Henry Overson's Missionary Journal: Other Contents

Besides yesterday's letter from Eva Overson (Tanner) to her father Henry Overson, the journal  contained a one peso note from 1967, twenty years after Henry died. Here it is, front and back:

And the back inside cover of the journal had some notes about the nine Overson children and a very short index to the contents of the journal:

Eva Margaret [Overson Tanner]     Died leaving 2 boys.
Henry Victor
Albert Nephi     Died a baby. [Three years old.]
Edgar Pratt
Henry [Harry] James
Evan Joseph
Ivan George     Died age 22.
Ross Wallace
Marion Peter

London     [page] 1
Luton        [page] 9

Margaret Jarvis Overson and Peter Overson

This is Margaret Godfrey Jarvis Overson and her son Marion Peter Overson. Peter was the youngest of her nine children, born when she was 41 years old, and six years younger than Ross, the next older child.

Peter got his Master's Degree in 1955 from Brigham Young University and wrote his thesis on Joseph J. Daynes, the first organist of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. (Peter's thesis is quoted in the link to Carol Madsen's article on Daynes from the Ensign.) Peter sang bass in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir from 1951-1958. He returned to Arizona and taught there and took care of Margaret in her final years. Here is another picture of Peter Overson.

Here is his mother's biography from 1954:

Marion Peter Overson, ninth child of Margaret G. Jarvis and Henry Christian Overson, was born at St. Johns, Apache County, Arizona, August 20th, 1920. Marion early showed that he was a different type of person from most of the other children of the family, he was quiet, pleasant and friendly, never quarreling or struggling for his way. He like [sic] to play quietly by himself at drawing, painting, or if other children were with him, at playing house or playing "show," dressing up and acting parts. In school he was agreeable, willing to do what was required of him, but he did not care to take part in the rough, hard games of football and basketball. He got along well with his teachers and liked them and they liked him. He early decided that he wanted to be a teacher, and he chose studies in high school that would prepare him along that line. He loved music, and during his school days played in the band, orchestra, and as an accompanist, on the piano. At home he would practice for hours at a time, and seem [sic] to loose [sic] himself in the playing.

After finishing high school, Marion was determined to continue on at College, tho' to do so he was obliged to get a part time job to help with his expenses. He enrolled at the College at Flagstaff, and was getting along well, when he took "flu" and had to go to the hospital. He worried at loosing [sic] his classes, and as soon as he could possibly be up, went back to school without the Dr.'s consent. He got rheumatic fever, but continued with his lessons and work, tho' it was hard for him to go because of the pain and stiffness in his joints, but he did not want to fail that year. When he came home in June it was found that his heart was much enlarged and in bad condition, and although everything that could be was done for him then, he soon came down with a serious sickness and his life was despaired of for months. Slowly he came back to partial health, but it took six years of treatments by doctors, and living carefully without strenuous exertion before he could resume his studies at the University of Arizona, and still his heart will never be normal.

He finally finished his studies and graduated from the State University at Tucson, receiving a B.A. degree. He has taught in Florida, St. Johns High, St. David High, Tucson, Mesa, and three years in Salt Lake City, and has taken summer work at Provo several years, also one summer in Los Angeles, and now hopes to get his Masters this summer.

He is at present in Salt Lake City, Utah. Still unmarried, (1954).

Harry James Overson

Harry [Henry] James Overson, fifth child of Margaret G. Jarvis and Henry Christian Overson, was born at St. Johns, Apache County, Arizona, May 17th, 1906. He was a sickly baby from birth, very sallow, and did not seem to thrive. Apparently there was some liver disorder, as he never cleared from the yellow cast, and he has had a number of serious sicknesses at various times all through life, until the last few years, when he has had better health than ever before.

In school he was quick to learn, always quiet, but quite determined to do very much as he wished. He finished High School, and had a short time of higher work, but was always needing money, and when it ran short, he simply had to get a job. He left home to hunt work when he was a little past eighteen, and went to Phoenix. He soon obtained work in the Arizona Highway Department and has continued there for twenty-six years, commencing with the lowest-paid job until now his work is the most technical in the Department, except only the State Engineer. He is considered the most dependable man in the office. Once his father asked Harry's boss what he found for the boy to do? The man replied, "If we have a particular job to do anywhere in the department, in the office or out on the roads, we just send Harry, and we know it will be done right." This pleased his father greatly, and he often mentioned it to his friends. Through the years, Harry has had experience in all the different departments, tended to business strictly, done his best and made a thorough study of all the details, minded his own affairs, and has not meddled in politics, and so he has kept the good will of his fellows.

As a spare time hobby Harry loved to build. He has a very nice home and two smaller units that he has designed and built largely himself, working after hours, holidays, and vacations. His friends and neighbors like to consult Harry on all topics pertaining to materials and construction problems.

He married Lois Murdock (Alexander, step-father's name), March 18th, 1940, at Lordsburg, New Mexico. She is the daughter of Charles Murdock and Grace Scott and was born February 28th, 1917, at Duncan, Greenlee County, Arizona. She was raised by her grandmother, Lillian Moore, who was a widow with a number of boys, her husband dead, and Lois was alternately loved, petted and teased by her uncles, mother and grandma, and being the only girl, pretty and cute and not too strong, she had to learn to get along with people, and stick up for herself. As she grew into womanhood, she went to live with her mother and step-father, Harry Alexander, who was keeping a restaurant, and therefore was soon a waitress, and drilled under a very efficient and particular cook and manager. She was also expected to iron the uniforms for her step-father and herself, and see that they were spotless and trim. She thus became a good cook, laundress and waitress, and was able to earn a good living. But she was taken sick and had to be sent to a hospital, not, however, until it was almost too late. The doctors found a ruptured appendix—and it was only after months of great suffering, much of which time her life was despaired of, that she slowly came back to at least, partial health. She was never very strong after that until long after her marriage, and that seige [sic] is probably the reason she has never been able to be a mother, much as she has desired to. She idolizes Harry, and keeps their home spotless, has good meals, loves to entertain on occasions, and has taken great pride in his building projects, and the last few years has had a good job in an office, thereby helping with finances to pay for and furnish their lovely home, and have small homes to rent to help them later with an income when time to retire comes.

Harry J. Overson and wife, Lois Murdock and mother, Margaret Jarvis Overson

In front of first home in Phoenix.

Lois also loves pets, and trains them well. Her dogs are very obedient, and do cute tricks, and her birds can sing or talk, and are very entertaining. It is amazing how her pretty little parakeet can talk and entertain people, and how friendly it is.

Residence: Mr. and Mrs. Harry J. Overson, 322 West Georgia Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona.

No children.

[Harry James Overson died February 20, 1992, in Phoenix, Arizona. In New Family Search, he is listed as being married to Gara Patterson (1916-2002) and Lois is not mentioned.]

From Margaret Godfrey Jarvis Overson. George Jarvis And Joseph George De Friez Genealogy. Mesa, Ariz: M.J. Overson, 1957, ii: 190-192.

Edgar Pratt Overson and Alice Whiting Overson

Edgar Pratt Overson, fourth child of Margaret G. Jarvis and Henry C. Overson, was born at St. Johns, Apache County, Arizona, May 27th, 1904. Pratt was a plump, healthy baby, grew normally, learned quickly in school, passed all his grades easily a year ahead of average. His parents kept him from school a season on account of some trouble with his eyes, thinking a rest from study would be helpful, and that some experience helping his father with a building he had on hand to complete would give Pratt some experience in construction work, and at the same time help a little financially. But Pratt did not take kindly to working at building. He wanted to get a string of traps, and try catching muskrats, coyotes, and other fur bearing animals of the region. He liked to study the habits of wild life, to follow the streams, roam in the mountains, and enjoy nature. This desire has been a life hobby. He knows about birds, fish, all kinds of wild animals, their habitat, the laws pertaining to the protection of Wild Life, all kinds of fire-arms, the kind to use for different purposes, etc.

Pratt continued on at school until he graduated from high school, then filled a two-years mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Canadian Mission. After returning home, he entered college at Flagstaff, and completed two years, the amount then required to be eligible to teach, then taught school some years.

Since his marriage, he has done office work, held a County Office one term, taught school, done Road work, some building, farming, looked after cattle, etc.

He has continued in his work in the Church, wherever called to labor, and has been a class teacher, Home Missionary, President of the Stake Missionary Work, --always doing something. He has sent a son on a mission, also.

He is ready and willing to help in times of trouble, wherever and whatever it may be. He is still and ever has been a great reader. He has quite a nice library, and is well versed, generally.

Home address: Mr. and Mrs. E. Pratt Overson, St. Johns, Arizona.

Edgar Pratt Overson was married to Alice Whiting, daughter of Fred Arthur Whiting and Lurlene Tenney Whiting, January 16th, 1931, at Mesa, Arizona. (Temple) She was born June 2nd, 1913, at St. Johns, Apache County, Arizona.

Alice is a fine woman, of true "Mormon" pioneer stock on all lines [she was a granddaughter of Ammon M. Tenney], and doing her best to live in accordance with her traditions. Has dark eyes and hair, rather fleshy [perhaps a more diplomatic term could have been used!] a good manager in her home, a consistent Church worker, and specially gifted in music. She has given piano lessons most all her married life, teaches singing groups, has led the ward choir groups often, the Singing Mothers, and other special groups, including Primary children. The last few years she has worked in Offices at the Court House part of the time, also.

From Margaret Godfrey Jarvis Overson. George Jarvis And Joseph George De Friez Genealogy. Mesa, Ariz: M.J. Overson, 1957, ii: 188-191.

Pratt died on July 27 or 28, 1972, and was buried on July 29, 1972, in St. Johns, Arizona.