twp., Venango Co., PA,
f) Carlinda Hovis, (or Linda) (1/20/1862-post1900) also name noted as Carlinday. m. Benjamin John Haylett, b. 1841

i) Samuel Haylett, b. 1888
ii) Charles Haylett
iii) Ruby Haylett
iv) Benjamin John Haylett, Jr.
v) Stella Haylett

g) Ellen Florence Hovis, (6/14/1863-10/29/1938) b. Randolph, Crawford Co., PA, d. Franklin, Venango Co., PA, she was about 14 when married, m. 5/23/1880, Randolph Twp., Crawford Co., PA, Hudson Lawson, (11/6/1854-1931) she was res. with her dau. Susie at.1304 Franklin Ave., Franklin, PA, age 76 when she was struck by auto as she attempted to cross 18th St. bridge going to church. She was known as “Grandma Lawson”, member United Brethren Church.

i) Vernie Lee Lawson, res. Franklin  1938,
ii) Susie Lawson, m. Adelbert Franklin Kuney

h) William John Hovis, b. 1866, m. 9/19/1887, Hannah Sophia Roberts

i) Lyla Hovis, b. 1867

j) Henry Benjamin Hovis (7/13/1867-post1938) res. Rockland, PA in 1938, m. Armanda Helper
k) Ida M. Hovis (10/29/1868-1/31/1948) m. 8/4/1886, John William Kelly, b. 11/14/1860, res. Erie, PA in 1938

i) Frank Kelly, b. 9/1887
ii) Orrie Kelly, b. 3/1890
iii) Blanche Kelly, b. 1/1892
iv) Harry Kelly
v) Hattie Kelly
vi) John W. Kelly
vii) Violet Mildred Kelly, b. 3/9/1900, bur. Laurel Hill, Erie, PA, m. 2/22/1919, Erie, PA, John Russell O’Brien

(1) Edward Russell O’Brien
(2) Dorothy Jean O’Brien
(3) Marilyn June O’Brien
(4) Norma Jean O’Brien
(5) Barbara Joan O’Brien

viii) Charles Kelly
ix) Elmer Kelly

l) Elizabeth C. Hovis (9/15/1870-8/1871) Irwin Twp., Venango Co., PA (twin)
(m) Lawrence Carlysle Hovis (9/15/1870-3/30/1935) b. Irwin Twp., Venango Co., PA, d. Franklin, Venango Co., PA. (twin) m. twice, 1st - 1889, Venango Co., PA, Katherine Brady (Kate), 6 ch.,  2nd – Anna Hughes. Obit, 4/3/1935, Venango Citizens Press, Franklin Library; age 65, his body found in garage partially obscured by leaves, was visiting his sister Ellen Lawson, Buchanan Funeral Home, son George W. identified body.

i) George W. Hovis
ii) Elmer Hovis
iii) Lawrence William Hovis, b. 8/15/1904
iv) Florence Hovis, m. ---Johnson
v) Celestin O. Hovis, m. ---Hilton
vi) Mabel Hovis, m. ---- Deal

7) David Hovis
8) Elizabeth Hovis
9) Julia Ann Hovis
10) Sarah Jane Hovis
11) Susanna Hovis
12) Michael Hovis
13) Ernest T. Hovis

h. John T. Hovis/Hofius, Jr. (1777-1861) m. Susanna Cogan, Bedford, PA, bur. Meth. Cem., Clintonville, Venango, Co., PA

1) John Hovis, b. ca. 1801, in 1840 res. Bedford Co., PA, m. spouse unknown

(a) Eli Hovis
(b) Mary Ann Hovis
(c) Milly Hovis
(d) Susan Hovis

2) William Hovis, b. ca. 1802
3) Catherine Hovis, (7/15/1802-12/19/1856) b.  Clinton Twp., Venango Co., PA, d. Irwin Twp. Venango Co., PA,  bur. Pleasantview Cem., Irwin Twp., Venango Co., PA., m. Benjamin R. Yard (1802-4/3/1892) b. Mercer Co., PA, d. Irwin Twp., Venango Co., PA, bur. Pleasantview Cem., Irwin,  Twp., Venango Co., PA, son of John & Harriet (Benson) Yard (See Yard Family Outline)
4) Nicholas Hovis, b. 1805, Clinton Twp., Venango Co., PA
5) Jacob Hovis, b. 11/13/1806
6) George Hovis (1807-1839)

a) James Hovis (1824-1907) m. Lorraine Hoffman, 11 ch.

i) John L. Hovis (1865-1941) d. Butler Co., PA, worked for Westinghouse, East Pittsburgh, PA, office, 39 yrs.,  m. Elizabeth Eddinger, 1 ch., from Clintonville, Venango Co., PA

(1) Andrew Addison Hovis (ca. 1900-1982) m. Elizabeth Noll, both of whom worked for Westinghouse, East Pittsburgh, PA

(a) Basil Hovis (1915-1995)

(i) James B. Hovis, b. 1938

7) Ernest Baker Hovis, b. 3/23/1811, Irwin Twp., Venango Co., PA
8) David Hovis, b. 3/18/1813, m. 1838, Margary J. Cannan, dau. of James Dannan of Clinton Twp., Venango Co., PA

a) Charles W. Hovis
b) John N. Hovis, b. 10/7/1847, m. Ellen Ray, dau. of John & Margaret Ray, of Butler Co., PA

i) Frank Hovis
ii) Annie Hovis
iii) Minnie V. Hovis
iv) Charles E. Hovis
v) Arthur Hovis

c) William J. Hovis
d) Thomas C. Hovis
e) Lester A. Hovis
f) Maria L. Hovis
g) Mary J. Hovis, m. John M. Baird, son of James & Mary (Kilpatrick) Baird of Clinton Twp., Venango Co., PA

i) Susan M. Baird
ii) David E. Baird
iii) James C. Baird
iv) Frank P. Baird
v) Meda F. Baird
vi) Jesse Hays Baird
vii) Susan E. Baird

9) Susan Hovis, b. 1815, Irwin Twp., Venango Co., PA
10) Elizabeth Hovis, b. 1817, Clinton Twp., Venango Co., PA, m. William Campbell, b. 1813or 1815

a) John Campbell, b. ca. 1837
b) Robert Campbell, b. ca. 1839
c) Carlisle Campbell, b. 1842, in census 1870 in Cornplanter, Venango, Butler Co., PA, Murrinsville Postoffice, oil engineer, m.  Elizabeth ---, b. 1844

i) Emoretta Campbell, b. 1864
ii) Edith Campbell, b. 1865
iii) Sheridan Campbell, b. 1868
iv) George B. McLanahan[sic], b. 1870

d) Eli C. Campbell, b. ca. 1843, in 1870 in Cornplanter, Venango, Butler Co., PA, Mirrinsville Post Office, oil engineer, m. Catherine ---, b. 1847

i) Sarah J. Campbell, b. 1867

e) William C. Campbell, b. 1846
f) Harrison Campbell, b. ca. 1846, Cornplanter, PA with Eli, oil engineer
g) George W. Campbell, b. 11/1850,  moved to Fairview, m. Florence---,  b. 3/1850

i) Homer Campbell, b. 4/1876
ii) Laura Campbell, b. 2/1879,
iii) Bessie Campbell, b. 7/1882, d. ca. 1910

h) Perry Campbell (7/16/1856-12/23/1917) m. 7/31/1883, Martha Eldora Runkle, b. 2/11/1865

i) Martha Elizabeth Campbell, b. 9/27/1883, m. William Wrey Sterrett, b. 10/3/1879
ii) James Mervyn Campbell (12/1/1884-9/1/1970) m. Mary Ann Hector (6/30/1892-6/9/1980)

(1) Earl Edgar Campbell (2/6/1923-5/23/2004), m. Betty Jane Hutchinson, b. 6/12/1927

(a) Richard Alan Campbell, b. 1/28/1954, m. Ruthanne Zimmerman, b. 3/20/1957

11) Sarah Hovis, b. 1824, Irwin Twp., Venango Co., PA, m. Robert Cannan

6. Johannes Arnoldus Hofius, b. 3/29/1732
7. Johannes Gerhardus Hofius (2/9/1734-9/29/1738) Iserlohn, Germany
8. Anna Sophia Hofius (8/20/1736-12/18/1743) b. Iserlohn, Germany
9. Anna Louisa Philippina Hofius (1/14/1739-3/27/1740) Iserlohn, Germany
10. Theresia Wilhelmine Henriette Hofius, b. 7/6/1741
11. Johann Petrus Hofius (10/12/1745-9/28/1751)

H. Johannes Adolf Hofius, b. 7/28/1696, occ. shopkeeper,
I. Johannes Wilhelm Hofius, b. 3/19/1699
J. Gertraud Catharina Hofius, b. 7/17/1700, m. Johann Jakob Haaße
 

1) Merle D. Hovis (4/1894-1916)
2) Guy R. Hovis (9/1895-1911)
3) Grace R. Hovis, b. 1901, m. 8/1/1923, Franklin, Venango Co., PA, Carl Raymond McGill, b. 1893, 8 ch.