PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL
RECORD OF OKLAHOMA

Jean H. Everest is a leading attorney and prominent citizen of Oklahoma. This distinction and prominence are the result of his perseverance, coupled with the ever commendable traits of character, strict integrity, good judgement and a high sense of duty and honor. In his profession he ranks high, is a diligent and careful pleader, and has achieved especial success in land contest cases. Besides his private practice, he is attorney for the Oklahoma Building and Loan Association. He is also vice-president and a director of the Bank of Commerce, which he assisted in organizing.

The Everest family is of English descent. William Everest, our subjects grandfather, was born in Vermont, and from there moved to Crown Point, N. Y., later removing to the vicinity of Ionia, the same state, and engaging in farm and mercantile pursuits until his death. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. His son, the late Harvey W. Everest, A.M., L.L.D., was born at North Hudson, N. Y., May 10, 1831. When sixteen years of age he began to teach school. The removal of his parents to the Western Reserve of Ohio gave him good educational advantages in that vicinity, and he attended the following schools in order: Geauga Seminary, Western Reserve Elective Institute (now Hiram college), Bethany and Oberlin Colleges, all of which are in Ohio except Bethany. Upon his graduation from Oberlin he returned to Hiram College as head instructor, succeeding James A. Garfield, his former associate and friend. In 1864 he was called to the presidency of Eureka College, Illinois, remaining there until he became pastor of the Springfield (Ill.) Church of Christ, eight years later. From 1872 to 1874 he was a professor in the Kentucky University. Later he was pastor of the Church of Christ at Normal, Ill., for a year, and then returned to the presidency of Eureka College, which institution owes him its life and breadth of influence. From 1881 to 1886 he was president of Butler University, at Indianapolis, Ind., resigning to become chancellor of Garfield University at Wichita, Kans. When the university closed its doors in 1889 he accepted a pastorate in Hutchinson, Kans. In 1891 he was made president of the Southern Illinois Normal School at Carbondale, Ill. Six years later he was honored by an appointment as dean of the Bible department at Drake University, which position he filled until his death, May 21, 1900.

As an author Dean Everest was well known. His "Divine Demonstration" is a textbook on Christian evidences in our colleges. The two more recent works, "Science and Pedagogy of Ethics" and "The New Education" rank high in philosophical productions. He was a frequent contributor to the leading papers of his denomination. As a lecturer upon educational and religious themes, he was sought for addresses in almost every section of the country. During the World's Fair he was chosen to deliver an address before the parliament of religions.

The first wife of Dr. Everest was Sarah Harrison, who was born in Ohio and died in Kansas in 1892. Her grandfather was a native of England and became a pioneer of Lake County, Ohio. Mrs. Sarah Everest left three sons, namely: Claude H., cashier of the Bank of Commerce in Oklahoma City; Jean H.; and Herbert H., who is engaged in the lumber business in Houston, Tex. The second wife of Dr. Everest was Mrs. Jennie Rogers, of El Paso, Ill.

Jean H. Everest was born in Eureka, Ill., December 11, 1864, a son of Harvey W. and Sarah Everest. Under the care and training of his cultured parents he grew to manhood, well fitted, intellectually, to cope with life's responsibilities. He attended Lexington University and later, Eureka college, where he remained until the close of the sophomore year. In 1883 he graduated from Butler University with the degree of A.B., and in 1884 he was awarded the degree of A.M. Upon leaving college he became superintendent of schools at McPherson, Kans., and during the two years he occupied that position he prepared for the bar. In 1887 he was admitted to the bar at Lyons, Kans., where he had settled the previous year. While at Lyons he was member of the firm of Everest Brothers, dealers in real estate and loans. In May, 1889, he came to Oklahoma and settled at Frisco, Canadian County, but soon he removed to Kingfisher, and in August, 1890, he located in Oklahoma City. In all respects he is an enterprising citizen and a capable lawyer. Politically he is a Republican. In religion, he follows the doctrines of the church in whose faith he was reared. He is now a trustee of the Christian Church in Oklahoma.

The marriage of Mr. Everest took place in Peoria, Ill., and united him with Edith, daughter of John M. Kirkbridge (sic)*, a merchant, and bookkeeper for the internal revenue collector at Peoria, Ill. Mrs. Everest was born in Eureka, Ill., and died in Oklahoma City in September, 1893, leaving four children, namely: Robert K., Philip M., Jean W. and Raymond B. S. Socially Mr. Everest is connected with the Oklahoma City Club. He is also a member of the Territory Bar Association and, in fraternal connections, is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Oklahoma (Chicago: Chapman Publishing Co., 1901), 34.

Transcribed for OKGenWeb by Sheryl < Mkat72@aol.com > October 2001.