Jordan Lawrence Mott (1799 — 1866) was an American inventor and industrialist. He established the J. L. Mott Iron Works in

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

. His father was Jacob Mott, an alderman of New York in 1804-1810 and at one time acting mayor of the city, after whom

Mott Street Mott Street () is a narrow but busy thoroughfare that runs in a north–south direction in the New York City borough (New York City), borough of Manhattan. It is regarded as Chinatown, Manhattan, Chinatown's unofficial "Main Street". Mott Stre ...

was named. Jacob's wife was related to

James Lawrence James Lawrence (October 1, 1781 – June 4, 1813) was an officer of the United States Navy. During the War of 1812, he commanded in a single-ship action against , commanded by Philip Broke. He is probably best known today for his last words, ...

, a naval officer in the

War of 1812 The War of 1812 was fought by the United States and its allies against the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, United Kingdom and its allies in North America. It began when the United States United States declaration of war on the Uni ...

. The family are said to be descended from Adam Mott from

Essex Essex ( ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in the East of England, and one of the home counties. It is bordered by Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, the North Sea to the east, Kent across the Thames Estuary to the ...

, England, who arrived in the United States before 1647. Mott's son (1829 - 26 July 1915) was Jordan Lawrence Mott Jr, and was married to Marianna Seaman, who died in 1898. He followed his father as President of the foundry business and was described at his death as "for many years a notable figure in the life of the city". - Obituary of JLMott jr His son Jordan Lawrence Mott III (born 13 May 1857 – 7 January 1932) married Katherine Jerome Purdy. Mott's great-grandson Major Jordan Lawrence Mott, IV (commonly referred to as Jordan Lawrence Mott III) (1881–1931), was also known as

Lawrence Mott Jordan Lawrence Mott IV (1881–1931), often referred to as Jordan Lawrence Mott III and better known as Lawrence Mott, was an American novelist and writer on the outdoor life. He was the great-grandson of Jordan L. Mott (born 1799), who found ...

, and was a novelist and writer on the outdoor life.

''Men of Progress'' painting

thumb The thumb is the first digit of the hand, next to the index finger. When a person is standing in the medical anatomical position (where the palm is facing to the front), the thumb is the outermost digit. The Medical Latin English noun for thumb ...

In 1857 Mott commissioned

Christian Schussele Christian Schussele (born 16 April 1824 – 20 August 1879) was a French-born American visual artist and teacher, and is credited with designing the American Medal of Honor. He was known for his printmaking, drawing, and portrait painting. Schuss ...

to paint a 6 ft by 4 ft work entitled ''Men of Progress'', representing himself and 18 other contemporary American inventors. They never gathered together to pose, but sat for the artist individually. The picture is now owned by the

Cooper Union The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, commonly known as Cooper Union, is a private college on Cooper Square in Lower Manhattan, New York City. Peter Cooper founded the institution in 1859 after learning about the government-s ...

, with a copy by

John Sartain John Sartain (October 24, 1808 – October 25, 1897) was an English-born American artist who pioneered mezzotint engraving in the United States. Biography John Sartain was born in London, England. He learned line engraving, and produced several o ...

in the American

National Portrait Gallery National Portrait Gallery may refer to: * National Portrait Gallery (Australia), in Canberra * National Portrait Gallery (Sweden), in Mariefred *National Portrait Gallery (United States), in Washington, D.C. *National Portrait Gallery, London ...

. - image of painting, with sitters identified Jordan Mott is the eighth person from the left, seated at the table.

''Men of Progress'' painting

References

Further reading