James W. Covert

James Way Covert (September 2, 1842 – May 16, 1910) was an American lawyer and politician who served five terms as a United States representative from New York from 1877 to 1881, and from 1889 to 1895

James W. Covert
Chairman of the House Committee on Patents
In office 1893–1895
Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture
In office 1879–1881
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 1st district
In office March 4, 1889 – March 3, 1895
Preceded by	Perry Belmont
Succeeded by	Richard C. McCormick
In office March 4, 1877 – March 3, 1881
Preceded by	Henry B. Metcalfe
Succeeded by	Perry Belmont
Member of the New York State Senate from the 1st district
In office January 1, 1882 – December 31, 1883
Preceded by	John Birdsall
Succeeded by	James Otis
Personal details
Born	(1842-09-02)September 2, 1842 Oyster Bay, New York, US
Died	May 16, 1910(1910-05-16) (aged 67) Brooklyn, New York, US
Political party	Democratic

Biography

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.

Tenures in Congress

Covert was elected as a Democrat to the 45th and 46th United States Congresses, holding office from March 4, 1877, to March 3, 1881. He was Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture (46th Congress). He was a member of the New York State Senate (1st D.) in 1882 and 1883.

He was elected to the 51st, 52nd and 53rd United States Congresses, holding office from March 4, 1889, to March 3, 1895. He was Chairman of the House Committee on Patents (53rd Congress).

Later career and death

Covert moved to Brooklyn in 1896 and resumed the practice of law. He died in Brooklyn in 1910; interment was in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Maspeth.

References

• United States Congress. "James W. Covert (id: C000814)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.