Newton, James D. (James Draper), 1905-1999

James Draper Newton (born in Philadelphia, 1905-1999) and his wife Eleanor Napier Forde Newton (born in Montreal, Canada, 1899-2003) were close friends of Anne Morrow and Charles A. Lindbergh. At the age of twenty, Newton became a real estate developer in Fort Myers, Florida, and became well acquainted with Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone. In 1928 he was hired by Firestone and served in various administrative positions. In the 1930s Newton became increasingly involved in the Oxford Movement, later named Moral Re-Armament (MRA), and left Firestone in 1936 to work for the movement. Eleanor Forde was a long-time teacher and leader in the movement. Newton guided the Lindberghs on boat trips through the Everglades and the Florida Keys and inspired their dedication to conserving the Florida environment. Charles Lindbergh served as best man at the wedding of James and Eleanor in 1943. In 1967, the Newtons “retired” from full-time work for MRA and established a highly successful real estate development business in Fort Myers Beach. James Newton’s book, Uncommon friends: life with Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, Alexis Carrel & Charles Lindbergh, with a foreword by Anne Morrow Lindbergh, was published in 1987. A documentary based on the book, narrated by Walter Cronkite, was first broadcast on public television in 1999. The Newtons received many awards for their contributions to community improvement projects including the restoration of the Edison and Ford estate museums. Their home on an unspoiled beachfront is now Newton Park in Fort Myers Beach.

From the guide to the James D. and Eleanor F. Newton papers, 1872-2000, (Manuscripts and Archives)

James Newton, a Florida businessman, wrote Uncommon Friends (1987) in which he identified admirable personal traits of five friends: Dr. Alexis Carrel, Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, Henry Ford, and Charles Lindbergh. In 1933, Newton founded the Uncommon Friends Foundation, a non-profit organization providing scholarships to business students. He died on December 13, 1999. His wife, Eleanor F. Newton, died on July 26, 2003.

From the description of James D. and Eleanor F. Newton papers, 1872-2000 (inclusive). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702158188