Christian Overholser, farmer, section 3, ( Genesee Township), was born Dec. 9, 1831, in Harrison Co., Ohio. He is the son of Martin and Barbara (Arford) Overholser. The former a native of Bucks Co., Pa and the latter of Washington Co., Md. The ancestral stock in the paternal and maternal lines of descent is German. The parents of Barbara Arford died when she was 3 years of age, and she was brought up by the father and mother of her husband, to whom she was married in Harrison Co.,Ohio and with him and their children came to Illinois, arriviing in Genesee Township, May 4, 1854. Both are living in Coleta village; they are aged respectiorly 76 and 73.

The family removed in 1834 to Tuscarawas Co., Ohio. Mr. Overholser is the oldest of the children now surviving. He came to Genesee Township with his parents in 1854, and enjoyed all the experiences of the pioneer at Whiteside County, entering heartily into the work of improving a prairie farm from its original condition. The claims had been held some time, but only as bones of contention among the speculators. The parents are active members of the United Brethren Church, in which the father has held the offices of Trustee, Steward and Classleader. He was in early political life a Whig, and has latterly acted with the Republican party.

The son was married Sept 27, 1857, to Sarah Kilmer, in Genesee Township. Mrs. Overholser is the daugthter of Christian and Mary (Shoop) Kilmer. Her father was a carpenter by vocation, and both he and her mother were decended from ancestors of pure German origin. They were married in Pennsylvania, and went soon after to Holmes Co., Ohio which was then unsettled and not organized. Mrs. Overholser was born there, March 19, 1832 and is the youngest of seven children. . She come with her sister, Mrs. A. K. Hurless, to Genesse Township, in 1857 and was married as stated. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Overholser are recorded an follows: Frances A married Charles Lunn, and they reside on a farm in Hancock Co., Iowa, they have two children, Oliver N, born April 2 , 1882, and Ada B., born Dec. 4, 1883; Delilah J. married Volney G. Chaffee, and they are farmers in Wysox Township, Carroll Co., Ill. Their children were born as follows: Jessie M., Sept 11, 1880, Henry L., April 30, 1882; Christian, Feb. 23, 1884. Henry H. married Louisa Harlacher, and they live in Coleta, where the former is operating as agent for the creamery establishment of T. F. King & Co., at Morrison; their daughter Erma was born Feb. 20, 1884. Edwin W., William I. and Florence M. live at home. James L. and an infant unnamed are deceased.

The first home of Mr. and Mrs. Overholser was a pioneer's cabin 16 fort square, located on 40 acres of land, on section three, presented to them by the senior Oonrholser. The proprietor applied his efforts to its improvement and purchased 17 acres of timber and 80 acres of prairie adjoining, the farm now containing an aggregate of 137 acres of land in excellent condition. The place exhibits a valuable and tasteful collection of farm buildings, including a good residence. It is stocked with high grades of Shorthorn cattle and Poland swine. Mr. Overholser is a member of the United Brethren Church, and has held every office within the scope of the society; has been Sunday school Superintendent, and has been an indefatigable worker in that capacity. Politically, he is a Republican in sentiment and action. He has served long and ardously in local affices. He officiated three terms as Collector of taxes, six years as Constable, four years as Justice of the Peace, and a long period as Township Trustee.

Portraits & Biorgraphical 1885