The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1891-1893, 1893-01-04
votlon to the best interests of the

Hon. Lee 8. Overman, a leading law.
yer and prominent politician residing in
salisbury, N. c., was born in that CITY
January 3, 1854. His father, William
Overmsn, now deceased. was a native of
Pasquotank county, N. G.. He was a
farmer and merchant and came to Sails
bury from the eastern part of the state
about the year 1885, He resided in Sails
oury for half century, quietly devoted
to his life business and died at the mature
age OF seventy eight years, enjoying the
Individual respect of all who knew him
he married Miss Mary E. Slater, native
OF Rowan county, and her ancestors were
among the distinguished individuals of
North Carolina. Her maternal great
grandfather was Maj James Smith. who
was noted character in the Revolution
ary war. He was taken prisoner after
the battle of Kings Mountain, and was
carried to Charleston, where, with other
prisoners, he died with small pox. Will
liam and Mary Overman, the parents of
the subject of this sketch, had five sons
and one daughter. Lee 8. Overman was
reared IN Salisbury and here received his
primary schooling. He was graduated
with first honors from North Carolina
Trinity college in in 1874. Two years
later that college conferred upon him the
Masters degree. For about two years
after his graduation. Mr.. Overman
taught school, in the meantime directing
his attention to the study of law. In
1875 he further pursued the study under
the instruction of j. NJ McCorkle, ESQ
OF Salisbury. He finally completed his
course under r b. Battle. of Raleigh,
was examined before the Supreme court
OF North Carolina, and duly admitted to
the bar In January, 1878 In 1876 he
TOOK an active part as democrat in the
political campaign of that year, and
when Hon. z B Vance was elected
governor in 1877, Mr.. Overman was ap,
pointed private secretary, remaining as
such until that distinguished gentleman
was elected United States senator. On
the election of Gov. Jarvis, the successor
OF Gov. Vance, Mr.. Overman was con-
tinued in the Office of private secretary
till IN December, 1879, when he resigned
the position to take up the practice of his
profession. In January, 1880, he began
practice at Salisbury, where he has from
the first secured large and profitable
law business, not second to that of any
attorney in the city. He holds fore.
most position among his professional
associates, not alone in his own city, but
IN the state at large.
In 1882 Mr.. Overman was elected
member of the lower house of the state
Legislature as representative from
Rowan county. The canvass for his
election was heated one, he being the
regular democratic candidate against G.
A. bingham. prominent candidate of
the independent democrats. Mr.. Over
man was elected and re elected for the
two succeeding terms commencing re-
spectively in 1884 and 1885. In 1888 he
declined nomination for fourth term
Mr. Ovcrman was the choice of the demo-
Gratis In 1887 for speaker of the house,
oelng the unanimous choice of the demo-
cratic legislative Caucus for that office.
but he was defeated by a coalition be
tween the republican and independent
democratic members, falling only two
votes short of an election. Though beaten
for the speakership, his distinguished
abill gave him the next highest posi-
ton In the house, the chairmauship of
the Judiciary committee. During his
legislative career ne served as member
OF the judiciary committee, the committee
on education, on the penitentiary and on
the deaf and dumb asylum. In 1885 he
was elected by the legislature member
OF the board of trustees of the North
Carolina State university, and he still
continues in that position. In January,
1889, Mr.. Overman was appointed by
Gov. Fowle, and confirmed oy the state
senate. member of the board of direc-
tors for the state penitentiary, which
membership he sti retains. Under the
administration of the board during the
membership of Mr.. Overman, the institu
ton became self sustaining for the first
time in its history Mr.. Overman is
high minded politician and citizen
whose character is stainless. He is an
able lawyer and refined and cultured
gentleman. He is respected member
OF the order Of the K. of P. and of the
|. O. O. F. He and his estimable wife
are leading members of the Methodist
Episcopal church. Mr.. Overman mar
ried Miss Mary P. Merrimon. of Raleigh,
daughter of the late Chief Justice A. s.
Merrimon, October 81, 1878. and they
have had four children, only two of
whom, both daughters, survive