Fred W. Conover DDS

CONOVER, BIGELOW, HEIVLY

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 2/25/2025 at 14:00:43

Dentistry may be said to be almost unique among occupations as it is at once a profession a trade and a business Such being the case it follows that in order to attain the highest success in it one must be thoroughly conversant with the theory of the art must be expert with the many instruments and appliances incidental to the practice of modern dentistry and must possess business qualifications adequate to dealing with the financial side of the profession. In all of these particulars Dr. Fred W. Conover is well qualified and therefore has attained prestige among the able representatives of dentistry in Decorah and throughout the state.

His birth occurred in Allamakee county Iowa on the 16th of November 1859 his parents being Firman and Mary Bigelow Conover who are natives of New York and Connecticut respectively.

The father an agriculturist by occupation came to this state in 1856 settling in Allamakee county where he operated a rented farm and also taught school. Failing health caused him to return to New York but he soon retraced his way back to Allamakee county Iowa and resumed farming. Again broken in health he went back to his native state disposing of his Iowa property and embarked in the butchering business at Daynesville, Lewis county, New York, remaining there until the spring of 1871.

He then came to Winneshiek county where he bought a farm which he operated until 1895 when he disposed of the same removing to Frankville where he lived until 1906. He then put aside the active work of the fields taking up his abode in Decorah where he lived retired until death claimed him at the ripe old age of eighty three years. His wife is still living at the age of seventy two.

Fred W. Conover obtained his early education in the schools of Allamakee county, Iowa, Connecticut, New York and Winneshiek county, Iowa accompanying his parents on their various removals.

Subsequently he entered the Upper Iowa University at Fayette and later attended Breckenridge Institute at Decorah. Afterwards he followed the profession of school teaching for nine years spending the last two years of that time as principal of West Decorah schools.

Determining to become a practitioner of dentistry he entered the Philadelphia Dental College and was graduated from that institution in 1890. He first opened an office for practice in Decorah but at the end of six months disposed of his interests here and removed to Sioux City where he remained for fourteen months. On selling out there he returned to Decorah and has here practiced his profession continuously since.

He enjoys an extensive and lucrative patronage that is indeed well merited. While teaching school he also learned telegraphy and for one year worked as [illegible] man.

For the past fifteen years he has been a stockholder and director in the Citizens Savings Bank and is like wise a stockholder in several other banks. While of the Building & Loan Association he has acted as vice president and director for twelve years. His is a handsomely equipped office and he also owns a fine residence at No 412 West Broadway.

On the 12th of November 1891, Dr. Conover was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary R. Heivly, a daughter of Henry and Mary Sheets Heivly, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father a miller by trade came to Decorah and here purchased a flour mill which he operated for some years being at the same time engaged in the mercantile business. He passed away in 1901 but is survived by his widow who has now attained the age of eighty three years and resides with our subject.
Dr. and Mrs. Conover have one son Harry W. who is in the service of a lumber concern.

In politics Dr Conover is independent supporting men and measures rather than party. He has ably served as a member of the city council.

He is prominent fraternally being a past noble grand of the Odd Fellows lodge and a past exalted ruler of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, serving twice in the latter capacity and also as representative to the grand lodge. Dr Conover is also prominent in Masonry having attained the thirty second degree in that organization. He is a past master of the blue lodge a past high priest of King Solomon's Chapter and eminent commander of Beausant Commandery as well as a member of the Shrine. In the Knights of Pythias he is a past chancellor and is likewise identified with the Brotherhood of Yeomen.

His friends find him always a genial courteous gentleman who has true appreciation for the social amenities of life and while never too busy to be courteous is not too courteous to be busy.

~History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark Publishing Company 1913, pages 134-135 (transcribed by S. Ferrall from the book digitalized by Google). Included was the photograph of Dr. Conover.

Allamakee Biographies maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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