Connecticut western news., 1917-01-11
JAY A. UNDERWOOD
Canaan's Oldest Citizen Passes Away Thursday Night.

In the death of Jay A. Underwood, last Thursday, Canaan loses not only it's oldest citizen but also most unique character, whose ,recollectiOns of the early days of the town linked the pres ent with the past
 Mr. Underwood had a most happy way of telling his recollection of those early days; he was always sure of in terested listeners whenever he had the opportunity to relate his own and the experience of others in the days gone by.
 Back in the seventies, when it was the custom for those who waited for the arrival of the evening mail, to gather about the big stoves in the stores of the community, no one could hold the attention of the gathered listener as he could, nor could anyone surpass his ability as story teller.
 Jay A. Underwood was born Novem Der 26, 1897, in New Marlboro, Mass, the son of Alpheus and Emily Strong Underwood.
 His early boyhood was spent in East Canaan, his father dying when Jay was six years old. At the age of 15 he entered the employ of Camp, Manches. ter Company at their furnace, but he soon left to learn the carpenters trade of Nicholas Lewis, father of the late George M. Lewis, who was an expert in the making of the big wooden water wheels so common in the mills of those days.
 In 1850 he engaged in building operations in New Britain and Meri- den, going from those cities to Edin- burgh, Ind, where he only remianed few months Returning to Canaan, he continued at his trade until 1865, when he formed partnership with Edmund D Lawrence for the manu facture of sash, doors and blinds. The mill is still in operation by Johnson, Lindell 6 Go. MT. Underwood lived in the house now occupied by Miss F. Bridges. The partnership continued tor ten years when MT. Lawrence re. tired, as he was interested in the manufacture of lime, but MT. Under. wood continued the business with his sons until 1889, when he sold out to R. D. Peirce 6 %.
 MT. Underwood married October 28, 1850, Miss Jane Day, daughter Of Roswell Day, one of the prominent farmers on the College in the eastern part of the town. Mrs. Underwood is remembered as a most gracious hostess and kind neighbor. She died in 1889.
 Three children were born to them, Willard w., who was celebrated locally for his musical ability, dying in 1885; Cornelia, who marrled Frank A. Peet and the mother of Mrs. Jessie l. Herri. man. dying at an early age in 1879; Roselle, the younger son is the only survivor of the family.
 The funeral services were held at the deceased's last residence on Railroad street Saturday afternoon, and were conducted by Rev. A. B. Crichton of Christ Church. Burial was ill the family plot in the lower cemetery.
 So passes from the community genial character whose active business life reached back into the fifties. But few of them are left now. In the years since his retirement MT. Under. wood kept himself informed on public affairs, he was a great reader and his retentive mind made him pleasant companion at the homes where he a3led.
 For the past year he had been unable to go about as he was accustomed but he always had welcome for those who visited at his home.