Watkins Overton
Encyclopedia
Samuel Watkins Overton, Jr. (June 5, 1894 – December 2, 1958), was an American politician and the longest serving mayor in the history of the City of Memphis.
, the founder of Memphis. Watkins Overton, Jr. graduated with his AB degree from Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin
. During World War I, he served with the Ambulance Corps of AEF. He earned his LLB from the University of Chicago
in 1921. He was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon
, Phi Delta Phi
, Omicron Delta Kappa
, and Order of the Coif
. After completing law school, Overton entered the practice of law in Memphis.
The city was also in debt to the amount of $900,000 when he took control of the city in 1928. During the depression, Overton managed to erase the debt and accumulate a $1 million surplus. He also successfully lobbied for federally funded projects through the WPA and PWA.
Early life
Samuel Watkins Overton, Jr. was born in Memphis on June 5, 1894 to Samuel Watkins Overton, Sr. and Mary Hill Overton. Watkins Overton, Jr. was also the great great grandson of Judge John OvertonJohn Overton (judge)
John Overton was an advisor of Andrew Jackson, a judge at the Superior Court of Tennessee, a banker and political leader.Overton was born in Louisa County, Virginia...
, the founder of Memphis. Watkins Overton, Jr. graduated with his AB degree from Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin
Waukesha, Wisconsin
Waukesha is a city in and the county seat of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, in the Upper Midwest region of the United States. The population was 70,718 at the 2010 census, making it the largest community in the county and 7th largest in the state. The city is located adjacent to the Town of Waukesha...
. During World War I, he served with the Ambulance Corps of AEF. He earned his LLB from the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
in 1921. He was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon
Tau Kappa Epsilon
Tau Kappa Epsilon is a college fraternity founded on January 10, 1899 at Illinois Wesleyan University with chapters in the United States, and Canada, and affiliation with a German fraternity system known as the Corps of the Weinheimer Senioren Convent...
, Phi Delta Phi
Phi Delta Phi
Phi Delta Phi, ΦΔΦ, is the world's second largest legal fraternity. Phi Delta Phi is the second oldest legal organization in continuous existence in the United States and third oldest in North America...
, Omicron Delta Kappa
Omicron Delta Kappa
Omicron Delta Kappa, or ΟΔΚ, also known as The Circle, or more commonly ODK, is a national leadership honor society. It was founded December 3, 1914, at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, by 15 student and faculty leaders. Chapters, known as Circles, are located on over 300...
, and Order of the Coif
Order of the Coif
The Order of the Coif is an honor society for United States law school graduates. A student at an American law school who earns a Juris Doctor degree and graduates in the top 10 percent of his or her class is eligible for membership if the student's law school has a chapter of the...
. After completing law school, Overton entered the practice of law in Memphis.
Political career
When Watkins Overton ran for Mayor of Memphis in 1927, construction of an airport was a major focus of his mayoral campaign. Overton quickly appointed an airport planning commission after his election, and on June 15, 1929, the Memphis Municipal Airport opened for business.The city was also in debt to the amount of $900,000 when he took control of the city in 1928. During the depression, Overton managed to erase the debt and accumulate a $1 million surplus. He also successfully lobbied for federally funded projects through the WPA and PWA.