13 Facts About Henry Overstolz

Henry Overstolz was a direct descendant of the oldest patrician family of Cologne, Germany.

Henry Overstolz exerted a wide influence on public thought and action, upon political affairs and business activity.

Henry Overstolz's father William was born in Duisburg, Westphalia in 1780 and died in St Louis in 1853.

Henry Overstolz's mother Therese was born in Paderborn, Westphalia in 1790 and died in St Louis in 1862.

Henry Overstolz involved himself in the city's government and, in 1847, was elected to membership in the City Council.

In 1853, Henry Overstolz was elected as the city's comptroller, becoming the first native-born German to be elected to office in St Louis.

Henry Overstolz ran for mayor as an independent in April 1875, but lost to Arthur Barret.

Henry Overstolz contested the election two days later, alleging, among other irregularities, ballot stuffing.

In February 1876, after a recount of the ballots, Henry Overstolz unseated Britton and was declared mayor, having won by 77 votes out of more than 29,000 votes cast.

Henry Overstolz was a supporter of the Charter and Scheme that separated the city of St Louis from St Louis County in 1876.

In 1877, Henry Overstolz was endorsed by both the Democrat and Republican conventions for his reelection, in addition to a petition in the Missouri Republican of several thousand residents asking him to run for reelection.

Henry Overstolz sought a third term as mayor, but was defeated by William Ewing in the 1881 mayoral election.

Henry Overstolz died on November 29,1887, and was buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery in St Louis.