J. B. COXOVER, farmer; P.O. Kilbourne; is one of Mason Co.'s enterprising young business men, and was born in Cass Co., Sept. 28, 1844; son of William Conover; his mother's maiden name was Rebecca Hopkins; his parents died when Joseph was quite young and he was left to fight life's battles alone. July 13, 1862, at the age of 18, he enlisted in Co. D, 85th I. V. I., and participated in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Kenesaw Mountain and lastly at Peach Tree Creek, Ala., where he lost his right arm; at this battle, he was taken prisoner, and, while suffering extreme pain from the amputation of his arm, was confined several months in Andersonville Prison, where he suffered untold misery at the hands of those in charge; Nov. 20,1864, he received his parole at Savannah, and in February, 1865, obtained his discharge. Upon his return home, he attended school two years in Havana and one year at the Soldier's College at Whiteside Co. Upon his return home he engaged in stock trading. Dec. 26, 1869, he married Charlotte Coggshall, who was born Oct. 9, 1849; daughter of William H. Coggshall; they have had three boys— Marshall 0., born Oct. 20, 1870; Leonard, Aug. 12, 1873; and an infant, Nov. 19, 1878. In 1869, Mr. Conover was elected County Treasurer, which office he filled two years; he then moved to the place he now lives on and has since been engaged in farming and stock trading; he has 800 acres of land, and though deprived of the use of his right arm, yet he accomplishes more manual labor than most men with two.



Maintained by Mason County Coordinator Donna Mayer