Miami Union

February 26, 1876 

CONOVER, ALEXANDER G. - Piqua has been again severely shocked by the sudden and unexpected death of one of its most prominent and enterprising citizens.  Mr. Alexander G. Conover, who was found dead on Thursday afternoon in a road a mile or two north of the turnpike road leading from Piqua to Urbana, some six miles east of Piqua, and about two miles from Fletcher.  Mr. C. had been out on some business--surveying or engineering, we presume--and was riding in a light spring wagon which he was in the practice of using when attending to this kind of business.  When discovered he was lying dead in the road, and his horse and wagon standing near by.  No one saw him at the time, but it is conjectured that he took suddenly ill and fell from the wagon, dying without a struggle.  In the death of Mr. C., Piqua and Miami county lost one of their most enterprising and useful citizens.  He was a man of remarkable energy and industry--one of the most indefatigable workers we ever knew.  By his industry, energy and economy, he had acquired a large property, and owned more real estate than any other man in Piqua.  As a practical civil engineer, Mr. Conover ranked amongst the best in the State.  He learned the business under the late Mr. Samuel Forrer, who never had a superior in this line in the Miami Valley.  Much of Mr. Conover's early life was spent in engineering services on the Miami canal.  Although for many years latterly engaged largely in other pursuits, he was so devoted to his profession that he never gave it up.  During the past eight or ten years he has done a large proportion of the engineering of turnpike roads for the County Commissioners.  He was at one time a member of the State Board of Public Works, and has served a term or two as County Surveyor in this county.  The death of such a man is a public loss.

Miami Union (In Piqua Items)

February 26, 1876 

CONOVER, A. G. - At 2 o'clock this afternoon our community was shocked by the news that Mr. A. G. Conover had been found lying dead on the pike several miles east of this city.  Mr. Conover was returning to Piqua at the time of the accident, and when found had evidently been dead but a short time. His neck was broken by a fall from his buggy, which was standing near, with the horse attached.  Coroner Kitzmiller left at once for the scene of the accident, and up to this writing has not returned, so that further particulars cannot now be obtained.  Mr. Conover was identified largely with the business interest of Piqua, being the proprietor of the Opera House and Leland Hotel, President of the Piqua Gas Co., Director in the Piqua National Bank, and one of the largest owners of real estate in the city.  He was associated with the late Jos. G. Young in many enterprises, and his death in its sudden form, recalls the shock experienced by the sudden decease of the former.  At this hour the excitement is intense, and the streets are full of people anxiously awaiting further particulars.

Miami Union (In Piqua Items)

March 4, 1876 

CONOVER, A. G. - The funeral of Mr. A. G. Conover, on Monday afternoon, was largely attended, while a heavy pall of sorrow rested on the community.  The first report, which was sent to you last week, was hastily obtained and incorrect as regards the statement that Mr. C.'s neck was broken by his fall.  A slight bruise was the only external injury.