History of Kentucky, five volumes, edited by Judge Charles Kerr, American Historical Society, New York & Chicago, 1922, Vol. V, p. 221-2 Ballard County

BOB C. OVERBEY, M. D. Distinguished as a physician and surgeon, Dr. Bob C. Overbey occupies a pre-eminent place among the professional men of Ballard County, where for a number of years he has devoted his high attainments to accomplishing what has brought him recognitions and honors of an enviable nature. Doctor Overbey's achievements are based upon an intimate knowledge of the intricate subjects of human anatomy and scientific therapeutics. Like many another capable and successful man, he did not set out in life with the intention of accomplishing something phenomenal, but at the outset of his career he placed a just
valuation on honor, integrity and determination and with those qualities as capital has won for himself a well deserved place in the Kentucky field of medicine and surgery. His practice is in and about La Center, but during the close of the great war many of the soldiers in camp received the benefit of his skill and experience for Doctor Overbey belongs to that noble band of physicians and surgeons who, placing their personal interests second to their love for their kind, went into the service of their country to minister to its sick and wounded soldiers during the time of war. Doctor Overbey was born in Graves County, Kentucky October 5, 1877, a son of Frank H. Overbey, and grandson of Peter William Overbey, a native of Virginia. The Overbeys came originally from England, but from
Colonial times have been established in this country, settlement being first made by them in Virginia. Peter William Overbey was one of the pioneers of Graves County, Kentucky, where he practiced medicine and was engaged in farming. His death occurred in Graves County before the
birth os his grandson, Doctor Overbey. He was married to Elizabeth Overbey, a distant relative, who was also born in Virginia, and died in Graves County. Frank H. Overbey was born in Graves County, Kentucky, in 1850, and he now lives at Lone Oak, McCracken County, Kentucky. Reared in his
native county, he developed into one of its agriculturalists, and lived there until 1884, when he moved to Marshall County and for two years was engaged in operating a saw-mill. Returning to Graves County in 1886, he resumed his farming, and lived there until 1894, when he went to Murray, Kentucky, and for some years was profitably engaged in merchandising. In 1904 he went back to Marshall County and was there engaged in farming until 1917, when he retired and, selecting Lone Oak, is now living there
and is occupied with civil engineering. In politics he is a democrat. A man of intensely religious views, he finds in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church the expression of his belief and an outlet for his desire to raise the standards of morality and Christian living. He married Mary E. Hargrove, who was bon in Stuart County, Tennessee, in 1853, and they became the parents of the following children: Doctor Overbey, who was the eldest; Ruby who died at the age of eighteen years; Guy, who died at the age of seventeen years; Laura, who is living with her parents; Clyde, who is an educator connected with a school at
Richmond, Virginia; Kelley, a commercial instructor who lives at Bowling Green, Kentucky; Roscoe, who is an insurance and real-estate business at Paducah, Kentucky; Harry, who is an automobile tire salesman of Paducah,
Kentucky; and two who died in infancy. Doctor Overbey first attended the rural schools of Graves County and then the high school of Murray, Kentucky, from which he was
graduated in 1899. He then entered the Hospital College of Medicine of Louisville, Kentucky, and was graduated therefrom in 1903, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and later took a post-graduate course at the Chicago Polyclinic at Chicago, Illinois. In 1903 he began the
practice of his profession at Murray, Kentucky, but a year later moved to Birmingham, Kentucky, and was there for four years. In November, 1908, he came to La Center, Kentucky, and here he has found congenial surroundings and has carried on a general medical and surgical practice. His offices are located on Third Street. He owns a modern
residence on third and Olive streets, one of the fine ones of the place, which is surrounded with beautifully kept grounds containing stately shade and valuable fruit trees. In politics Doctor Overbey is a democrat, and for four years has been health officer of Ballard County. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in whose faith he was reared. A Mason, he belongs to La Center Lodge No. 782, A. F. and A. M., of which he is a past master; Antioch Chapter No. 74, R. A. M.; Paducah Commandery No. 11, K. T.; and Kosair Temple, A. A. O. N.
M. S., of Louisville, Kentucky. Doctor Overbey is a member of the Ballard County Medical Society, the Kentucky State Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the Southwest Kentucky Medical Association. In November, 1918, he entered the Medical Corps of the United States Army, with the rank of first lieutenant, and was sent to
Camp Sevier, South Carolina, but the armistice was signed before he was sent abroad, and he was mustered out and honorably discharged February 26, 1919. On April 20, 1910, Doctor Overbey was united in marriage at Hinkleville, Kentucky, to Miss Marie E. Rollings, a daughter of Dr. J.
D. and Mattie L. (Skinner) Rollings. Doctor Rollings, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work, is one of the leading men of Ballard County, and is distinguished in several ways. He ranks among the foremost men in his procession, and is also a celebrity on account of his magnificent Hereford herd of cattle, and because of the part he has taken in developing the financial and business interests of La Center and Hinkleville. Mrs Rollings is a lady of great intellectual culture, and was one of the most active workers in the Red Cross during the great war. Mrs. Overbey was educated at Forest Park University, Saint Louis,
Missouri, and also attended the Conservatory of Music at Cincinnati, Ohio. She is a fine musician, and her great talents enable her to afford much pleasure to her family and wide circle of friends. Doctor and Mrs. Overbey have one daughter, Emmalee, who was born April 1, 1916. Doctor
Overbey is a man noted for his clearness of insight and breadth of view, and his advice is sought and followed in civic affairs. At the beginning of his career he learned to work for knowledge and to retain what he learned, and is recognized as one of the most skilled and experienced
men of his profession in the county.