JOSEPH ROBERT OVERMAN

Sterling Kansas Bulletin, Friday, Mar. 31, 1899, Pg 5

Vol. XXIII, No. 13

JOSEPH ROBERT OVERMAN.

  Joseph Robert Overman was born in Azalia, Indiana, November 16, 1833.  January 1, 1854, he married Elizabeth Lawhead of Paris, Indiana.  Of this union were born six children, four of whom survive—Charles M., of Indianapolis, Indiana; Frank T., of Great Falls, Montana; Lew Wallace, of Los Angeles, California, and Alice B. of Sterling.  After his marriage Mr. Overman settled in Plainfield, Ind., where he remained until the breaking out of the Civil war.  He enlisted as a volunteer in Company A, of the 11th Indiana Infantry, and served three years.  Returning home he moved his family to Indianapolis, where he resided until he came to Kansas in 1885.  Since then he has lived in Sterling, where, after a long and painful illness, he died on March 24, 1899.  The funeral service was held at the house, Rev. Stephen Brink conducting it.

  For many years Comrade Overman has been a familiar figure upon our street, although his bent form and quiet manner attracted little attention beyond his circle of acquaintances.  His death takes away another veteran of the war.  These old soldiers are falling, one by one before the scythe of the Reaper, like ripe grain in the harvest field.  Their day was the most momentous in the country’s history, but their work is nearly completed, their generation is fast passing away, and new problems are engaging the attention of the people.  They have earned the gratitude of their country, and have deserved a rest from their labors.