Peter Covert

PETER COVERT. Among the names of the early settlers of Cherokee County stands that of Peter Covert, a well known farmer of Spring Valley township, living on a fine farm of 160 acres of land in section 34, township 34, range 24. He is a native of the "Hoosier State" and was born in Clark County on July 4, 1838.

Lucas Covert, his father, also a native of Clark County, Indiana, was born about 1812 and secured his education in his home county. After leaving school, he learned the trade of cooper, and followed that occupation during the early years of manhood. He married Anna Needles, a native of Indiana, and to this union were born five children, as follows: William, Andrew, Peter, Harriet and Catherine. Mrs. Covert, the mother of these children died when our subject was five years of age. Later, Mr.Covert contracted a second marriage, this time with Mrs. Hannah Combes, nee Bird. The children of this marriage were: Monroe, James A., Frank and George D. Lucas Covert left Indiana in 1852 and located in Atchison County, Missouri, where he engaged in farming for six years. In 1858 he removed to Pawnee County, Nebraska, where he followed the same occupation until his death, which occurred in 1898.

Peter Covert the subject of this review, received his education in the schools of his native State, and in those of Missouri. After leaving school, as is the custom among most farmers' sons, he spent some time working for his father on the farm. Removing with his father to Nebraska, he remained with him until the breaking out of the Civil War, when he enlisted in October, 1862, in Company C, 2nd Reg., Nebraska Vol. Cav., and served on the plains for nine months. Reenlisting in the spring of 1865, in Company H, 51st Reg., Missouri Vol. Inf., he was discharged in June, 1865, having seen hospital service most of his time during this period of enlistment. At the close of the war, he returned to Atchison County, Missouri, and soon after, in 1866, removed to Cherokee County, Kansas, where he has since resided. Mr. Covert was one of the men who laid out the town of Lowell, and drove the first stake. His farm comprises 160 acres of fine farm land all under cultivation. The products are those of the average farm of that section.

On July 17, 1870, the marriage ceremony was performed which united Mr. Covert and Mahala O. Shepherd, a native of Missouri. To this union have been born six children, as follows: Flora A., Anna, Joseph Alexander, John A., Benjamin and Ida. Flora A. married Clark Goodnight, a farmer of Labette County, and has three children. Anna married Elam Hodson, a mining engineer of Long Beach, California, and has two children. Joseph Alexander who enlisted in Company E, 38th Reg., S. Vol. Inf., and served two years in the Philippines, married Rosa Thair and has one child. He resides in Franklin County, Kansas, where he is at present engaged in farming. John A. and Benjamin reside at home. Ida married Samuel Simmons, a rural free delivery mail carrier of Baxter Springs, and has two children.

Mr. Covert has been a lifelong voter of the Republican ticket, and was elected to the office of constable, in which position his incumbency lasted for two years. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and G. A. R.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by Angela Vickers, student from USD 508, Baxter Springs, Kansas, Febuary 26, 1996.