The full biographical sketch as printed, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.
ELIHU F. UNDERWOOD, of the firm of Underwood & Dilts, is a native of Holmes County, Ohio, born March 19, 1829. the son of John and Sarah (Fisher) Underwood, of German ancestry and natives of Pennsyl- vania and Holmes County respectively. They were united in marriage in
the above county about 1828, but moved to Marion County in the autumn of 1829. They lived upon a farm until 1868, when they moved to Cale- donia, engaging in the mercantile business with Elihu F. They had ten children, four now living — Elihu F. , Jane A., Benjamin E. and Susannah. John. Elizabeth, Caleb, Sarah A., Jesse and Clarinda are deceased. The father died in 1881, aged seventy-six years, while the mother passed away about twenty-five years earlier, aged forty-six years. Elihu acquired only the rudiments of an education, for he spent most of his youth in Claridon, with his grandfather, who was keeping a hotel. He was the errand and general chore boy: he passed but a year or two upon the farm; when a young man. he became clerk in the employ of Abel Davis, at $8 per month, re- maining two years. In 1850, he accepted a similar position at Caledonia, with Briggs & Hipsher, continuing with them two years. He then clerked for Shur & Bailey, of the same place, one year, and later, with the latter two years. November 27, 1854, he married Miss Arvilla A. Wooley, daughter of Charles and Sarah (Debor) Wooley, of English ancestry, and natives of New York. They have two children — Ida M., born October 30, 1858, and married May 13, 1877; and Charles G., born November 10, 1873. Mr. Underwood has been a resident of the county fifty-four years. He is the oldest merchant in the village, having established himself in business in 1859. He first entered partnership with Thomas Search, the latter dying a few days later, when Hezekiah Hunter assumed his interest. The firm did business under the name of Underwood & Hunter three years, when the latter retired. In 1863, another partnership was formed, and they did business under the name of Underwood & Whitaker until 1866, at tbe death of the latter. After oue year, Mr. Underwood admitted Moses Carr, continuing one year. Subsequently his father became associated with him, and the firm of E. F. Underwood & Co remained until the formation of the present firm. This firm has the leading store in the village, carries a stock of $8,000, and does a prosperous business. Mr. Underwood is a prominent citizen; for six successive years, serving as Justice of the Peace, and after an interval of several years was elected three years longer; he was a member of the Town Council one year, and Mayor of the village two years; he was appointed Postmaster during President Lincoln's adminis- tration, and has held that position since. He is the only resident charter member of the Caledonia Lodge of the I. O. O. F., and is the Supreme Treasurer of the Prudential Order of America. He is a Republican, and, with his wife, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Marion County, Ohio. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.
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