User Home Pages: Overton, Sanford B. By Raymond R. Hanson
| OVERTON Family:9 sons and 1 daughter of Sanford B. Overton and Matilda Cox Overton,pioneers from Bradford Co., Pa. to Nebraska City, Neb. in 1859; names are John Overton, Cornelius Overton, Evander Overton, MartinOverton, George Overton, William Overton, Nelson Overton, Samuel Overton, Almyra Overton, and Justus Overton (Other Sirnames: BECKWITH, JOHN SMITH, BELL, KEBLER ) (Article found in Nebraska City's library June 1997) John H. Overton Page 1956-7John H. Overton was born in Delaware, April 2, 1835.His mother was a native of the same state but his father was born in Rhode Island.When one year old, he removed with his parents to Bradford County, Pa., where the family settled on a farm.At eighteen years of age he began work as a carpenter and for several years was employed on the North Branch Canal in Pennsylvania.In 185[9] Mr. Overton went west to the Rocky Mountains where he was engaged in mining and speculation.In 1862 he began freighting west from Nebraska City and continued until after the Union Pacific was built through Nebraska.Then he went to Texas, bought cattle and drove them north.He had married January 11, 1865, Miss C. Elsey of Denver, Colorado, a native of Virginia.In 186[8] Mr. Overton returned to Otoe County and owned a farm in Otoe Precinct south of Nebraska City.In 1870 he owned a farm of 320 acres valued at $ 12,600.00 of which 150 acres were under cultivation and 40 acres in woodland.His farm machinery was worth $300.00 and he had paid out $600.00 for farm labor in 1869.His livestock valued at $1,400.00 consisted of two horses, two mules, one milch [milk] cow, three other cattle and one hundred sixty hogs.In 1869 he had raised 3,000 bushels of corn, 800 bushels of oats, 400 bushels of potatoes and had put up 140 tons of hay. John Overton, although he was a Republican, was elected to the legislature on a Peoples ticket made up of three Democrats and two bolting Republicans in opposition to the regular Republican Ticket.Mr. Overton was a member of the Eighth state legislature, which convened at Lincoln January 5, 1871.He was appointed to three standing committees: Federal Relations; Corporations; and Manufactures and Commerce.On the three ballots for United States Senator he voted for Phineas W. Witchcock and against John M. Thayer, the sitting member.He voted: 1.To call a constitutional convention; 2.Against repealing the law which enabled counties and their subdivisions to issue bonds for internal improvements;3.Against repealing the law which exempted the wages of mechanics, laborers, and clerks in the hands of their employers from garnishee; 4.For a general herd law exempting four northern counties; 5.For the repeal of the votee's registration law; 6.Against the state granting land in aid to Omaha & Southwestern Railroad to build a bridge over the Platte River; 7.In favor of bringing articles of impeachment against Governor Butler.Mr. Overton was a member of a special committee appointed by the legislature to examine the Insane Asylum just after it was completed.The committee reported that it was poorly constructed and that the walls were bulging.He must have returned to the good graces of the Republican party for in the state convention of 1874 he took a prominent part. In later years J. H. Overton purchased a large ranch in southwestern Holt County in the vicinity of Tonawanda and moved on to it with his family about 1902 or 1903.He died at his home in Holt County May 4, 1913, being survived by his wife and three daughters: Jessie E. Overton, Tonawanda; Mrs. Grace [O]. Thompson, Atkinson; and Nellie D. Overton, Tonawanda.The value of his estate amounted to approximately $33,000.00 and consisted in part of 2157 acres of land in Holt County, 480 acres in Rock County, leases on two sections of school land, 657 head of cattle and 45 horses and mules.Mr. Overton was a commanding figure more than six feet in height . . . . | Overton, Sanford B.ByRaymond R. Hanson Updated September 5, 2000 |
| Raymond Robert Hanson Brush,Co 80723 United States [email protected] | |
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