Charles Edward Hovey was born 26 April 1827, in Thetford, Vermont. Graduated from Dartmouth College, 1852. He was a teacher, school principal and superintendent in Massachusetts and Illinois, and founded the State Teachers' University, in Normal, Illinois.

At the outbreak of the war, he recruited the 33rd Illinois Infantry, composed mostly of students and teachers of the State Teachers' University, and was commissioned its colonel 15 August 1861 at the age of 34. He was promoted to brigadier general 5 September 1862, and was breveted major general 13 March 1865 for gallant and meritorious services during the war. His appointment as brigadier general expire 4 March 1863 due to lack of confirmation by the Congress.

After the war he served as a pension lobbyist. He died 17 November 1897, in Washington, DC, and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Source - Revised Roster, pp. 726, 739

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