Willis W. Overholser

OVERHOLSER, LOTHIAN, BRYAN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 3/6/2007 at 08:56:17

Biographies from the 1914 "Past and Present of O'Brien and Osceola Counties of Iowa"

WILLIS W. OVERHOLSER.

It is universally conceded that there are three factors which are more potent than all others in the advancement of civilization—pulpit, platform and press. Of these three the press reaches places and conditions which the other two never touch. Public opinion, as voiced in the newspapers of our country, has as much influence in moulding legislation, advancing reforms and eliminating corrupt politics as all other agencies put together. A good newspaper, one which stands for the best interests of a community, is a blessing and the good that it can do is incalculable. It is the paper of the town which often is the only means of driving graft out of city affairs. The editor of a good newspaper is a man who touches the daily life of the communitv on every side and the editor who does his work honestly, fearlessly and conscientiously deserves the praise of the community. Such a man is the subject of this brief review.

Willis W. Overholser, the publisher of the Sibley Gazette, was born November 20, 1868, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. His parents, J. W. and Mary (Kurtz) Overholser, were natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent. They migrated to Iowa in 1880, settling at Correctionville, in Woodbury County, and for a time Mr. Overholser farmed and then engaged in the grocery business in Correctionville for a number of years. J. W. Overholser and wife were the parents of three children: Margaret, a teacher in the Sioux City schools; Mrs. Anna Bryan, of Davenport, Iowa, and Willis W., whose history is related in this collection.

Willis W. Overholser was twelve years of age when his parents came from Pennsylvania, consequently he received the beginning of a common school education in his native state. After coming to this county he attended and graduated from the high school in Correctionville and later went to Cornell College, where he finished his education.

Mr. Overholser served one term as postmaster of Correctionville under President Harrison and one term as postmaster of Ireton under President McKinley. From 1894 to 1905 he was editor and publisher of the Ireton (Iowa) Clipper. In 1906 he purchased the Sibley Gazette and has been publishing this continuously since March of that year. The Gazette is a large eight-page, seven-column paper, and has a circulation of over two thousand. It is the oldest paper in the county, having been established in 1872, and from the beginning has been one of the leading papers of the county. He has a staff of country correspondents and has a good share of the advertisements of Sibley. During the past few years the press of the Gazette has printed a county map and county directory. The paper espoused the Republican cause and is the official organ of the party in Osceola County. Mr. Overholser himself is an active supporter of his party and is at present the chairman of the Republican county central committee.

Mr. Overholser was married in September, 1892, to Bertha Lothian, of Correctionville, and to this union have been born four children, Ralph, Craig, Russell and Maxine. The family are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and render it their hearty support at all times. Fraternally, Mr. Overholser is a member of the Knights of Pythias and takes an interest in the work of that fraternal organization. Personally, he is a man of genial disposition and kindly impulses and since coming to this county has won a large number of friends who were attracted to him because of his many excellent qualities.

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