Marshall Jewell
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Marshall Jewell
| Marshall Jewell | |
|---|---|
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| 25th United States Postmaster General | |
| In office August 24, 1874 – July 12, 1876 |
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| Preceded by | James William Marshall |
| Succeeded by | James Noble Tyner |
| 8th Chairman of the Republican National Committee | |
| In office 1879–1880 |
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| Preceded by | J. Donald Cameron |
| Succeeded by | Dwight M. Sabin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 20, 1825 Winchester, New Hampshire, U.S. |
| Died | February 10, 1883 (aged 57) New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Profession | Politician |
| Signature |  |
Marshall Jewell (October 20, 1825 – February 10, 1883) was a political figure who served as 44th and 46th Governor of Connecticut, the U.S. Consul to Russia, and the 25th United States Postmaster General. Jewell, distinguished for his fine "china" skin, grey eyes, and white eyebrows, was popularly known as the "Porcelain Man".[1] As Postmaster General, Jewell was intent on reforming the Postal Service from internal corruption and profiteering, however, President Grant became suspicious of Jewell's loyalty after Jewell fired a Boston postmaster over non payment of a surety bond.[1]
A native of New Hampshire, Jewell was the son of a prominent tanner and currier; having apprenticed in his father's tannery business.[2] Jewell moved to Boston where he learned the art of being a currier. In 1847, Jewell moved to Hartford where he worked for his father's business as a currier. Jewell stopped working as a currier and became a skilled telegrapher, where he worked in New York, Ohio, and Tennessee. Jewell was a Whig who supported the election of Zachary Taylor to the office of the Presidency. Having supported Taylor, Jewell moved to Mississippi where he was elected General Superintendent of Telegraphers.[2] Jewell moved back to New York in 1849, and in 1850 he returned to his father's tannery business having entered into partnership with his father. Between 1859 and 1860, Jewell traveled to and visited Europe on business connected with the tannery firm, having returned to the United States during the onset of the American Civil War. In 1865 Jewell returned to the Europe and traveled to the Egypt and the Holy Land.[2]
Having returned to the United States, Jewell, a Republican, ran for Connecticut state senator in 1867, however, he failed to win the election.[3] In 1868, Jewell ran for the office of Connecticut Governor, however, he lost the election.[3] Jewell ran again the following year and was elected Governor of Connecticut having served from 1869 until 1870. Jewell was reelected to the governorship in 1871 having served until 1873. In 1873, Jewell was appointed Consul to Russia by President Ulysses S. Grant having served until 1874 when he was appointed by President Grant to Postmaster General to the United States; having served until 1876. Jewell was also a presidential candidate at the 1876 Republican National Convention and served as the chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1880 until 1883. Having returned to Connecticut, Jewell became a wealthy merchant, having invested in the Hartford Evening Post and the Southern New England Telephone Company.[3][1] He died in 1883 in New Haven, Connecticut, and was interred at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford, Connecticut.[4]
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Early life and career
Marshall Jewell was born in Winchester, New Hampshire on October 25, 1825.[1] His father, Pliny Jewell, native of Hartford, was a prominent tanner and currier. At a young age Jewell apprenticed for his father in the tannery business and eventually moved to Boston where he learned the skill of being a currier. In 1847, Marshall returned to his father's tannery business in Hartford where he worked in the currier shop for two years.[1] Having an aptness at finding good business opportunities, Marshall quit the tanning business and learned the skill of being a telegrapher. As a highly skilled telegrapher, Marshall first got a job in Rochester, New York, whereupon he moved to and worked as a telegrapher in Ohio and Columbia, Tennessee.[1]
Supported Zachary Taylor
In 1848, Jewell became a Whig and supported Zachary Taylor for President of the United States. After Taylor was elected President, Jewell who had become a skilled telegrapher, moved to Jackson, Mississippi where Jewell was elected General Superintendant of Nashville and New Orleans telegraph line. [1]
Tanning partnership established
In 1849, having returned from the South, Jewell moved to New York City, and in 1850 he entered into partnership with his father's tanning and belting business.[1] Jewell, who had good business sense, for the next eight years increased his father's business and gained a positive reputation in the Hartford community.[1]
World travels and the American Civil War
From 1859 to 1860, Marshall went on a trip to Europe in order to expand his tanning business. Jewell returned to the United States at the onset of the American Civil War. During the Civil War, Jewell's tanning business flourished having supported the Northern war effort.[3] After the Civil War ended in 1865 Jewell returned to Europe and extended his travels to Egypt and the Holy Land.[1]
Governor of Connecticut
Having returned from his extensive world travels abroad, in 1867, Jewell unsuccessfully ran for Connecticut state senator, having joined the Republican Party. In 1868, Jewell unsuccessfully ran for Governor of Connecticut. In 1869, Jewell was elected Governor of Connecticut having served until 1870. Jewell was reelected in 1871, and 1872 having served three terms in office until 1873. [3]
U.S. Minister to Russia
On May 20, 1873 Ulysses S. Grant nominated Jewell as Minister to Russia, having replaced James L. Orr. Jewell served with "marked ability" from May 29, 1873 to December 9, 1873.[2] While Minister to Russia a prince from the Russian nobility became infatuated with a married American woman who was visiting St. Petersburg, having given her his family's royal diamonds. This created quite a scandal, however, Jewell investigated the matter and had the woman return the Russian diamonds to the Tsar's family.[1] Jewell was recalled from Minister to Russia when President Grant offered Jewell the office U.S. Postmaster General. Jewell, himself, had desired to hold a domestic office rather then an international office. Jewell's recall from Russia was a surprise to the American public, only having served less then a year. [2]
U.S. Postmaster General
In 1874, a vacancy was created in President Grant's Cabinet when John A.J. Creswell resigned as U.S. Postmaster General. President Grant, who desired the position go to a New Englander, appointed Jewell U.S. Postmaster General in July, 1874. Jewell, due to commitments as a Russian Minister and his return voyage to the United States, could not take office until August, while assistant Postmaster General, James William Marshall, served as acting U.S. Postmaster General until Jewell could take office.[2]
Reform efforts
Jewell took up the office of U.S. Postmaster with vigor, a man of many words and theories, having desired to reform the Postal Service from profiteering in lucrative postal contracts known as Star Routes. Jewell wanted the Postal Service to be run as a business rather then through patronage. Jewell often called meeting with his clerks giving them new instructions on reform. Jewell was noted to have said to his clerks, "We are cleaning up the department by degrees, and we are getting it found on business principles."[1]
Resignation
Washington D.C. proved to be a challenge for Jewell's reforms of the Postal Service. In one instance, Jewell fired Boston postmaster, William L. Burt, for non payment of a surety bond and replaced him with Edward C. Tobey on September 18, 1875. Burt, who would not let the issue settle had several conferences with President Grant one at Long Branch in 1875 and one at Washington D.C. in 1876 to protest his removal. Jewell stated that although Burt was a capable Postmaster of Boston, he had given Burt ample time, five months, to have paid for the surety bond. Following a Cabinet meeting in 1876, President Grant ubruptly asked for Sec. Jewell's resignation without explanation. Jewell, who did not ask why Grant demanded his resignation, was shocked having believed he had the confidence of the President at the previous Cabinet meeting. President Grant, suspicous of any Cabinet members whom he was convinced were personally disloyal, believed that Jewell had been treacherous to his Administration and had conspired with another reformer, Secretary of the Treasury, Benjamin H. Bristow.[1]
Return to Hartford
After Jewell had been dismissed by President Grant as Postmaster, Jewell returned to Hartford who welcomed Jewell with open arms. Jewell devoted his time to his tanning business that had faltered while he had been away. Through a series of investments in the Hartford Evening Post and the Southern New England Telephone Company Jewell became a very wealthy man. [1]
Chairman of Republican Party
In 1879 Jewell accepted the appointment of National Chairman of the Republican Party having served to 1880. During the Presidential election of 1880, Jewell's energetic approach to politics resulted in large part to the election of Republican candidate James A. Garfield to the office of President of the United States. [5]
Death
Although considered a man of vitality in 1883, Jewell had contracted pneumonia that quickly took his life. When Jewell asked his doctor "How long does it take for a man to die?", his doctor responded, "In your condition, Governor, it is a matter of only a few hours." Marshal Jewell died on February 10, 1883 in Hartford, Connecticut.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Chicago Daily Tribune (Feb 18, 1883), Marshall Jewell
- ^ a b c d e f New York Times (July 4, 1874), Appointment and Acceptance of the Hon. Marshall Jewell
- ^ a b c d e Miller Center (2012), Marshall Jewell (1874–1876): Postmaster General, Retrieved 05-24-2012
- ^ "The Political Graveyard: Hartford County, Conn.". Cedar Hill Cemetery. http://politicalgraveyard.com/geo/CT/HA5.html#R9T0XKEDF. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
- ^ a b Halloway, p. 446
External links
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by James E. English |
Governor of Connecticut 1869 – 1870 |
Succeeded by James E. English |
| Governor of Connecticut 1871 – 1873 |
Succeeded by Charles R. Ingersoll |
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| Preceded by James W. Marshall |
United States Postmaster General Served under: Ulysses S. Grant August 24, 1874 – July 12, 1876 |
Succeeded by James N. Tyner |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by J. Donald Cameron |
Chairman of the Republican National Committee 1880 – 1883 |
Succeeded by Dwight M. Sabin |
| Diplomatic posts | ||
| Preceded by James L. Orr |
United States Minister to Russia May 29, 1873 – July 19, 1874 |
Succeeded by George H. Boker |
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