Person:James Ewing (13)

"Branches & Twigs" Bulletin of the Genealogical Society of Vermont. Vol. 17 #2 Spring 1988

Obituary - James Sullivan Ewing - reprinted from the Waushana Argus, Wautoma, Wisconsin., 8 Nov 1878

"James Sullivan Ewing was born on the 18th of Apr 1813 in or near what is now the village of Colburne, Ontario, then Upper Canada. This place is nearly due north of Rochester N.Y. on the north shore of Lake Ontario. His father, whose name was Jas Ewing, was a native of Greenwich, Mass, but was raised till manhood in Rutland Co VT. In early manhood he follwed some of his kindred who had preceded him to Upper Canada. He was married after reaching Canada, to Mary Doolittle a native of Dorset, Bennington Co VT. James S was the 3rd child and the 1st son of this pair. His 2 sisters older than himself are still living within a few miles of their & his irthplace. He has now living at Brea OH a brother, AE EDwing who was born in 1816. These 3 constitute what now remains of the family of James Ewing.

The Doctor's grandfather was also James, & was born in Cork, Ireland, but came to America when only 4 years old. This arrival took place 20 yrs before the Battle of Bunker Hill, this grandfather having fought in that battle on the American side. Although born in Cork, he was the son of a Scotchman, an amy officer whose regiment had been stationed in Ireland for some time when the Dr's gr-grandfather married a Irish girl named Mary Sullivan & from this distant relative the Doctor's middle name was handed down.

The Doctor used to work on a farm when young,  then taught school a few terms, & finally commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Jabez  (line lost to a tear)... Study with the great Dr.  Woodward of Castleton, VT.  He attended a Medical College at Fairfield  NY & graduated at Castleton VT in 1835.  In Aug the same yr he married  Betsey A, youngest daughtyer of Alfred Buck who now survives him & is located at Bridport  Addison Co  VT  In 1836 he removed to Pittsfield  and entered into partnership with Dr. Barlow, remaining 2 yrs, when  Dr. Barlow retiring left him with a very e3xtensive practice which he  continued for 11 yrs, when he imbibed the spirit of emigration coming to Wisconsin in 1847.  He spent the winter in Ceresco (now Ripon) where  he & his wife taught the winter term of school.  This gave an oppoirtunity to become acquainted with the surrounding country, & in the  following summer he settled in Waukau,  Winnebago Co. & engaged in the practice of his profession.  Soon the Menominee purchase was  opened for settlers.  After exploring the new land he removed what is now Leon (township  Waushara Co) & located on the farm where he died.   Here in the prace of his profession & directing his farm operation, he remained until the Rebellion stirred the old patriot blood in his veins & he  entered the service as one of the surgeons of the 5th Wis. Volunters  was soon among wounds & carnage.  He rendered the most efficient  service in the bloody battles along the Potomoc, at Gettysburg, & in the campaign against Richmond.  His ability always recognized by the best  surgeons of the army, & his aid demanded for the greatest operations.  His powers of observation & recollection men & incidents were great.  No  one came back from the war with  a clearer comprehension of the events that transpired about him, or a greater fund of stirring  incident than he.    One or two of these I venture to introduce, though many of you have heard them from his own lips.

In one of the battles of the Potomac our army was beaten & forced to retreat, leaving our wonded to fall into the hands of the enemy. Dr. Ewing was ordered to remain in charge of them, becoing of course, a prisoner of war. He was ordered by his captors to continue his care of the wonded, to attend to Confederates & Union men alike, as were bwere brought to him. Among them was a shattered shouklder which might be treated by the tedious operation of Resection, the fractured bond taken out, & a very ueful arm saved, or an easy operation would amputate the member. The Doctor said to his assistant, "I would like to save this arm, abut I am so near worn out, & so many are waiting with wounds to be dressed, that I must take it off." A man in grey beard hear d the remark & said "I'll help you," & taking the knife the work was done. Turning away he said, "If you ever see Mrs. lincoln, tell her that her brother ehlped you save a limb." It was the distinguished confederate surgeon, Dr. Todd. Again at Gettysburg, he established his operating table too close to where wounds were made. Just ready to amputate a thigh, a shell dropped whizzing through the body of the wounded man & exploded under the operating table, he & his assistant escaped by falling to the ground until the explosion was over.

His physical condition when mustered out with his regiment before the fall of Richmond, gave evidence that he was as unsparing of his own health & strength as was ever at home. He ws an able physician & surgeon of good judgment & great faithfulness, never shrinking from any operation or responsbility that properly fell to him. He never sought any honor or reputation by making doings known abroad. He loved his profession with all his heaert & as heartily despised all quackery, fraud & pretents. He was well versed in the general sciences, had served upon the geological survey of V ermont & kept himself well informed upon the topics of the day. He took a deep interest in all benevolent reforms; was a temperance lecturer in the early days of temperance, an abolitionist when it cost position, money, & influence to be one, & in all questions was ever on the side of right. After his return from the army, he resumed his rounds among the sick & wore out what remained of his shattered constitution in their servic e. About the 1st of May he spent the night with a patient; he was evidently very unwell, & was earnestly warned to go go home & care for himself; but he only said he had patients who must be seen, & when he reached his home late the following night the fatal work was done. He left his home again only as a sick man in the near view of death bidding adieu to the friends & scenes of his life. He passed through many weeks of suffering with uncomplaining cheerfulness though he knew well what the end must be. He lived and died in the abiding trust that a life spent in the service of humanity, is a life of accepting service to God. Worn out with suffering he passed on the 6th of Nov 1877 to his final rest. The soil of our loved state holds no better patriot, no kinder friend, or nobler man thaqn Dr. James S. Ewing."

1. ↑ Fife, Margaret Ewing. Ewing in Early America.. (Bountiful, Utah, Family History Publishers, 2003).