John William Henderson UNDERWOOD, Congress, GA (1816-1888)

UNDERWOOD, John William Henderson, a Representative from Georgia; born in Ellenton, Ga., November 20, 1816; completed preparatory studies; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1835 and commenced practice in Clarkesville, Ga.; solicitor general of the western judicial circuit of Georgia 1843-1847; delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1850; delegate to the Democratic State convention in 1857; member of the State house of representatives 1857-1859 and served as speaker; elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-sixth Congress and served from March 4, 1859, to January 23, 1861, when he withdrew and joined the Confederacy; served as brigade inspector during the Civil War; resumed the practice of law in Rome, Ga.; judge of the superior court of Georgia 1867-1869 and 1873-1882; delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1868; appointed by President Arthur in 1884 a member of the first United States Tariff Commission; died in Rome, Floyd County, Ga., on July 18, 1888; interment in Myrtle Hill Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present