[p. 534] a well known resident of Edenburg, who, as auctioneer and as a large dealer in livestock and wool, is known all over Lawrence County, was born in Mahoning Township, March 25, 1859. His parents were Hiram and Elzedda (Shoaff) Cover.
The grandparents of Mr. Cover, Jacob and Lydia (Raub) Cover, came to Mahoning Township from eastern Pennsylvania among the very early settlers, finding all this fertile farming land covered with dense woods. Jacob Cover, in addition to cultivating his land after clearing it, raised broom-corn and manufactured brooms, which he sold in Pittsburg. In their latter years he and wife removed to Poland, Ohio, where both died. Hiram Cover was born in Mahoning Township, January 27, 1836, followed farming all his life, and died April 4, 1895. He was a man of sterling character and was one of the pillars of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Edenburg. He married Elzedda Shoaff, who was born in Lawrence County, and three of their children survive: B. W, and Leon O. and Z. Grace, the latter of whom is the widow of Frank Kuhn, and all reside in Mahoning Township.
B. W. Cover grew to man's estate in Mahoning Township, and obtained his education in the public schools and a select school at New Bedford. For over a quarter of a century he has engaged in the stock business, and for many years has also been an auctioneer and has cried sales all through this section. He owns a valuable farm of 111 acres, which adjoins Edenburg, and is looked upon as one of the township's most substantial citizens.
On January 4, 1883, Mr. Cover was married to Elizabeth A. Smith, who was born in Pulaski Township, Lawrence County, and is a daugter of Andrew and Hannah (Fair) Smith, both of whom died in Pulaski Township. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had four children, namely: Mary E., who is the wife of Leon O. Cover, of Mahoning Township; Henry M., who resides a Mahoningtown; Elizabeth A., and Minnie V., who is the wife of George Able, of Edenburg. Mr. and Mrs. Cover have five children, namley: Inez B., Thayer, Ruby H., Guy and Alice. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church at Edenburg, in which Mr. Cover is a trustee and a member of the board of stewards.
As a man of wide acquaintance and many important business interests, Mr. Cover has even taken an intelligent interest in public affairs, and on many occasions has been called upon by his fellow citizens to accept public office. For eleven years he has served as township constable, and he has been collector for eleven years of both township and county taxes, and township auditor. He votes with the Prohibition party.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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