US Congressman. He was born in Harford County, Maryland, educated in Chester County, Pennsylvania and moved to St. Clairsville Ohio in 1840 where he opened a law practice. In 1848 the young attorney moved to Zanesville, Ohio where his legal skills in solving financial issues led to him being elected president of the local branch of the Ohio state Bank. His popularity grew and in 1853 he was elected to the state senate, appointed as a US district attorney in 1854 and was a member of the state house of representatives in 1855. Also in 1855 he became involved in the railroad business. Two years later he became president of the Central Ohio Railroad. His success in managing the railroad led to increased involvement in politics although his attempts to be elected governor (in 1861) and US Senator (in 1863) failed. He continued to succeed in the railroad business. He organized the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and St. Louis Railroad and helped organize the Pennsylvania Railroad, also serving as its legal counsel. In 1868 he returned to the state senate and in 1873 he went to Washington DC after being elected, as a Democrat, to the forty-third Congress representing Ohio's twelfth district. The following year Jewett resigned his seat to take over the financially insolvent New York and Erie Railroad Company. Under his leadership the company once again became financially healthy and his success in this matter propelled him briefly into the national political spotlight as he was mentioned as a potential Democratic presidential nominee in 1860. In 1884 the railroad magnate retired from public life choosing to live in New York City. In 1898 he died while on a trip to Augusta, Georgia. The Pennsylvania borough of Mount Jewett in McKean County was named in his honor. Jewett was president of the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad when it brought rail service to the area previous known as Howard Hill.