W. M. UNDERWOOD.

W. M. UNDERWOOD.
W. M. Underwood, mayor of Gillette and the head of the Underwood Lumber Company, one of the most important business enterprises of the city in which he resides, was born in Vernon county, Wisconsin, June 5, 1866, his parents being Henry and Eliza (Hunter) Underwood, both of whom passed away in the Badger state, where the father was a veterinary surgeon and farmer. W. M. Underwood, spending his youthful days in his parent's home, enjoyed the educational advantages offered by the district schools and continued his residence in Wisconsin until 1886, when, at the age of twenty years, imbued with the Spirit of adventure and of enterprise, he came to the west, making his way to Crook county, Wyoming, where he secured employment on a cattle ranch. During the succeeding eight years he was identified with cattle raising on the western ranges and in the spring of 1894 he took up his abode in Gillette, where for a year he continued to devote his attention to cattle raising. He then established a barber shop, which he conducted for three years, and in 1898 he opened the present lumberyard, with which he has since been identified. In this connection he has built up a business of substantial and gratifying proportions, carrying an extensive line of lumber and building materials, while the progressiveness and reliability of his business methods commend him to public confidence and support. On the 25th of November, 1893, Thanksgiving Day, Mr. Underwood was united in marriage to Miss Martha Gird, of Sundance, Wyoming, and to them have been born eight children, seven of whom are living: Newell A., Roy, Lloyd, Hazel, William, Erma and Ethei. All of the children are still at home and Newell and Roy are assisting their father in the conduct of the lumber business, while Lloyd is employed in the Bank of Gillette. Mr. Underwood maintains an independent course in politics, voting according to the dictates of his judgment. That his course receives the endorsement of his fellow townsmen is indicated in the fact that in the spring election of 1917 he was chosen mayor of his city and is now giving to Gillette a businesslike and progressive administration, in which he is seeking to bring about various reforms and introduce needed improvements. He is a member of the Gillette Lodge, No. 28, A. F. & A. M., and is a demitted member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He has made for himself a creditable position in the public regard and his social qualities and genuine worth have gained for him a large circle of warm friends in Campbell county.

W. M. Underwood, mayor of Gillette and the head of the Underwood Lumber Company, one of the most important business enterprises of the city in which he resides, was born in Vernon county, Wisconsin, June 5, 1866, his parents being Henry and Eliza (Hunter) Underwood, both of whom passed away in the Badger state, where the father was a veterinary surgeon and farmer.
W. M. Underwood, spending his youthful days in his parent's home, enjoyed the educational advantages offered by the district schools and continued his residence in Wisconsin until 1886, when, at the age of twenty years, imbued with the Spirit of adventure and of enterprise, he came to the west, making his way to Crook county, Wyoming, where he secured employment on a cattle ranch. During the succeeding eight years he was identified with cattle raising on the western ranges and in the spring of 1894 he took up his abode in Gillette, where for a year he continued to devote his attention to cattle raising. He then established a barber shop, which he conducted for three years, and in 1898 he opened the present lumberyard, with which he has since been identified. In this connection he has built up a business of substantial and gratifying proportions, carrying an extensive line of lumber and building materials, while the progressiveness and reliability of his business methods commend him to public confidence and support.
On the 25th of November, 1893, Thanksgiving Day, Mr. Underwood was united in marriage to Miss Martha Gird, of Sundance, Wyoming, and to them have been born eight children, seven of whom are living: Newell A., Roy, Lloyd, Hazel, William, Erma and Ethei. All of the children are still at home and Newell and Roy are assisting their father in the conduct of the lumber business, while Lloyd is employed in the Bank of Gillette.
Mr. Underwood maintains an independent course in politics, voting according to the dictates of his judgment. That his course receives the endorsement of his fellow townsmen is indicated in the fact that in the spring election of 1917 he was chosen mayor of his city and is now giving to Gillette a businesslike and progressive administration, in which he is seeking to bring about various reforms and introduce needed improvements. He is a member of the Gillette Lodge, No. 28, A. F. & A. M., and is a demitted member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He has made for himself a creditable position in the public regard and his social qualities and genuine worth have gained for him a large circle of warm friends in Campbell county.