Henry Overstolz
| Henry C. Overstolz | |
|---|---|
| 24th Mayor of St. Louis, Missouri | |
| In office February 9, 1876 – April 12, 1881 | |
| Preceded by | James H. Britton |
| Succeeded by | William L. Ewing |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 4, 1821 Munster, Germany |
| Died | November 29, 1887 (aged 66) St. Louis, Missouri |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse(s) | Philippine Overstolz |
Henry C. Overstolz (July 4, 1821 – November 29, 1887) was the twenty-fourth mayor of St. Louis, Missouri, serving from 1876 to 1881.
Overstolz was born in Munster, Germany and moved to St. Louis in 1846, where he entered the merchandising business. He quickly involved himself in the city's government and, in 1847, was elected to membership in the City Council. In 1853, Overstolz was elected as the city's comptroller, becoming the first native-born German to be elected to office in St. Louis. Overstolz is a direct descendant of the oldest patrician family of Cologne, Germany.[1] Later, in 1871, he was elected president of the city council.[2]
Overstolz ran for mayor as an independent in April 1875, but lost to Arthur Barret.[3] Following Barret's sudden death a scant three weeks after his election, Overstolz again ran for mayor in the special mayoral election that followed, but lost to his opponent James Britton. Overstolz contested the election two days later, alleging, among other irregularities, ballot stuffing.[4] In February 1876, after a recount of the ballots, Overstolz unseated Britton and was declared mayor, having won by 77 votes out of more than 29,000 votes cast.[5]
Overstolz was a supporter of the Charter and Scheme that separated the city of St. Louis from St. Louis County in 1876. As a result of the new city charter, Overstolz became the first mayor of St. Louis elected to a four-year term when he was reelected in 1877.[2]
During the course of his mayorship, Overstolz worked to reorganize the city government and forge new relationships with the county and state resulting from the changes instituted by the new city charter.[2]
Overstolz sought a third term as mayor, but was defeated by William Ewing in the 1881 mayoral election.[6]
Overstolz died on November 29, 1887 and was buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis.[7]
References
- ↑ History of Saint Louis City and County: From the Earliest Periods ..., Volume 1
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "St. Louis Historic Preservation: Overstolz, Henry Clemens". City of St. Louis. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
- ↑ "James H. Britton". Find A Grave. Retrieved 2008-07-22.
- ↑ "The Mayorality". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. 1875-11-05. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
- ↑ "St. Louis Mayors: James H. Britton". St. Louis Public Library. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
- ↑ "St. Louis Historic Preservation: Ewing, William L.". City of St. Louis. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
- ↑ "Henry Clemens Overstolz (1821–1887)". Find A Grave. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
- "St. Louis Mayors: Henry Overstolz". St. Louis Public Library. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
- "St. Louis Historic Preservation: Britton, James H.". City of St. Louis. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
- "St. Louis Historic Context: People and Government". City of St. Louis. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
- Allen, Lori; Baumann, Timothy E. Friends or Foes: Germans and African-Americans in Old North St. Louis (PDF). University of Missouri–St. Louis
- "Overstolz-Britton". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 10 February 1876. p. 2.
- "Out and In". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 26 February 1876. p. 1.
- "Mayor Ewing". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 12 April 1881. p. 8.
External links
- Henry Overstolz at the St. Louis Public Library: St. Louis Mayors Online Exhibit.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by James H. Britton |
Mayor of St. Louis, Missouri 1876 – 1881 |
Succeeded by William L. Ewing |
