My Genealogy Hound

A. G. CONOVER, deceased. Mr. Conover was one of the leading, enterprising spirits of Piqua. He was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1819; early in life he came to Piqua and studied engineering; his first work as engineer was in connection with the Miami & Erie Canal, and after its completion he was more or less engaged upon public works, the Wabash & Erie Canal, the now Panhandle Line, Dayton & Michigan, and Greenville & Richmond Railways being among the most important In 1862, he was elected a member of the State Board of Public Works, in which capacity he served three years with ability and acceptance. As a citizen of Piqua, he was the first Secretary of the Gas Company, and afterward its President; a stockholder and Director of the Piqua National Bank, and also of the Northern Ohio Fair Association; he was also intimately connected with the hydraulic and water-works, and in fact every public improvement made during his career here. “Conover’s Opera House” will long remain a monument to his liberality and enterprise. The following is an extract from an obituary, written by one who knew him well: “As a man of business, he had but few superiors, and as a valuable thorough-going citizen, but few equals in this community. Mr. Conover began life as a poor boy, and by energy, much hard work, and a life of frugality, acquired a large property. He was a member of St. James’ Episcopal Church, and for many years a vestryman. He leaves a wife and one son” Mrs. Mary Conover is a daughter of John O’Ferrall, Sr., M. D., a native of Piqua, an estimable, cultured lady. Her marriage with J. G. Conover was celebrated Jan. 10, 1861; their only child, Wilbur G., a promising young man, will this year finish the preparatory course, and next year enter upon the regular course, at Kenyon College.