"An Illustrated history of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties : with a brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon." Chicago?: Western Historical Pub. Co., 1902. Page 480. Grant County. DAVID G. OVERHOLT If there is one quality more than another that is commendable in the human breast and that calls out the praise of one's fellows, it is that of continuity of purpose and ability to rally in the face of defeat. In the life of the esteemed pioneer and enterprising business man that we have the pleasure of epitomizing at the present time, there has been set forth the exemplification of those qualities of the highest order, and while to others of more timidity and less resolute purpose the barriers thrown across his path would have been entirely unsurmountable, still, in the case of Mr. Overholt, the rising obstacle but produced rising strength to scale its loftiest pinnacle and sickening misfortune but strengthened an irrepressible will to call forth a fund of self-reliance and a wealth of personal resource that could bid defiance to all attacks and rally victory out of defeat. Bucks county, Pennsylvania, is his native place, and 1830 the date of his birth, his parents being Samuel and Barbara Overholt, both natives of Pennsylvania. The old home place was twenty-four miles out from Philadelphia, and there young Overholt remained until he was nineteen years of age, acquiring a good education, and also becoming skilled as a wheelwright. When manhood's budding years began to approach he turned his way toward the west and settled in Ohio, Rowsburg, and there wrought at this trade until 1852, when the siren of the setting sun again beckoned him forward, and he set out on the perilous and weary journey toward California across the plains. The journey was in this wise: Messrs. Rows and Landis had been to California in 1850, crossing the plains and returning in 1851 by water. They reported the land fine, the country good, the gold plenty, but the Indians thick and hostile on the plains. They raised a company of one hundred and twenty-five men, each of whom was to pay one hundred and twenty-five dollars, and assist in handling the teams across the plains. The money thus raised was expended by the enterprising proprietors of the scheme in buying teams, outfits, provisions and so forth, and the men were set to work to take the train across the plains. Our subject was one of these men, and he drove an ox team all the way to California and stood guard one-half of every other night during the trip. Arriving at the sink of the Humboldt, they took the Trukee route and arrived in due time at the mouth of the Nelson on the Feather river, that being the first settlement, and it composed of miners. A big flume was being built and fifty dollars per day was offered to men to stop, and our subject took advantage of the offer and worked until fall, the ordinary wages being sixteen dollars per day. He went later to Napa, and there carved out honest enterprise at the bench. On April 7, 1863, he came to Canyon City, where he was destined to play a prominent part in the commercial destiny of the embryonic town. He assisted to build some among the first lumber houses now in Canyon City, and for five years he wrought industriously and with abundant success and then turned back to his native state in 1868. There, in the same year, he married Miss Sebella, daughter of Martin and Elizabeth (Anglemyer) Tyson, natives of Pennsylvania. The following children were born to them: Mary E., married to D. I. Asburg, at McMinnville; Lillie Jane, at home; William E., in the mine owned by himself and father. In the spring of 1869 he returned to Canyon City and entered the mercantile business. It was but a short time until he had secured a large and lucrative patronage, but the demon of fire sprang out and reduced his store and stock to ashes. No insurance covered his loss and such a blow would have laid to the ground the ordinary business man, but not so with the subject of this sketch. With courage and enterprise and resolution that would brook no defeat he gathered the remnants together and before the smoke of his sacrificed goods ceased to ascend, ground was broken for another and better establishment. Here he was even more successful than before, and soon he was on the topmost wave of prosperity, when again he fell a prey to the ravages of fire. This time, as before the loss was practically total, as no insurance covered his goods and buildings. Now there seemed no possibility that recovery could be gained, and friend and foe alike prophesied the total defeat of his business career. The genius and courage of Mr. Overholt were equal to the occasion and again he brought out of the ashes of his calamity a more brilliant success than had hitherto been his to enjoy. His achievements were the wonder of all that knew the severity of the blow, but to the credit of Mr. Overholt let it be stated that at no time of his struggle has he ever for one moment considered the advisability of retrenchment. His vocabulary of business knows but one word, "Onward to success." It was his motto and it led the way. From this last event of misfortune until the date of the sale of his entire business Mr. Overholt was destined to enjoy one continuous round of success, not, however without having to meet and overcome the trying obstacles connected with commercial life. On March 15, 1901, the time came when it was deemed best to retire from the activities of business life, and so the business was sold and now, free from the cares of active affairs, he is enjoying the retirement that he has so well earned and is ministered to by the competence that his own pluck and skill wrought out for himself and his son. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, Lodge No. 34, Chapter No. 7; I.O.O.F., Lodge No. 22, Excelsior Encampment, No. 6, and Julia Chapter, No. 56, of the Eastern Star, the last having been named from Julia Abrams, of Portland. He is a stanch Republican and has always been actively interested in politics, as also in school and local affairs. It is of note that Mr. Overholt was one of four that walked from The Dalles to Canyon City, packing provisions. At supper time they would eat and then slip away four or five miles and crawl into the bush to sleep for fear of the Indians. His oldest daughter was on the stage the first time it was robbed on the way from Baker City. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2005 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.