While engaged in teaching, Mr. Jewell pursued a course of study in engineering and surveying, and finally determined to follow engineering as a profession. He gave up school-teaching, left the "foreign shores of Jersey" and entered the office of R. Morris Copeland and C. W. Folsom, of Boston. His first work was the resurvey of Cambridgeport. He afterwards worked in Dorchester and on Narragansett bay. But this new occupation had just been engaged in when "the shot heard round the world" was fired on Sumter, and the tocsin of war sounded the alarm. Surveying, like all other business, came to a stand-still; the compass was changed for a musket, distances measured by the steady tramp of the soldiery, and the weary flagman became the lonely sentinel.
About this time the owners of the Pembroke mill and property connected therewith, in Pembroke and Allenstown, N. H., decided to increase their business by building a new mill twice the capacity of the one then owned by them. Knowing Mr. Jewell to be a good draughtsman, having employed him during the construction of the Pembroke mill, they again engaged him for like duties. Consulting with their then resident agent, he prepared the required working plans and drawings for the Webster mill. The work on the building was soon under way and rapidly pushed to completion. While thus engaged the agent at Newton died, and the immediate care of the mills was given to Mr. Jewell until (as the treasurer said) he could find the right man.
Finishing his work at Suncook, and having conducted the affairs of the company at Newton in a very satisfactory manner, the treasurer tendered him the agency of the mills. In accepting the position, his career as agent began where, fifteen years before, he commenced the work that fitted him so thoroughly for the successful management of the same. The mills were in a bad condition, the machinery old, and "run down," and the owners impatient and anxious. Nothing daunted, however, Mr. Jewell entered heartily into the business, making such changes that at the time he tendered his resignation he had doubled the production, and greatly improved the quality of the goods manufactured. Looms built more than fifty years ago, and improved by Mr. Jewell, are still running and producing nearly as many yards per day, and of as good quality, as those made at the present time. These mills were run throughout the war, paying for cotton as high as one dollar a pound, and selling the cloth for thirty-five cents a yard. Mr. Jewell was very anxious to enlist during the exciting times of war, but was prevailed upon by the owners to continue in charge of their works, and by the entreaties of his wife, who was hopelessly ill, to remain at her side.
The treasurer and part owner of the mills at Newton Upper Falls was also treasurer and large owner of the mills at Suncook. In 1865 the Suncook company agitated the subject of enlarging their works by the addition of another mill, and in 1867 active operations were commenced upon the China mill, which was, when completed, the largest works of the kind contained under one roof in the state. Mr. Jewell again fulfilled the office of engineer and draughtsman. The company's agent at Suncook, wishing to devote his time exclusively to the construction of the new mill, desired that Mr. Jewell come from Newton several days each week to look after the manufacturing in the two mills. Thus for more than two years he acted as agent at Newton, also as superintendent of the Webster and Pembroke mills.
In 1870, before the China mill had fairly commenced operations, the agent resigned his position. Mr. Jewell, having at Newton proved diligent, faithful, and capable, was appointed in his stead. Resigning his position at Newton he removed with his family to Suncook, and assumed the management of the triumvirate corporation, June 1, 1870. Again he was obliged to go through nearly the same routine as at Newton. The machinery, however, was more modern, but had been neglected, supplies scantily distributed, and the power was inadequate to the demand. With indomitable perseverance he has remedied the defects, by providing reservoirs, more thoroughly utilizing the water power, adding new and valuable improvements, putting in powerful steam apparatus capable of running during the most severe drought. He has increased the annual product from twelve million yards in 1874 to twenty-seven million yards in 1880, with substantially the same machinery, showing what tireless perseverance and devotion to duty can accomplish.
Mr. Jewell is one of the directors in the China Savings Bank, Suncook. He is also a member of the New England Cotton Manufacturers' Association, and of the New Hampshire club. Mr. Jewell was honored by being appointed aide-de-camp, with the rank of colonel, on Governor Head's staff, and smilingly speaks of turning out officially more times than any one of the other members. He is a member of the Governor Head Staff Association, an active member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston, a member of the Amoskeag Veterans of Manchester, a member of the New Hampshire Veterans' Association, and an honorary member of the old Twelfth New Hampshire regiment. He was elected captain of the Jewell Rifles, named in his honor, but graciously declined, and was made an honorary member. The Masonic fraternity also claims him, being an active member of the "Jewell" Lodge, Suncook, also named in his honor, and of the Trinity Royal Arch Chapter, Horace Chase Council R. and S. M., and Mount Horeb Commandry, Concord, N. H. He is a member of the Supreme Council, having taken all the Scottish rites up to the 33d degree, and is an active member of the Massachusetts Consistory S[**asterism][** Masonic symbol?] P[**asterism] R[**asterism] S[**asterism] 32d degree, Boston, and a member of the Connecticut River Valley Association.
Colonel Jewell is a public-spirited citizen. To him Suncook is largely indebted for its material advancement since his residence in this community. Three times have his presence of mind and mechanical skill been the means of saving the village from entire destruction by fire. To him is the place indebted for its very effective water-works to guard against fires in the future.
In happy combination with the great executive ability of the subject of our sketch, are a fine literary taste and decided artistic talent. The former has opportunity for gratification in a library rich in standard works, and the latter is attested by the exterior architectural decorations and interior embellishments that beautify his home. In private life, Col. Jewell is genial, affable and approachable. In religious thought he affiliates with the Congregationalists; but the Sabbath is to him a day of rest.
Mr. Jewell married, in August, 1860, Mary A. Grover, daughter of Ephraim Grover, of Newton, Mass. She died October 16, 1862. He was married the second time, May 31, 1865, to Ella Louise Sumner, daughter of Lewis Sumner, of Needham, Mass.
Mr. Jewell has kept aloof from politics, but is a good Republican; and, should he be the standard-bearer of the party in any future contest, he could probably lead his forces to victory.