Michael Ovell was the first of the Ovell family of Weedville, Jay Township. He moved here about 1840(Elk was Clearfield County at that time).

Michael was born about 1793 in Nicholson Township, Lucerne County PA and married Catherine Felton (1797-1826) in 1817 and had 6 children including Jacob Ovell of Jay. His wife Catherine died in 1826.

After Catherine’s death, Michael moved to Indiana County, PA with 3 of his children (Eliza, Jacob, and Amy). Then around 1840 he moved to Clearfield Co(now Elk County). Here he married Mary English Thurston(1807-1900) and had 4 daughters. Around 1839-1840 is when Michael took ownership of what would be the Ovell farm in Weedville. At that time it was Caledonia, Clearfield Co.,PA. Michael Ovell died in 1865 and is buried next to wife Mary in Mt. Zion Cemetery just up the road from his farm on now Mt Zion Road.