F. W. Conover

CONOVER, HEIVELY

Posted By: Cindy Bray Lovell (email)
Date: 2/5/2009 at 11:55:34

Dr. F. W. Conover, 101,
dies at home in Decorah

DECORAH—Dr. F. W.- Conover, 101, a dentist whose long and active life had made him a legend throughout North Iowa, died Saturday at 3:45 p.m. at his home here.
Surviving are a son, Harry Conover, Mason City, and a granddaughter. Lois Conover, Denver. Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m. Monday at the Olson Funeral home.
Dr. Conover who celebrated his 101st birthday Nov. 16, 1960, attracted attention when shortly before his 100th birthday he was told he had outlived the term of his insurance policy and received a check for his insurance from the Northwestern Mutual Insurance Co. The policy had been purchased in 1889.
Dr. Conover had lived under 20 presidents and through four of the nation's major wars. James Buchanan was president when he was born in Allamakee County, Nov. 16, 1859, the son of F. E. and Mary Conover.
Decorah was a sprawling infant of 11 years then and North Iowa was just getting settled by hardy pioneers. After a brief practice in Decorah he moved to Sioux City. He practiced there for a year before returning to Decorah. In 1891 he set up his dental practice here. He continued this practice until retiring in 1930. In 1891 he was married to Mary Heively.
Dr. Conover enjoyed a number of distinctions during his lifetime. He had the longest continuous membership in both the Elks Lodge and the Masonic Lodge here.
He was the first dentist in Iowa to be taken into Delta Sigma Delta, Iowa Auxiliary honorary dental fraternity.
He was chairman of the street lighting committee, which put in the first-electric lights on the streets of Decorah.

From the Globe-Gazette (Mason City, Iowa) May 8, 1961

I have no other information.