Anthony Overton

Anthony Overton became the first African American to own a conglomerate. Founding the Overton Hygienic Manufacturing Company in 1901, Overton became the premiere name in cosmetics for Black people.

Born in Monroe, Louisiana on March 21, 1865, Overton's father was an emancipated slave and was a small business owner. Overton's father also served in the Louisiana legislature for four years. Some time prior to 1880, the Overtons moved to Topeka, Kansas. Overton's father made sure any opportunity was awarded to his son. Overton attended Washburn University, graduating with a degree in chemistry. He then attended the University of Kansas law school, graduating in 1888. He practiced law and even served as a municiapl judge in Topeka for a short time.

In 1898, Overton started the Overton Hygienic Company, originally selling his products in his own grocery store in Topeka. He moved to the North Park neighborhood near North Topeka in 1901 where he established a factory along the railroad line. Hygienic manufacturing companies specialized in baking powders and sodas along with other kitchen cleaners and toiletries. Overton originally made a name for himself with the Overton Hygienic Pet Baking Soda before obtaining market success with High Brown Face Powder. A post office for the hygienic plant was opened December 5, 1901 under the name Hygienic with Overton serving as postmaster. Hygienic was located about three miles west of North Topeka along the railroad. More than likely the plant was located around the Cargill elevators and behind the U.S. Foods Distribution Center. The post office closed August 15, 1903.

Possible location of the Hygienic Factory near the Cargill elevators.

Overton then moved his business to Chicago, Illinois in 1911. In 1922, Overton commissioned the Overton Hygienic Building at W. 36th and S. State streets. Besides his hygienic business, Overton also ran the Victory Life Insurance Company, Great Northern Realty Company, the Half-Century Magazine, the Chicago Bee, and Douglass National Bank. The Bee then got it's own building down the block from the Hygienic building. The Hygienic building later served as a hotel and flophouse. Currently, it is being used as shared workspace for area startups.

Overton married his wife Clara when he was in Oklahoma for a short time. It's possible that she was the true driving force behind the Hygienic Company and the High Brown Face Powder. Sadly, she passed away shortly after they moved to Chicago in 1912 at the age of 45. They had four children.

When Overton passed away in 1946 at the age of 82, the Chicago Bee folded, as did much of the other businesses, which had been hit hard by the Depression and general mismanagement. Everett Overton took over the company until his death in 1960 when the company passed into the hands of Anthony Overton III. Overton III faced a changing landscape and more competition from other Black-owned cosmetic companies. Overton Hygienic continued in stride until 1983 when it closed.

Anthony Overton's two buildings still stand along S. State Street in Chicago and are on the National Register of Historic Places. A nearby elementary school was named for Overton and was open from 1963 until 2013. Overton is not forgotten in Topeka either as Center Street in East Topeka between Adams and Chandler streets was renamed for Overton some time after the 1940s.

For more information on Anthony Overton, check out the Made In Chicago Museum.

Various Overton products showcased during a Memorial Day celebration in Topeka Cemetery in 2023.