MATTHEW OVERHOLT

[Welland Tribune, 23 April 1897]

Matthew Overholt, the subject of this sketch, was born at Fonthill, April 11, 1813, on the farm now owned and occupied by his son Dexter. His ancestry were of German extraction, having emerged from Germany to the United States when that country was still a dependency of the British crown; his grandfather, Abram, a U.E. Loyalist, coming direct to the future location of Fonthill from Pennsylvania, during the struggle for independence of the thirteen original States. He received from the crown a homestead of 700 acres. Most of this land is still in the possession of his descendants. Some has passed into other hands. The deceased, however, by hard work and strict economy managed not only to retain his inheritance but to buy out a number of his co-heirs. Suitable buildings have been erected from time to time, and the property otherwise so improved as to place it today among the finest and most valuable in this vicinity.

Mr. Overholt was twice married. On May 13^th, 1834 to Miss Elizabeth Winger of Stevensville. After sharing each other’s joys and sorrows during six years of an industrious and prosperous married life, the angel of death entered the home and bore away to her reward the dearest earthly treasure of the sorrowing husband and grief stricken children. The two daughters resulting from this union-one afterwards married to W. Bradley, teacher, the other to Chas. Sisler, farmer, Gainsboro-have long since followed their mother to the eternal home of the righteous.

After a period of nearly two years, Mr. Overholt was again untied in wedlock-this time to Miss Hannah Fulsom of Caister, on the 15^th of May, 1842. For early rising, hard work, thrift and economy, Mrs. Overholt has not been surpassed by her husband. To her good management and unflinching perseverance may much of his success in life be attributed. By a long life of industry, aided by his equally industrious wife, he succeeded in accumulating a large share of this world’s goods than falls to the lot of the average man. Mr. O. was never a speculator, his estate representing either so much hard labor or interest.

He leaves a widow, well provided for, and two children, Dexter D’Everardo, now in possession of and residing on the old homestead, and Eliza M., wife of Dr. Shupe, Bridgeburg, Ont.

About fifty years ago Mr. Overholt assisted by his own hands, as also financially, in building the first Baptist chapel in Fonthill. He was also one of the then few spiritual props upon which the success of the good cause depended. With the Master’s work in general, and the Baptist church in particular, his interests have ever since been identified. For many years a deacon, in October ’95, being too feeble to attend to the active duties of the office, he was made an honorary deacon, so continued until the summons; “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter ye into the joy of thy Lord,” summoned his spirit away to his glorified and eternal home, which crowning blessing to a useful and completed life took place April 12^th, at the age of 84 years and one day.

In the death of our departed friend Fonthill loses its oldest resident, deceased having resided here during the whole period of his life, the reform cause a life-long supporter, the Baptist church a strong pillar, and the community a useful citizen.

Interment in Fonthill burying ground on Thursday, April 15^th. The funeral was largely attended, many relatives and friends from a distance, together with his more immediate neighbors, coming in to show their last sad respects to their departed friend and brother.

Rev. Mr. St. Dalmas officiated, preaching a very appropriate and eloquent sermon from the words, “Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord.” We shall meet again.