Harvey Jewell was a U. S. lawyer and politician. He served as the Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1868 to 1871.
Background
Jewell was born on May 26, 1820, in Winchester, New Hampshire, the eldest of the ten children of Pliny and Emily (Alexander) Jewell, and a descendant of Thomas Jewell of England who was given a grant of land near Quincy, Massachussets, in 1639. His father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were all tanners, and he and three brothers were associated with their father in this trade.
His father and mother, in addition to rearing and educating a large family, were prominent in all useful activities of their locality, his father being one of the leading men of Winchester, town moderator, and Whig member of the state legislature. He was also interested in genealogy and compiled The Jewell Register, Containing a List of the Descendants of Thomas Jewell (1860).
Marshall Jewell, Harvey's brother, became governor of Connecticut, United States minister to Russia, and postmaster-general under President Grant.
Education
Jewell attended school at Keene Academy, New Hampshire, graduated from Dartmouth in 1844, was then appointed usher in the Mayhew School in Boston, and while there studied law with Lyman Mason.
Career
Jewell was admitted to the bar of Suffolk County in 1847 and became a partner of David A. Simmons, in Boston. After the death of Simmons in 1863, he was associated with Walbridge A. Field until the latter was made chief justice of the Massachusetts supreme court; with William Gaston until he became governor of Massachusetts; and with E. O. Shepard for the remainder of his life.
Jewell was influential in the Whig and Republican parties in Massachusetts, justice of the peace in Boston for many years after 1850, a member of the Boston Municipal Council in 1851 and 1852, and representative in the Massachusetts legislature, 1861-1862, 1866-1871, being a member of many important House committees, especially the judiciary, of which he was chairman. He was also speaker of the House from 1868 to 1871, which position he filled with marked ability. In the state Republican convention of 1871, Jewell was a candidate for governor, the other candidates being William B. Washburn and General Benjamin F. Butler. In order to defeat Butler he withdrew from the candidacy and threw his support to Washburn.
His association legally, for almost thirty years, with commercial affairs in Boston, had given him practical knowledge of maritime law, and this experience, together with good judgment and attractive and dignified personality, made his appointment by President Grant to the Court of Commissioners of Alabama Claims eminently fitting. His service with the court extended from February 26, 1875, until December 29, 1876, when the court was adjourned, and during this time he lived in Washington, D. C. His opinions delivered for the court are characterized by concise simplicity and exceptional clearness of thought.
After the adjournment of the court, he returned to Boston and resumed the practice of law, remaining actively connected with many positions of trust until his death, which occured on December 8, 1881.
Achievements
Jewell is noted for his contribution to local and state politics while serving at the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He acquired a reputation for "able and impartial rulings. "
Membership
Jewell was a Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives Worcester, Massachusetts (1868-1871), and served as a Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1861 to 1871.
Connections
On December 26, 1849, Jewell married Susan Bradley, of Concord, New Hampshire, and they had three daughters.
