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Covington Gordon Haralson Overby Price Thrasher Williams Winship

Obituary of Basil Earle Overby, Watkinsville, Georgia.

"The love where death has set his seal
Nor age can chill nor rival steal
Nor falsehood disavow."

Basil Earle Overby, born in the town of Jefferson, Jackson County, Ga., was the youngest of the three sons of Judge Basil Hallam Overby and his wife, who was Miss Asenath Thrasher, daughter of an influential planter whose large estates were in what was then part of Clarke County, Ga., but it is now Oconee County. There were six children in the family, three sons and three daughters. Losing his mother at the tender age of five years, Earle Overby and a baby sister were taken in charge by their grandparents, Barton and Mary Thrasher, and kept until the father's second marriage to one of the three daughters of Gen. Hugh L. Haralson, all of whom married distinguished men, one becoming the wife of Judge Bleckly, of Atlanta, and the other of our loved and gallant Gen. John B. Gordon. Mrs. Overby, the most beautiful of the three, is still living in Washington City with her daughter, the widow of Gen. Charles Williams, who died in the Philippines.

During the War between the States his grandfather tried to keep Earle from enlisting, but the boy ran away from the Madison High School, and became a soldier of the Confederacy, though not then fourteen years of age. He became a member of Company K, Georgia State Troops, and was afterwards in the cavalry service; but it proved too hard for him, so he was transferred to the artillery, where he remained to the close of the war, surrendering with Joseph E. Johnston in North Carolina. It was a terrible experience for the tenderly reared boy, but he was doubtless better for it in after years. Its tender memories, mingled with honest pride for duty well performed, overcame the bitter experiences of warfare. To the last he revered the cause for which he had fought, and doubtless he was again in spirit amidst the scenes of camp or battle when, almost with his dying breath, as if responding to some call, he said in a strong, clear voice: "Lumpkin's Battery!" It was the command with which he had served.

In 1877 Mr. Overby was elected sheriff of Oconee County, and he held this position for thirty-five years, then voluntarily retired, His record was one of duty well performed; and though the position required firmness and stern control, his kindness was evident to his wards and made them his friends. After this he was holding a position in the State Agricultural Department in Atlanta when he almost lost his life by gas asphyxiation and never recovered from the effects of the poison, death resulting some weeks later at his home, in Watkinsville, Ga., October 26, 1914. He is survived by his wife, who was Miss Mary Covington, of Ringgold, two sisters, Mrs. Robert Winship, of Atlanta, and Mrs. Callie Price, of Madison, and one brother, Nick Overby, also of Atlanta.

To his family the most important epoch of his life was his confession of faith in Christ, his baptism and reception into the Church. He was for a long time a teacher in the Sunday school of the Baptist Church at Watkinsville and had also been its superintendent. Though no children came to bless his home, there were young relatives to whom he gave a helping hand, as well as other people struggling to get an education. His beloved wife was an inspiration in his life and joined with him in loving service to others.

"Alas for love of this were all and naught beyond, O earth!"


SOURCE: Confederate Veteran Magazine, August, 1916.



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