Jefferson S. Conover was born on 20-Apr-1841 at Cato, Cayuga County, New York. He was the son of George M. Conover and Fannie Carter. Jefferson married Mary I. Wharton on 13-May-1863. Jefferson S. Conover died on 15-Apr-1903 at age 61.
     He resided at at Coldwater, Branch County, Michigan, in Jul-1866.

Jefferson S. Conover, long known as one of the distinguished citizens of Michigan, active in business circles of Coldwater and prominent in the state as a representative of the Masonic fraternity, was born in the village of Cato, Cayuga county, New York, April 20. 1841. He was a son of George M. Conover, who traced his ancestry in the paternal line back to the Dutch Koven Hoven family that settled in New Jersey about 1650. In the maternal line he was descended from a son of Lord Reader of Ireland, who, having been disinherited for marrying a girl in the lower station of life. came to America, where such class condition was unknown. George M. Conover wedded Fannie Carter, whose parents removed from Vermont to New York at an early day, establishing their home near Cato.

Jefferson S. Conover spent his boyhood days in Cayuga and adjoining counties and was a student in the district schools until about fifteen years of age, after which he spent two terms in Perry Academy, at Perry, New York. A few years later he pursued a brief business course and this termin­ated his advantages in school, but through experience and observation his knowledge was greatly broadened and he became a man of wide, general information and of much force of character. At the age of nineteen years he began teaching school and in the spring of 186o he accompanied his par­ents on their removal to the west, settling with them in South Bend, Indi­ana. The Civil war was inaugurated early in the following year and Jef­ferson S. Conover was among those who early responded to the country's call for aid, but his constitution proved unequal to the hardships of a sol­dier's life and after less than a year of service, three months of which had been passed within the walls of army hospitals, he was discharged and re­sumed the profession of teaching. In July, 1866, he became a resident of Coldwater, Michigan, where he continued to make his home until his death. Through the succeeding five years he conducted a business college here and then devoted a year or two to journalism. On the expiration of that period he established the business of fine job and color printing, to which he gave his attention for fifteen years, establishing an enterprise which has devel­oped into the Conover Engraving & Printing Company. Upon its organiza­tion he was chosen president and continued at its head until his demise, mak­ing this one of the large and profitable productive industries of the city.

Mr. Conover was a man of varied activities, resourceful and energetic. and his loyalty to the Masonic tenets and teachings combined with natural ability led to his selection for high honors in connection with the fratern­ity. He became a Mason in 188o, taking the three initial degrees in Cold­water Lodge, No. 260, and after two and a half years he was elected mas­ter, serving until the consolidation of that lodge with Tyre Lodge, No. 18, about 1898. He became a Royal Arch Mason in Temple Chapter, No. 21, November 7, 1881. He received degrees of royal and select master in Mount Moriah Council, No. 6, March 11, 1882 ; dubbed and created a Knight Templar, March 2, 1882; received the Scottish Rite grades to S. P. R. S; thirty-second degree in Michigan Sovereign Consistory, June 17, 18, 19, 1883, and was crowned an honorary member of the supreme council, thirty- third, degree, at Cleveland, Ohio, September 16, 189o. On the 18th of June, 1892, he joined a caravan that crossed the burning sands of the desert at that time, and became entitled to wear the fez and sport the tiger-claws of the " Shriner." He presided over all the Masonic bodies of his home city, and at one time occupied the three responsible positions of worshipful mas­ter, high priest, and eminent commander. In 1892 he was elected grand commander K. T. of Michigan, and served for one year with zeal and earn­estness. When William P. Innes was elected grand master, in January, 1892, Mr. Conover was elected to succeed him as grand secretary, and to that responsible position he was annually elected for eleven years. After accept­ing this office, he withdrew from all active participation in business matters and devoted his undivided attention to his official duties as grand secre?
tart'. Upon the death of William P. Innes, in August, 1893, Mr. Conover, who was then grand king in the grand chapter, was appointed grand secre­tary of that body, and, resigning the office of grand king, took up the work of grand secretary for the Royal Craft in this state, and in January, 1897, he was elected grand recorder of the grand council Royal and Select Masters. The duties of these three offices occupied his whole time and to them he gave the best energies of his nature. Mr. Conover was also an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star, was elected grand patron of Michigan, October 9. 1884, and re-elected in 1885. The following year he was elected most worthy grand patron of the general grand chapter 0. E. S. of the United States.

On the 13th of May, 1863, Mr. Conover was married to Mary I. Wharton of South Bend, Indiana, and they resided in that city and in Lafay­ette and Indianapolis for short periods. In July. 1866, however, they came to Coldwater, Michigan, which was thereafter his place of residence. His devoted wife preceded him to the home beyond only a few months, passing away December 25, 1902. Their children were as follows : Charles A.. L. Lenore, Kate B.. Mara W. and George W.. but the last named died in in­fancy. Mr. Conover became a member of the Christian church when a young man and for thirty-six years was an active member of the Presby­terian church of Coldwater, his funeral service being held in this house of worship. He departed this life April 15, 1903, and the burial service was conducted by the officers of the grand lodge of his beloved fraternity.

History of Branch County.

      George M. Conover was born circa 1810 at New York. George married Fannie Carter.

      Fannie Carter was born circa 1819 at New York. Fannie married George M. Conover.

      Mary I. Wharton was born circa 1842 at Indiana. Mary married Jefferson S. Conover, son of George M. Conover and Fannie Carter, on 13-May-1863. Mary I. Wharton died on 23-Dec-1902. She died on 25-Dec-1902.

      Charles A. Conover was born on 11-May-1863 at Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana. He was the son of Jefferson S. Conover and Mary I. Wharton. Charles married Juno Edmunds, daughter of Royetta (Unknown), in 1887.
     





Charles A. Conover, son of the late Jefferson S. Conover, was born in Lafayette, Indiana, May II, 1865. He was reared in Coldwater and at­tended its public schools, while later he completed a commercial course in the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso. Since that time he has been closely identified with the Conover Engraving & Printing Company of Coldwater, succeeding his father in the ownership of the business in 1900. Alert, enterprising and notably prompt and energetic he has made this a profitable and extensive business interest. having now a large patronage which indicates that the class of work executed in the plant is of superior character.

In politics Mr. Conover is a Republican, active and influential in com­munity affairs and has served as alderman of his city and as a member of the cemetery board. He succeeded his father as grand secretary of the grand chapter, R. A. M., of Michigan and has since held that position. He is also grand recorder of the grand council, R. S. M., of this state and is a worthy successor of an honored sire in his relations of Masonry. He also belongs to the Presbyterian church.

In 1887 Charles Conover was married to Miss Juno Edmonds, and their union has been blessed with three children. Charles Junius, Edmond V. and Fred Eric, the last named being deceased.

History of Branch County.

      A. Lenore Conover was born circa 1869 at Michigan. She was the daughter of Jefferson S. Conover and Mary I. Wharton.
     In the census on 10-Aug-1870 A. Lenore Conover was named Leenore Conover.

      Kate Bernice Conover was born on 27-Jan-1876 at Coldwater, Branch County, Michigan. She was the daughter of Jefferson S. Conover and Mary I. Wharton.
     

      Mary W. Conover was born on 1-Oct-1883 at Branch County, Michigan. She was the daughter of Jefferson S. Conover and Mary I. Wharton. Mary married Glen Wells. Mary W. Conover died on 12-Nov-1972 at San Diego County, California, at age 89.
     She was also known as Mara W. Conover. She was also known as Mara W. Conover-Wells. She was graduated in 1902 at Coldwater High School, Coldwater, Branch County, Michigan.

      George W. Conover was born on 20-May-1873 at Coldwater, Branch County, Michigan. He was the son of Jefferson S. Conover and Mary I. Wharton.
      Died in infancy.

      Juno Edmunds was born circa Jan-1865 at Michigan. She was the daughter of Royetta (Unknown). Juno married Charles A. Conover, son of Jefferson S. Conover and Mary I. Wharton, in 1887.

      Charles Junius Conover was born circa Jan-1894 at Michigan. He was the son of Charles A. Conover and Juno Edmunds.

      Edmund Whorton Conover was born on 10-Apr-1892 at Coldwater, Branch County, Michigan. He was the son of Charles A. Conover and Juno Edmunds.

      Fred Eric Conover was born on 11-Nov-1896 at Coldwater, Branch County, Michigan. He was the son of Charles A. Conover and Juno Edmunds.

      Helen Conover was born circa 1839 at New York. She was the daughter of George M. Conover and Fannie Carter.

      Collins Conover was born circa 1844 at New York. He was the son of George M. Conover and Fannie Carter.

      Norton Conover was born circa 1846 at New York. He was the son of George M. Conover and Fannie Carter.

      Arthur Conover was born circa 1848 at New York. He was the son of George M. Conover and Fannie Carter.

      Robert Clayton Williams was born on 13-Jun-1908. He died on 15-Jul-1988 at San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, at age 80.

     (Unknown) married Robert Dexter Conover, son of John Charles Reeve Conover and Junia Parsons Cady.

      John Thompson Conover was born circa 1822 at Warren County, New Jersey. He was the son of Lewis Conover and Catherine Schenck Denyse. John married Mary DeWitt Archer, daughter of John Archer and Elizabeth Dean. John Thompson Conover died in 1879 at New York City, New York County, New York.
     

"John Thompson Conover, son of Lewis and catherine (Denise) Conover, was born in Warren County, NJ in 1819. His opportunities for acquiring an education were limited to the district school, but, by using his powers of observation, he acquired later in life a practical knowledge of affairs that enabled him to meet all its requirements. He came to New York at an early age and was associated with his brother who was already established as a builder, and the firm soon distanced many of their competitors and were awarded large contracts for public and private buildings, amounting to millions of dollars. Among these are the Masonic Temple, the old New York Life Building which stood on the corner of Broadway and Leonard Street; the block of buildings between eighteenth and nineteenth Streets; the Church of the Messiah, Thirty-fourth Street and Park Avenue; the Manhattan Market, together with a number of elegant private residences in different parts of the city. He constructed large sections of the foundation work of the Metropolitan Elevated Railway, etc.

Mr. Conover was a man of large and liberal ideas and capable of great undertakings. He grappled with and overcame difficulties with a firm, unyielding hand, and during his long business career he met promptly all his financial obligations, leaving a rich legacy for probity and honor to his children. He was well and favorably known in Masonic circles. Beginning with "Blue Lodge" Masonry a member of Holland Lodge No. 8, New York City, he passed through the degrees of Capitular Masonry and the Chivalric Orders, reaching the 32nd degree in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite as Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret. He was High Priest of the chapter R. A. M., and was Eminent Commander of Coeur de Leon Commandery of Knight's Templars. He took an active interest in the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, the oldest organization of the kind in New York, and served one term as President. He was also President of the Mechanics' and Traders' Exchange for some years. He was a member of the Union League Club, and other societies. He married Mary D. Archer, daughter of John Archer and Elizabeth Dean, the latter was the daughter of John Dean of Philipsburg, Westchester County, NY, the Revolutionary patriot."

p.123-124 -The heroes of the American Revolution and their descendants : Battle of Long Island.

     Gustavus Adolphus Conover was baptized on 23-Feb-1810 at Old Tennent Church, Tennent, Monmouth County, New Jersey. He was the son of Lewis Conover and Catherine Schenck Denyse. Gustavus married Martha Ann Russell. Gustavus Adolphus Conover died on 22-Jan-1867 at age 56.
     

     (Unknown) Conover was the daughter of Lewis Conover and Catherine Schenck Denyse. (Unknown) married Capt. P. V. De Graw.

     P. married (Unknown) Conover, daughter of Lewis Conover and Catherine Schenck Denyse.

     Martha married Gustavus Adolphus Conover, son of Lewis Conover and Catherine Schenck Denyse.

     Edwin DeGraw Conover was the son of Gustavus Adolphus Conover and Martha Ann Russell. Edwin married Emma McCullough, daughter of James McCullough and Alida McDonald, on 25-May-1869 at Manhattan, New York County, New York.
     Edwin DeGraw Conover was graduated in 1860 at Princeton University, Princeton, Mercer County, New Jersey. He removed to at Bergen Point Section, Bayonne, Hudson County, New Jersey, circa Mar-1879.

     Emma McCullough was the daughter of James McCullough and Alida McDonald. Emma married Edwin DeGraw Conover, son of Gustavus Adolphus Conover and Martha Ann Russell, on 25-May-1869 at Manhattan, New York County, New York.

     James married Alida McDonald.

     Alida married James McCullough.

     Mattie Conover was the daughter of Gustavus Adolphus Conover and Martha Ann Russell.

      Alida Lansing Conover was born on 27-Nov-1872 at New York City, New York County, New York. She was the daughter of Edwin DeGraw Conover and Emma McCullough.
     

MISS ALIDA LANSING CONOVER

Miss Alida Lansing Conover was born in New York City, November 27, 1872, the daughter of Edwin Degraw and Emma McCullough Conover. In the spring of 1879 the family moved to the Bcrgen Point section of Bayonne. Miss Conover is a descendant of old Hudson River and Monmouth County, New Jersey settlers and can trace her ancestry back to the days of the Dutch patrons in the seventeenth century. Her great great great grandfather held that office in Lansing-burg, now part of Troy, New York, prior to the English invasion of the Hudson River Valley and New England.
In 1891 she was appointed to the faculty of School No. 2. Due to illness she resigned, for in those days there was no such thing as leave of absence. In 1894 she was reappointed and assigned to School No. 6, now the Horace Mann School, where she taught the elementary grades for approximately thirty-nine years. In 1931 she was designated as librarian of the school which position she held until she retired in June 1941.
Despite nearly fifty years of coaching to the whims and fancies of youngsters, Miss Conover maintains a vibrant sense of humor and a gracious mien.
During the opera season, Miss Conover is a faithful contributor, attending the Metropolitan concerts in New York City. This is her chief hobby.
Her apartment at 84o Boulevard, Bayonne is a replica of a museum personified. Historians of Hudson River lore would find her paintings and Americana antiques intensely interesting. One of her most prized possessions is a rare copy of a piece of sheet music entitled, "The Alida Waltz," written by Johann Munck in 1847 and dedicated to her grandmother, Mrs. Alida Lansing McCullough, whose husband operated the paddle-wheelers "Alida" and "Francis Skiddy" on the Hudson in the middle of the 1800's. Her grandfather sailed a sloop from Lansingburg to New York before the days of the steam-boats, a trip requiring three weeks. Oil paintings of the grandparents, painted about 1840 adorn Miss Conover's walls occupying almost an entire wall. Of most recent vintage is a photograph of Lord and Lady Mowbray' of Allerton Park, Yorkshire, England, taken at the time of the coronation, of King George VI. Lady Mowbray is Miss Conover's cousin. Surrounded by priceless family heirlooms, bronze statuary and antique furniture, some dating back more than a century, Miss Conover contemplates a life of retirement doing the things she has always wanted to do, and plans to devote more time to traveling.

      Emma Conover was born circa 1879 at New York. She was the daughter of Edwin DeGraw Conover and Emma McCullough.

      Carl H. Cox was born on 6-Jan-1890. He died young after 6-Jan-1890. He was the son of Charles Newton Cox MD and Dora E. Herbert.

      Oliver H. Herbert was born on 7-Apr-1890. He was the son of George Buck Herbert and Elizabeth Dubois Smock.

      Eva J. Brown was born on 28-Nov-1889. She was the daughter of Frank Fraser Brown and Eva N. Herbert.

      Andrew Jay Provost was born on 20-Mar-1894. He was the son of Andrew Jackson Provost Jr. and Ada B. Balston.

      William Douglas Provost DDS was born on 20-Nov-1869. He was the son of Andrew Jackson Provost and Harriet Titus.

      William T. Provost was born on 21-Nov-1869 at New York. He was the son of Dr. William Y. Provost MD and Evelyn Talmadge.

      Frederick Provost was born circa 1875 at New York. He was the son of Dr. William Y. Provost MD and Evelyn Talmadge.

      May Provost was born circa 1876 at New York. She was the daughter of Dr. William Y. Provost MD and Evelyn Talmadge.
     In the census on 5-Jun-1880 May Provost was named Florence M. Provost.

      Edith Madeleine Provost was born on 19-Oct-1888. She was the daughter of David Provost and Edith Wier.

      David Lawrence Provost was born on 17-Jun-1891. He was the son of David Provost and Edith Wier.

      Gladys E. Clarkson was born on 12-Dec-1887. She was the daughter of Ashton C. Clarkson and Ida Evelyn Provost.

      Harriett A. Clarkson was born on 29-Nov-1889. She was the daughter of Ashton C. Clarkson and Ida Evelyn Provost.

     Anna M. Baldwin was the daughter of George D. Baldwin and Emmeline Fisher. Anna married Rev. Edward Payson Cowan DD, son of Rev. John Fleming Cowan and Mary English, on 7-Aug-1872. Anna M. Baldwin died on 24-Jul-1896.

     George married Emmeline Fisher.

     Emmeline married George D. Baldwin.

     Emelie Cowan was the daughter of Rev. Edward Payson Cowan DD and Anna M. Baldwin.

     Elaine Cowan was the daughter of Rev. Edward Payson Cowan DD and Anna M. Baldwin.

     Irene Cowan was the daughter of Rev. Edward Payson Cowan DD and Anna M. Baldwin.

      Florence Tate Cowan was born circa 1865 at Missouri. She was the daughter of Rev. John Fleming Cowan Jr. and Mattie Jane Grant.

      William Grant Cowan was born circa 1866 at Missouri. He was the son of Rev. John Fleming Cowan Jr. and Mattie Jane Grant.

      Robert Moseby Cowan was born circa 1872 at Missouri. He was the son of Rev. John Fleming Cowan Jr. and Mattie Jane Grant.

     Loring married Jane Willits.

     Jane married Loring Andrew Waldo.

      William Edward Waldo was born on 12-May-1858. He was the son of Levi Willits Waldo and Martha Jane Crownover.

      Julia Horton was born on 22-Sep-1798 at Naugatuck, New Haven County, Connecticut. She was the daughter of Benjamin Horton and Peninah Newton. Julia married Cornelius Conover, son of Issac Covenhoven and Christina Marlet, on 1-May-1828. Julia Horton died on 22-Jun-1887 at Oxford, New York, at age 88.