Born in Licking County, Ohio, February 14, 1830, and is a son of Stephen Jewell, a native of Pennsylvania. He was reared in Licking county. He was given good school advantages, attending common schools and afterward Martinsburg College. He learned the carpenters and joiners trade in early life and afterward carried on business as a contractor and builder for three years. Ambitious and energetic to win success he accordingly embraced every opportunity for honorable advancement. Mr. Jewell was married near Martinsburg, Ohio, in 1855 to Miss Jane Wilson, a native of Licking county and a daughter of Robert Wilson. Following their marriage they removed to Iowa, settling in Oskaloosa, where Mr. Jewell was connected with building operations for a time. He continued in business as a contractor and builder for several years but eventually bought a farm near Oskaloosa, locating thereon and began the improvement and development of the land, at the same time carrying on building pursuits. In 1860 he returned to Ohio and resided there for two and a half years, during which time he volunteered to serve with others in the protection of Cincinnati, which was threatened by an invasion of the rebels. His company was called the "Squirrel Hunters" and numbered some twenty thousand men. They were in the service for about a month and were then discharged. Later Mr. Jewell returned to his farm in Mahaska county and gave his attention to general agricultural pursuits. Politically Mr. Jewell was reared a democrat and cast his first presidential ballot for Franklin Pierce in 1852. His next vote, however, supported John C. Fremont, the first republican candidate in 1856, and he voted for each nominee at the head of the republican ticket since that time, being in hearty sympathy with the principles and policy of the party. He has been called to various local offices and in 1889 he was elected representative from his district to the state legislature, serving in the house for one term, during which time he was a member of numerous important committees, discharging the duties of his position with credit and distinction. He was at one time a member of the United Presbyterian church, but now belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.