Eli Sigel Overholt was reared at home and attended the public schools, from which he derived a good education. Upon attaining his majority in 1883 he went to Sac county, Iowa. After one season's work as a farm hand he returned to Jones county, which has been his home continuously since. In 1885 he married, rented a tract of land and engaged in agricultural pursuits for himself. Seven years later, in 1892, he purchased his first farm of one hundred and sixty acres, lying on section 8, Wyoming township. He lived thereon until 1907, when he sold it and purchased the valuable farm he now owns. It embraces two hundred acres on section 12 Madison township, and is accounted one of the richest tracts of land in this county. On it Mr. Overholt follows a diversified line of agriculture, also devoting considerable attention to dairying. While he is industrious to a high degree his success is also due to the progressive methods which have characterized his cultivation of the soil. He has spared no exertion nor expenditure of money in procuring the best results for his labor. It was in 1885 that Mr. Overholt was united in marriage to Miss Phurby Mitchell, of Wyoming township, this county. Three children have been born to them: Joseph Owen, George and Emma A., all of whom are at home. Like his father, Mr. Overholt has been a stanch supporter of the principles of the republican party, but he has never sought any office. Fraternally he enjoys membership relations with Camp No. 183, M.W.A. The record of his years of activity in this township places him among the leading and representative agriculturists here, where he enjoys a respect commensurate with his achievements in his vocation.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 430.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 595.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 618.

For almost thirty years Mr. and Mrs. Overley were permitted to travel life's highway together. Mrs. Overley was Miss Emily D. Nicholls in her maidenhood and their marriage was celebrated February 10, 1876. She was born in Canada in 1853, being about three years of age when in 1856, her parents, Martin and Eleanor (Nugent) Nicholls came to Jones county. They bought land here and built a log cabin, which remained their home for a considerable period, until having improved their farm and won a good income from the cultivation of their fields, they were able to erect a more durable habitation. Mrs. Overley was one of a family of four children and she is also the mother of four children: Martin S., deceased; Alice, who is at home; Roy, who is at home; and one who died in infancy.

Mr. Overley was actively identified with the Masons, being a member of the lodge at Wyoming, while he was connected with the lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America located at Onslow. He also belonged to the Mystic Workers, to which his widow still belongs. She is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Onslow. Politically Mr. Overley was a supporter of the republican party and throughout life took an active part in the local councils of that organization, where his opinion was ever accorded a gratifying deference.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 226.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 618.

W. L. Overley, deceased, who during his lifetime was one of the conspicuously successful farmers of Jones county, was born in Kentucky in 1847. He was still a young man, however, when he came to this state, seeking to make a fortune for himself in a region, which was comparatively new and unimproved. He procured a place of good size, to which he devoted himself with an energy that was not slow in winning results. Bountiful harvests repaid him richly for the days of hard toil he had spent in the fields and then by husbanding his resources and his profits he was able to take advantage of the land values spread out before him, adding from time to time, as opportunity offered, to the fields he had first attempted to cultivate, until at his death he was possessed of three hundred acres. His land was all well improved, as the result of his own efforts, and both in the orderliness of its appearance and in the quality and maintenance of the buildings gave evidence of the skill of the owner in his work and of his thrift in caring for his possessions. On the 25th of December 1906, Mr. Overley's life was ended and a good man was known to have passed from the community in which he lived. Since his death Mrs. Overley has disposed of the real estate he left, retaining only the house and lot in Onslow where she now lives.

For more than thirty-six years Mr. Overley and his wife were permitted to pass down the highway of life together. Mrs. Overley was Miss Ellen South in her maidenhood and was one of a family of eight children. Although of Canadian birth she had for some years been a resident of this state and county, where she met Mr. Overley. Their union was celebrated March 15, 1870, and in the course of years was blessed by seven children: Ada L., who is the wife of John Dew, of South Dakota; Sarah, who married Elmer Omer and is living in California; Emma F., who is the wife of William Sandhouse, of Jones county; Bessie M., who married John Faust, of this county; Lelia Mae, who is the wife of Alfonso Babcock and lives in Texas; and two who have passed away. There are also nine grandchildren.

Mr. Overley was a stanch supporter of the republican party, never failing to give his support to its candidate at elections and always playing a conspicuous part in its councils. For more than twenty years he had been a member of the Masonic lodge, in which he had a host of friends, for he never begrudged any effort which might tend to advance the welfare of his fraternal brothers. Among these he was sincerely mourned when death carried him from their midst, though he was more deeply missed from the family circle, where he was known as a devoted husband and a loving father. Mrs. Overley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 574.