Santa Cruz County History - People

Old Soldiers: Santa Cruz County Civil War Veterans
by Robert L. Nelson

COVENEY, JOHN (1820-1875)

Santa Cruz Great Register (1866)

John Coveney, a resident of Soquel, age 48 native of Ireland, whose occupation was listed as "Farmer" was registered to vote Sept 1868. A notation indicated "Proof of citizenship and loss of papers". "Dead" was indicated as the reason for removal.

Records of California Men in the War of the Rebellion, Brig.-Gen. Richard H. Orton

John Coveney's enlistment records indicate that he was a farmer born in Cork Ireland. On September 11, 1861, the time of his enlistment he was 40 years old had a dark complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, and was 5'8 1/2" in height. He was mustered into federal service on September 23, 1861 and served until January 25, 1862 when he was discharged by order of Brig. Gen Wright.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (September 18, 1875)

Suicide

Last Monday Coroner Canney was summoned to the boarding house of Jacob Kroepili, on Front Street, by the announcement that John Coveney had committed suicide. An inquest developed the fact that the deceased came to his death by taking strychnine, and a verdict in accordance with the fact was rendered by the jury. Coveney was a native of Ireland, aged fifty-three years, and had resided many years in the county. His wife died some time since and willed her husband only a small fraction of the little property she possessed, the bulk of it going to others: he endeavored to break the will, carrying the case through all the courts, but in every instance failed. Last week he received the money allotted to him by the will, and with a portion of it bought the drug that terminated his life.

Editorial Notes from Robert L. Nelson

Evergreen Records and Probate Records

The wooden marker originally marking his gravesite in the Old Section noted that he died September 13, 1875, was 55 years old, and a native of Cork Ireland. John Coveney was married to Elizabeth Coveney also of Ireland who died 5/20/1875 of consumption. In her will she left her remaining estate (Consisting of a few hundred dollars) to various Catholic organizations in Santa Cruz.

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