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Overhiser Orchards History - Five Generations
A lone rich history that started in 1863
A lone rich history that started in 1863
My Brother's Fruit Blog was started in April 2009 so it could be added to the farm website that sister-in-law Kim and helper Ron have updated. You can access the blog by going to the new and improved website http://www.overhiserorchards.com/ The farm history summary below will soon be posted on the website. You are getting a sneak preview. But, first the farm news and don't forget to eat your fruit.
At the Farm (June 1, 2009)
Last week the kids finished spring sports and school at Fennville. 4-H chickens are being fattened up for the August County Fair. Insects are being trapped (see photo) to help target and limit the spraying program. The best and safest practices for disease and pest control are being used. Pumpkins and squash got planted for the fall harvest. Do you like your August peaches large?
That is being worked on. Small green peaches are being thinned by hand to assure best growth and size and to prevent branch breakage. The harvest will start the 4Th of July weekend with sweet cherry U-Pick or all ready picked (109th Ave. and 64th St).
On a sad note, my Uncle William Douglas Overhiser passed from this earth on Saturday May 30. He was born on February 5, 1937 and grew up on the family farm. He was 3 years older than me (Martin), so was more like a cousin then an uncle. Bill was the youngest of William and Edna's 6 children. In the 2004 photo to the left 5 of the 6 were still with us. Top left then clockwise Ed, Albert, Bill, Janet and Doris. Aunt Janet Brown in the sole survivor of that generation. Ken passed in 1955 at age 36.Overhiser Orchards History- Five Generations
1. Henry and Sarah (McKee) Overhiser move to Allegan County Michigan from Indiana in 
1860 with 3 children. In 1863, they settled on the north side of 107th Ave. between 62nd and 64th 
Streets in Casco Township. Henry cleared a home site in the maple forest and started subsistence farming. Five more children were born in Michigan. In the 1870s Henry started growing fruit, as did many other farmers in the area. Fruit growing continues to be the main focus of the farm operation.
1860 with 3 children. In 1863, they settled on the north side of 107th Ave. between 62nd and 64th 
Streets in Casco Township. Henry cleared a home site in the maple forest and started subsistence farming. Five more children were born in Michigan. In the 1870s Henry started growing fruit, as did many other farmers in the area. Fruit growing continues to be the main focus of the farm operation. 2. William Albert Overhiser and Alta May were the second farm family. Alta died in childbirth in 1891. None of their 3 
children lived to adulthood. William Albert married a second time to Daisy Galbreath in 1896. They had one child, William McKinley, shown in front of Daisy in the photos above. In 1915 William 
Albert died from a gun accident. This put William McKinley in charge of the farm at age 19. The big house burned to the ground the last day of April 1927.
3. William McKinley and Edna Trowbridge Overhiser ran the 60-acre fruit farm for 50 years. Bill and Edna raised 6 children on the farm. They spent the last 25 years of their married life in Florida. As a child, Bill learned to fish while spending winters in Florida. His parents owned and operated the Palma Sola Hotel on the Manatee River west of Bradenton. 
As an adult William continued to fish and would spent one or two weeks at Loon Lake NW of Baldwin between the cherry and peach harvest. Their oldest son Albert Wayne helped operate the farm when he was not working as a truck driver. Albert and June purchased the farm in 1965.
children lived to adulthood. William Albert married a second time to Daisy Galbreath in 1896. They had one child, William McKinley, shown in front of Daisy in the photos above. In 1915 William 
Albert died from a gun accident. This put William McKinley in charge of the farm at age 19. The big house burned to the ground the last day of April 1927.
3. William McKinley and Edna Trowbridge Overhiser ran the 60-acre fruit farm for 50 years. Bill and Edna raised 6 children on the farm. They spent the last 25 years of their married life in Florida. As a child, Bill learned to fish while spending winters in Florida. His parents owned and operated the Palma Sola Hotel on the Manatee River west of Bradenton. 
As an adult William continued to fish and would spent one or two weeks at Loon Lake NW of Baldwin between the cherry and peach harvest. Their oldest son Albert Wayne helped operate the farm when he was not working as a truck driver. Albert and June purchased the farm in 1965.
4. Albert Wayne and June Evans Overhiser, lived on a 40-acre fruit farm around the corner from the original farm. Albert drove truck and farmed and June was a school teacher. Sons’ Martin and Charles attended MSU and were not interested 
in farming. As fate would have it, a surprise son (Allan Wade) was born in 1960. While attending Western Michigan University, Allan, decided he wanted to follow the family fruit farming tradition. After college Allan and Kim were married and worked the farm with Albert and June. After Albert retired Allan became the fifth farm operator.
5. Allan Wade and Kim Myers Overhiser now have around 40,000 cherry, peach, plum, pear and apple trees. They own or lease 400 acres within a one mile radius of the original farm.
These orchards are planted on the highest 250 acres to reduce spring frost and freeze damage. Their son Aaron was born in 1996. In 1998 Alex, Adam, Kelsy and Kortny(quadruplets) were added to the farm family. During the harvest season many of the family members can be found working at the retail/u-pick headquarters at the NW corner of 109th Ave. and 64th Street.The Overhiser family looks forward to growing and sharing the fruits of their labor for many more years. Thank you for your interest in our farm history.
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