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OVERMAN, John Milton 1817-1906

OVERMAN, COWGILL, COOPER, CHASE, WATERBURY, HOWLAND, SANBORN, WILLIAMS, COTTON, AIKMEN, AITKIN

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 11/3/2012 at 03:08:59

[Waterloo Daily Courier, Monday, June 4, 1906]

CEDAR FALLS - Hon. John Milton Overman, the first mayor of this city and the oldest living resident passed peacefully away at his home here yesterday forenoon, aged 89 years.

Decedent was born November 10, 1817, in Highland County, Ohio. His early life was spent on his father's farm, but at 19 years of age he taught school. Later he learned the business of manufacturing saddle trees. In 1842 Mr. Overman came to Iowa, locating in Muscatine County, where he built and conducted a hotel on the Cedar known as Overman's Ferry.

In 1848 he came to Cedar Falls in company with his brother, Dempsey C., now deceased, remaining here for six months. Then he returned to Muscatlne County, where he operated a saw mill until 1850. after which he made a trip to California. He went by way of the Mississippi, across the Gulf of Mexico, through the republic of Mexico to Mazatian on the Pacific, then by boat up the Pacific coast. He spent eight months in this Eldorado, returning to this place by way of the Isthmus of Panama and New Orleans, arriving here In January, 1851. He then remained in Cedar Falls all his life, entering into the business and civic life of the community.

Mr. Overman was married in 1840 in Highland County, Ohio, to Phoebe J. Cooper, and to them nine children were born, eight of whom survive. They are: Sarah J., who married Joseph Chase; Lydia K., deceased Sept. 3, 1901, who was the wife of Dr. S. Waterbury; Florence, who has been the faithful attendant upon his venerable father; Martha E., who married G. C. Howland; H. C., who married Cora Sanborn; Edwin E., who married May Cotton; Milton C., who married Mrs. Mary Aikmen, and Fannie E., now Mrs. T. M. Aitkin*.

Mr. Overman became a prominent business man of Cedar Falls and engaged in the milling and lumber business. Of late years the weakness incident upon advancing age has prevented his entering actively into the duties of life. For the past two or three years he has been almost helpless and the care bestowed upon his daughter has been as unfailing as the sunshine. A member of the Society of Friends, he had the characteristic "thee" and "Thon" of the Quakers, and his conversion was very interesting to listen to.

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[Cedar Falls Semi-Weekly Gazette, Tuesday, June 5, 1906]

PROCLAMATION

John Milton Overman, the founder and 'father of Cedar Falls' and its first Mayor, is dead. For mure than fifty years he was public spirited citizen, benefactor, friend.

I therefore, ask and urge, as a, mark of respect to his memory, that all places of business be closed during the funeral hour from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Cedar Falls, Iowa. W. H. Merner, Mayor. June 5, 1900.

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[From History of Black Hawk County]

Mr. Overman was born November 10, 1817, In Highland County, Ohio, the son of Elias and Sara (Cowgill) Overman.

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* In his wife's 1899 obit, the daughter Fannie is listed as Fannie Williams.


 

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