The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1883-03-31
THE Late Judge =. III. overton,

On Monday last a telegram was re-
ceived from New York city by Judge ].
M. Moore, announcing the death of
Judge J. H. Ovsrton, his venerable and
distinguished father in law, on Sunday
last in that city. Judge Overton had
reached the ripe old age of 81 years,
rich in the honors of u half cepta,y of
conspicuous and distinguished services
rendered to his adopted State-Lonisi-
ana; and perpetuating through his long
life the talents, patriotism, civil and
military renown, aud many social vir-
tues transmitted by noble ancestry
dating back to our revolutionary fathers.
In his death st. Landry parish has lost
one of her oldest landmarks, one of her
most distinguished jurists, and one of
her ablest and most prominent citizens.
Living here for almoGe fifty years, his
life may be said to be eOntemporansous
with all the leading epochs which mark
the history of our parish in social, civic
Or political stations. We might go far
.ther and very justly add: that by his
death the State of Louisiana has lost
one of her most eminent men and dis
tinguished citizens, prominent alike in
her legislative halls, ON the bench, and
in the political arena of. her most illus
trious history of the past.
Judge Overton was born at Fayette-
willie, N. c., in the year 1896. He was
the sou of Gen. Thos. Oysrton, a staunch
friend and ardent supporter of Gen.
Andrew Jackson, and who served with
distinction under Gen. Jackson during
the war of i8l2-l5. His mother was
the sister of Gov. Holmes of North Caro-
lima, ono of the most distinguished men
of the State in that day. From North
Carolina his father emigrated to Nash
Vile, Tenn, about the same time that
jackson, Benton, and other noted men
removed to the new State. He had three
sons who all reached considerable mill
tary renown under the leadership of
jackson. Judge J. Fl. Overton was not
old enough to engage in the war of 1914,
bat joined jackson in his expulsion of
the Spanish from Florida in 1917. After
this campaign he entered the law Office
of his uncle at Memphis and studied the
profession which he SO brilliantly adorn-
ed in his subsequent life. From Ten
nessee Judge 0yerton moved to Ouachi-
t;l parish, and from thence to St. Ian
dry parish, which remained his home
tie remainder OF his active life. In 1924
he was elected te the Legislature from
st. Landry aud served for many sue
ceeding terms in that body. He was
afterwards elected Judge of his dis
trict, aud filled that position with
marked ability for long term of years.
Reared in the Jackson school of demo
cratic principles, he adhered to his
Spartan allegiance the whole of his
eventful life. His abilities, staunch feal-
ty, and acknowledged patriotism made
him conspicuous leader of the demo-
'cracy in st. Landry, for long series of
'eventfnl years. He was an encyclope-
dia of all the salient points of our State
aud national history for almsst esntu
ry past.
Judge Ovsrton leaves four surviving
children, all Of whom are filling impor-
tant stations in life, and worthy in
every respect of thoir iamented and
distinguished father. The oldest daugh-
!. ter, Mrs. Henry Morgan, resides in New
York city, where he died; Thos. Fl.
Overton, Esq., is the Dist. Attorney Of
] sAvoyelles parish John III. Overton, Jr.,
lis prosperous merchant in New Or
Jeans; and Mrs. j. NJ. Moore, the wife
sof our esteemed toWnBman, Hon. j. NJ.
Moore, the able Judge Of the Circuit
Court Of this Circuit.
On last Tuesday committee was ap-
pointed by Judge G.. w. Hudspeth of
Four District Court-now in sessiOn-to
.draft suitable resolutions upon the
sdeath of our lamentsd citizen and iurist.
"a resolution was also passed for the
Court to adjourn upon the arrival and
~.E-s
burial Of the remains on Friday, and to
spay the last honors to their distinguish
Fed associate at the funeral. The faner-
sal services were performed at the Epis-
Ecopal Cllurcli by the Rev. G. P. K.
sCoombe, rector Of said Church, and of
(which Judge Overton was life long
smember. An immense throng followed
Shis remains to the grave, thereby testi-
flying their great esteem for the deeeas-
Ted. A whole community jein in sincere
coincidence with the family in the loss
sof0ne whom all lament, and whom all
swill sadly miss in the history Of our
sparisIl. May he rest in peace.
-.
Fine Millinery B0nnets, Hats, Rib
zbons, Flowers, Feathers, ETC., at Mrs
Al. b. Chaohere's, cor. Court and North
Mrs. "A. B. Chachere has jnst received
1 magnificent stock of fashionable mil
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