from Kentucky – A History of the State, Perrin, 1885

Calloway County

Euclid H. Covington, proprietor of the Covington House, was born in Calloway County, December, 1840.  His father, William H. Covington, was born in Warren County, Kentucky, near Bowling Green, January 25, 1813.  During his boyhood days educational advantages were limited, but having fine natural abilities, and improving his time in home studies, when not working on the farm, he was enabled later in life to fill with honor the several eminent positions of trust conferred upon him.  While yet a boy he began teaching, and dealing in stock, and when a young man made several trips with the same to New Orleans; he was generally successful in his dealing, and at an early age came to Calloway County, and located on a farm, the county being then poorly.  At the breaking out of the war, he was a Whig and staunch Union man, and during the war was well known as such by the Federal authorities with whom he had great influence, which he used in the interests of his county and her citizens.  He suffered heavily at the hands of guerrillas of both armies; and was finally broken financially.  In 1865 he was elected as a Democrat to an adjourned session of the State legislature, and the same year was re-elected for two years.  January 15, 1834, he married Mildred H. Spillman, which union has given seven children, only three of whom are living.

Euclid H. Covington, the subject of these lines, was reared on the farm and attended the district schools and the Murray Institute; then he clerked in his father’s store and next accepted position as deputy county clerk; for many years subsequently he was interested in the mercantile and tobacco business, at one time manufacturing plug and twist tobacco in Murray on an extensive scale; in partnership with two others he built the Murray saw and grist meal, which is still in operation; in 1872 he was appointed postmaster at this place, but resigned two years later and engaged in the hotel business, to which he has since given his attention with good success.  August 2, 1861, he married Lucy B. Curd, an accomplished daughter of Captain Edward Curd, of Mexican War fame.  They have three children living:  Gustavus C., William E. and Curtis C.  Mr. and Mrs. Covington are devout members of the Missionary Baptist Church, of which he is a trustee.  He is also a member of the Masonic and Knights of Honor fraternities.