Quick Facts
Biography
James Way Covert (September 2, 1842 – May 16, 1910) was a United States Representative from New York.
Biography
Born at Oyster Bay, he attended the public schools and received an academic education in Locust Valley. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1863, and commenced practice in Flushing. He was district school commissioner from 1867 to 1870, assistant prosecuting attorney of Queens County, and Surrogate of Queens County from 1870 to 1874.
Covert was elected as a Democrat to the 45th and 46th United States Congresses, holding office from March 4, 1877 to March 3, 1881. He was Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture (46th Congress). He was a member of the New York State Senate (1st D.) in 1882 and 1883.
He was elected to the 51st, 52nd and 53rd United States Congresses, holding office from March 4, 1889 to March 3, 1895. He was Chairman of the House Committee on Patents (53rd Congress). Covert moved to Brooklyn in 1896 and resumed the practice of law. He died in Brooklyn in 1910; interment was in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Maspeth.