BIOS: Joseph COVODE, M.D., Jennerstown, 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 297-298.

  Joseph Covode, M.D., a retired physician of Jennerstown, Somerset County, was 
for nearly half a century one of the leading practitioners of this part of the 
country.  He was born August 14, 1822, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, son 
of Jacob and Annie (Updegraff) Covode.
  His paternal grandfather, Garlet Covode, was born in Amsterdam, Holland.  He 
came to America with his parents at the age of three years, and grew to manhood 
in Philadelphia, Pa.  He subsequently located in Ligonier, Westmoreland County, 
this State, where he followed agricultural pursuits until his decease, at the 
venerable age of eighty-four years.  To him and his wife were born five sons and 
three daughters, all of whom have passed on to the life immortal.
  Jacob Covode was born in Ligonier, Pa.  Succeeding [sic] eventually to the 
occupation and the homestead of his father, he was there engaged in general 
farming during the active part of his earthly life of fifty-four years.  He 
married Annie Updegraff.  She bore him five sons and four daughters.  Of these 
the Doctor, the youngest son, is the only child now living.  Both Jacob Covode 
and his wife were active members of the Methodist church, with the management of 
which he was prominently identified; and in politics he was a loyal Whig.
  Joseph Covode received his early education in the public schools of Ligonier 
and at the academy in Greensburg, Pa., and began the study of medicine with the 
late Dr. George B. Fendernby, of Pittsburg, where he also attended lectures.  He 
took a course of lectures in Philadelphia in 1846 and again in 1848, and in 1849 
was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine.  Opening an office at once 
in Fairfield, Westmoreland County, Dr. Covode remained there a year.  Coming 
then to Somerset County, he settled in Jennerstown, where he built up a large 
and lucrative practice, and continued active in his profession until 1897, when 
he retired.  Recognized as a man of sterling worth, he is highly respected 
throughout the community in which he has lived so long a life of usefulness.  He 
is a stanch Republican in politics.
  In November, 1853, Dr. Covode married Lydia, daughter of Samuel Griffith, of 
Jennerstown.  Of the six children born of their union four are living, namely: 
Minerva; Annie, who is the wife of Rufus Hill, and has three children; Margaret; 
and Robert.  Dr. and Mrs. Covode are both valued members of the Methodist 
church.