OVERMAN, Samuel: 1825-1905

OVERMAN, ROBERTSON, HORN, LEE, BAKER

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 5/12/2013 at 19:55:59

The funeral of Samuel overman was held in the M.E. church in Keosauqua, Sunday, March 26, 1905, at 2:30 p.m. The remains reached Keosauqua the day previous from Des Moines. Nearly sixty Odd Fellows were in attendance at the funeral and escorted the body from the residence of his son J.M. Oerman to the church and from there to the Purdom cemetery, where the interment was made in the honors of Odd Fellowship, in the presence of many friends and acquaintances. Rev. Ingham preached an excellent funeral discourse. An unusual incident, which was connected with this funeral, was that the obituary was written by the deceased some three years previous to his demise, which we give in full below, preceded by the following prelude, read by Rev. Ingham at the services at the church last Sunday:
"Brother Overman came to his death at the home of his daughter Mrs. Lee in Des Moines, Iowa, March 24th, 1905, after a prolonged illness, during which he endured untold suffering. About six months ago he underwent a surgical operation, and while it was successful, and brought temporary relief, the cause of the disease could not be removed and he gradually yielded to its irresistable power. He manifested remarkable fortitude through it all, and though his constant prayer was that death might relieve him of his suffering, yet with christian patience he awaited the diving summons. He was an honored member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was admitted to membership in Keosauqua Lodge No. 3, Oct. 26, 1878, by card, from the Lodge at Keokuk. He was installed into the office of Vice Grand January 10th, 1880, and was Noble Grand July 10th, of the same year. He was a brother beloved and ever exemplified the exalted principles of the order. As a man he was upright and honorable, and those who knew him, knew him to respect and love him. As a christian he was true to the faith of his Master, and to the church he loved, and in which he served. He truly let his light shine, and though "he is not, for God hath taken him," yet the holy influence of his life still speaks. His obituary, word for word, as he wrote it himself, is as follows:
"Keosauqua, Io., May 24, 1902.
I was born October 15, 1825, in Clark county, Indiana. My parents both died within four days of each other. I was not quite seven years old at the time of their death. Hence I was turned out to the cold mercies of the world when quite young. I grew to manhood in my native state. In 1847 I removed to Illinois. I was converted and joined the M.E. church in the month of November, 1849, at Yorkneck schoolhouse, in Adams county, Illinois, under the pastorate of the Rev. James B. Young. I was married to Nancy Ellen Roberson on the 26th day of December, 1850, near Camp Point, Illinois. She died on the 22nd day of March, 1900. There were born to us seven children, three girls and four boys, namely, Mrs. P.J. Horn of Hillsboro, Mrs. Mary S. Lee of Des Moines, Mrs. Fanny Baker of Mt. Ayr, J.M. and W.C. Overman of Keosauqua, John Samuel and George M. who died in infancy. I want to be buried by the side of my wife. My desire is that my body be taken to the church, and a funeral preached by the Methodist pastor. Music by the choir, Willa Stidger presiding at the organ. I would like to have a short obituary published in the Western Christian Advocate.:

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book C, Page 57, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA