Montgomery County New York Family Sketches
Surnames C-D

Transcribed by Jeffrey Tooley

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Montgomery County New York Family Sketches extracted from the History of Montgomery County, Revised and Edited By Washington Frothingham, Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason and Co., Publishers and Printers, 1892.

Seely Conover Family Sketch

Conover, Seely, Amsterdam, was born at Shufty's Corners in the town of Leray, Jefferson county, February 20, 1841, and came with his parents to Charleston when five years old. He was educated in the public school, and from 1861 to 1862 taught school. August 6, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Fifteenth New York State Volunteers, and participated in the following battles; Harper's Ferry, Bermuda Hundred, Old Church, Drury's Bluff, Proctor's Creek, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, trenches before Petersburg, Mine Explosion and Deep Bottom, where he was wounded in the left shoulder, the ball passing upward and lodging in his neck. This took place August 16, 1864, at which time he was captured and taken to the prison hospital at Richmond. After six days he was paroled and sent to the Naval School Hospital at Annapolis, where he remained four weeks; he was then granted a home furlough for two mouths, after which he returned to the Naval School, where the bullet was extracted from his neck, and he still has it in his possession. In March, 1865, he rejoined his refiment in North Carolina, on its march to join General Sherman's army, which they met at Goldsboro, and were mustered out of service at Raleigh on June 17, 1865, and honorably discharged at Albany, July 3, 1865. After being discharged he continued his studies at Whitestown Seminary, from which institution he graduated; he then taught school eight years and was school commissioner of Montgomery county three years. In the spiing of 1879 he taught the spring term in Amsterdam Academy, and after this he bought the book and stationery business from Marcus Gardner, and formed a partnership known as Conover & Kline, which lasted for six months; at this time Robert P. Orr bought the interest of Kline and the store was conducted under the firm of Conover & Orr seven years, since which time the business has been conducted by Mr. Conover alone. Mr. Conover was a member of the board of education eight years, supervisor of the first ward two years, is a member of the E. S. Young Post No. 33 G. A. R., department o£ New York, is treasurer and one of the trustees of the First Baptist church. August 16, 1871, he married Sarah, third daughter of Hosea and Phebe (Wands) Davis of Charleston, who was atone time his assistant teacher. They have six children, three sons and three daughters: Donald D., Mabel, Blanche, Leah, Maurice W., and Kenneth P. The ancestry of the paternal side is Dutch and Scotch, and the maternal side, Welsh. He is one of the trustees of the Savings bank, and a member of the finance committee.

Miles Cooling Family Sketch

Cooling, Miles, Amsterdam, was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, September 4, 1858, but at the age of eleven he came with his parents to this country and located at Amsterdam on the 1st of May, 1871. He firt.t worked in Sanford & Son's carpet factory, but in 1873 he entered the boot and shoe store of his cousin. John Kavanagh, on East Main street. In February, 1885, Mr. Kavanagh retired from the concern and Mr. Cooling succeeded him and still continues the business. In religion he is a Roman Catholic, being one of the leading members of St. Mary's congregation, besides many other organizations: he is financial secretary of branch No. 110 of C. M. B. A., trustee of the Olympus Club, and one of the founders of the Catholic Union. In politics Mr. Cooling is a Democrat, being well known in the councils of his party; he is a fine conversationalist and an easy writer, contributing frequently to the public press. In April, 1892, he was elected water commissioner for three years, is now president of St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery Association. October 26, 1892, he married Catherine F., third daughter of Thomas and Catherine Carr of this city. Mr. Cooling's father has been dead twelve years; his mother is still residing in this city.

Clark, Augustus, General, Amsterdam, was born in Broadalbin, on the 16th of April, 1820, and was educated in the public schools until he came to Hagaman's Mills to reside. He was a clerk in a general store until 1836, but in 1838 he came to Amsterdam where he was a clerk in a general store and also book-keeper for two years for John Sanford. In 1840 he became a member of the firm under the name of Sanford & Clark, which continued four years and then expired by limitation. On the 7th of September, 1842, he married Lydia A., third daughter of Welcome and Susan Cole Chpse of Amsterdam. They have one son (Arthur T.) born February 15, 1855. The ancestors on his side are English, French and Irish and on. Mrs. Clark's side English. General Clark received his commission as general of militia from the governor of this state.