History of the 85th Illinois Volunteers
Illinois Volunteer Infantry
by
Henry J. Aten
1901
CHAPTER XXX.
Pages 393 - 407
CORPORAL JOSEPH B. CONOVER, the youngest son of Major William H. Conover and Rebecca Hopkins, was born in Mason county, Illinois, September 28, 1844.
His parents both died while he was quite young, but his father left a legacy of loyalty to his country. A few days before his death he said to an elder brother, "The fire-eaters of the South will force the North to war over the question of slavery, and I hope in the event of war that my sons will stand by our county and its flag,"
This Joseph never forgot, and as soon as old enough he enlisted from Bath. He was promoted corporal, served with his company until severely wounded in the right arm at the battle of Peach Tree creek, Georgia, July 19, 1864. He fell into the hands of the enemy, had his right arm amputated, was paroled November 20, 1864, and honorably discharged in February, 1865.
He returned to Illinois and was elected county treasurer of Mason county in 1869, serving one term of four years. He is a grain dealer and resides at Kilbourne, Ill.
Company D was enrolled by Dr. Charles W. Houghton, residing at Bath, Mason county, and was recruited between July 18 and August 8, 1862. At the organization of the company, the following commissioned officers were elected: Charles W. Houghton, captain; Comfort H. Ramon, first lieutenant, and Charles H. Chatfield, second lieutenant.
This company was mustered in with 95 officers and men, of whom 5 were killed in action, 3 died of wounds, 1 was accidentally killed and 15 received wounds in battle which did not prove fatal while in the service, 13 died of disease, 22 were discharged for disability, 1 was transferred, and 40 officers and men were mustered out with the regiment.
Under the careful training of Lieutenant Chatfield this company became very proficient in the skirmish drill, and upon all occasions performed its duty with zeal and energy.
***********
Published in History of Idaho: The Gem of the Mountains Vol. 2 by James H. Hawley 1920
Hon. Joseph B. Conover passed away on the 8th of May, 1919. At the time of his death he had the distinction of being the oldest member of the house of representatives in the Idaho legislature and he was also commander of the Grand Army post in which he had membership, for he was a veteran of the Civil war. He was born in Mason county, Illinois, September 28, 1844, a son of William H. and Rebecca (Hopkins) Conover. The father died when the son was but four years ofl age and the mother had previously passed away when her son Joseph was but nine months old. He was the youngest of a family of eleven children, all of whom have now passed away. His youthful days were passed in Mason county, Illinois, and in August, 1862, when but eighteen years of age, he responded to the country's call for aid in maintaining the Union intact and became a corporal of Company D, Eighty-fifth Illinois Infantry, with which he served until July 19, 1864. In the battle of Peach Tree Creek on that date he was severely wounded by a Minie ball in the right arm which necessitated its amputation near the shoulder a few hours later. Upon being wounded he fell into the hands of the enemy and it was a Confederate surgeon who amputated his arm. He was then taken to Atlanta by his captors and finally to Andersonville prison. On the 20th of November, 1864, he was paroled, and being unfit for further military duty, he was honorably discharged from the service at Baltimore, Maryland, February 23, 1865. He not only participated in the battle of Peach Tree Creek but also in the engagements at Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Rome, Dalton, Kenesaw Mountain and Chattahoochee River and never lost a day's service from illness or other cause until wounded and never was in a guardhouse. In fact his was an exemplary military record, characterized by the utmost devotion to duty and by marked bravery in the face of danger.
After leaving the army Mr. Conover returned to his home in Mason county, Illinois, where he continued to reside and devote his attention to the occupation of farming until 1913, when he came to Idaho, settling at Twin Falls. He had become very successful as a farmer in Illinois and had acquired large land holdings, having many hundred acres of fine land in Mason county; but a series of wet seasons, five in number and in succession, drowned out his corn crops and eventually was the cause of his losing his land. Not only did this occur but he also found himself twenty thousand dollars in debt. Not disheartened or discouraged, he at once set about to retrieve his lost fortune. He bought back four hundred and fifty acres of his former possessions on time; better seasons and good crops followed and he paid off his indebtedness in full, dollar for dollar. Eventually he sold this farm and for twenty-five years was a partner in the ownership of a large grain elevator at Kilbourne, Mason county, and still acted as overseer of a farm comprising thirty-six hundred acres in Mason county for fourteen years. After his removal to Twin Falls county, Idaho, he acquired extensive ranch and farm interests and he and his two sons, Marshall O. and Howard, owned together over five hundred acres of choice irrigated land in that county. One tract, comprising two hundred and forty acres, is situated eight miles from Twin Falls and is valued at four hundred and fifty dollars per acre, while the remainder is worth one hundred and fifty dollars per acre.
Mr. Conover resided in Twin Falls, where shortly prior to his demise he completed an eight thousand dollar residence, one of the attractive homes of the city. His sons look after and manage the ranches and the sales of farm products in 1918 from the Conover ranches amounted to more than twenty-five thousand dollars. They raised nine thousand bushels of wheat on their land. Mr. Conover certainly deserved the success which came to him. Notwithstanding his previous losses, he again gained a place among the substantial business men of his section of the country.
On the 26th of December, 1869, Mr. Conover was married in Mason county, Illinois, to Miss Charlotte Cogeshall, who was born in that county. They had but two children, the two sons mentioned above, both of whom are married and are recognized as leading and valued citizens of Twin Falls county.
Mr. Conover long gave his political allegiance to the republican party and in Illinois, as early as 1869, was elected county treasurer of Mason county on the republican ticket in a democratic stronghold and served for one term. In the fall of 1918 his party named him for the office of representative in the Idaho legislature, where he was serving when death called him. He maintained pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in Dan Cook Post, G. A. R., of Twin Falls, of which he served as commander. His religious faith was that of the Baptist church and his life was always guided by its teachings. He was a man of high principles, of genial disposition, of social nature and of sterling worth, and in Twin Falls county, as in Illinois where he so long made his home, he had a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
Illinois Volunteer Infantry
by
Henry J. Aten
1901
CHAPTER XXX.
Pages 393 - 407
CORPORAL JOSEPH B. CONOVER, the youngest son of Major William H. Conover and Rebecca Hopkins, was born in Mason county, Illinois, September 28, 1844.
His parents both died while he was quite young, but his father left a legacy of loyalty to his country. A few days before his death he said to an elder brother, "The fire-eaters of the South will force the North to war over the question of slavery, and I hope in the event of war that my sons will stand by our county and its flag,"
This Joseph never forgot, and as soon as old enough he enlisted from Bath. He was promoted corporal, served with his company until severely wounded in the right arm at the battle of Peach Tree creek, Georgia, July 19, 1864. He fell into the hands of the enemy, had his right arm amputated, was paroled November 20, 1864, and honorably discharged in February, 1865.
He returned to Illinois and was elected county treasurer of Mason county in 1869, serving one term of four years. He is a grain dealer and resides at Kilbourne, Ill.
Company D was enrolled by Dr. Charles W. Houghton, residing at Bath, Mason county, and was recruited between July 18 and August 8, 1862. At the organization of the company, the following commissioned officers were elected: Charles W. Houghton, captain; Comfort H. Ramon, first lieutenant, and Charles H. Chatfield, second lieutenant.
This company was mustered in with 95 officers and men, of whom 5 were killed in action, 3 died of wounds, 1 was accidentally killed and 15 received wounds in battle which did not prove fatal while in the service, 13 died of disease, 22 were discharged for disability, 1 was transferred, and 40 officers and men were mustered out with the regiment.
Under the careful training of Lieutenant Chatfield this company became very proficient in the skirmish drill, and upon all occasions performed its duty with zeal and energy.
***********
Published in History of Idaho: The Gem of the Mountains Vol. 2 by James H. Hawley 1920
Hon. Joseph B. Conover passed away on the 8th of May, 1919. At the time of his death he had the distinction of being the oldest member of the house of representatives in the Idaho legislature and he was also commander of the Grand Army post in which he had membership, for he was a veteran of the Civil war. He was born in Mason county, Illinois, September 28, 1844, a son of William H. and Rebecca (Hopkins) Conover. The father died when the son was but four years ofl age and the mother had previously passed away when her son Joseph was but nine months old. He was the youngest of a family of eleven children, all of whom have now passed away. His youthful days were passed in Mason county, Illinois, and in August, 1862, when but eighteen years of age, he responded to the country's call for aid in maintaining the Union intact and became a corporal of Company D, Eighty-fifth Illinois Infantry, with which he served until July 19, 1864. In the battle of Peach Tree Creek on that date he was severely wounded by a Minie ball in the right arm which necessitated its amputation near the shoulder a few hours later. Upon being wounded he fell into the hands of the enemy and it was a Confederate surgeon who amputated his arm. He was then taken to Atlanta by his captors and finally to Andersonville prison. On the 20th of November, 1864, he was paroled, and being unfit for further military duty, he was honorably discharged from the service at Baltimore, Maryland, February 23, 1865. He not only participated in the battle of Peach Tree Creek but also in the engagements at Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Rome, Dalton, Kenesaw Mountain and Chattahoochee River and never lost a day's service from illness or other cause until wounded and never was in a guardhouse. In fact his was an exemplary military record, characterized by the utmost devotion to duty and by marked bravery in the face of danger.
After leaving the army Mr. Conover returned to his home in Mason county, Illinois, where he continued to reside and devote his attention to the occupation of farming until 1913, when he came to Idaho, settling at Twin Falls. He had become very successful as a farmer in Illinois and had acquired large land holdings, having many hundred acres of fine land in Mason county; but a series of wet seasons, five in number and in succession, drowned out his corn crops and eventually was the cause of his losing his land. Not only did this occur but he also found himself twenty thousand dollars in debt. Not disheartened or discouraged, he at once set about to retrieve his lost fortune. He bought back four hundred and fifty acres of his former possessions on time; better seasons and good crops followed and he paid off his indebtedness in full, dollar for dollar. Eventually he sold this farm and for twenty-five years was a partner in the ownership of a large grain elevator at Kilbourne, Mason county, and still acted as overseer of a farm comprising thirty-six hundred acres in Mason county for fourteen years. After his removal to Twin Falls county, Idaho, he acquired extensive ranch and farm interests and he and his two sons, Marshall O. and Howard, owned together over five hundred acres of choice irrigated land in that county. One tract, comprising two hundred and forty acres, is situated eight miles from Twin Falls and is valued at four hundred and fifty dollars per acre, while the remainder is worth one hundred and fifty dollars per acre.
Mr. Conover resided in Twin Falls, where shortly prior to his demise he completed an eight thousand dollar residence, one of the attractive homes of the city. His sons look after and manage the ranches and the sales of farm products in 1918 from the Conover ranches amounted to more than twenty-five thousand dollars. They raised nine thousand bushels of wheat on their land. Mr. Conover certainly deserved the success which came to him. Notwithstanding his previous losses, he again gained a place among the substantial business men of his section of the country.
On the 26th of December, 1869, Mr. Conover was married in Mason county, Illinois, to Miss Charlotte Cogeshall, who was born in that county. They had but two children, the two sons mentioned above, both of whom are married and are recognized as leading and valued citizens of Twin Falls county.
Mr. Conover long gave his political allegiance to the republican party and in Illinois, as early as 1869, was elected county treasurer of Mason county on the republican ticket in a democratic stronghold and served for one term. In the fall of 1918 his party named him for the office of representative in the Idaho legislature, where he was serving when death called him. He maintained pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in Dan Cook Post, G. A. R., of Twin Falls, of which he served as commander. His religious faith was that of the Baptist church and his life was always guided by its teachings. He was a man of high principles, of genial disposition, of social nature and of sterling worth, and in Twin Falls county, as in Illinois where he so long made his home, he had a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
History of the 85th Illinois Volunteers
Illinois Volunteer Infantry
by
Henry J. Aten
1901
CHAPTER XXX.
Pages 393 - 407
CORPORAL JOSEPH B. CONOVER, the youngest son of Major William H. Conover and Rebecca Hopkins, was born in Mason county, Illinois, September 28, 1844.
His parents both died while he was quite young, but his father left a legacy of loyalty to his country. A few days before his death he said to an elder brother, "The fire-eaters of the South will force the North to war over the question of slavery, and I hope in the event of war that my sons will stand by our county and its flag,"
This Joseph never forgot, and as soon as old enough he enlisted from Bath. He was promoted corporal, served with his company until severely wounded in the right arm at the battle of Peach Tree creek, Georgia, July 19, 1864. He fell into the hands of the enemy, had his right arm amputated, was paroled November 20, 1864, and honorably discharged in February, 1865.
He returned to Illinois and was elected county treasurer of Mason county in 1869, serving one term of four years. He is a grain dealer and resides at Kilbourne, Ill.
Company D was enrolled by Dr. Charles W. Houghton, residing at Bath, Mason county, and was recruited between July 18 and August 8, 1862. At the organization of the company, the following commissioned officers were elected: Charles W. Houghton, captain; Comfort H. Ramon, first lieutenant, and Charles H. Chatfield, second lieutenant.
This company was mustered in with 95 officers and men, of whom 5 were killed in action, 3 died of wounds, 1 was accidentally killed and 15 received wounds in battle which did not prove fatal while in the service, 13 died of disease, 22 were discharged for disability, 1 was transferred, and 40 officers and men were mustered out with the regiment.
Under the careful training of Lieutenant Chatfield this company became very proficient in the skirmish drill, and upon all occasions performed its duty with zeal and energy.
***********
Published in History of Idaho: The Gem of the Mountains Vol. 2 by James H. Hawley 1920
Hon. Joseph B. Conover passed away on the 8th of May, 1919. At the time of his death he had the distinction of being the oldest member of the house of representatives in the Idaho legislature and he was also commander of the Grand Army post in which he had membership, for he was a veteran of the Civil war. He was born in Mason county, Illinois, September 28, 1844, a son of William H. and Rebecca (Hopkins) Conover. The father died when the son was but four years ofl age and the mother had previously passed away when her son Joseph was but nine months old. He was the youngest of a family of eleven children, all of whom have now passed away. His youthful days were passed in Mason county, Illinois, and in August, 1862, when but eighteen years of age, he responded to the country's call for aid in maintaining the Union intact and became a corporal of Company D, Eighty-fifth Illinois Infantry, with which he served until July 19, 1864. In the battle of Peach Tree Creek on that date he was severely wounded by a Minie ball in the right arm which necessitated its amputation near the shoulder a few hours later. Upon being wounded he fell into the hands of the enemy and it was a Confederate surgeon who amputated his arm. He was then taken to Atlanta by his captors and finally to Andersonville prison. On the 20th of November, 1864, he was paroled, and being unfit for further military duty, he was honorably discharged from the service at Baltimore, Maryland, February 23, 1865. He not only participated in the battle of Peach Tree Creek but also in the engagements at Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Rome, Dalton, Kenesaw Mountain and Chattahoochee River and never lost a day's service from illness or other cause until wounded and never was in a guardhouse. In fact his was an exemplary military record, characterized by the utmost devotion to duty and by marked bravery in the face of danger.
After leaving the army Mr. Conover returned to his home in Mason county, Illinois, where he continued to reside and devote his attention to the occupation of farming until 1913, when he came to Idaho, settling at Twin Falls. He had become very successful as a farmer in Illinois and had acquired large land holdings, having many hundred acres of fine land in Mason county; but a series of wet seasons, five in number and in succession, drowned out his corn crops and eventually was the cause of his losing his land. Not only did this occur but he also found himself twenty thousand dollars in debt. Not disheartened or discouraged, he at once set about to retrieve his lost fortune. He bought back four hundred and fifty acres of his former possessions on time; better seasons and good crops followed and he paid off his indebtedness in full, dollar for dollar. Eventually he sold this farm and for twenty-five years was a partner in the ownership of a large grain elevator at Kilbourne, Mason county, and still acted as overseer of a farm comprising thirty-six hundred acres in Mason county for fourteen years. After his removal to Twin Falls county, Idaho, he acquired extensive ranch and farm interests and he and his two sons, Marshall O. and Howard, owned together over five hundred acres of choice irrigated land in that county. One tract, comprising two hundred and forty acres, is situated eight miles from Twin Falls and is valued at four hundred and fifty dollars per acre, while the remainder is worth one hundred and fifty dollars per acre.
Mr. Conover resided in Twin Falls, where shortly prior to his demise he completed an eight thousand dollar residence, one of the attractive homes of the city. His sons look after and manage the ranches and the sales of farm products in 1918 from the Conover ranches amounted to more than twenty-five thousand dollars. They raised nine thousand bushels of wheat on their land. Mr. Conover certainly deserved the success which came to him. Notwithstanding his previous losses, he again gained a place among the substantial business men of his section of the country.
On the 26th of December, 1869, Mr. Conover was married in Mason county, Illinois, to Miss Charlotte Cogeshall, who was born in that county. They had but two children, the two sons mentioned above, both of whom are married and are recognized as leading and valued citizens of Twin Falls county.
Mr. Conover long gave his political allegiance to the republican party and in Illinois, as early as 1869, was elected county treasurer of Mason county on the republican ticket in a democratic stronghold and served for one term. In the fall of 1918 his party named him for the office of representative in the Idaho legislature, where he was serving when death called him. He maintained pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in Dan Cook Post, G. A. R., of Twin Falls, of which he served as commander. His religious faith was that of the Baptist church and his life was always guided by its teachings. He was a man of high principles, of genial disposition, of social nature and of sterling worth, and in Twin Falls county, as in Illinois where he so long made his home, he had a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
Illinois Volunteer Infantry
by
Henry J. Aten
1901
CHAPTER XXX.
Pages 393 - 407
CORPORAL JOSEPH B. CONOVER, the youngest son of Major William H. Conover and Rebecca Hopkins, was born in Mason county, Illinois, September 28, 1844.
His parents both died while he was quite young, but his father left a legacy of loyalty to his country. A few days before his death he said to an elder brother, "The fire-eaters of the South will force the North to war over the question of slavery, and I hope in the event of war that my sons will stand by our county and its flag,"
This Joseph never forgot, and as soon as old enough he enlisted from Bath. He was promoted corporal, served with his company until severely wounded in the right arm at the battle of Peach Tree creek, Georgia, July 19, 1864. He fell into the hands of the enemy, had his right arm amputated, was paroled November 20, 1864, and honorably discharged in February, 1865.
He returned to Illinois and was elected county treasurer of Mason county in 1869, serving one term of four years. He is a grain dealer and resides at Kilbourne, Ill.
Company D was enrolled by Dr. Charles W. Houghton, residing at Bath, Mason county, and was recruited between July 18 and August 8, 1862. At the organization of the company, the following commissioned officers were elected: Charles W. Houghton, captain; Comfort H. Ramon, first lieutenant, and Charles H. Chatfield, second lieutenant.
This company was mustered in with 95 officers and men, of whom 5 were killed in action, 3 died of wounds, 1 was accidentally killed and 15 received wounds in battle which did not prove fatal while in the service, 13 died of disease, 22 were discharged for disability, 1 was transferred, and 40 officers and men were mustered out with the regiment.
Under the careful training of Lieutenant Chatfield this company became very proficient in the skirmish drill, and upon all occasions performed its duty with zeal and energy.
***********
Published in History of Idaho: The Gem of the Mountains Vol. 2 by James H. Hawley 1920
Hon. Joseph B. Conover passed away on the 8th of May, 1919. At the time of his death he had the distinction of being the oldest member of the house of representatives in the Idaho legislature and he was also commander of the Grand Army post in which he had membership, for he was a veteran of the Civil war. He was born in Mason county, Illinois, September 28, 1844, a son of William H. and Rebecca (Hopkins) Conover. The father died when the son was but four years ofl age and the mother had previously passed away when her son Joseph was but nine months old. He was the youngest of a family of eleven children, all of whom have now passed away. His youthful days were passed in Mason county, Illinois, and in August, 1862, when but eighteen years of age, he responded to the country's call for aid in maintaining the Union intact and became a corporal of Company D, Eighty-fifth Illinois Infantry, with which he served until July 19, 1864. In the battle of Peach Tree Creek on that date he was severely wounded by a Minie ball in the right arm which necessitated its amputation near the shoulder a few hours later. Upon being wounded he fell into the hands of the enemy and it was a Confederate surgeon who amputated his arm. He was then taken to Atlanta by his captors and finally to Andersonville prison. On the 20th of November, 1864, he was paroled, and being unfit for further military duty, he was honorably discharged from the service at Baltimore, Maryland, February 23, 1865. He not only participated in the battle of Peach Tree Creek but also in the engagements at Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Rome, Dalton, Kenesaw Mountain and Chattahoochee River and never lost a day's service from illness or other cause until wounded and never was in a guardhouse. In fact his was an exemplary military record, characterized by the utmost devotion to duty and by marked bravery in the face of danger.
After leaving the army Mr. Conover returned to his home in Mason county, Illinois, where he continued to reside and devote his attention to the occupation of farming until 1913, when he came to Idaho, settling at Twin Falls. He had become very successful as a farmer in Illinois and had acquired large land holdings, having many hundred acres of fine land in Mason county; but a series of wet seasons, five in number and in succession, drowned out his corn crops and eventually was the cause of his losing his land. Not only did this occur but he also found himself twenty thousand dollars in debt. Not disheartened or discouraged, he at once set about to retrieve his lost fortune. He bought back four hundred and fifty acres of his former possessions on time; better seasons and good crops followed and he paid off his indebtedness in full, dollar for dollar. Eventually he sold this farm and for twenty-five years was a partner in the ownership of a large grain elevator at Kilbourne, Mason county, and still acted as overseer of a farm comprising thirty-six hundred acres in Mason county for fourteen years. After his removal to Twin Falls county, Idaho, he acquired extensive ranch and farm interests and he and his two sons, Marshall O. and Howard, owned together over five hundred acres of choice irrigated land in that county. One tract, comprising two hundred and forty acres, is situated eight miles from Twin Falls and is valued at four hundred and fifty dollars per acre, while the remainder is worth one hundred and fifty dollars per acre.
Mr. Conover resided in Twin Falls, where shortly prior to his demise he completed an eight thousand dollar residence, one of the attractive homes of the city. His sons look after and manage the ranches and the sales of farm products in 1918 from the Conover ranches amounted to more than twenty-five thousand dollars. They raised nine thousand bushels of wheat on their land. Mr. Conover certainly deserved the success which came to him. Notwithstanding his previous losses, he again gained a place among the substantial business men of his section of the country.
On the 26th of December, 1869, Mr. Conover was married in Mason county, Illinois, to Miss Charlotte Cogeshall, who was born in that county. They had but two children, the two sons mentioned above, both of whom are married and are recognized as leading and valued citizens of Twin Falls county.
Mr. Conover long gave his political allegiance to the republican party and in Illinois, as early as 1869, was elected county treasurer of Mason county on the republican ticket in a democratic stronghold and served for one term. In the fall of 1918 his party named him for the office of representative in the Idaho legislature, where he was serving when death called him. He maintained pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in Dan Cook Post, G. A. R., of Twin Falls, of which he served as commander. His religious faith was that of the Baptist church and his life was always guided by its teachings. He was a man of high principles, of genial disposition, of social nature and of sterling worth, and in Twin Falls county, as in Illinois where he so long made his home, he had a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
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