11 Facts About Abel Underwood

Abel Underwood was a Vermont lawyer, judge, and politician.

Abel Underwood read law with Isaac Fletcher, attained admission to the bar in 1827, and practiced in Wells River, Vermont.

Abel Underwood became a Republican when the party was founded in the 1850s, and served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1861 to 1862.

Abel Underwood then enrolled at Dartmouth College, from which he graduated in 1824.

Abel Underwood practiced in partnership with Fletcher for a year, then moved to Wells River to establish his own office.

Abel Underwood's practice became successful after his return to Wells River, and Underwood became one of Vermont's most prominent corporation attorneys, with his specialty being railroad rights of way and construction.

Abel Underwood was involved in business and finance, and was president of the Bank of Newbury.

Active in politics as a Whig, Abel Underwood served as State's Attorney of Orange County from 1838 to 1839, and again from 1840 to 1841.

Abel Underwood served on the bench until 1857, when Vermont abolished its circuit courts and Underwood's position was eliminated.

In 1867, Abel Underwood was appointed federal Register in Bankruptcy for Vermont's 2nd congressional district, and he served until his death.

Abel Underwood was the uncle of Levi Underwood, the son of Abel Underwood's brother Silas.