ABRAM COOVERT

Early Life

Abram Coovert was born in Butler County, Ohio, in 1819. When he was ten years old, his mother passed away and Abram was sent to live with another family, where he was bound to work until the age of twenty-one. Upon his release, he received a suit of clothes and $100 (equivalent to approximately $3,500 today) before setting off on his own (Marshall, 1976, p. 2).

Marriage and Journey West

In 1840, Abram moved to Deer Creek Township, Indiana, in search of work. There, he met 18-year-old Martha Ann Odell, daughter of respected farmer John Odell. The couple married in Wayne County, Indiana, in 1845.

In 1851, Abram and Martha joined the Odell family on their journey to Oregon. They traveled with a wagon train led by Captain Elder, bringing with them two wagons, six yoke of oxen, and two horses. After six months on the trail, they arrived in Oregon in September 1851 (Marshall, 1976, p. 2).

 

Settling in Webfoot

The Coovert family established themselves on a 241-acre Donation Land Claim about four miles southeast of Dayton. 

“Every improvement on the place was due to the energy and progressive spirit of the owner, who had kept abreast of the times and equipped his place with all known devices of a labor-saving and improving character.”

(Marshall, 1976, p. 2)

The area, rich with waterfowl, became known as “Webfoot.” In 1857, Abram built the first grist mill in the region, producing flour of such high quality that it was given a distinctive name to set it apart from competitors—thus, Webfoot Flour was born. Due to its location along the well-traveled Dayton-Salem Road, the mill became a central gathering place for early settlers.

“When ‘Grandpa Coovert’ was called a pioneer, he protested, saying a pioneer was the “first one to get to a certain place” and when he came there were at least a thousand people here – between Canada and Mexico, that is. “ 

(Doud, 1958)

The original Coovert home burned down and all records were lost in the fire, and a new house was built by Abram’s granddaughter in 1942. The farm was designated a Century Farm in 1958 after over 100 years of continuous ownership and farming by the Coovert family. The farm was located approximately 3 1/2 miles south of Dayton at the intersection of Palmer Creek and Webfoot roads. (Doug, 1958)

Family Life and Loss

Abram and Martha had seven children, three of whom were born before their move to Oregon.

The four youngest children—Henrietta R., Wilbur Lee, Ida Elizabeth, and Ora M.—were born on the family homestead in Dayton. Sadly, daughters Henrietta and Ora both died in 1863, just months apart. All of Abram and Martha’s children are buried in the Odell Pioneer Cemetery with the exception of John Q. (died at the age of 4 and is buried in Indiana) and Mary Ellen, who rests in the Rose City Cemetery in Portland. Mary Ellen’s husband John Albert Lambert is interred at the Odell Pioneer Cemetery. 

In 1872, Abram’s brother, Johnson E. Coovert, arrived in Oregon with his family and also settled in the Webfoot area. Johnson passed away in 1878, and his wife, Elizabeth, followed in 1913. Both are buried in the Odell Pioneer Cemetery.

Community Contributions

Abram and Martha were dedicated supporters of their community, donating a portion of their land for a church and a schoolhouse to be built.

An active politician during his years of greatest activity, Mr. Coovert at times labored faithfully for the political advancement of his worthy friends, although he himself never desired office of any kind. However, his active interest in educational matters resulted in his acceptance of a position on the school board, and he also served as road supervisor, thus filling two of the most important and far-reaching offices in the community.”

(Marshall, 1976, p. 2)

Webfoot Church

Construction on Webfoot Church began in 1878, but before it could be completed, local troublemakers who were unhappy about comments made by the minister burned it to the ground. Determined to see it rebuilt, Webfoot pioneer Mary Gilkey took it upon herself to raise funds, riding from house to house to collect donations. Thanks to her efforts, the church was rebuilt that same year. It remained in use until 1929, when it was sold to the Grange Organization. (Frink, 1953, pp. 33-36)

Webfoot School

The Webfoot School served the community for decades and remained in operation until its closure in 1945.

Later Years and Legacy

Martha Coovert passed away in 1903, and Abram followed in 1907 at the age of 87. They, along with five of their seven children, are buried in the Odell Pioneer Cemetery. The Coovert family graves are located near the back of the cemetery, behind John and Sarah Odell. 

Abram and Martha’s contributions to the Webfoot community, from the grist mill to the church and school, left a lasting impact on the area.

 

Obituary:

Abram Coovert, a pioneer of 1851, died at his home three miles south of Dayton, Wednesday, aged nearly 88 years, and will be buried today, the funeral occuring at the Webfoot M.E. Church. His wife died two years ago of paralysis. Two daughters, Mrs. Nichols of Dayton and Mrs. Lambert of this city, are the only children of Mr. And Mrs. Coovert now living.

– News Reporter, Friday, February 1, 1907

 

Tombstone inscription:

“Precious in the sight of the Lord, is the death of his Saints”

Note: Abram’s death certificate lists his date of death as January 30, 1907, while his headstone notes his date of death as January 29th.