John Obermayer

GRANDSON OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR CAPTAIN JOHN GEORGE OVERMIRE

GREAT GRANDFATHER OF DETROIT TIGERS PITCHER/COACH FRANK "STUBBY" OVERMIRE

DRUMMER IN THE MEXICAN WAR

OFFICER OF AN INDEPENDENT MILITIA RIFLE COMPANY IN SOMERSET

OHIO PIONEER

CONSTABLE OF WASHINGTON TWP, 1842-44

A BIOGRAPHY OF JOHN OVERMIER, by Larry Overmire, Sept. 2008:

Born on Christmas Eve, 1806, in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, John Overmier (also spelled Overmire or Overmyer) moved to Perry County, Ohio, with his parents in 1811. There he taught school and worked in a tannery for several years with his brother-in-law Jonathan Kessler. For seven years he was a member and officer of an Independent Militia Rifle Company in Somerset.

Barnhart B. Overmyer and John C. Overmyer described John's physique and character in their 1905 Overmyer genealogy:

"His height was nearly six feet. He was compactly built, broad shouldered and deep chested, always walked erect, and weighed during his mature manhood about 200 pounds. He was of a mild and peaceable disposition, but firm and resolute in what he considered matters of duty. He was a natural athlete and delighted in wrestling and foot-racing, but he never would tolerate any profanity, vulgarity or indecent language in his presence. He was a careful and observing reader of the Bible and such law books and newspapers as were to be had in those days."

In 1832, John moved with his parents to Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio. There he endured the hardships of pioneer life described aptly in the 1905 genealogy:

"The Seneca and Wyandot Indians were then quite numerous, but were friendly with the whites. Here for several years John Overmyer helped his father clear up his farm. On May 5, 1833, he married Sarah, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Huffer) Hendricks, born July 29, 1814, and soon after moved on his own farm, about five and a half miles west of Lower Sandusky, on what is now the Samuel Fought farm. Here he put up a log cabin on the banks of Stag Run or Little Mud Creek in pioneer style, and later a hewed log house with clapboard roof and a chimney built of wood lath and clay mortar. He spent sixteen toilsome years in clearing up this farm, but afterwards lost it by bailing a friend and paying bail money.

"He and his family lived chiefly on corn bread and wild game and wore home spun clothing. His wife was an excellent weaver on a hand loom. He served as constable of Washington township during the years of 1842-3-4, and assisted at the recapture of an Englishman named George Thompson at Woodville, Ohio, who had escaped from the jail at Lower Sandusky, where he had been confined awaiting trial for the murder of a German servant girl at Bellevue, Ohio, Miss Catharine Hamler. Mr. Overmyer afterwards served as bailiff at the Court House on the trial of Mr. Thompson, and was present when said criminal was hung at Lower Sandusky."

John and Sarah had ten children.

In 1847, at the age of 41, John served in the Mexican War as a drummer, apparently helping to raise recruits for service in that war.

Known as "Uncle John," he was a highly respected member of the community. Moreover, he was instumental in helping Barnhart and John Overmyer compile their genealogy. All Overmire/Overmyer descendants owe him a profound debt of gratitude for helping to preserve our family history.

John Overmier died on May 10, 1899, at the age of 82, and was buried in the Mohler-Union Cemetery in Henry County.

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