The Joseph H. Underwood House in the Fayette Mills section of Fayette, Maine is a building that reflects the achievements and status of one of this town?s most successful merchants, farmers and politicians. Constructed in 1837, the large brick house and integral ell was Underwood?s third residence in the town to which he had moved thirty years earlier. During these three decades, Underwood had established a successful store, invested in numerous local industries, and served as an elected official in a variety of local and state offices. Over the next thirty years he was to expand his interests to include establishing one of the earliest and best blooded herds of Hereford cattle in the state. ?Mr. Underwood,? as described by his contemporaries was ?in his time, the foremost citizen of Fayette,? a statement that is reflected in this his last residence, a building which remains the largest and most architecturally prominent house in the town. The Joseph H. Underwood House was placed in the National Register of Historic Places for its association with Joseph H. Underwood, an outstanding and influential, politician, merchant and early breeder of Hereford cattle.