2328
Secretary
1890 Approximate
Handcrafted Bookshelf and Writing Desk. Material: wood, glass, metal. Size: 43" W. x 63 1/2" H. Description: dark brown wooden combination desk and bookcase; decorative top piece; four wooden shelves on the left behind a framed glass door; gold metal chain door fastener; circular mirror on top right above drop down desk front forms writing table when opened; writing table on the right folds down on hinges to form desk also revealing a small drawer and cubicles; one drawer under writing table; two shelves below drawer behind a wood door; four short legs on casters
Constructed by one of Janesville's first rural mail carrier, Mr. Underwood. He cut trees from the "Big Woods" west of Elysian and had it sawed into the lumber he used to make this combination desk bookshelf. It was inherited by his niece, Miss Eva Harrington, who, when she went to California sold it to Pearl Day for $4.00. Pearl willed it to the museum.