Henry Overholser
Encyclopedia
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. Overholser's son from a first marriage, Edward, was a mayor of Oklahoma City
.
, the son of John and Elizabeth (Niswonger) Overholser. He was one of 13 children.
Overholser married Emma Hannah and, on June 20, 1869, she gave birth to a son, Edward in Sullivan, Indiana
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. Overholser worked in the mercantile business in Sullivan for 13 years. He started various real estate and building enterprises in Colorado
and Ashland, Wisconsin
before moving to Oklahoma Territory
.
in 1889. He quickly began buying lots, developing business buildings, and making capital improvements using his own money to what would become Oklahoma City
Overholser married Anna Ione Murphy on October 23, 1889. His brother, Levi, and nephew, Will, lived in one of his buildings on West Grand in 1889.
Overholser ran unsuccessfully for mayor two times, but did succeed in becoming a county commissioner of Oklahoma County. He built the Overholser Opera House on Grand Avenue for $108,000 in 1903 and the Overholser Theater.
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. He served on the fair's board for numerous years.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
businessman, county commissioner, and important contributor to the development of Oklahoma City
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
. He was the first to erect two-story buildings in the city, both of which were torn down in 1907. Overholser's son from a first marriage, Edward, was a mayor of Oklahoma City
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
.
Early life
Overholser was born April 14, 1846 on a farm in Montgomery County, OhioMontgomery County, Ohio
Montgomery County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. The population was 535,153 in the 2010 Census. It was named in honor of Richard Montgomery, an American Revolutionary War general killed in 1775 while attempting to capture Quebec City, Canada. The county seat is Dayton...
, the son of John and Elizabeth (Niswonger) Overholser. He was one of 13 children.
Overholser married Emma Hannah and, on June 20, 1869, she gave birth to a son, Edward in Sullivan, Indiana
Sullivan, Indiana
Sullivan is a city in Hamilton Township, Sullivan County, Indiana, United States. The population was 4,617 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is the county seat of Sullivan County...
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. Overholser worked in the mercantile business in Sullivan for 13 years. He started various real estate and building enterprises in Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
and Ashland, Wisconsin
Ashland, Wisconsin
Ashland is a city in Ashland and Bayfield counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The city is a port on Lake Superior, near the head of Chequamegon Bay. The population was 8,695 at the 2010 census....
before moving to Oklahoma Territory
Oklahoma Territory
The Territory of Oklahoma was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 2, 1890, until November 16, 1907, when it was joined with the Indian Territory under a new constitution and admitted to the Union as the State of Oklahoma.-Organization:Oklahoma Territory's...
.
Oklahoma City
Overholser had already made a fortune when he arrived in Oklahoma TerritoryOklahoma Territory
The Territory of Oklahoma was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 2, 1890, until November 16, 1907, when it was joined with the Indian Territory under a new constitution and admitted to the Union as the State of Oklahoma.-Organization:Oklahoma Territory's...
in 1889. He quickly began buying lots, developing business buildings, and making capital improvements using his own money to what would become Oklahoma City
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
Overholser married Anna Ione Murphy on October 23, 1889. His brother, Levi, and nephew, Will, lived in one of his buildings on West Grand in 1889.
Overholser ran unsuccessfully for mayor two times, but did succeed in becoming a county commissioner of Oklahoma County. He built the Overholser Opera House on Grand Avenue for $108,000 in 1903 and the Overholser Theater.
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. He served on the fair's board for numerous years.