JOHNSON ERNEST COOVERT

Early Life and Family

Johnson Coovert was born in 1830 in Preble County, Ohio. While there is strong circumstantial evidence that he and Abram Coovert were brothers, definitive proof remains elusive due to the limitations of early census records. Prior to 1850, U.S. Census records listed only the head of household by name, with family members represented numerically. Additionally, probate records for their presumed father have not yet been located, leaving their sibling relationship very likely but unconfirmed. 

Johnson and Abram’s mother died shortly after Johnson’s birth. At the time, Abram was ten years old and was bound to live and work with another family until the age of 21. By 1850, Johnson was also listed as living with an unrelated household, suggesting that he, too, was placed with a family in exchange for labor—a common practice during that period.

Marriage and Life Before Oregon

In 1857, Johnson married Elizabeth Fudge. Elizabeth was the older sister of Margaret Fudge, who later married Johnson’s nephew, John W. Coovert and is also buried in the Odell Pioneer Cemetery.

In 1863, Johnson registered for the Civil War draft, but no records indicate that he ever served. 

Migration to Oregon and Family Life

In 1872, Johnson and Elizabeth emigrated to Oregon with their four children: Jasper, Martin, Mary, and Elmer. No documentation of their journey has been located, so the exact route and mode of travel remain uncertain. While some pioneers continued to use the Oregon Trail into the 1890s, the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in 1869 and the expansion of rail lines into Oregon in the early 1870s suggest that the Coovert family may have traveled west by train.

Johnson settled in Dayton, where he acquired a large farm totaling at least 220 acres. While the Donation Land Claim Act was no longer in effect when he arrived, he still managed to secure a significant landholding.

His youngest son, Elmer, became a highly respected attorney in Oregon, practicing first in Astoria and later in Portland. He notably represented businessman Simon Benson (known for the Benson Bubblers) in a case that helped prevent the construction of a lumber mill at Multnomah Falls. His legal efforts ultimately contributed to the designation of Multnomah Falls as a public park.

Possible Fifth Child: Eva Coovert

While census records document Johnson and Elizabeth as having four children, there is some speculation that they had a fifth child, Eva Coovert, born in 1874—two years after the family’s arrival in Oregon. Eva died just 15 days after birth and was buried in the Odell Pioneer Cemetery.

Earlier sources attributed Eva’s parentage to Abram and Martha Coovert, but given their ages at the time (both in their early 50s), this seems unlikely. Elizabeth, who was 36 in 1874, is a more probable mother. Additionally, Eva’s grave is located next to Johnson and Elizabeth’s graves. However, no official records confirm Eva’s parentage. 

Later Years and Death

In 1877, Johnson became ill and suffered for seven months before passing away on January 6, 1878, at the age of 47. The nature of his illness remains unknown.

Upon his death, Johnson’s estate was divided among his children:

• Jasper inherited 100 acres
• Martin received 60 acres
• Catherine was given 60 acres
• Elmer received 60 acres
• His wife, Elizabeth, was granted all rights and profits from the farm until the children reached adulthood.

Elizabeth later remarried Sylvester “Vet” Robertson. She passed away in 1913 and was buried beside Johnson in the Odell Pioneer Cemetery.

Obituary:

Died at Webfoot, Yamhill Co., Or., June 6, 1878, Johnson E. Coovert aged 47 years 11 months and 22 days. Br. Coovert was a native of Preble Co., Ohio. He was married in 1857 to Elizabeth Fudge and removed to Indiana, where he resided 14 years, after which he came to Oregon where he continued to reside until his death. He was sick about 7 months but his death was somewhat unexpected. His funeral was preached at the campmeeting on Sunday, July 7, by Rev. C. Hetzler, who was an intimate and beloved friend of the deceased since he was a boy.

– Pacific Christian Advocate, July 25, 1878