The New International Encyclopædia/Covode, John

CO′VODE, John (1808-71). An American legislator, born in Westmoreland County, Pa. He worked for several years on a farm; was apprenticed to a blacksmith; and afterwards attained considerable wealth as a woolen manufacturer. He served for two terms in the Pennsylvania Legislature, and was a member of Congress, first as an Anti-Masonic Whig and then as a Republican, from 1855 to 1863, and again from 1868 to 1870. In politics he was prominent as a supporter of Lincoln and as an opponent of Johnson, but is chiefly remembered for his connection as chairman with the special Congressional committee appointed in 1860 to investigate the charges brought against President Buchanan. See Covode Investigation.