Boyd R. Overhulse

Boyd Richey Overhulse (July 30, 1909 – January 2, 1966) was an American politician and attorney from Oregon. He served three terms in the Oregon House of Representatives followed by two terms in the Oregon State Senate. A conservative Democrat from a rural district, Overhulse was known for his ability to work with Republicans as well as fellow Democrats in the state legislature. He was elected President of the Oregon Senate eleven days after taking his seat in the state senate, the first Democrat elected to that position in 79 years.

Boyd R. Overhulse
State Senator Boyd Overhulse, 1957
41st President of the Oregon State Senate
In office
1957–1958
Preceded byElmo Smith
Succeeded byWalter J. Pearson
Member of the Oregon Senate
from the 17th and 19th district
In office
1957–1964
Preceded byHarry D. Boivin
Succeeded byGordon W. McKay
ConstituencyCrook, Deschutes, Jefferson, and Lake counties
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives
from the 26th and 25th district
In office
1951–1956
Preceded byWilliam B. Morse
Succeeded byBen Evick
ConstituencyCrook and Jefferson counties
Personal details
Born(1909-07-30)July 30, 1909
Warner, South Dakota
DiedJanuary 2, 1966(1966-01-02) (aged 56)
Culver, Oregon
Political partyDemocratic
ProfessionAttorney

Early life

Overhulse was born on July 30, 1909, in Warner, South Dakota. His parents, K. C. and Edith Overhulse, were both teachers. The Overhulse family moved to Jefferson County, Oregon, when Boyd was young. The family later moved to Weston in northeast Oregon, where Overhulse graduated from high school.[1]

Overhulse graduated from University of Oregon School of Law in 1933. He worked briefly as a bookkeeper for the Oregon Journal newspaper before passed his bar examination. Later that year, he married Helen Graham.[1][2]

In 1934, Overhulse returned to Jefferson County and was elected district attorney. He was re-elected to that position three times. In 1948, he resigned in order to concentrate on his private law practice. After leaving the district attorney position, he became president of Jefferson County Title and Abstract Company and bought a farm near Madras. He returned to public service in 1949, serving as the Madras city attorney. During this period, Overhulse was active in the Madras Odd Fellows lodge, the local Lions Club, the Prineville Elks chapter, and the Chamber of Commerce. He was also president of the Oregon Bar Association.[1][2][3][4]

State Representative

Overhulse, a Democrat, was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives in 1950, winning the general election by only 18 votes. He represented District 26 which included Crook and Jefferson counties. The 1951 legislative session lasted for less than four months, from January 8 through May 3.[5][6][7] During the session, he served on three committees: agriculture, alcohol control, and revision of laws.[8]

In 1952, Overhulse was unopposed in the Democratic primary and then easily won the general election. The 1953 legislative session only lasted three and a half months, starting on January 12 and ending on April 21.[9][10][11] During the session, he was appointed to the agriculture, education, and revision of laws committees.[12] However, Overhulse fell seriously ill with rheumatic fever in March and missed the latter half of the session. He was so sick he was taken home to Madras by ambulance. He finally returned to work at his law practice in July.[13][14]

In 1954, Overhulse decided to run for a third term.[15] He faced two opponents in the Democratic primary and easily defeated both. In the primary, he also won the Republican nomination with write-in votes.[16][17][18] As a result, he was unopposed in the general election.[19] While he still represented Crook and Jefferson counties, redistricting changed his legislative district to District 25. The 1955 legislative session ran from January 10 through May 4.[20] During the session, Overhulse served on a special committee that studied and made recommendations to update Oregon election laws.[21]

Senate President

In 1956, Overhulse decided to run for a new state senate seat created by Oregon voters in 1954. The new district, District 17, included Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, and Lake counties. He was unopposed in the Democratic primary, but faced a Republican and an independent in the general election. Overhulse won the general election with 7,770 votes. His Republican opponent received 5,593 votes while the independent candidate got 4,665 votes.[1][22][23][24] Overhulse took his seat in the Oregon State Senate on January 14, 1957.[25]

The 1957 legislative session was very unusual. The 1956 election produced a state senate that was evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, with 15 senators from each party. As a result, the chamber was unable to elect a president for 11 days. For 288 ballots, the 15 Democratic senators voted for their leader, Walter J. Pearson. The Republicans also voted as a block, alternating their 15 votes between their leader, Warren C. Gill, and three conservative Democrats the Republicans were willing to accept as president. On the 289th ballot, Harry D. Boivin broke ranks with his fellow Democrats and voted for Overhulse instead of Pearson. The entire senate, Republicans and Democrats, followed Boivin's lead. As a result, Overhulse was unanimously elected President of the Senate, becoming the first Democrat to hold that position in 79 years.[26][27][28][29]

As President of the Senate, Overhulse appointed 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans to committee chairmanships and split committee memberships equally between the two parties as well.[26] As a conservative rural legislator, Overhulse sometimes voted with the Republicans, but also stood with fellow Democrats on many issues.[30][31] His bi-partisan leadership approach was very effective and made him popular with all his colleagues in the legislature. When friends in Central Oregon decided to honor Overhulse at a tribute dinner in Madras, over 300 civic and political leaders from around the state attended. The master of ceremonies at the event was Tom McCall, a future Republican governor of Oregon. The Republican leader in the senate, Warren Gill, attended as did Walter Pearson, the senate's Democratic leader. The speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives also attended along with numerous other legislators, who rented a bus for the trip from Salem to Madras and back. In addition, Governor Robert D. Holmes, United States Senator Wayne Morse, Oregon congressman Al Ullman, and Portland mayor Terry Schrunk all sent personal telegrams which McCall read to the guests at the dinner. At the event, Overhulse was presented with a peace pipe by an elder of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, recognizing him for "keeping the peace" in Oregon's state government.[32][33][34]

Ultimately, the 1957 legislative session lasted 128 days, the longest in Oregon history.[25][35] Overhulse was widely recognized for keeping the state senate on track throughout the session.[36] In October of that year, a special legislative session was call to pass a tax relief bill. This was the result of increased tax revenue that produced a tax surplus. The legislature returned the surplus in the form of reduced taxes. Overhulse presided over the senate during the special session.[37][38]

At that time, the President of the Senate served as acting governor whenever Oregon's elected governor left the state. During his two-year term as senate president, Overhulse was the acting governor on a number of occasions when Governor Holmes was traveling outside of the state.[39][40][41]

State senator

During the second half of his four-year senate term, a Democratic majority controlled the senate. The Democrats used their 19 to 11 majority to elect their long-time leader, Walter Pearson, as senate president. Pearson appointed Overhulse chairman of the senate's powerful State and Federal Affairs Committee. Overhulse served during the 1959 regular session from January 12 through May 6.[42][43][44]

In 1960, Overhulse was re-elected to a second four-year term in the state senate representing District 17. He was unopposed in the Democratic primary and then defeated a popular state representative in the general election.[45][46][47] The new senate President, Harry Boivin, appointed Overhulse to the state and federal affairs, judiciary, and labor and industries committees. He was also given the chairmanship of the Elections Committee.[48]

Overhulse returned to the senate for 1963 legislative session. While he still represented Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, and Lake counties, re-districting changed his senate district from District 17 to District 19.[49][50] During that regular legislative session, Overhulse served as chairman of the Taxation Committee and was a members of the state and federal affairs, judiciary, elections, constitutional revisions, and public buildings and institutions committees.[51] He also served during a short special session later that year.[52] In February 1964, Overhulse announced that he would retire from the senate at the end of 1964 when his second term expired.[53]

Later life and legacy

After leaving the state senate, Overhulse returned to his law practice in Madras. He died of a heart attack at his home in Culver on January 2, 1966. He was 56 years old at the time of his death.[2]

Overhulse's correspondence with constituents and other documents related to his service in the Oregon State Senate are held in the University of Oregon Library archives in Eugene, Oregon. It includes 3.0 linear feet (2 containers).[54][55]

In 2014, his family presented a collection of Overhulse's personal memorabilia to the Jefferson County Historical Society. The collection included the gavel Overhulse used while he was senate president along with a scrapbook of news articles and photographs from his tenure.[2]

References
  1. "Three Candidate in Contest for Seat in Oregon Senate", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, October 19, 1956, p. 1.(subscription required)
  2. Matheny, Susan, "Overhulse documents donated to museum", Madras Pioneer, Madras, Oregon, September 10, 2014.(subscription required)
  3. "Mayor Contest Given Spotlight at Madras Polls", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, November 1, 1948, p. 3.(subscription required)
  4. "Water District Vote to Merge", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, March 15, 1949, p. 4.(subscription required)
  5. "Republicans Retain Strong Hold Over Both House, Senate in Oregon", Daily Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, November 9, 1950, p. 11.(subscription required)
  6. "Prineville Vote Recount Sought", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, December 5, 1950, p. 1.(subscription required)
  7. "1951 Regular Session (46th): January 8 – May 3", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed December 12, 2015.
  8. "Central Oregon Fares Well in Appointments", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, January 8, 1951, p. 1.(subscription required)
  9. "Both Unopposed", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, May 17, 1952, p. 1.(subscription required)
  10. "List of Winner for State Legislature", Herald and News, Klamath Falls, Oregon, November 6, 1952, p. 8.(subscription required)
  11. "1953 Regular Session (47th): January 12 – April 21", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed December 12, 2015.
  12. "Representatives Get Assignments", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, January 5, 1953, p. 2.(subscription required)
  13. "Local Paragraphs", Daily Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, March 19, 1953, p. 3.(subscription required)
  14. "Representatives Get Assignments", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, July 21, 1953, p. 7.(subscription required)
  15. "Political Plans Get Underway in Crook County", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, January 9, 1954, p. 1.(subscription required)
  16. "Bulletin", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, January 13, 1954, p. 1.(subscription required)
  17. "Gumpert Filing", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, March 15, 1954, p. 8.(subscription required)
  18. "Write-ins Give Overhulse GOP Nomination, Too", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, May 25, 1954, p. 6.(subscription required)
  19. "Judge hamilton Retains Office", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, November 4, 1954, p. 6.(subscription required)
  20. "1955 Regular Session (48th): January 10 – May 4", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed December 12, 2015.
  21. "Democratic Chairman Names Study Committee", The News-Review, Roseburg, Oregon, November 5, 1955, p. 4.(subscription required)
  22. "Overhulse Sets Race for Senate", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, January 26, 1956, p. 1.(subscription required)
  23. "One County Contest Due in Election", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, May 17, 1956, p. 1.(subscription required)
  24. "Boyd Overhulse Score Smashing Senatorial Win", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, November 7, 1956, p. 1.(subscription required)
  25. "1957 Regular Session (49th): January 14 – May 21", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed December 12, 2015.
  26. Harvey, Paula W., Senate deadlock Ends, Overhulse New Leader, Herald and News, Klamath Falls, Oregon, January 25, 1957, p. 1.(subscription required)
  27. "Madras Man Elected president of Senate", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, January 25, 1957, p. 1.(subscription required)
  28. "Solons Go to Work After Electing Demo President", Albany Democrat-Herald, Albany, Oregon, January 25, 1957, p. 1.(subscription required)
  29. Olson, James D., "Overhulse Win Chair", Daily Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, January 25, 1957, p. 1.(subscription required)
  30. Warren, William, "Senate Okays Addition of 1 Member to Each Branch of Legisature", Daily Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, April 5, 1957, p. 2.(subscription required)
  31. Olson, James, "Party Lines Waiver in Tied Senate as session Goes On", Daily Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, April 8, 1957, p. 3.(subscription required)
  32. Barber, Bob, "Over 200 People gather to Honor Boyd Overhulse", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, March 4, 1957, p. 1.(subscription required)
  33. Olson, James D., "Madras gathering Honors Overhulse", Daily Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, March 4, 1957, p. 11.(subscription required)
  34. McCall, Tom Lawson, "New President of Senate Honored at Madras Party", Albany Democrat-Herald, Albany, Oregon, March 7, 1957, p. 16.(subscription required)
  35. "Longest State Legislature Winds Up Work at Salem", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, May 27, 1957, p. 1.(subscription required)
  36. McCall, Tom Lawson "Longest State Legislature Winds Up Work at Salem", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, May 29, 1957, p. 4.(subscription required)
  37. "State Capitol News Report", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, August 27, 1957, p. 4.(subscription required)
  38. "1957 Special Session (49th): October 28 – November 15", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed December 12, 2015.
  39. "Holmes Flies to S.F. Demo Session Friday", Daily Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, February 12, 1957, p. 3.(subscription required)
  40. "Boyd Overhulse Governor of Oregon", Medford Mail Tribune, Medford, Oregon, April 11, 1957, p. 4.(subscription required)
  41. "Boyd Overhulse Now State Chief", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, May 19, 1958, p. 1.(subscription required)
  42. Humphey, Dick, "State Democrats Organize House and senate Sunday", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, November 24, 1958, p. 6.(subscription required)
  43. "Republicans Receive Three Chairmanships in Senate", Medford Mail Tribune, Medford, Oregon, January 13, 1959, p. 16.(subscription required)
  44. "1959 Regular Session (50th): January 12 – May 6", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed December 12, 2015.
  45. "Primary Results Assure Experienced Legislature", Eugene Register-Guard, Eugene, Oregon, May 24, 1960, p.5.
  46. "State Senate Members", Oregon Statesman, Salem, Oregon, November 10, 1960, p. 2.(subscription required)
  47. "1961 Regular Session (51st): January 9 – May 10", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed December 12, 2015.
  48. "Harry Boivin Announces Appointments", Medford Mail Tribune, Medford, Oregon, January 10, 1961, p. 2.(subscription required)
  49. "Here is Lineup for Next State Legislative Session", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, November 8, 1962, p. 6.(subscription required)
  50. "1963 Regular Session (52nd): January 14 – June 3", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed December 12, 2015.
  51. "Boivin Selected for 5 Committees", Herald and News, Klamath Falls, Oregon, January 14, 1963, p. 1.(subscription required)
  52. "1963 Special Session (52nd): November 11 – December 2", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed December 12, 2015.
  53. "Overhulse Won’t Seek New Term", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, February 15, 1964, p. 4.(subscription required)
  54. "Boyd R. Overhulse papers, 1957–1964", Archives West, ORBIS Cascade Alliance, Eugene, Oregon, accessed December 12, 2015.
  55. "Boyd R. Overhulse papers, 1957–1964", ArchiveGrid, OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Dublin, Ohio, accessed December 12, 2015.
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