The progenitor of Captain Overton settled in the Empire state, and his grandfather. Stephen Overton, was born on Long Island. He became a Congregational minister and served one congregation for a period of forty-one years, in Chester township, Essex county, New Jersey, where his son. Nathan Overton, the father of Captain Overton, was born. Nathan Overton married Jane Outcalt. of German extraction, a daughter of a prominent citizen of Essex county, a justice of the peace and for more than forty years a successful farmer. After marriage the Captain's parents settled in Allegany county. New York, and there the father cleared up a farm. Later he returned to New Jersey and beecame a conductor on the New Jersey Railroad, which is now included in the Pennsylvania system, and while on duty was accidentally killed.

As his mother had died previously. Captain Overton, who was then but eleven years of age, was left an orphan, one of a family of five children, of whom he is now the only survivor. At the age of nine years he was bound out to a neighboring farmer, with whom he lived two and a half years, during this time suffering treatment which, in our modern days, would not be given to a faithful beast. That his complaints were just may be inferred when it is stated that the neighbors were so incensed that they encouraged him in running away. He found employment as a horse-driver along the towpath of the Morris and Essex canal, and here he was found by his father, who then took him to Newark and placed him in school. After the death of his father he went to work in the Rogers. Ketchum & Grosvenor locomotive works at Paterson. and a year later was employed by the New Jersey Railway Company, with which corporation he remained five years.

In 1849 he joined the argonauts bound for California, making the trip around Cape Horn, his voyage being taken on the bark Griffin from New York to San Francisco. He reached the Golden state safely and went immediately to the gold diggings at Weaverville, made plenty of money, and in the free-hearted and free-handed manner of the time, spent it. but had become well enough established by 1853 to start a store at Rich Bar, on the middle fork of the Feather river. He was very successful in this venture, and in 1866 built a sawmill in Onion valley. By 1868 he was looked upon with so much public esteem that he was elected county clerk of Plumas county, and filled that office for four years, returning then to San Francisco, where he lived three years, doing a brokerage business with a partner. In 1871 he came to Virginia City to take charge of the construction of the Virginia City and Gold Hill water works, and ever since has had charge of this company's affairs.

The water works system of this company is what is known as a gravity system, and crosses Washoe valley in three twelve-inch pipes. The water is noted for its purity. The original company contained such capitalists as Mackey, Fair and others, and the plant has never changed hands, a rather remarkable circumstance.

Prior to leaving his native state. Captain Overton served as a captain of militia, and thus the title is rightfully his. In his youthful days he was a Democrat, but the first gun fired on Fort Sumter broke his allegiance, and since then he has been a Republican. In 1856 he was made a Mason in Hiram Lodge No. 14, Jersey City, and is past master of his lodge and has also passed all the chairs in both branches of the Odd Fellows. Captain Overton belongs to the Society of California Pioneers and the Pacific Coast Pioneers, and is a valued member of both organizations. The Captain is a man of more than usual intelligence and a most interesting conversationalist.

Source:
A History of the State of Nevada: Its Resources and People
By Thomas Wren, Lewis Publishing Company
Published by The Lewis publishing company, 1904