Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 02.djvu/431

 COVERT

COWAN

COVERT, John Cutler, journalist, was born in Norwich, N.Y., Feb. 11, 1839; sou of Jacob aixi Pheba Ann (Cutler) Covert; and grandson of Stephan Covert. On the father's side his ancestors were originally French, driven from their country to Holland by the revocation of the edict of Nantes. They sailed for New Amster- dam in loGO. The first ancestor was Teunis Jans Cov- ert. On the moth- er's side he de- scended from John Cutler, who emi- grated from Nor- folk, England, and settled in Hing- ham,Mass. ,in 1637. Two brothers of the Covert family had twenty-two descendants in the army of the war

ten years old he was initiated into the printers' craft as a " devil " in the office of Edwin Cowles, proprietor of the Cleveland Leader. He served there three years and worked as journeyman in other printing offices until 1859. During this time he had gained a broad education and had prepared him- self for admission to the bar. He was admitted at St. Louis, Mo., in 1859, and when in 1861 he offered himself as a Union volunteer he was rejected on account of physical disability. He spent several years in Paris, where he taught English, and meanwhile made extended journeys through France, Germany, Russia, Poland, Bel- gium and Holland, largely on foot, his wanderings taking him as far as Nijni, Novgorod. In 1868 he returned to America with restored health, a master of the French language and with a good knowledge of German, Italian and Spanish. He began his journalistic career as a reporter on the Cleveland Leader. He soon became cit}" editor and in a few years managing editor. In 1890, on the death of ]Mr. Cowles, he was made editor-in- chief. In 1877 he was elected to the lower house of the Ohio legislature and was re elected in 1879. His address before the legislature in favor of taxing church property was widely circulated. His influence was, however, more felt as the directing force of his jjowerful daily journal. He delivered frequent addresses before literary, social and commercial gatlierings, was president of the Rowfant (a literary club) and a prominent member of the Cleveland chamber of commerce. He was appointed by President McKinley in 1897

United States consul to Lyons, France. In 1870 Mr. Covert was married to Minnie, the only daughter of Addison P. Butcher, a well-known medical author.

COVINGTON, Leonard, soldier, was born in Aquasco, Md., Oct. 30, 1768. He was a lieuten- ant in the U.S. army imder General Wayne, was promoted captain and distinguished himself in the frontier difficulties of 1794, notably at Fort Recovery and the battle of the Miami. He re- signed in September, 1795, and engaged in farm- ing in Maryland. He was elected to the Mary- land legislature and represented the state in the 9th congress, 1805-07. In 1809 he re-entered the army as lieutenant-colonel of dragoons and was promoted colonel Feb. 15, 1809, and briga- dier-general Aug. 1, 1813. He commanded at Fort Adams, Miss., in 1810, and later in the same year took possession of Baton Rouge, La., and also a part of West Florida. In 1813 he was or- dered to the New York frontier. He was mortally wounded at Chrysler's Field, Nov. 11, 1813, and died at French's Mills, N.Y., Nov. 14, 1813.

COVODE, John, representative, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., March 17, 1808. He engaged in coal mining, in the manufacture of wool, and in railroad enterprises. He served two terms in the Pennsylvania legislature and in 1854 was elected as an anti-Masonic Whig a rep- resentative in the 34th congress. He was re- elected as a Republican to the 35th, 36th and 37tli congresses, serving 1855-63. He was chairman of the special committee to investigate charges against President Buchanan and his report was published by order of congress in 1860. He was a member of the joint committee on the conduct of the war. He was a representative in the 40th and 41st congresses, 1869-73. He opposed the measures of the administration and declined re- election to the 43d congress. He died in Harris- burg. Pa.. Jail. 11, 1871.

COWAN, Edgar, senator, was born in Sewick- ley township, Westmoreland county, Pa., Sept. 19, 1815. His putative father. Robert Cooper, was a soldier in the war of 1813. His mother was Wil- lianiia Cowan, a daughter of William and Mary (Hul)bard) Cowan. On his father's side Edgar Cowan was related to U.S. Senator James Cooper of Pennsylvania, and tiie two men are said to liave resembled each other closely. They were intimate friends, without knowing their kin- ship. Edgar Cowan was graduated at Franklin college, Ohio, in 1839, and was admitted to the bar in 1843, practising at Greensburg, Pa. He was a United States senator. 1861-67, and served as chairman of the committees on finance, patents and agriculture and as a member of the committee on the judiciary. He died at Greens- burg, Pa., Aug. 29, 1885.