BIOS: James M. COVER, Somerset, Somerset County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of 
Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, Biographical Review 
Publishing Company: 1899, pp 159-160.

  James M. Cover, of Somerset, Pa., is now serving as Registrar, Recorder of 
Deeds, and Clerk of the Orphans' Court for Somerset County, offices for which he 
is eminently fitted.  He was born at Davidsville, this county, January 12, 1858, 
a son of Silas J. Cover.  He comes of sturdy and thrifty German ancestry, being 
a great-great-grandson of Peter Cover, who is supposed, was born and reared in 
Germany.
  In early manhood Peter Cover immigrated to this country, and on May 31, 1775, 
settled in Brother's Valley township, Pa., where he bought land and improved a 
fine homestead, which is now owned and occupied by one of his lineal 
descendants.  To him and his wife, Margarette, nine children were born:  
Nicholas; Elizabeth; Feronscatha; Margaret; Peter, Jr., the next in line of 
descent; John; Catherine; Mary; and Susan.
  Peter Cover, Jr., was a lifelong resident of Brother's Valley.  His wife, 
Elizabeth, bore him six children: John P., grandfather of James M.; Samuel; 
Jonathan; Peter; Jacob; and Mary.
  John P. Cover was born in Brother's Valley in 1800, and during his long life 
was numbered among the most influential and prominent citizens of the place.  He 
practiced medicine in that locality for half a century with signal success, his 
ride extending for miles in every direction from the town.  He was very active 
in religious affairs, and with his wife belonged to the Dunkard church, the 
pulpit of which he often filled, speaking to the edification of his hearers.  
His wife, Rosanna Putnam, was born at Middle Creek, Pa., in 1806, and died in 
Brother's Valley, at the venerable age of eighty-five years.  They reared seven 
children, namely: Silas J., the father above named; David J., of Somerset 
township; Phoebe, wife of Peter Beeghley, of Brother's Valley; Amelia, wife of 
Israel Huntsman, her second husband, and mother of one child, Charles Spencer, 
by her first husband, the late William Spencer; Agnes, who is the widow of the 
late Solomon J. Bear, of Somerset, and has had eleven children, seven of whom 
are living- Israel, William, Daniel, Peter, Isaiah, Ira, and James; Peter J., 
who married Mary Apple, of Jenners, Pa, and has one child, John M.; and Rosa, 
wife of Jonathan Mosholder, of Berlin, Pa.
  Silas J. Cover was born in Brother's Valley, Pa., April 4, 1830, and during 
his earlier active years was employed in a sawmill at Ashtola, this State.  He 
subsequently became interested in mercantile pursuits, and for eighteen years 
was one of the leading merchants of the town of Davidsville.  Removing thence to 
Jenners, he was there engaged in mercantile business until his death, September 
21, 1877, at the comparatively early age of forty-seven years.  He was a man of 
integrity, upright in all his dealings, and had in a marked degree the respect 
of his fellow-men.  He was a loyal Republican in his political affiliations, and 
while a resident of Davidsville served as Justice of the Peace ten years and as 
Postmaster two years.  Both he and his wife, who survives him, belonged to the 
Lutheran church.  Her maiden name was Sophia Hoffman.  She was born at 
Davidsville in 1840, a daughter of Joseph Hoffman.  They were married in 1857, 
when the bride was but seventeen years old.  They reared three children, namely: 
James M., the subject of this biographical sketch; John F., who married Marian 
Kyle, of Meyersdale, Pa., and has two children- Lester and Nellie; and Rosa M., 
who is the wife of Howard G. Werntz, of Lancaster, Pa., and has three children- 
Omar, Margretta, and Rebecca.
  James M. Cover obtained his early education in the public schools of 
Davidsville and Berlin and in Somerset.  At the age of nineteen he began his 
mercantile career in the town of Jenners, where he was prosperously engaged a 
score of years, during which he served as Postmaster the larger part of the 
time, and for fifteen years was Justice of the Peace.  On the 4th of January 
1897, he was elected Registrar, Recorder of Deeds, and Clerk of the Orphans' 
Court for Somerset County, and at once took up his residence in Somerset, where 
he has an assured position among the most highly esteemed citizens of the town.
  Fraternally, he is a member of Somerset Lodge, No. 358, F. & A. M., of which 
he was Master in 1884; of Somerset Lodge I. O. O. F.; and Portage Chapter, Royal 
Arch Masons, of Johnstown, Pa., No 195; and a charter member of Oriental 
Commandery, No. 61, Knights Templar, of Johnstown, Pa.; Royal Arcanum Council, 
No. 985, of Somerset; American Woodmen, etc.  He is a sound Republican in his 
political affiliations and always ready to work for the highest interests of his 
party and of the people.
  Mr. Cover and Rebecca Gallagher, daughter of Thomas Gallagher, of Jenners, 
were married on February 7, 1878.  They have three children- Ada I., Earl S., 
and Daisy.  Mr. and Mrs. Cover are both active members of the Lutheran church 
and generous contributors toward its support.