BIO: William EWING, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lana Clark Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************** __________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, page 100 __________________________________________________________ WILLIAM EWING, Manor Hill, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born in Barree township, February 12, 1826, son of James and Elizabeth (Creswell) Ewing. The Ewing family is of English origin. The progenitors of its American branch were immigrants here during colonial times; some of them took an active part in the Revolution. Thomas Ewing, great-grandfather of William Ewing, was during that war a resident of West township, having removed to this vicinity from the southeastern part of the State. His descendants are found in different parts of Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1782 his daughter Catherine, with a Miss McCormick, daughter of a neighboring farmer, was captured by Indians and taken to Montreal. She was restored to her family, but it was several months before she reached her home. She was afterwards married to Mr. Huston, of Centre county, Pa. The sons of Thomas Ewing were: Thomas; William; John; James; Alexander; and David. The father died in West township, about the year 1800. His second son, William, became a large land owner, farmer and stock-raiser in that township. He was a Democrat. He married Miss Anderson, of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Their children were: James Thomas; William; Mary; Margaret; Martha; and Elizabeth. William Ewing and his wife both died in Barree township. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. His eldest son, James Ewing, father of William Ewing (2) was educated in subscription schools, and grew up on the farm. He owned 160 acres in Barree township, which he partly cleared and improved, erecting dwelling, barn, etc. He was a farmer and stock raiser. James Ewing was a Democrat; he took an active interest in public affairs, and was elected to all township offices. He was one of those who, in 1840, promoted the establishment of the common school system. His wife, Elizabeth Creswell, whom he married in Barree township, was a daughter of Robert Creswell, farmer. The Creswell family, like the Ewings, were among the original settlers of this State. They are Scotch-Irish by descent, and belong to a class whose thrift, shrewd intelligence, laudable ambitions and steady perseverance have done far to give character to this substantial and dignified Commonwealth. They further resemble the Ewings in having spread over various parts of the State. The children of Mr. and Mrs. James Ewing are: Robert, who died in Ohio; William; Elizabeth (Mrs. James Smith), of Wayne county, Ohio; and Mary (Mrs. John Oaks), of Huntingdon. Mr. Ewing was a Presbyterian. He died on the homestead; his wife died later, at the home of her son William. With no greater opportunities than those afforded by the subscription schools and the common schools, kept for three winter months, in the old-fashioned log school house, William Ewing, by his own exertions, acquired a good education and much practical knowledge. He learned farming on the homestead, of which he took entire charge after the death of his father, and which he has ever since cultivated. He works some 125 acres; has planted an orchard of three acres with all varieties of fruit. He also owns three farms containing over 500 acres in Livingston county, Ill., partly cleared, and 80 acres in Newton county, Mo.; in the latter State he owns some town lots. Mr. Ewing has expended $4,000 in tiles, and has erected buildings to the same amount. He is a dealer in stock, as well as an experienced breeder. Mr. Ewing's polities are Democratic; he his been elected to the offices of assessor, supervisor and tax collector in his township, besides serving three terms on the school board. He belongs to Grange No. 353, P. of H. Mr. Ewing has always been a thorough and persevering worker, to which fact he owes his excellent standing in the business world and in the community, his competence and his opportunities for usefulness. William Ewing was married in Jackson township, in 1852, to Mary A., daughter of Abraham Henry, a farmer, of Scotch-Irish family. She was born in West township. Their children are: James, farmer, of Illinois; Mary; Fannie; Elizabeth (Mrs. John Henning), of Altoona, Pa.; Caroline; Idalette {Mrs. Robert Johnson), of West township; Henrietta; and one pair of twins, who died in early infancy; Margaret, died in childhood; and a son, unnamed, died in infancy. Mr. Ewing adheres to the Presbyterian church.