History of Surry, (Hancock County) Maine United States of America

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Biographies:

The Biography of Leonard Jarvis

Leonard Jarvis, representative, was born in Boston, Mass., Oct. 19, 1781; son of Leonard and Sarah (Scott) Jarvis; grandson of Col. Leonard and Sarah (Church) Jarvis and great grandson of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Peabody) Jarvis. He was graduated at Harvard college in 1800, studied in Europe and made a fine collection of pictures, which were burned with his residence in Surry, Maine. He was sheriff of Hancock county, Maine, 1821-29; collector of customs for Penobscot district, 1829-31; representative from Ellsworth in the 21st, 22d, 23d and 24th congresses, 1829-37; and was chairman of the committee on naval affairs. While in congress he challenged his colleague, F. O. J. Smith of the Portland district, to fight a duel, which Representative Smith declined. He was U.S. naval agent for the port of Boston, Mass., by appointment of Van Buren, 1838-41. He died at Surry, Maine, Sept. 18, 1854.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor