Edward Overholser

Edward "Ed" Overholser, Oklahoma City's sixteenth mayor, was born in Sullivan, Indiana on June 20, 1869. He attended Lawrence University at Appleton, Wisconsin prior to his arrival in Oklahoma City on April 2, 1890. He served in the Oklahoma National Guard until 1898 attaining the rank of Major. Interestingly, in his quest to become mayor Overholser defeated the son of former mayor W.J. Gault, Gault having once defeated Overholser's father Henry Overholsler in his own race for mayor. During his tenure as mayor, Overholser secured the passage of a $1.5 million bond issue to construct a new reservoir now known as Lake Overholser, named for him. In addition to his time as mayor of Oklahoma City, Overholser served on the school board, as county commissioner, and as chairman of the county board. After his time as mayor, Overholser was president of the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce. Overholser died on April 21, 1931 and is buried in Fairlawn Cemetery.