JUDGE DAVID S. COVERDALE. Few more consistent, practical, or well balanced careers have contributed to the pioneer and later development of Delano than that of Judge David S. Coverdale, veteran of the Civil war, and well known as a justice of the peace, notarv, health officer, president of the board of trade, promoter of waterways, and extensive real estate operator. From a long line of 'English ancestors Judge Coverdale inherits those substantial and con- servative traits which have been of inestimable value in his work in a growing community. His father, Jonathan Coverdale, spent the first fifteen years of his life in England, and then came with his parents to Lower Canada, where he lived until attaining his majority. In Canada he married Sallie Brisbon, a native of Lower Canada, and of Irish-German descent, with whom he removed to a farm in Lapeer county, Mich. He found the country a stranger to the improvements of man, and set about with characteristic energy to clear his land, and establish a general farming and stock-raising enterprise. Six children were born into his family, of whom David S. was the eldest. He was born March 16, 1835, in Detroit, Mich., his mother being there temporarily. In 1850 Jonathan Coverdale crossed the plains in an ox-train for California, by way of Council Bluffs, Salt Lake City and the Platte river, and in Sacramento, Cal., en- gaged in teaming and the building of levees. His dream of western success was not destined for fulfillment, for a year after arriving on the coast he was taken ill and died, at the age of about forty-five years. Subsequently his wife married again, and died in Michigan at the age of fifty-five. After his mother's second marriage David S. Coverdale started out on his own responsibility, armed with a common school education, and with a determination which is bound to win results. Settling in Goodhue county, Minn., then a territory, he worked on a farm by the month for his uncle, and while thus employed won the confidence of his relative to such an extent that he subsequently made him manager of his ranch, located near Red Wing, Minn. Having friends in the railroad business, he secured the position as station agent of the Northwestern Stage Com- pany for a couple of years, and then engaged in an agricultural implement business at Winona. Minn., for several years. While in this town the Civil war broke out, and he enlisted as a private in Company K, Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and because of meritorious service was soon promoted from private, becoming in consecutive order corporal, sergeant, second lieu- tenant, first lieutenant and captain in the same company and regiment. During the war he par- ticipated in the following engagements: Mill Springs, Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing. Iuka, the campaign under Buell, Stone River, Crab Orchard, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain. At the battle of Chickamauga he was wounded in the right thigh, and left on the field without anything to eat for three days, and after being taken prisoner made his escape at night by crawling on his hands and one knee. At Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain he commanded his company, although he was obliged to walk with a cane. The regi- ment veteranized for the balance of the war, taking part in the battles of Tunnel Hill, Mill Creek, Dug Gap, Resaca, Adairsville, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta, Smyrna, Peachtree Creek, Atlanta, Altoona Mountain, Peavine Creek, Ringgold, first and second Tun- nel Hill, first and second Rocky Face, Dalton first and second, second battle of Resaca, Snake Creek Gap, New Hope Church, Big Shanty, Pine Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain, six days' siege; Kalbs Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, second battle, two days' siege; Marietta, Chattahooche, Altoona Mountain, second battle, and Ezra Church. Also the company was with Sherman in his march to the sea, at the taking of Savannah, the campaign in North and South Caro- lina, the capture of Goldsburg and Raleigh, and the final surrender of the Confederate army. To Richmond, Washington and Fort Snelling, where he was discharged as captain of Company K, Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. In 1866, September 12, Judge Coverdale married Nellie Gould, a native of New Jersey, whose parents settled in Minnesota at Winona at an early day. One daughter, Florence, was born to Judge and Mrs. Coverdale. From Winona, Minn., Judge Coverdale went to Eau Claire, Wis., where he owned and operated a hotel for two or three years, removing from thence to Will- mer, Minn., where he again ran a hotel for three years. Selling out here he went to Burlington. Iowa, for a short time, then to Bloomington, Ill., where he operated a small grocery for three years. Again selling out he went to Lena. Ill., bought and conducted a hotel for two years, when he became identified as commercial traveler for a large advertising concern, remaining with them three years. He next engaged in an implement business- in Peoria, Ill., for a few years, and November 1, 1887, arrived in Delano, Cal. In Delano the judge signified his intention of remaining by erecting a home, planting trees, and becoming as comfortable as the crude conditions then existing permitted. He engaged in real estate business from the first, and heartily entered into various lines of activity suggested by the peculiarities of climate and soil. He became one of the promoters and the treasurer and manager of the Poso Irrigating Company, financiered the same to a large extent, and when the contractor failed, ably directed the enterprise through the hard times, sold most of the stock, and succeeded in digging one hundred and twenty-five miles of the ditch and six miles of flume. This undertaking took four years, and the water was secured for the district as agreed upon in the terms of contract. Judge Coverdale is treasurer of the enterprise at the present time, and much regrets the internal strife which prevented the completion of the canal as originally decided upon, He has been active in Republican politics for many years, but has always been averse to office holding. He is prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of Winona Lodge No. 18, F. & A. M., and of the Wowatonna Chapter, R. A. M., and Cyrene Com- mandery No. 9, K. T., of Wowatonna. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic in Delano until it burned out. He is a man whose mental superiority is borne out in his physical stature, which is six feet three inches in height ; and he still carries himself like a soldier, bearing with dignity and modesty the reverses and honors which have broadened his life.

David S Coverdale