A native of Montville, Georgia County, Ohio, born on the 25th of October, 1830. Mr. Underwood passed his early life amid the scenes of what was then the far west. He endured many hardships, and at the age of twelve years was able to do a man's work chopping. Although he labored under many disadvantages in acquiring an education, he studiously improved his opportunities and gained a fair knowledge of the ordinary English branches. In the fall of 1845 his father moved, with a herd of cattle, to Riley, McHenry county, Illinois, where he purchased and improved a farm. James remained on the farm until his nineteenth year, when he commenced to learn the carpenter and joiner's trade but only continued at it a few months. He next engaged in carrying goods and passengers westward from Elgin. During the winter of his twentieth year he taught school. He continued farming, teaching winters, until 1861, then removing to Steamboat Rock, Hardin county, Iowa. Here he engaged in general work and in farming until the 11th of August, 1862, when he enlisted as a private in company F, 33d regiment Iowa volunteers. Going to Camp Franklin, Dubuque, he was appointed first duty sergeant in October, and on the 17th of November started for the south. In August of the following year, Mr. Underwood was taken violently ill. He remained in very poor health and finding that there was little prospect of his recovery, he, on the 16th of December, sent in his resignation. He worked at various things during the next few years, and in 1875 removed to Grundy county and engaged in farming. In politics, Mr. Underwood is a thorough republican. He was a strong abolitionist. In October, 1875, he was elected to the state legislature for a term of two years. Mr. Underwood's sympathies have always been with the laboring classes, and he has taken an active part in the grange movement. He has been a leader in the local organizations, and was a member of the executive committee of the state grange. He has for many years been actively connected with agricultural societies, and has given much attention to raising fine stock. He was an active member of the Methodist church, and during much of that period was superintendent of the Sabbath school. He has also been leader, trustee and steward, and in the autumn of 1857 was licensed as a local preacher. In the fall of 5870 he was ordained a deacon. Mr. Underwood was married on the 31st of March, 1854, to Miss Melissa Gardner.