Thomas H. Conover was a United States Navy officer born in New Jersey in 1794. He entered the Navy as a midshipman January 1, 1812 and during his fifty-three years of service to the Navy would serve aboard the Essex, Guerriere, John Adams and was Captain of the USS Constitution during her service with the African Squadron. He was one of the first officers to be promoted to the rank of Commodore on July 16, 1862. Conover died on September 25, 1864.