BIO: Jacob H. Coover, Cumberland County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/ ______________________________________________________________________ History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania. Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc. Illustrated. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm ______________________________________________________________________ PART II. HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. CHAPTER LIX. UPPER ALLEN TOWNSHIP. 564 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: JACOB H. COOVER, retired farmer, Shepherdstown. For more than a century the name of Coover has been familiar in this county. The great-great-grandfather came from 565 UPPER ALLEN TOWNSHIP. Coburg, Germany, with four sons: Dederich, Gideon, George and Michael. They were a long-lived race, and all reared large families. Michael Coover was a member of the first State Legislature, serving two terms. Dederich was the grandfather, and his son Dederich, the father of Jacob H. Coover, the subject of this sketch. Dederich Coover, Jr., was born on the farm of his father, who, at that time, owned a section of land which included the greater part of what is now the site of Shepherdstown, but which was then a wild waste of land, for the pioneer's ax had made but few inroads in the great forests, and only log houses were to be seen, few and far between. Dederich Coover, Jr., married Catharine Cocklin, who bore him seven children: John B., David, Jacob H., William, Levi, Frances and Catharine. Our subject's paternal grandparents' family consisted of seven sons and three daughters, all of whom were born in this township, and which, up to date (1885) has been the birthplace of five generations of Coovers. The name was originally spelled Kobar, but later was written and used by the descendants "Coover." Dederich Coover, Jr., was a prominent personage in the county at an early date, being not only a large farmer and land-owner, but also a distiller. He operated a still where Ira D. Coover now lives, nearly a century ago, and, later, one where his son William now resides; a part of the latter building is still standing. He was an active man, both in business and politics; was an old-line Whig of the strictest type, and during the career of that party filled a number of offices in the township. Conscientious in all things, strictly honest and a God-fearing man, he possessed great popularity among the people. Jacob H. Coover, our subject, was born within one mile of where he is now living, February 3, 1808; early attended school, and acquired an excellent education. His first schooling was obtained on the Ira Coover Farm, in a house furnished for school purposes by his father. He taught school seven years prior to his marriage, and several terms afterward. March 1, 1836, our subject married Rachael, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Strock, of Churchtown, and commenced housekeeping on the farm which he had previously purchased, and which is still in his possession, and there resided until within the past four years. Here were born Emma, Elmira E., Catharine, Mary, Clara and John A. Jacob H. Coover has been one of the foremost citizens in furthering the business and social interests of the community. For more than forty years he has been one of the directors, and for the past two years vice-president of the Allen & East Pennsborough Fire Insurance Company. (Of the original officers, only one other - William R. Gorgas - is now living.) He has settled numerous estates, and has always been noted for his integrity and fairness. To his children he will leave an unsullied reputation and a name ranking among the oldest in the county.