David Levy Yulee was the the first Jewish member of the United States Senate. He was a sharp business man, serving as president of several companies. While living in Fernandina with his family, David Yulee founded the Florida Railroad Company and became known as the Father of Florida Railroads.
Yulee served as a member of the Confederate Congress where his passionate speeches in support of Confederate causes gained him another nickname: "Florida Fire Eater" . These passions also gained him a 9 month imprisonment @ Fort Pulaski.
He was granted pardon and has since been named a "Great Floridian"