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JOHN OVERHOLT, M. D., deceased, a resident for many years of Columbus City, Iowa, was born near Nazareth, Northampton Co., Pa., Aug. 8, 1808, and was a son of William and Gertrude (Kulp) Overholt, who were also natives of that State. The paternal great-grandfather was a native of Germany, and emigrated to America in the days of the early settlement of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandmother was of English birth. On the mother’s side the family was of Holland descent.
The subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm, passing his boyhood days in his native country, and receiving his primary education in the subscription schools of the neighborhood. In 1822 he removed with his parents to Medina County, Ohio, where he was educated by private instructors, and entered upon the study of medicine under a preceptor. On the 19th of January, 1836, he was united in marriage with Miss Esther Kreider, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Myers) Kreider, and a native of Mifflin County, Pa., born near Juniata. Eight children were born to them, five sons and three daughters. Two of the daughters died in early childhood—Elizabeth and Emma. The living are: Mary A. is now the wife of Robert Foster, of Odebolt, Sac Co., Iowa; Daniel W., who married Miss Isabella Latta, is a prominent physician of Columbus Junction; Jennie is the wife of Dr. I. M. Smith, of Columbus City Township; Elinor resides at home; Edward became the husband of Miss Lucy Colville, and resides at Columbus City, and Charles, who wedded Ella Eisenhart, is living at Sheldon, Iowa.
About 1842 Dr. Overholt moved to Wooster, Ohio, where he began the practice of medicine. In 1847-48 he attended the Botanical Medical College, of Cleveland, Ohio, being graduated from that institution, his diploma bearing date July 8, 1848. He continued in the practice of his profession at Wooster, when, prompted by an enterprising spirit, and wishing to better his condition and widen his field of usefulness, he removed with his family to Iowa, stopping for the winter in Des Moines County. In the following spring they moved to Louisa County, and settled upon a farm which he purchased about five miles west of Columbus City. On this farm he remained until the spring of 1865, giving his time alternately to the improvement of his farm and the practice of his profession. He then removed to Columbus City, where he devoted his entire time to the practice of medicine, until his death, which occurred Oct. 9, 1888. 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; pre-eminently a reformer, his whole nature tempered by a Christian spirit, he grew in favor with the people, who soon gave him an extensive practice. By hard study and patient application he won a reputation that did not pass unnoticed. He was often referred to as authority by the leading practitioners of his school of medicine, the physio-medical. In Prof. Kost’s work on “Materia Medica,” and Dr. W. H. Cook’s “Dispensatory,” he is often quoted as authority.
Mrs. Overholt, who for many years was a consistent member of the Christian Church, and a devoted wife and mother, was called from this earth on the 21st of October, 1884. The Doctor was also a member of that church, as are also his two daughters. 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 life where he was called to go. In business, in the sick room, in the chamber of death, and in all matters of religion, the Word of God was his judge. With an unswerving faith he looked forward, with a hope that served as an . . .
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. . . anchor to his spirit, to the sweet “by-and-by,” to the final consummation of all things.
In political sentiment during his early life Dr. Overholt was a Whig, and cast his first Presidential vote for William Henry Harrison in 1836, and again in 1840. On the formation of the Republican party he identified himself with that organization, and was ever afterward a faithful adherent to its principles. As a neighbor and citizen, he was always liberal, public-spirited, and just to everyone. He lived to the ripe old age of eighty-one years, and though for some months previous to his decease in feeble health, he possessed his mental faculties in full vigor, and was cheerful and hopeful to the last.
Dr. Overholt lived through an eventful epoch in the world’s history, and witnessed more wonderful strides made in science and invention than were dreamed of in his youth by the most visionary philosopher. Being a close observer of men and events, he acquired a varied fund of information. The causes of education and religion found in him a true friend, and in his death the church lost one of the its strongest supporters, and a brother whose counsel will be sorely missed; society lost one of its time-tried members, and the children were bereft of a devoted Christian father, whose example falls upon them as a choice legacy more precious than the richest earthly treasures.
The readers of this ALBUM will be pleased with the fine portrait of the Doctor given on an accompanying page.
