John Collier Underhay and Granddaughter JOHN COLLIER UN‘DERHAY

John Collier Underhay (1 829-1 91 9) was born in Little River, the son of William Underhay, from Devonshire, England and Miss Withers. He received his early education and went on to become a land surveyor, high sheriff, magistrate, and politician.

He pursued his career of land surveyor throughout his life time and did a large amount of work on the Island. He was stated to have occupied a high position in public esteem and served two terms as high sheriff and many years as magistrate. He was elected a member of the Legislature and in 1878 was re—elected as he was also in 1886 and 1900. Always known to take an active interest in public affairs, he was also a delegate to the world’s Temperance Con- vention at Washington and served as Grand Worthy Templar.

Mr. Underhay married Miss Rosaline Craswell and resided on his farm in Little River where he was a successful farmer. They had ten children. He lived there until his death in 1919.

One of J.C. Underhay’s grandsons, Fulton Underhay, also from Little River, held the distinction of being a Rhodes scholar.

Mr. Underhay met his bride-to—be in rather a unique way. His sister married a Mr. Craswell from St. Eleanor’s and upon moving west found that her husband had a younger sister of marriagable age. She wrote to J. C. inviting him for a visit. He compiled and drove by horseback to St. Eleanor’s, only to return in a few weeks by horse and buggy, accompanied by his wife.

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