WI BIO - Dane Co - CONOVER, Frederic King & Obadiah Miller
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893. Vol I, p 191, Vol II, pp 567-568

Biography of Obadiah Miller CONOVER (pp 567-568) - father of Frederic King

Professor Obadiah Miller CONOVER was born in Dayton, OH, 08 Oct 1825, and is 
the son of Obadiah Berlew and Sarah (MILLER) CONOVER. On his father's side, 
Dr. CONOVER traces his ancestry back through a long line of NJ families, to 
an old estate in Holland, and was always proud of his Dutch ancestry. The 
boyhood of Obadiah Miller CONOVER was spent in Dayton, OH, then a thriving 
village of about 6,000 inhabitants. The educational advantages were [p 568] 
good, and he studied in an academy, where he afterward became an instructor. 
At the age of 15 years he entered Miami University at Oxford, OH, and 
remained three years, and then went to Princeton, NJ, from which he graduated 
in 1844. The two years succeeding his graduation were spent in teaching, 
first near Lexington [Fayette County], KY, and then in Dayton Academy 
[Dayton, OH], and while at the latter place he began the study of law in the 
office of Schenck & Conover, the latter being his brother, and the former the 
celebrated statesman, Robert C. SCHENCK. In 1846 he entered Princeton 
Theological Seminary, and graduated from there in 1849.

In 1849 Obadiah Miller CONOVER came to Madison, Dane County, WI, then a 
little village of large expectations, and for a few months was the editor of 
the Northwestern Journal, but in 1850 he was appointed instructor in the 
ancient languages in the University of WI, and was the third member of the 
faculty in order of appointment in a roll that now includes many famous 
names. In 1852 he was made Professor of Ancient Languages and Literature, 
and filled the position with marked ability until 1858. At this time he 
passed out of the university and devoted himself to other pursuits, but he 
became one of the Board of Regents, and filled this position until 1867.

Turning his attention to law, he was admitted to the Dane County bar in 1859, 
and in the spring of 1861 he became associated with P. L. SPOONER as Reporter 
of the Supreme Court of WI, and upon the resignation of Mr. SPOONER in 1864, 
he became his successor, and held the position until his death in 1884. For 
11 years of this time he also held the position of Librarian of the State 
Library.

Obadiah Miller CONOVER was married in 1849 to Miss Julia DART, in Dayton, OH, 
a noble, Christian woman, who won for herself the warm esteem of all who knew 
her. [Note her surname is given as DARST in the biography of Frederic King 
CONOVER.] Three children were born to them: Edith W.; Allan D., Professor 
of Engineering at the University; and Frederic King. A heavy affliction 
befell Dr. CONOVER when his wife, Julia (DART) CONOVER, was removed by death, 
and out of this trial sprang two poems, "Via Solitaria" and 
"Reconcilliation," which have attracted much attention and praise. The 
former has been mistaken for one of Longfellow's choicest poems, but was 
first published in the Independent.

As a recognition of the large attainments of Dr. CONOVER, and of his literary 
ability, the University of WI conferred upon him in 1878 the honorary degree 
of Doctor of Laws. For nine years he was a Deacon in the Congregational 
Church, and his familiar presence was always greatly prized. In 1882 his son 
Frederic took charge of his duties, in order that the Doctor might make a 
cherished trip to Athens, the ancient home of the literature he so much 
enjoyed. In Sep 1882 Obadiah Miller CONOVER was married to Mrs. Sarah 
Fairchild DEAN, a friend of many years, and together they turned their faces 
to the Old World. Some delightful acquaintances were formed while in Greece, 
among others that of Mrs. and Mrs. SCHLIEMANN, Hon. Eugene SCHUYLER, the 
American Minister and his wife, with Professor GOODWIN, of Harvard College.

The sad ending of the pleasant visit occurred in 1884, on the way home. The 
heavy fogs of London caused a cold from which Dr. Obadiah Miller CONOVER 
could not rally, and on 29 Apr 1884, his spirit passed away. His body was 
brought to Madison, Dane County, WI, on 28 May 1884, and was laid to rest in 
beautiful Forest Hill Cemetery.

Biography of Frederick King CONOVER (p 191) - son of Obadiah Miller

Frederic King CONOVER, son of Obadiah Miller and Julia (DARST) CONOVER, was 
born in Madison, Dane County, WI, 17 Feb 1857. The father was a professor in 
the university at that time, and as was then the custom, lived with his 
family in that one of the university buildings which is now known as South 
Hall. After receiving his preliminary training in both the public and 
private schools of the city, Frederic King CONOVER entered the university and 
was graduated in the class of 1878, with the degree of A. B. He won at that 
time the Lewis prize for the best commencement oration. He was offered the 
position of instructor in Latin in the university, but declined it because he 
wished to begin at once his professional studies. He entered the law office 
of Judge J. H. CARPENTER, in Madison, and was employed upon the work of the 
publication of the Revised Statutes of 1878. In the autumn of that year he 
entered the law department of the university, from which he was graduated in 
1880 with the degree of LL. B. He had previously, in Nov 1879, been admitted 
to the bar, upon examination. From 1880-1884 Frederic King CONOVER practiced 
law in Madison. During the absence of his father, in Europe, beginning in 
Sep 1882, and until the death of the latter in London, in 1884, he performed 
the duties of Supreme Court Reporter, editing volumes 55-58, inclusive, of 
the Wisconsin Reports.

In Apr 1884, Frederic King CONOVER was appointed Supreme Court Reporter, and 
has held that office ever since. Since his appointment volumes 59-82, 
inclusive, have appeared, and it is said by competent judges, that in 
completeness, accuracy, and promptness of issue, the Wisconsin Reports are 
unexcelled. Since 1885 Mr. CONOVER has been one of the directors of the 
Madison free library, which contains 13,000 volumes and ha an annual 
circulation of about 40,000. He is a life member of the State Historical 
Society; was one of the incorporators, and afterward, at different times, 
secretary and vice president of the Madison Club, now called the Madison 
Business Club; has been treasurer to the Madison Civil Service Reform 
Association since its organization in 1882, and is a member of the Madison 
Literary Club, which has monthly meetings, and also of other local 
organizations. He is Counselor of the American Institute of Civics, and a 
member of the Holland Society of NY, which is composed of direct descendants 
in the male line of Dutchmen, who were natives or residents of the American 
colonies, prior to the year 1675.

Frederic King CONOVER was married in Jun 1891 to Miss Grace CLARK, daughter 
of Darwin and Frances (ADAMS) CLARK. Mrs. CONOVER graduated from the 
university in 1885, and from 1885-1888, and again from 1890-1891, after a 
year of study in the College de France, Paris, was Instructoress of French in 
the university. Frederic King and Grace (CLARK) CONOVER have one son, 
Frederic LeRoy, born in Jul 1892.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly