SAMUEL SHULL CONOVER—Interested in the business, financial and agricultural prosperity of Swedesboro, New Jersey, Samuel Shull Conover, one of the seven children of Elisha and Eliza (Van Meter) Conover, was born May 23, 18.53, in Pilesgrove Township, Salem County, New Jersey. In early life his father was a school teacher, and subsequently engaged in farming, in which capacity he continued until his retirement The Conover family originated in Holland many generations ago, and the sterling qualities for which the people of that country are noted are to be found in those bearing the name today. Two brothers founded the family on the hospitable shores of the New World, one making a permanent settlement on Manhattan Island, and the other locating in New Jersey. Elisha Conover, a son of John Conover, was born June 1, 1813, in the latter State, and followed the pursuit of agriculture from the 'brae he arrived at man's estate until his death, July 13, 1897. He was an active and valued member of the Methodist Church, serving as a class leader and as one of the official board of the congregation. He attained the ripe age of eighty-four years, and his widow survived him five years, dying in March, 1902, at the age of eighty years. She was the daughter of James Van Meter, of one of the old respected families of New Jersey of Dutch extraction.
The sons and daughters of Elisha and Eliza (Van Meter) Conover lived lives schooled in the precepts and practice of their parents, both of whom were staunch Christians. A brief mention of these brothers and sisters is here given: L Louisa, the wife of Charles Inlurff, of Harrisonville, Gloucester County. 2. Howard John, a clergyman in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was born on a farm • three miles east of Woodstown, New Jersey, November 22, 1850, and received his education at Pennington Seminary and Dickinson Co'lege. He then entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1874, and was retired in 1915, after thirty-six years of effective service, and five years in a supernumerary relation. He died at Elmer, New Jersey, June 29, 1922. Reared in a family of strong Methodist traditions, the elder Mr. Conover having imbued all his sons and daughters with the precepts of a Christian life, it was but natural that the Rev. Conover, with his spiritual outlook on life, should have expressed the family tradition. He maintained the highest ideals of the Christian rainistr,r; in his opinion, a Methodist pastorate in the humblest community was a responsibility and an exalted position such as could be filled only through constant reliance upon divine guidance. To represent the Church of Christ was, to his mind, the highest plane of human endeavor. He was a lifelong student of the Greek New Testament and of Christian philosophy, and gave considerable attention to the important subject of hymnology, several of his hymns having been published. He was a member of the Hymn Writers' and Composers' Society of New York City. 3. Samuel Shull, of whom further. 4. Dr. James D., physician and surgeon of Elmer, New Jersey. He was nom July 12, 1855, in the house on • the home farm, Salem County, New Jersey, in which his father bad been born more than two score years previously. The advantages of a liberal education fell to Dr. Conover, his later studies being pursued in the seminary at Pennington, New Jersey. After attending that well known institution of learning for two years, he turned his attention to medicine, and in 1880 was graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio. Subsequently, he returned to this, his native State, and engaged in the practice of his chosen profession for two years, after which he went West. There he remained for a time, gaining the experience which he required in his work and at the same time benefiting himself by meeting with the varied classes of people found in different communities and having his mind broadened and strengthened by association with nature in all her phases. Returning home in September, 1897, he established himself in practice in Elmer, Salem County, New Jersey, where he built up a large and lucrative practice. When in the West he served for some time' identified with the Knights of Pythias, and belongs to the local order of the Masonic lodge. From childhood inoculated with the principles of the Methodist creed, he early became a member of the church, and is now acting in the capacity of trustee. Dr. Conover married, November 26, 1895, Alice W. Sniffen, a daughter of Nathaniel Sniffen, of New York. She is a highly educated woman, very popular in church and social circles, as is also her husband. S. Anna, the wife of C. C. Avis, of Richwood, New Jersey. She died February 10, 1922. 6. Elisha, professor of Latin and Greek at Delaware University, Newark, Delaware. 7. Matilda, born in 1863, the wife of Edward R. Barton.
Samuel Shull Conover spent his early life in the homestead farm until be was six years of age, when his parents removed to Harrisormille, and there he lived for the subsequent sixty-four years. He received his education in the public schools of Earrisonville, then studied at Pennington Seminary. He was engaged for the greater part of his lifetime as a general farmer, growing many varieties of grain, and building up an enviable reputation as a dairy stockman. He remained on the homestead farm as a tenant until his father gave up agricultural pursuits, and then purchased a small holding and there resided until he removed to Swedesboro, in the affairs of which he played so conspicuous a role. He is a member of the State Grange, and as a staunch Methodist has served as a faithful member of the official board for :he last forty years. Because of his frugality and ability to derive the most value front his land holdings, which he gradually extended, he soon became a power in the economic life of the community of which he was an honored member. In 1897, in recognition of his financial abilities, he was elected a director of the Swedesboro National Bank, and in 1921, two years before his removal to Swedesboro, he was made president of the banking institution. Governor Fort appointed him one of the State stock commissioners and he served in that official capacity until 1916, when the board was dissolved by action of the State Legislature. In politics he is Republican, and for twenty-two years he served his home township as collector, thereafter resigning the post. Mr. Conover has lived a life that may well be emulated. His children, all of whom have served church and State, regard their parent as an inspiration in their lives and careers. Samuel Shull Conover married, December 28, 1880, Atlantic Moore, the daughter of Thomas B. and Salem Phoebe Ann ;Rice) Moore, and they are the parents of the following children: 1. Howard Franklin, born October 1, 2882; died March 26, 1883. 2. Elbert M., born May 31, 1885; married Ethel Holderaft, and they are the parents of two children: Paul, 9 years of age (1923)'; and Theodore, 21 months (1923). 3. Ellen, born March 23, 1888, who married Amos Kirby, and they are the parents of two children: Marjorie, aged 7, and Burton, 4 years old (1923). 4. Milton, born August 16, 1890, and now professor of government at the New York University. He rendered conspicuous service during the period of American participation in the World War. He enlisted as a private June 11, 1917, in Company I. 3d Infantry, National Guard of New Jersey, comprising the 29th Division of the Guard. His first service was at Camp Edge, Sea Girt, New Jersey, and then at Camp McClellan, Anniston, Alabama. While at the latter place he was a member of the 3d Officers' Training Camp, and on June 1, 1918, following the completion of his training period, he was conunissioned second lieutenant of the Infantry National Guard. He sailed for France with the replacement contingent July 17th, arriving at St. Nazaire on July 31st, whereupon he served with the 41st and 42d divisions of the infantry. He participated in the Argonne drive near Verdun in September, 1918, and served as convoy officer from October, 1918, to March, 1919. He was then international courier to the American Commission to negotiate peace, traveling from Paris to Finland, Turkey and Asia Minor. He was honorably discharged at Hoboken, New Jersey, September 27, 1919, having concluded a period of varied service for the government of the United States. 5. Annabel, born October 4. 1894, and living today in Brooklyn, New York. She began her professional career as a teacher in the high school at Sherburne, New York, and is today director of religious education in the school connected with the St James' Methodist Episcopal Church in Brooklyn, thus carrying on the tradition of service to the Methodist Episcopal Church taught by her forbears.
Samuel Shull Conover was born on 23. May. 1853 at Pilesgrove Twp., Salem County, New Jersey; 1900 census has May 1853. He was the son of
Elisha Conover and
Elizabeth Van Meter. Samuel Shull Conover married
Atlantic Dean Moore, daughter of
Thomas B. Moore and
Phoebe Ann Rice, on 29. Dec. 1880 at Harrisonville, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Samuel Shull Conover was shown in the census on 16. Jun. 1900 as a farmer.
Samuel Shull Conover and
Atlantic Dean Moore appeared on the census of 16. Jun. 1900 at South Harrison Twp., Gloucester County, New Jersey; 5 children, 4 living. Samuel Shull Conover was shown in the census on 10. Jan. 1920 as a truck farmer.
Samuel Shull Conover and
Atlantic Dean Moore appeared on the census of 10. Jan. 1920 at South Harrison Twp., Glouceser County, New Jersey. Samuel Shull Conover died on 27. Jan. 1937 at Swedesboro, Gloucester County, New Jersey, at age 83.