Isaac C. Hovey was born around 1816 in Maine. He married Roxana Hawes, and they had at least four children: Harriet, born around 1845; Sarah, born around 1848; George, born around 1850; Arthur, born around 1857; and Carrie, born around 1861.

 

They lived in Union, Maine, and Hovey worked as a cabinet maker. By 1850, he owned $1,000 of real estate. They moved to Augusta, Maine, in the 1850s, and Hovey worked as an instrument maker there. By 1860, he owned $300 of personal property.

 

He enlisted in the Union army on October 29, 1861, and he mustered in as a musician in the 11^th Maine Infantry later that day. He apparently lied about his age, claiming that he was born around 1821. He mustered out on March 26, 1862. He returned to Augusta after leaving the army and resumed his work as an organ manufacturer. By 1870, he owned $2,500 of real estate and $500 of personal property. According to one local writer, he was a “citizen very highly respected.”

 

He died of paralysis in Augusta on November 12, 1884. He was reportedly “to all appearances in usual good health, but when standing at his bench this morning he suddenly threw up his hands, fell to the floor and soon expired.”

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