Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1916-09-07

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Aug. IS. - John
Overall. Republican nominee for Governor
of Tennessee. has met and measured life
with men from the farm. the shop anu
the field, from the store to the desks OF
bank presidents, and proven to be theil
peer. winning always their esteem anu
confidence, making friends by his honesty
and broadness, even Of political opponents
until not a Democrat in Tennessee mas
anything but respect for him. he mas
worked from the ground up, ana he KNOWS
men from the ground up, with that SYM
oathy which comes from the struggles
and trials of life and that finds the req
clay strata of honesty in all men
That is why John overall loves his COM
mon fellowman, and why today. on MS
many acres of land. accumulated by ms
own toll and integrity, there are scores
of tenants who love him with tilial deVo-
ton There are workmen who nave llVeu
with him from twenty to thirty years.
and there has never been man VIII"
worked for him but has received more
than he bargained for.
one of the largest farmers in Tenncs-
see, one OF the most extensive breeders
of stock of all kind, owner of pixies, the
president Of banks prosperity has not
spoiled the innate kindness in his soul.
Wealth and hOnors have not spoiled MIN
Holding a high political office for over
seventeen years under three Republican
Presidents and one Democratic President
he so won their esteem and confidence
that when his time had expired and ms
resignation was forwarded to Demo-
cratic President, even that President re-
tanned him in office for over year be
yond his allotted time.
John w, overall was born at Liberty,
in DeKalb County. in 1855. The family
was impoverished by the war which came
on a few years after, and with hVe young
sisters to support there was much work
and little play for the boy whose ambi-
ton to worthily represent the family
name evidenced itself very early in his
attention TO many duties. But the boun-
darIes of the farm could not conIine his
desire to a man Of education and worth
in the world and whenever he could be
snared from the work OF the farm he at
tended the little district school. and there
are those among the companions OF his
early DAYS who have not forgotten MS
perseverance and industry. But money
was scarce, and his labor was needed, and
il was not until he was twenty-eight
wears old that lie seriously undertook the
scouirement of an education; then he
studied for two years before entering
Cumberland University at Lebanon, Tenn.
Law was his choice of a profession, and
nm being admitted to the bar he opened
an office at Smthville, Tenn, where his
nrospects for success were splendid. But
he was compelled to abandon the practice
on account of bad health, and decided to
devote his time to farming and other
business that would give him more Of an
Sutdoor life In 1881 he was elected Sup
erintendent of Public instruction Of De
Kalb County, serving four years in that
position He has been delegate to sew
eral OF the national conventions OF his
marty and for years has been regarded as
one of its leaders in the state. In 1898
he was appointed United States Marshal
for the Middle District of Tennessee, and
served seventeen years in that position.
His record in the administration of the
affairs of that Office is well known to
Tennesseans. During his time as Marshal
his office handled many hundred thou
sands of dollars, and government audits
of his books always found them correct.
and every cent accounted for. His con-
duct OF the Office was such as to win for
him the commendatioh Of all regardless
of party.
Mr. OVcralIS reputation a. successful
business man is known AL over the state,
and throughout his public career it has