Covey, William

PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF MORGAN AND SCOTT COUNTIES, ILLINOIS
Chicago: Chapman Bros., Publishers

1889
WILLIAM COVEY first saw the light of day in Knox County, Tenn., March 5, 1836. He and his twin brother, Samuel, came with their father, Robert Covey, to Morgan County in the fall of 1836, where the father made the acquaintance of Judge Samuel Wood, Dr. Moore and others. Robert Covey died in 1839. William Covey's mother, whose maiden name was Ann Dodd, was also a native of Knox County, Tenn. In her family (the Dodds) were six children. Her sister Adeline married E. C. Phetteplace, who resides near Petosky, Mich., where he is farming. He is the father of seven children. Nancy Todd (should be Nancy Covey) married Andrew J. Mann, who is a retired farmer, living at Franklin.

The subject of this sketch married Nancy Seymour, Feb. 7, 1860. The date of her birth is Nov. 29, 1842. Her father Richardson Seymour was a native of North Carolina, and came to Morgan County in 1828, and died June 1, 1888. Her mother is still living on the homestead. Mr. and Mrs. William Covey are the parents of three children, two of whom are dead. Mary E. was born Sept. 2, 1866, and died Oct. 13, 1871; Bartlett was born Sept. 2, 1866, and died Nov. 13, 1871; Hattie was born Feb. 13, 1874, and is at home with her parents.

Mr. Covey at the tender age of ten years, was thrown upon his own resources. He lived with Washington Hart, and at this time, came the period that was to try his mettle. Without friends, without money, and nearly bereft of hope, he faced a cold and pitiless world, but with the resolution to come out a winner, which he did. He married, and after that event, purchased 200 acres of land with a small clearing, upon which he erected a cabin and stables, and commenced to improve his farm. He brought his land up to a high state of cultivation, put up better buildings, and at last he was in the possession of a model farm. In 1883 he removed his family to Franklin, and there engaged in the business of conducting a livery, sale and feed stable. He has been eminently successful in his last venture, and has built a fine residence, and barns suitable to carry on the business in which he is engaged, and now carries a stock of horses, cutters and buggies that would do credit to a much larger place than Franklin.

Mr. Covey was one of the innumerable throng that caught up the refrain "We are Coming Father Abraham Three Hundred Thousand More," when the great war President in 1862 made a call for troops. He enlisted Aug. 11, of that year in the 101st regiment, and in the company commanded by Capt. Fanning. He was at the siege of Vicksburg, and was on the second boat that landed at the wharf of the beleaguered city, after the surrender of the garrison. He was also at the battle of Resaca, Ga., Dallas, Ga., Atlanta, Evansboro, Bentonville, and participated in a large number of skirmishes. He was also with Sherman when he made his march to the sea. He then went to Richmond, and by that time hostilities had ceased, and he received an honorable discharge June 7, 1865.

Mr. Covey has always borne the reputation of being an honorable, conscientious, and upright citizen. His judgment is much in request by his neighbors. Mrs. Covey is a communicant of the Baptist church.

1889 Index
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