Background
Jewell was born on October 20, 1825, in Winchester, New Hampshire, the son of Pliny and Emily (Alexander) Jewell. His elder brother was named Harvey Jewell.
manufacturer traveler political figure pioneer telegrapher telephone entrepreneur
Jewell was born on October 20, 1825, in Winchester, New Hampshire, the son of Pliny and Emily (Alexander) Jewell. His elder brother was named Harvey Jewell.
The young Marshall received a limited education at common schools.
Brought up in his father's tanyard, Marshall worked as a day-laborer until at the age of eighteen he went to Woburn, Massachusetts, to learn the currier's trade. In 1847, the tanning business being dull, he learned telegraphy and worked at it in Boston, Rochester, New York, and Akron, Ohio, showing such ability that he was placed in charge of the construction of the Louisville and New Orleans telegraph line. Here he formed the political opinions that drew him into the ranks of the Republican party on its organization.
Returning north in 1849 Jewell was for a time superintendent of the telegraph line between Boston and New York. His father's leather-belting business, established in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1845, had grown so rapidly that on January 1, 1850, he became a partner. The business soon became one of the foremost in the state with a trade extending through the United States and Europe. In its interest he traveled widely in the United States from 1852 to 1857, and in Europe in 1859, 1860, 1865, 1866, and 1867. His purchases of leather on the eve of the Civil War placed the firm in a commanding position.
While always active in his father's firm, he was interested in other enterprises such as the Phoenix Fire Insurance Company, the Traveler's Insurance Company, the Hartford Bank, the New York and New England Railroad, the Weed Sewing Machine Company, and Landers, Frary & Clark. In addition he owned large tanneries in the West, and after 1860 was a special partner in the dry-goods firm of Charles Root & Company of Detroit.
Jewell first entered politics in 1867 when as a candidate for the Connecticut state Senate he was defeated. After a vigorous campaign in 1868 he was defeated for the governorship by James E. English. Elected in 1869, 1871, and 1872, he was a straightforward and businesslike governor, winning many friends by his shrewdness and unfailing good-humor.
On his retirement from state office, President Grant appointed Jewell minister to St. Petersburg in December 1873. While in Russia he investigated the process of producing Russia leather, learning methods which proved of value to the American leather industry. A trade-mark convention which he negotiated helped to make American inventions more secure against fraudulent practices in Russia. Appointed postmaster-general in December 1874, he investigated the European postal systems before entering upon his duties. During his administration of the office he initiated the fast mail service between New York and Chicago. His good business sense led him to attack the system of fraudulent contracts and straw bids, and to distribute offices in the interests of efficiency. During the prosecution of the Whiskey Ring cases he stood squarely by Secretary Benjamin H. Bristow. Partisan politicians, fearful for the results of the approaching election, influenced Grant to request Jewell's resignation in July 1876. As chairman of the Republican National Committee, an office which he held at the time of his death, he was an effective supporter of Garfield in the campaign of 1880.
Although considered a man of vitality in 1883, Jewell had contracted pneumonia that quickly took his life. He died on February 10, 1883 in Hartford, Connecticut and was buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1883.
Jewell was part owner of the Hartford Evening Post, president of the Jewell Pin Company, and president of the Southern New England Telephone Company.
Jewell, distinguished for his fine "china" skin, grey eyes, and white eyebrows, was popularly known as the "Porcelain Man. "
Jewell was married, October 6, 1852, to Esther E. Dickinson of Newburgh, New York, who with two daughters survived him.