James W. Covert
Encyclopedia
James Way Covert was a United States Representative from New York. Born at Oyster Bay, he attended the public schools and received an academic education in Locust Valley
. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1863 and commenced practice in Flushing. He was district school commissioner from 1867 to 1870, assistant prosecuting attorney of Queens County, and surrogate
of Queens County from 1870 to 1874.
Covert was an unsuccessful candidate for election in 1872 to the Forty-third Congress, and was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-fifth and Forty-sixth Congresses, holding office from March 4, 1877 to March 3, 1881. While in the House he was chairman of the Committee on Agriculture (Forty-sixth Congress). He was a member of the New York State Senate
in 1882 and 1883, and was then elected to the Fifty-first, Fifty-second, and Fifty-third Congresses, holding office from March 4, 1889 to March 3, 1895. During the Fifty-third Congress he was chairman, Committee on Patents. Covert moved to Brooklyn
in 1896 and resumed the practice of law. He died in Brooklyn in 1910; interment was in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Maspeth.
Locust Valley, New York
Locust Valley is a hamlet located in Nassau County, New York. Locust Valley is an unincorporated area of the Town of Oyster Bay...
. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1863 and commenced practice in Flushing. He was district school commissioner from 1867 to 1870, assistant prosecuting attorney of Queens County, and surrogate
New York Surrogate's Court
The Surrogate's Court handles all probate and estate proceedings in the state of New York. All wills are probated in this court and all estates of people who die without a will are handled in this court...
of Queens County from 1870 to 1874.
Covert was an unsuccessful candidate for election in 1872 to the Forty-third Congress, and was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-fifth and Forty-sixth Congresses, holding office from March 4, 1877 to March 3, 1881. While in the House he was chairman of the Committee on Agriculture (Forty-sixth Congress). He was a member of the New York State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
in 1882 and 1883, and was then elected to the Fifty-first, Fifty-second, and Fifty-third Congresses, holding office from March 4, 1889 to March 3, 1895. During the Fifty-third Congress he was chairman, Committee on Patents. Covert moved to Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
in 1896 and resumed the practice of law. He died in Brooklyn in 1910; interment was in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Maspeth.