Evening star., 1909-04-21

sent to Congress. became Speaker of the
House of REPRESENTATIVES, Governor of
Tennessee and President of the United
States.
John overton.. the ancestor Of Mrs. Mrs:
Jacob NJ. Dickinson, came to Mercer
county. KY, then part of virginia,
with Andrew jackson, in 1877. The next
year they removed to Nashville, and
were law partners. One Of their ices
from a rich client, who had more land
than money, was a tract OF 10000 acres
near Nashville, which was equally di-
vided between them. John Overton
descendants have lived upon that planta.
ton ever since, and all but 200 acres or
the original tract still is owned by them.
Two of the most palatial and famous
southern homes. Travellers Rest ana
Overton Hall. short drive from Nash.
vile. are now occupied by members OF
the family. who are ranked among tne
richest and most influential citizens of
the state.
Nav Overton, the oldest of the present
generation. liver at Travellers Rest, the
original family seat. Jesse NJ. Overton,
the second in precedence. lives at Over
ton ton Hail" John Overton, a third broth
er, was the richest and most prominent
citizen of Memphis until his death few
years ago.
Connected With the Whites.
Mrs. Dickinson was the only daughter.
She has another large family connection
among the descendants Of Hugh L. White.
who was born in North Carolina. edu-
Gated in Philadelphia. studied and prac-
ticed law at Lancaster, Pa, removed to
Tennessee in 1895, founded the city of
Knoxville; was judge Of the supreme
court of the state; member of the United
States Senate. from 1925 to 1910. and can
didate for President of the United states
in 1886, receiving the electoral votes OF
n 40 md vTonnncHnn resigned
seat In the United States Senate, having
received instructions from the legislature
Of Tennessee to, vote against his own
judgment.
sister shortly after he came to Tennessee
and removed to Memphis, which city he
founded in 1888. Overton was one of the
most progressive, enterprising and sue
cessful pioneers of that period. he pros
pered in everything he undertook. and he
had the confidence of the community to a
degree seldom enjoyed by men in any
place or time. This Is illustrated by
power of attorney filed in the courts at
Nashville by Andrew Jackson while he
was President During the long period
of their partnership Overton and Jackson
often acted for each other, and a question
arose in litigation before Nashville
court as to the legality Of transaction
conducted by Overton for his partner
Jackson was President at Washington
and could not come way out to Nashville
to give his evidence, so he sent a power
Of attorney, which read:
'I ratify all acts that have been done
or may hereafter he done by John Over
ton in my name. So help me God"
Jackson's Trusted Friend.
John Overton was probably Jackson's
most trusted friend. as he was Jackson's
most ardent defender. During the presi-
Dental campaign Of 1928 Overton was
elected by a mass meeting of the citi-
zens of Nashville as chairman of COM
mittee ito vindicate the reputation Of Gen.
Andrew Jackson against the malignant at
tacks and foul calumnies of his enemies. :"
This was known in the campaign as
.the Whitewashing committee" and 1t
published several documents defending
Jackson against the charge of having
IAN inhuman and bloodthristy dispos-
tion." which was based upon the reports
of his terrible outbreaks of passion. OF
the duels he fought, and story that
he had ordered six members of the Ten
nessee militia shot without trial for some
trifling disobedience of his orders. The
committee also published pamphlet
clearing up his relations with Burr and
Blennerhasset. which. by the way. were
conducted by Gen. Thomas Overton. a
brother of John Overton-the same who
acted as a second for Jackson In his
duels
mittee was to prepare an explanation and
defense of Gen. Jackson's elopement with
the wife of Capt. Lewis Robards OF Mer-
Ger county. KY, lone of the most benevo-
lent and pious of women" two years be-
tore her divorce.
Secretary Dickinson has the original
manuscript of that famous paper, which
may be read in full on page 14S of Par
tons Life of Andrew Jackson
In those days the legislature was ap-
pealed to in cases of unhappy marriages,