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.
