John Overholt 1808-1888

OVERHOLT

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 9/17/2020 at 13:07:14

Columbus Gazette, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Wednesday, October 31, 1888 page 4

Dr. John Overholt of Columbus City, was born near Nazareth, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, August 8th, 1808; and bade adieu to this life October 9th, 1888. the subject of this sketch is worthy of more than a passing mention. January 8th, 1836 he was married to Miss Esther Kreider with whom he loved in sweet companionship for almost fifty years. The fruit of this union was eight children- three sons and five daughters. Two of the daughters died in early life. The remaining six children are living and all were at the funeral save one.

In 1842 Dr. Overholt moved to Wooster, Ohio, where he began the practice of medicine, graduating from the Botanical Medical College of Cleveland Ohio. His diploma bears date of July 5th, 1848. Prompted by an enterprising spirit, and wishing to better his condition and widen his field of usefulness, in the fall of 1852 the family moved to Iowa, stopping fro the winter in Des Moines county. The following spring the family moved to Louisa county and settled upon a farm about five miles south west of Columbus City. In March, 1865 the family took up their abode in Columbus City. From this time Dr. Overholt devoted his entire tie to the practice of medicine. For this calling he was qualified as many in the profession are not. Strictly temperate in all things- a man of sound judgment- a good nurse- kind, gentle and patient- per-eminently a reformer- his whole nature tempered with a Christian spirit. He grew in favor with the people which soon gave him an extensive practice. by hard study and patient application Dr. Overholt won a reputation that did not pass unnoticed, and he was often referred to as authority by the leading practitioners of his school, viz., Physio Medical. In Prof. Koot's work in Maleria Medica and in Dr. Cook's Dispensatory, he is often spoken of as authority worthy of consultation. Dr. Overholt was a Christian gentleman of the highest order and was a pillar in the church of Christ. He took his Christianity with him into every walk of live where he was called to. In business in the sick room, in the chamber of death and in all matters of religion the word of god was his umpire. With an unwavering faith he looked forward, with a hope that served as an anchor to his spirit to the sweet by and by: the final consummation of all things. He has passed to the realization of his brightest hopes. he has been gathered into the garner like a ripe shock of corn. Society has lost one of its true and tried. The children have been bereft of a devoted christian father whose example falls upon them as the choicest legacy, more precious than the richest earthly treasure. The church has lost a brother whose counsel will be sorely missed. A patriarch has gone out from among us. Let us follow in his footsteps that we too, may rest in peace.

L. C. Wilson.