Louis Chapin Covell (June 22, 1875 – August 26, 1952) was a United States army officer and business. He served in the Spanish–American War and World War I, and later worked for several automotive companies, including General Motors.

Louis Chapin Covell
Born(1875-06-22)22 June 1875
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Died26 August 1952(1952-08-26) (aged 77)
Plymouth, Massachusetts
Buried
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1892–1919
RankBrigadier general
UnitMichigan Army National Guard
Commands held126th Infantry Regiment
63rd Infantry Brigade, 32nd Division
Battles/warsSpanish–American War
World War I
AwardsCroix de Guerre

Early life edit

Covell was born on June 22, 1875, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Elliot Franklin Covell and Laura (Chapin) Covell. After graduating from Grand Rapids High School in 1893, he worked at the Macey Company as an advertising and sales manager. In 1915 he was the organizer and president of Covell-Hensen Company, an advertising and printing company.[1][2]

Military career edit

Covell enlisted in the Michigan National Guard on April 6, 1892. On June 26, 1895, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Covell served as a captain in the Spanish–American War, advanced to major in 1900 and was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1911. Covell became a brigadier general in the National Guard on February 7, 1917, and the National Army on August 5, 1917. He served during WWI in the American Expeditionary Force, commanding the 63rd Infantry Brigade. Covell received the French Croix de Guerre for his service and was discharged on February 17, 1919.[1][2][3]

Later life and career edit

After returning to civilian life, Covell was a manager at the Reynolds Chrysler Company in Flint, Michigan, and later a sales executive at General Motors in Detroit. In retirement, he lived in Maryland, New York and Virginia.

Death and burial edit

Covell died in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on August 26, 1952.[4] He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.[5]

He was a member of the American Legion, Sons of the American Revolution and the Military Order of Foreign Wars. Covell was also a Congregationalist, Freemason and Republican.[1][2]

Family edit

On 12 June 1906, Covell married Florence Holcomb Davidson (1879-1959).[6][7] They were the parents of three sons: George Davidson (1907-1980),[8] Louis Chapin (1909-2000),[9] and Robert Leonard (1915-1987).[10]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Davis, Henry Blaine Jr. (1998). Generals in Khaki. Raleigh, NC: Pentland Press. p. 84. ISBN 1-57197-088-6.
  2. ^ a b c Who was who in American history, the military (76 bicentennial ed.). Chicago: Marquis Who's Who Inc. 1975. p. 111. ISBN 0-8379-3201-7.
  3. ^ Fisher, Ernest B. (1918). Grand Rapids and # County, Michigan: History and Account of Their Progress from First Settlement to the Present Time. R.O. Law Company.
  4. ^ "Death Norice, Louis C. Covell". The Evening Star. Washington, DC. August 29, 1952. p. A-12 – via GenealogyBank.com.
  5. ^ Williamson, R. J. Colonel (August 29, 1952). "U.S. National Cemetery Interment Control Forms, 1928-1962, Entry for Louis C. Covell". Ancestry.com. Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com, LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  6. ^ "Michigan Marriage Records, 1867-1952, Entry for Florence Holcomb Davidson and Louis Chapin Covell". Ancestry.com. Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com, LLC. June 12, 1906. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  7. ^ "Virginia Death Records, 1912-2014, Entry for Florence Holcomb Davidson Covell". Ancestry.com. Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com, LLC. April 28, 1959. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  8. ^ "Obituary, George D. Covell, Insurance Executive". The Berkshire Eagle. Pittsfield, MA. August 13, 1980. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Obituary, Louis C. Covell". Rappahannock Record. Kilamock, VA. October 5, 2000. p. B3 – via Virginia Chronicle: Library of Virginia.
  10. ^ "California Death Index, 1940-1997, Entry for Robert Leonard Chapin". Ancestry.com. Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com, LLC. December 8, 1987. Retrieved August 5, 2020.