John Sewell (Miami)
Encyclopedia
John Sewell was the third Mayor of Miami.
John Sewell was born in 1867 in Elbert County
, Georgia, and moved with his parents to Florida when he was 19 years old. Sewell served as foreman and superintendent for the Florida East Coast Railway
during the construction of the line from Jacksonville to Miami and later joined the hotel construction department. After helping to construct The Royal Poinciana Hotel
and The Breakers Hotel
at Palm Beach, Sewell moved to Miami in 1896 to work on the Royal Palm Hotel
. Sewell remained in the employ of the Florida East Coast Railway until 1899, when he left to concentrate his efforts on the mercantile establishment jointly owned with this brother. He was Mayor of the City of Miami from 1903 to 1907.
After serving in local politics, Sewell began the construction of his house in 1912. Built on the highest point in the city, the house was named Halissee Hall
from the Seminole word meaning “New Moon.”
Sewell wrote a self-published autobiography entitled John Sewell's Memoirs and History of Miami, Florida. It included an appendix describing his witnessing the attempted assassination of president-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt
in 1933. The book is valuable as a primary source of information on pioneer days in Miami.
He is buried in the Miami City Cemetery
.
John Sewell was born in 1867 in Elbert County
Elbert County, Georgia
Elbert County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was established on December 10, 1790 and was named for Samuel Elbert. As of 2000, the population was 20,511. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 20,525...
, Georgia, and moved with his parents to Florida when he was 19 years old. Sewell served as foreman and superintendent for the Florida East Coast Railway
Florida East Coast Railway
The Florida East Coast Railway is a Class II railroad operating in the U.S. state of Florida; in the past, it has been a Class I railroad.Built primarily in the last quarter of the 19th century and the first decade of the 20th century, the FEC was a project of Standard Oil principal Henry Morrison...
during the construction of the line from Jacksonville to Miami and later joined the hotel construction department. After helping to construct The Royal Poinciana Hotel
Royal Poinciana Hotel
The Royal Poinciana Hotel was a Gilded Age hotel in Palm Beach, Florida, United States. Enlarged twice and doubling in size each time, it became the largest wooden structure in the world, with 1,700 employees and accommodations for 2,000 guests...
and The Breakers Hotel
Breakers Hotel
The Breakers Hotel is an historic hotel in Palm Beach, Florida, United States. First known as The Palm Beach Inn, it was opened on January 16, 1896 by Henry Flagler, an oil, real estate and railroad tycoon, to accommodate travelers on his Florida East Coast Railway...
at Palm Beach, Sewell moved to Miami in 1896 to work on the Royal Palm Hotel
Royal Palm Hotel
Royal Palm Hotel has been the name of several hotels, including:*Royal Palm Hotel , an early 20th-century luxury hotel*Royal Palm Building , a Registered Historic Place...
. Sewell remained in the employ of the Florida East Coast Railway until 1899, when he left to concentrate his efforts on the mercantile establishment jointly owned with this brother. He was Mayor of the City of Miami from 1903 to 1907.
After serving in local politics, Sewell began the construction of his house in 1912. Built on the highest point in the city, the house was named Halissee Hall
Halissee Hall
The Halissee Hall is a historic site in Miami, Florida. It is located at 1475 NW 12th Avenue. On October 1, 1974, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.-References and external links:* at * ** **...
from the Seminole word meaning “New Moon.”
Sewell wrote a self-published autobiography entitled John Sewell's Memoirs and History of Miami, Florida. It included an appendix describing his witnessing the attempted assassination of president-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
in 1933. The book is valuable as a primary source of information on pioneer days in Miami.
He is buried in the Miami City Cemetery
City of Miami Cemetery
The City of Miami Cemetery is a historic cemetery in Miami, Florida, United States. It is located at 1800 Northeast 2nd Avenue. On January 4, 1989, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.-History:...
.