HON. A.G. HOVEY. – The reputation of Mr. Hovey, the present mayor of Eugene, Oregon, is co-extensive with the limits of the state, in the affairs of which he has ever taken an active part. His aggressive pushing disposition indicate the stern qualities of courage and self-reliance which lie at the basis of his character, and displace the more ephemeral qualities of a purely sentimental hopefulness or ambition. He is an example of the adage that “God helps those who help themselves;” and his whole life has bristled with instances of the truth therein indicated. He is a man of strong convictions and honest opinions, scorning the hypocrisy of policy and dealing with his friends as friends. In fact, he possess one virtue above all others: In dealing with the world, everybody, whether friend or foe, knows where he may be found when he is wanted. His nature is positive in its character; and, when he has once settled in his mind that he is right, nothing can move him from his course. Such a character must succeed in society, where he is a welcome guest.
He was born in Londonderry, New Hampshire, in 1830, and removed with his parents to Marietta, Ohio, when he was quite young; and there he grew to manhood and was educated.
He was one of the argonauts of California, having crossed the plains to that state in the fall of 1849; and for nearly a year he was engaged in digging gold near the Sacramento river. In the fall of 1850 he came to Oregon and settled at Corvallis, where he taught the first school in the place, and was elected the first clerk of the county, and acted as such for the first circuit and state courts held in the district. Benton county repeatedly honored him by electing him to fill the county offices; and he was elected from among his compeers to represent them in the state Senate from 1862 to 1866. It was during the latter year that he removed to Portland, remaining, however, only one year, and thereupon settled in Lane county at Springfield, there engaging in milling and merchandising until 1879, when he took a residence at Eugene City, and was one of the incorporators of the lane County Bank, and continues as its president. The Republican party in Oregon sent him as delegate tot he National Convention of Chicago, in 1884, when he assisted in placing in nomination for President and Vice-President of the nation James G. Blaine and John A. Logan. Active in political interests from conviction, still not a place-seeker, he sometimes, however, has accepted positions, but more frequently has declined.
His popularity among the people of his own city was recently evidenced by his election unsolicited by a large majority to the mayoralty of Eugene; and he is in that city not only highly esteemed, but is recognized as zealous in every worthy public endeavor. His wife, Emily, the daughter of George Humphrey, the pioneer, is a lady well known and greatly respected. They have three children.