Legislator Details

Image of George Gary Covell
Image Description:
Portrait of George Gary Covell scanned from Men of Progress p.244.

George Gary Covell
AKA:
Number of sessions served 3
Sessions served
Gender: Male
Age at election: 32

Vital Records Information:

Birth
Date: 10/16/1860
City: Dundee, MI
County: Monroe County, MI
Country: US
 
Death
Date: 4/11/1918
City: Ashville, NC
County: Buncombe County, NC
Country: US
Type of Burial: interred
Burial
Date: 4/12/1918
City: Traverse City, MI
County: Grand Traverse County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery: Oakwood Cemetery

Marital Information:
married Alice Janette Kyle, 5/21/1885; children: Beulah Land and a baby boy who died

Number of Children: 2

Background

Religion:
Military Service:
Occupation: lawyer
Race: Caucasian or White

Education:
attended Dundee union school;graduated from University of Michigan Law School in 1885

Biographical Sketch:
Son of Daniel H. and Caroline [or Coralin Edna] (Dustin) Covell who came to Michigan in 1837. Admitted to the bar on May 27, 1887. Started practice in Dundee but found out there was no lawyer in Benzonia. Relocated in Benzonia, 8/1887 to open a practice. Benzie County Prosecuting Attorney, 1889-92. Located in Traverse City to work for Covell & Gilbert law firm in 1892. U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, 1898-1910. Grand Traverse County Prosecuting Attorney, 1913-14. He was a director in the Traverse City & Leelanaw Railroad Co. He was a Mason including Traverse City Commandery, Knight Templar, Saladin Temple (Mystic Shrine) of Grand Rapids, Oddfellow, and Elk.

Notable Facts:
Prosecutor in the case of Wright, the millionaire lumberman. He died of pulmonary tuberculosis

Sessions Served:

Thirty-Ninth Legislature, 1897-1898
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Constitutional Amendments , Federal Relations , House of Correction at Marquette, Public Buildings , Judiciary
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Traverse City
County of Residence Grand Traverse
District: 27
District Description: Counties of Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau and Wexford

Date Elected: 11/3/1896
Date Sworn In: 1/6/1897
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Married
Notes:
Thirty-Eighth Legislature, 1895-1896
Chamber: House
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Judiciary , Liquor Traffic , Upper Peninsula Asylum for Insane
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Traverse City
County of Residence Grand Traverse
District: Grand Traverse
District Description: Counties of Benzie, Grand Traverse and Leelanau

Date Elected: 11/6/1894
Date Sworn In: 1/2/1895
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: See Notes
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Elected to the state senate for the 39th session.
Thirty-Seventh Legislature, 1893-1894
Chamber: House
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Judiciary , Private Corporations , School of Mines
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Traverse City
County of Residence Grand Traverse
District: Grand Traverse
District Description: Counties of Benzie, Leelanau and Grand Traverse

Date Elected: 11/8/1892
Date Sworn In: 1/4/1893
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected

Maritial Status: Married
Notes:

Bibliography:

RepLeg p.36, includes portrait; Manual 1893, p.598-9; Manual 1895, p.564; Men of Progress p.244, includes portrait; USCen 1910; Find-a-Grave.com, includes portrait
View Bibliographical Sources