Thomas J. Underwood and Etta Qualk

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Husband Thomas J. Underwood ¹

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           Born: 20 Jun 1867 - New Eagle, Washington Co, PA 2
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         Father: Joseph Underwood (1834-      ) 3
         Mother: Ellen Roscoe (      -      ) 4

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       Marriage: 

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Wife Etta Qualk ⁵

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         Father: Jacob Qualk (      -      ) 5
         Mother: 

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Children

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1 F Hila M. Underwood ⁵

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2 F Mildred E. Underwood ⁵

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General Notes: Husband - Thomas J. Underwood

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He was seven years old when his parents came to California, Pennsylvania, where he attended the common schools, and at the tender age of eleven years became a laborer in the mines; he continued but a short time, when he accepted a position as a clerk in the "Little Alps" general store, which was operated by Underwood & Coatsworth, and was located on the corner of Water and Union streets, at that time the busiest section of California. There were no railroads there then and the commercial activity of the town was centered around the boat landing at the foot of Union street, and the Little Alps store, where Mr. Underwood was employed, carried on an extensive and lucrative business. He remained in the employ of Underwood & Coatsworth for four years, then went to Roscoe, Pennsylvania, where he clerked in the Alps store for some time, during his connection with this concern he acquired a knowledge of telegraphy under the preceptorship of Isaac Dawson. When 21 years of age he became a night operator for the Pittsburg & Charleston Railroad at Thompson, which was at that time the only station on the road with night operator services. He was later appointed freight and passenger agent at Charleroi, and, remained in the employ of this company eight years, serving in various positions until 1898, when he resigned to accept a position with the California Coal Company as superintendent of the Crescent mine, in which capacity he served until August, 1899. He resigned his position, the company having disposed of their interests to the Monongahela Consolidated Coal & Coke Company. Mr. Underwood became engaged in the real estate business at California in 1901, when he located in a commodious office above the Peoples Bank of California, and was instrumental in closing many of the large real estate deals which were consummated in California, being especially active in bringing about the Jones and Laughlin purchases on Water street, where he held options on a greater portion of the property which then changed hands. He was a Notary Public, attesting deeds and commercial papers of every description, and was also extensively engaged in the insurance business, representing various companies and covering the entire field of life, fire, casualty, marine and plate glass insurance. Mr. Underwood became cashier of the Peoples Bank of California in December, 1907, and was a stockholder and director from its organization April 23, 1900. In fraternal circles Mr. Underwood was a member of the Masonic order, in which he attained the thirty-second degree.

The Underwood residence, which was one of the finest in the Monongahela Valley, was beautifully furnished throughout and was located on Wood street, near Fifth, and commanded a splendid view of Coal Center, the business portion of California, and the distant bluffs, which tower majestically above the quiet waters of the Monongahela River. The house, which was a two-story building with all modern conveniences, had a frontage of sixty feet, including verandas, and a depth of over sixty-four feet, and the verandas, which were nine feet in depth, extended around three sides of the house, and were approached from the street by stone pavements on an easy grade with short flights of steps. The grounds surrounding the house cover about four acres of land, were beautifully terraced, the walks were lined with shrubbery and blooming plants, and the shade trees were placed artistically throughout the grounds, the whole presenting a picture that was seldom equaled outside of the larger cities.

1 Joseph F. McFarland, 20th Century History of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens (Chicago, IL: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., 1910), Pg 1054, 1324.

2 Joseph F. McFarland, 20th Century History of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens (Chicago, IL: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., 1910), Pg 1324.

3 Joseph F. McFarland, 20th Century History of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens (Chicago, IL: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., 1910), Pg 1006, 1053.

4 Joseph F. McFarland, 20th Century History of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens (Chicago, IL: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., 1910), Pg 1053.

5 Joseph F. McFarland, 20th Century History of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens (Chicago, IL: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., 1910), Pg 1327.