288 A HISTOET OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



handled and fattened from boyhood, I happened by 

 mere chance to obtain some of Kimroe 's stock, i. e., 

 steers of his get, others by sons of him. They fed 

 so rapidly, weighed so heavily and were of such 

 wonderful quality I could hardly believe that my 

 vision was quite right. After being thoroughly con- 

 vinced of the fact that my sight was all right, then 

 I thought I would almost decide to go largely into 

 Herefords, when, ever and anon, my long cherished 

 idea of the perfect animal, the Shorthorn, would 

 cause me for a time to delay my purpose, but not 

 long. I started to breed Herefords in earnest — 

 after feeding Hereford steers about eight years — 

 in 1866." 



Soon after importation Kimroe and Kitty passed 

 into the hands of John Heagan, of North Prospect, 

 Me. Kitty produced four calves by Kimroe. Her 

 second calf, Victoria, bom in 1849, and her third 

 calf, Waldo, bom in 1850, were owned by Samuel S. 

 Heagan and in March, 1853, were sold to Joseph 

 Hall Underwood and became the foundation of a 

 herd still in existence.* Victoria is described as "a 



*The author Is Indebted to Mr. J. H. Underwood for photographs 

 of his grandfather and the two sons George and Gilbert, and for 

 certain data of a biographical nature. The portraits are presented 

 along with one, supplied at our request, of the surviving member of 

 this old-time New England Hereford-loving family, and we are sure 

 that the few notes of a personal nature herewith appended will be 

 found of interest: 



Joseph H. Underwood was bom in Amherst, K. H., June 13, 1783, 

 and died at Fayette, Me., Nov. 8, 1867. He came to Maine about 1800, 

 taught school and finally located in Fayette, where he began a mer- 

 cantile business which was followed more tlian ilfty-flve years. He 

 was also financially interested in tanning, wool-carding and cloth- 

 dressing, was an extensive owner of real estate and carried on a 

 large farm, raised dattle and fatted oxen. In March, 1853, he bought 

 and brought to his farm in Fayette a purebred Hereford bull and 

 cow, and continued breeding Hereford cattle till 1866, when his sons, 

 George and Gilbert, formed a partnership and toolc over their father's 

 herd. 



A serenading party once had an experience with Mr. Underwood's 

 humor. His son, Albert G. Underwood, had been recently married, 

 and on a certain evening it was supposed by the serenaders tliat 

 Albert and his bride were at the old homestead. The newly married 



