Summary Information
Joseph C. Cover Papers
1869-1875
- Cover, Joseph C., 1819-1872
Wis Mss GB; Micro 183
0.2 c.f. (1 archives box) and 1 reel of microfilm (35mm)
Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)
Papers of Cover, abolitionist editor of the Grant County Herald, Lancaster, Wisconsin, 1851-1869, and U.S. consul at Fayal, Azores, 1870-1872. Included in paper form are copies of essays and letters written by Cover while consul; obituaries; and a typewritten biography. On microfilm is correspondence from his term as consul, including frequent references to Grant County political activities, as well as descriptions of the Azores and his activities there; and genealogical records and notes on the Cover and the Barber families.
English
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-wis000gb ↑ Bookmark this ↑
Biography/History
Joseph C. Cover was born in Smithville, Pennsylvania in 1819. He and his family migrated to Grant County, Wisconsin in 1846, lived briefly at Potosi, and then settled at Lancaster. After some years as a teacher, operator of a chair and paint shop, and peddler of books, Cover bought the Grant County Herald in partnership with T. O. Schrader in 1851. There was a change in partnership in 1854, but in 1860 Cover became the sole owner. He served as a regent of the University of Wisconsin in 1866-1867, and in letters of May 31, 1870 and May 10, 1871 there is indication that his son Joseph may have published the first University newspaper.
As editor of the Herald, one of the most widely known abolitionist papers in the state, Cover became very influential in helping to establish and strengthen the Republican Party in Wisconsin. He was always deeply involved in politics in Grant County, but as he was not strong physically, he felt forced to withdraw from the local political struggles and problems of the paper in 1869. In that year he accepted appointment as U.S. Consul to Fayal, the Azores.
Joseph C. Cover served as consul to the Azores from 1869 to 1872, at first gaining in health and then losing. On his return journey to the United States in June of 1872, he suddenly died, and was buried at sea.
Scope and Content Note
As consul, Cover had apparently considerable leisure time, and he wrote many very long descriptive letters to his family in Wisconsin. Of nearly 200 letters in the original collection, 90 have been selected for microfilming, because of their references to Wisconsin, or their representative descriptions of the Azores. Omitted have been letters containing repetitious information, as well as correspondence, articles, and editorials known to have appeared in the Grant County Herald, of which the Historical Society has a file covering that period.
The Cover letters of 1869 contain frequent reference to Grant County politicians, and communications with Senator Matthew H. Carpenter and “Friend Dewey” [Nelson Dewey?]. Letters to his son John, who took over publication of the Herald, are quite likely to refer to politics and the work of the Consular office. Letters to his wife, addressed as “Dear Mother,” usually describe life and people in the Azores, religions, climate, scenery, his day-to-day activities, and references to home.
Following the letters on the microfilm is a group of genealogical records, clippings, articles, and notes on the Cover family and the Barber family.
Not filmed was a manuscript Joseph C. Cover wrote in the Azores entitled “Family History.” A typescript of this document is in the collection; it was also published in The Wisconsin Magazine of History in March, 1928 as “Confessions of a Pioneer County Editor.”
Administrative/Restriction Information
Paper items presented or loaned for copying by Fannie Barber Knapp, date unknown; portions loaned for microfilming by Mrs. David Crichton, Lancaster, Wisconsin, October, 1959.
Contents List
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Micro 183
Reel
1
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Correspondence
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Reel
1
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Genealogical Records, Clippings, Articles, and Notes on the Cover Family and the Barber Family
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Wis Mss GB
Box
1
Folder
1
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Family History
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Box
1
Volume
1
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Copies of Letters, Comments, and Articles written from Fayal, 1870-1872
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Box
1
Volume
2
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Scrapbook of Clippings on Joseph Cover and Grant County
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