UNDERWOOD, Julia Charlotte (Andrews) 1856-1949

UNDERWOOD, ANDREWS, GILLETT, BALDWIN, COUSE, TIERRNAN, TIREMAN

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/1/2013 at 21:08:40

#1:

Julia C. (Andrews) Underwood was born in 1856 in Wisconsin, and died 1952, and is buried with her husband, Adelbert P. Underwood, in the Orchard cemetery.

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#2:

JULIA UNDERWOOD OBSERVED
93RD BIRTHDAY SATURDAY

BAKES PIES, COOKIES,
GETS OWN MEALS,
AND DOES DISHES

Although Mrs. Julia Underwood, who observed her 93rd birthday anniversary on Saturday, October 1, 1949, at her home in Orchard, is unable to walk, she is by no means inactive. She bakes pies and cookies, gets her own meals, cleans her own house, and does her own dishes -- and says she doesn't mind them.

Mrs. Underwood gets around by sitting in an ordinary chair and sliding it wherever she wants to go. She lives alone in the home she and her husband bought 33 years ago and remarks, "I'm not afraid to stay alone."

Relatives -- among them, three grandsons and their wives -- and friends helped her celebrate her 93rd birthday. And according to Mrs. Underwood, it wasn't just a one-day celebration. Neighbors had a party for her Friday, and relatives came saturday and Sunday to help her celebrate.

Mrs. Underwood, who was the fifth child in a family of 13 children, was born in wisconsin and came to Iowa in a covered wagon, with her aunt and uncle at the age of 9. When she arrived, her father was fighting in the Civil War. She lived with her parents on a farm in mitchell county until she was married at the age of 17 to A. Delbert [SIC] Underwood, who farmed in Floyd county.

She and her husband lived on a farm in Floyd county until their barn burned down 33 years ago. With the insurance money, the Underwoods bought a house in Orchard, and Mrs. Underwood still lives there. Her husband and two daughters, Eva and Iva, died many years ago.

She has 14 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great-grandchildren.

Her advice to young people: "Try to be as good as you can."

Mitchell County Press - Oct. 6, 1949
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#3:

Osage, Iowa — One of the most interesting social events of the past few days was a gathering Sunday at the Charles Shefner home, honoring Mrs. Shefner on her eightieth birthday, and the eighty-fifth birthday of her sister, Mrs. Julia Underwood, Orchard. With the exception of the local relatives; and Mr. and Mrs. Howard Andrews, Rochester, Minn., guests were friends of 80 years or more of age.

These octogenarians, with the guests of honor, were seated at one table and included: Mr. and Mrs. Shefner, Mrs. Underwood, Mrs. Eva Church, Mrs. Kate Dodge, Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Balsley and Ed Dodge. A luncheon prepared by nieces of the honored women was served at 1 o'clock. A group of friends, members of the Universalist church, to which the Shefners belonged while the church was in existence here, called, during the afternoon.

[Waterloo Daily Courier, Wednesday, October 22, 1941, Waterloo, Iowa] (Credit: S. Bell)

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#4:

Mr. and Mrs. Louis Gillett and two children and Elmer Baldwin were Sunday dinner guests at the home of their grandmother, Mrs. Julia Underwood.

[Charles City Press, October 15, 1930]
(Credit: S. Bell)
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#5:

Oldest Osage
Woman, 95,
Recalls Past

Osage, Iowa — With smiles of contentment, Osage's oldest woman, Mrs. Julia Underwood, 95, celebrated her birthday anniversary Monday and said she was ready to be called to her final home anytime, but that she, too, was having a good time here on earth.

Born in Wisconsin in 1856, just 10 years after Iowa became a state, she was one of 13 children born to Almon and Julia Andrews.

She migrated to Iowa with her aunt and uncle who packed all of their worldly goods in a small canvas covered wagon. Often the occupants and the goods were water soaked by rain. Her parents had preceded them to Osage.

At 17 she married A. P. Underwood, Illinois born, and the couple lived on a farm in Lincoln Township southeast of Osage, then went into Floyd County, near Floyd, Iowa.

There, two daughters were born to them, who were married, but died in their early 30's. They were Eva Underwood Baldwin, and Iva Underwood Tierrnan.

She and her husband then moved to Orchard, where her husband died nearly 30 years ago, and where she kept house in their little home until last year.

She ran the gamut of measles to typhoid, but always came out on top. "Best of all, though," she says, "I've always enjoyed eating," and friends are amazed at the ability of the tiny woman to consume good food.

Her eyes mist as she remembers the last time she walked — "John Evans, at Orchard, my groceryman, carried my groceries home for me, put them on my step, and I walked home, but after that, I was never able to walk."

Why she survived is unknown, she says - friends say its probably her serene nature, her love of life, and her delightful witticism that have kept her young.

[Waterloo Daily Courier, Wednesday, October 03, 1951, Waterloo, Iowa] (Credit: S. Bell)
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NOTES:

Her husband Adelbert P. Underwood, 77, died Saturday at 5:30 a.m., at his home in Orchard. The funeral was Monday afternoon at the home, and Rev. Jenne Hitchcock was in charge.

[Waterloo Evening Courier, Thursday, October 14, 1926, Waterloo, Iowa]
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NOTES:

Julia Charlotte Andrews was born October 1, 1856 in Wisconsin, the daughter of Almon Andrews and Julia (Couse) Andrews.

See obituary for Iva Gay (Underwood) Tireman.

(Credit: DM Scott)
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NOTES:
See photo of her tombstone on Iowa GPP. Use link below portrait photo.

The portrait photo, below, is from the 1949 issue of the Mitchell County Press, shown above.

Link to Tombstone Photo
 

Mitchell Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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