Chester Franklin Covell   CHESTER FRANKLIN COVELL, one of the most prominent fruit growers of Kent county, Mich., was born December 31, I86o, on a farm in section 22, Walker township, adjoining that on which he now lives, the birth-farm being now owned by a half-brother, George P. Hogadone. His parents, Philip F. and Sarah (Thompson) Covell, were respectively born in' Cabot, Vt., and Canada, and were married in Michigan. Philip F. Covell, born December 12, 18o6, was a carpenter by trade, came to Michigan in 1837, and assisted in building the old Sweet grist-mill, on Grand river, and also some of the first houses in Grand Rapids, some of which are still standing. He ground the first grist in the mill. mentioned, and a year later returned to New York state, where he married Maria Abbott, returning with her to Michigan the year following and located on a farm in. _ years returned to Grand Rapids, where he engaged in the grocery business, and where his wife died. He chose for his second wife Sarah Hogadone, nee Thompson, "and the widow of Peter Hogadone, a farmer of Walker township, on which his son, Chester F., was born. Three years later, in I864, he sold this farm' and purchased the farm now occupied by Chester F. Here he erected the present dwelling and cultivated his 240 acres of land, the greater part of which he himself cleared of the timber. He was for some years, also, engaged in lumbering, and owned a saw-mill at Cedar Springs, where he manufactured lumber from timber cut from pine lands purchased for the purpose. He was an original stockholder in and promoter of the Walker & Alpine Plank Road company, the road passing his premises and being built about twenty years ago, and in this 'he held an interest for more than ten years. Also, he was a stockholder in and an officer of the old Kent County Fair association, and one of the original stockholders in the Fifth National bank, and owned, beside, considerable real-estate in Grand Rapids, where he built a business block and several fine dwellings. In politics Mr. Covell was a republican, and for several years served as township treasurer.' In religion he was a Methodist, and a trustee of the Second street church in Grand Rapids, and was also very active in Sunday school work and a liberal contributor to the support of both. Fraternally he was an Odd Fellow. He lost his wife November 3, 1893, and his own death occurred July 3, I896. To the first marriage were born five daughters, viz: Addie, wife of E. E. Anderson, of Shelby, Iowa; Emma, unmarried and living in the city; Mary, wife of Alva Loucks, of Grand Rapids; Lottie, wife of J. H. Ream, of Peru, Ind.; and Frances, wife of C. E. Kipp, Alpine township, Kent county, but in a few I of Walker township, Kent county, Mich. Pg. 618 --- Chester F. Covell, the subject of this sketch, was born to the second marriage. Mrs. Covell, by her first marriage, was the mother of one son, George P. Hogadone, of whom a biography is given on another page. Chester F. Covell was educated in the public schools of Grand Rapids, and also at a commercial college in the same city, and during the latter years of his father's life assumed the management of the farm, which contains I6o acres, mainly devoted to fruit culture. He has 3,000 peach trees and twenty acres in berries and small fruits, and grows several acres in tomatoes. His farm is one of the best improved in the county, being equipped with a steam-engine, feed-mill, cutting-box, windmill for pumping, and all other conveniences. Fraternally, Mr. Covell is a member of Doric lodge, F. & A. M., and also a member of the Horticultural society and the Fruit Growers' association. In politics he is a republican, has served as township treasurer, and been a delegate to county and district conventions. Although not a member of any religious society, he is liberal in his contributions toward church purposes. Mr. Covell was united in marriage, March 26, 1884, at Detroit, with Miss Florence McCullough, who was born at Milford, Mich., but reared in Ontario, and to this union have been born three children-Helen, Kate and Ruth-who are now attending school, and socially Mr. and Mrs. Covell mingle with the best people of the township, as well as of the city.

Transcriber: ES
Created: 29 May 2009