Leonidas Conover, the efficient and popular postmaster of Covington, was born in Miamisburg, Montgomery county, April 4, 1847. His grandfather, William Conover, was a native of New Jersey, and on coming to Ohio, in 1800, established a home in Montgomery county. He then returned to his native state and in 1805 brought his family to the west. Here he spent his remaining days, devoting his energies to farming. He had reached the venerable age of ninety-three years when called to his final rest. In her maidenhood his wife was Miss Sutphen, of New Jersey. C. S. Conover, the father of our subject, was also born in New Jersey, and died on his farm near Miamisburg in 1890. His wife was Ellen Denice, and her death occurred in Miamisburg in 1854.

The subject of this review pursued his education in the public schools of his native town, and in February, 1864, when only seventeen years of age, he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting as a private in Company D, One Hundred and Eighty-fourth Infantry, under Captain Joseph Wise. They joined the regiment at Columbus, where they were in camp for a time, but afterward proceeded south to Nashville, thence to Chattanooga and later to Bridgeport, Alabama. Mr. Conover was mustered out at Nashville, in September, 1865, and received an honorable discharge at Columbus a month later. He then returned home and attended school the following winter. In 1869 he went to Kansas and spent one year as a traveling salesman for a firm engaged in the nursery business. On the expiration of that period he returned home, but afterward again went to the Sunflower state where he spent four years in a similar manner, once more taking up his abode in Ohio, in 1876. A subsequent trip to Kansas resulted only in a short stay, after which he accepted a position as salesman with J. W. Lingo, of Lebanon, Ohio, a dealer in hardware and farm implements. He next became connected with D. M. Osborne & Company, of Auburn, New York, with which firm he remained for even years. He then traveled for fourteen years for Morris Woodhull, manufacturer of carriages and buggies, of Dayton, Ohio, and in 1887 he came to Covington, where he has since made his home. During Mr. Conover's traveling career, a period of nearly twenty-five years, he covered many states in the east, west, northwest and south, and won for himself an enviable reputation as a salesman. His services have always been in demand, and by his genial, warm-hearted manner he has made innumerable, life-long friends. Recognized as an active factor in political affairs, he was called to serve as a member of the Covington council, and in April, 1898, he resigned his position to accept the office of postmaster, which place he has since creditably filled, his 357 administration being characterized by promptness and fidelity in the discharge of his duties.

Mr. Conover was married, January 7, 1874, to Miss Laura Ralston, of Lebanon, Ohio. She died at Franklin, Ohio, January 19, 1880, leaving a daughter, Maud, now the wife of William Todd, of Red Lion, Ohio. In Covington, on the 3d of November, 1887, Mr. Conover was again married, his second union being with Miss Emma F. Hartzell, of this city. Their children are Leon Schenck, Lucile and Athenea.

In his political views Mr. Conover is a Republican, and gives an unwavering support to the men and measures of the party. He belongs to Langston Post, G. A. R., and is a valued and representative citizen of Covington, well deserving of the public trust which is accorded him.