James Whetstone OVERSTREET, Congress, GA (1866-1938)

1866-1938

OVERSTREET, James Whetstone, a Representative from Georgia; born on a farm near Sylvania, Screven County, Ga., August 28, 1866; attended the rural schools and Sylvania High School; was graduated from Mercer (Ga.) University in 1888; studied law in Augusta; was admitted to the bar in 1892 and commenced practice in Sylvania, Ga.; member of the State house of representatives in 1898 and 1899; member of the Democratic executive committee in 1905 and 1906; appointed judge of the city court of Sylvania in December 1902 and served until October 1, 1906, when he resigned; elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-ninth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rufus E. Lester and served from October 3, 1906, to March 4, 1907; resumed the practice of law in Sylvania; delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1912; elected to the Sixty-fifth, Sixty-sixth, and Sixty-seventh Congresses (March 4, 1917-March 3, 1923); unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1922; resumed the practice of law in Sylvania, Ga., where he died December 4, 1938; interment in Sylvania Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present