Henry Overholser

Henry Overholser was an Oklahoma businessman, county commissioner, and important contributor to the development of Oklahoma City. He was the first to erect two-story buildings in the city, both of which were torn down in 1907.[1] Overholser's son from a first marriage, Edward, was a mayor of Oklahoma City.[2][3]

Henry Overholser
Born1846
Montgomery County, Ohio
DiedAugust 25, 1915
Oklahoma City, OK
Resting placeFairlawn Cemetery, Oklahoma City OK
NationalityAmerican
OccupationBusiness
Spouse(s)Emma Hanna Overholser(divorce ca. 1880)
Anna Ione Murphy Overholser(1872-1940)
ChildrenEdward Overholser(1869-1931)
Elizabeth Overholser
Henry Ione Perry (1904-1959)
Parent(s)John Overholser
Elizabeth (Niswonger) Overholser

Early life

Overholser was born April 14, 1846 on a farm in Montgomery County, Ohio, the son of John and Elizabeth (Niswonger) Overholser.[1][2][4] He was one of 13 children.[4]

Overholser married Emma Hannah and, on June 20, 1869, she gave birth to a son, Edward in Sullivan, Indiana[5] The couple had a second child also, Elizabeth, who married George Pirtle and she used the name "Queen". They lived in Kansas and had two sons.[4] Overholser worked in the mercantile business in Sullivan for 13 years.[1] He started various real estate and building enterprises in Colorado and Ashland, Wisconsin before moving to Oklahoma Territory.[1]

Oklahoma City

Overholser had already made a fortune when he arrived in Oklahoma Territory in 1889.[2][4] He quickly began buying lots, developing business buildings, and making capital improvements using his own money to what would become Oklahoma City[2][3] Overholser married Anna Ione Murphy on October 23, 1889.[6] His brother, Levi, and nephew, Will, lived in one of his buildings on West Grand in 1889.[4]

Overholser ran unsuccessfully for mayor two times, but did succeed in becoming a county commissioner of Oklahoma County.[1][7] He built the Overholser Opera House on Grand Avenue for $108,000 in 1903[1] and the Overholser Theater.[7] In 1905, Henry and Anna Overholser had their only child together; a daughter, Henry Ione Overholser.

Just before statehood in 1906, Overholser helped the local chamber of commerce purchase land for the State Fair of Oklahoma, giving it a permanent home.[7] He served on the fair's board for numerous years.[7]

Overholser Mansion
Main article: Overholser Mansion

A prominent mansion in Oklahoma City stands as testament to the Overholser family. The 20-room, brick-and-stone Victorian mansion lies in Heritage Hills[7] and was built in 1903.[8] It passed through the family until it was transferred to David Perry, the husband of Overholser's daughter, after her death. In the 1970s, the mansion was donated to the state and is currently maintained as a historic house museum by Preservation Oklahoma through an agreement with the Oklahoma Historical Society.[9]

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References
  1. A History of the State of Oklahoma, Vol.2 - 1908 Archived 2008-07-24 at the Wayback Machine at USGenNet (accessed April 22, 2010)
  2. Everett, Dianna. "Henry Overholser," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture Archived 2015-02-01 at the Wayback Machine. (accessed April 22, 2010)
  3. Fugate, Tally D. "Edward Graham McClain Overholser Archived 2010-07-21 at the Wayback Machine," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture Archived 2015-02-01 at the Wayback Machine. (accessed April 22, 2010).
  4. The Other Overholser at Family History Bites (accessed April 26, 2010)
  5. Fugate, Tally D. Edward Graham McClain Overholser (1869-1931) Archived 2010-07-21 at the Wayback Machine at Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture Archived 2015-02-01 at the Wayback Machine (accessed April 27, 2010)
  6. Fugate, Tally D. "Anna Ione Murphy Overholser," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture Archived 2015-02-01 at the Wayback Machine. (accessed April 22, 2010).
  7. Shottenkirk, Marcia. "The Century Club: Henry Overholser" in The Journal Record on February 12, 2007. Copyright 2007 Dolan Media Newswires.
  8. Heritage Hills Historical Preservation Inc. Archived 2009-05-01 at the Wayback Machine (accessed April 26, 2010)
  9. "About Us Archived 2010-01-29 at the Wayback Machine," The Overholser Mansion. (accessed January 26, 2010).
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