Biography - John C. Cover
Hon. JOHN C. COVER is the present Mayor of the city of Knoxville. He is a
staunch Republican and takes an active interest in local politics. Mayor
Cover was born eight miles from Gettysburg, Adams Co., Pa., on the 9th of
March, 1829, and is the son of Jacob and Mary (Jones) Cover, both natives of
Maryland. He grew up from boyhood in the county of his birth, and his
father, who was a tanner by trade, took him as an apprentice to learn the
same when he was 14 years of age. Learning the trade, John followed it until
1854, at which time, being a young man of 25, with an earnest wish to get on
in the world, and sturdy business principles, he launched his little boat on
the wide sea of commerce, and purchased for himself a general store in Adams
County, Pa., at a point known as Flohr's Church. His efforts being
prospered, he sold out after a successful trade which lasted until 1856, and
at this time, having disposed of his property to his satisfaction, he came
to Galesburg, where he bought out a clothing store and commenced in this
line of trade. This store he retained but a short time, coming to Knoxville
in 1857, and opening a provision store. At the end of one year devoted to
this business he was elected City Marshall and appointed Deputy Sheriff at
the same time. These offices he held four years, and in 1862 was elected
Sheriff for a term of two years, afterward appointed Deputy Sheriff, and in
1866 he, with William Armstrong, took a contract for the erection of an
almshouse for the county. This was completed in 1867, and in the fall of
that year he opened a book and stationary store, in which he continued up to
1883, when he disposed of the same and changed to the druggist's business.
This he followed only one year, at the expiration of which time he sold out
to his son, who still carried on the business.
In the year 1866-67, Mr. Cover was elected Alderman, and in 1869-70 Mayor,
which office he has filled in a manner reflecting much credit upon him and
his many friends, by his just and equitable manner of dispensing public
affairs. He holds the office of Justice of the Peace, to which he was
appointed in 1885, the date of his re-election to the Mayoralty.
The subject of our sketch formed a matrimonial alliance with Isabella Mary
L. Cooper, who was born at Gettysburg, Pa., Aug. 30, 1831. This happy event
was celebrated Nov. 16, 1852. Mrs. Cover is the only daughter of Thomas J.
and Margaret (Barr) Cooper. To Mr. and Mrs. Cover have been born one son and
three daughters, as follows: Margaret E., wife of Frederick Smith, whose
home is in Corning, Iowa; John F.; Mary Alice, who wedded Orton B. Arms, and
who resides in Knoxville, and Mabel L., the youngest daughter, at home with
her parents. Mr. Cover has given his children the benefit of a thorough
education, the two older daughters being graduates of St. Mary's School.
As previously stated, our subject is a public worker in all that has for its
object the advancement of the moral and material welfare of the community in
which he resides. He comes of the old-line Whigs and entered the Republican
party as one of its charter members, being one of the very first to join it
at the time of its founding. He cast his first presidential vote for General
Scott and his second for John C. Fremont, and has upheld the doctrines of
the party represented by the latter since that time. Mrs. Cover came of a
direct line of Scotch ancestry, although her father and mother were both
American born, the latter entering life in Pennsylvania and the former in
Maryland.
Contributed by Pat Thomas, extracted from the 1886 Portrait and Biographical
Album of Knox County, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, page 716.
