JOHN G. CONOVER, farmer; P.O. Biggs. As early as 1790, Peter Conover, of Monmouth Co., moved with his family to Woodford Co., Ky., where, in December, 1812, the subject of this sketch was born. The elder Conover wan the youngest of five brothers, and the four oldest were all soldiers of the Revolution. In 1822, the Conover family, with a large number of relatives and acquaintances, desirous of locating beyond the influence of slavery, moved by wagons to this State, the journey occupying some months, and attended wiih hardships that would have deterred any but the stout-hearted. "The party reached Springfield in June, and after an examination of the country, chose the Jersey Prairie, in what is now Morgan Co., as the site of their future home. Peter Conover and his wife remained in this locality until their death, which occurred to the first in May, 1835, and to the latter in October, 1846. John G. Conover was married, in 1833, to Miss Susan Houghton; she died in 1845, and he was married, in 1846, to Mrs. Hannah Mitchell. He moved to this county in 1841, and settled in the vicinity of Bath. In 1849, he crossed the plains to California, and returned by way of the Isthmus in 1851. In the early days of Morgan and Menard Cos., he enjoyed the acquaintance of Lincoln, Yates and Col. Hardin, the latter making his home, in his youth, with the Conover family. Mr. Conover settled upon the place he now occupies, on Sec. 31, in 1866, consisting of 160 acres, well improved, and worth about $30 per acre. His business capacity and integrity have been recognized by the people of Sherman Township, and on various occasions they have chosen him Justice of the Peace, and, for five years in succession, Assessor.



Maintained by Mason County Coordinator Donna Mayer