BIO: Samuel R. Coover, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2011.  All rights reserved.
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http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
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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
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                                PART II.

             HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

                              CHAPTER LIX.

                         UPPER ALLEN TOWNSHIP.

565  UPPER ALLEN TOWNSHIP.

  SAMUEL R. COOVER, postmaster, Shepherdstown.  There are numerous men 
in this township bearing the name of Coover, but the branch of the 
family to which our subject belongs is composed of himself and his 
brother George.  Of the remote ancestry of our subject but little is 
known.  His father, George Coover, was born in Cumberland County, 
Penn., in 1808, and while yet a young man learned the trade of 
furniture-making, carrying on a manufactory in New Kingston for a long 
while.  His success in business warranted him in taking a wife, and, 
about 1831, he was married to Catharine Reeser, a representative of one 
of the old families in this county.  They commenced housekeeping in New 
Kingston, and reared five children:  Sarah, Mary, Elmira, George and 
Samuel R., all of whom now live in this county.  In 1859 the subject of 
this sketch was apprenticed to John Brownwell, at Roxbury, to learn the 
trade of shoe-making, which he completed.  In 1863 he enlisted in 
Company D, Twentieth Pennsylvania Cavalry, serving until the expiration 
of his term; then enlisted for 100 days in Company I, One Hundred and 
Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania Infantry; re-enlisting for one year, at the 
expiration of the 100-days' service, in Company B, One Hundred and 
Ninety-fifth Independent Battalion, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in 
which he served until the close of the war.  He was engaged in numerous 
skirmishes, but never wounded; most of his service was in the Virginia 
campaign.  His brother George was also a soldier, and served during 
most of the war.  After our subject returned home he worked for several 
years at his trade.  In 1867 he was married to Mary E., daughter of 
David and Mary (Zering) Worst, old residents of 

566  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

the county.  Soon after his marriage Mr. Coover commenced business for 
himself in Shepherdstown, and is now conducting the only shoe store in 
the village, which might be properly termed the pioneer store.  To Mr. 
and Mrs. Coover were born five children, of whom three are deceased, 
and two living:  Samuel R., Jr., and Emma M.  Mr. Coover has always 
been a conservative man politically, but is a conscientious Republican, 
always voting with that party.  By reason of his well-known ability as 
a business man, he was commissioned postmaster at Shepherdstown in 
1870, and has filled that position for fifteen consecutive years.  This 
office, notwithstanding the change in governmental policy, remains in 
his undisturbed possession, which well bespeaks the confidence of his 
political opponents in his ability and fitness for the position.  He is 
a member of Post No. 415, G. A. R.; is a member of the United Brethren 
Church.