... Patrick Ewing was born in Cecil County, Md., in 1803, and was a boy of three years of age when he came with his father to Kentucky. He remained at home on the Kentucky farm until after his marriage to Miss Lydia Morgan, of Montgomery County, Ky. His education was of the most primitive kind, and what he has learned in his life, has been acquired by his observation and experience which has been varied. In the old Kentucky days, he was a Captain of the militia, and was no doubt well qualified to discharge the duties of such a position. He was married September 5, 1826, and something like a year afterward he came with his wife and infant daughter to Decatur County. They settled in Clay Township, and in the same place have lived ever since.
Patrick Ewing was a man well suited to endure the various hardships of pioneer life; for he was possessed of a constitution as strong and lasting as iron, and his will was indomitable. With these two requisites, and being a man of good judgment on general matters, he soon reached a good degree of success in his own business affairs, and obtained considerable influence throughout his community. His first experience in Decatur County was truly of the character of those days, as the first stock he ever owned was killed and devoured by wolves. However, he was not a man to be discouraged over such matters, and only worked the harder when he met with disappointments. He kept steadily on and time has rewarded his efforts, as to-day he is the possessor of a large amount of property, the result of his years of labor, and has reared a family which is one of the largest and most remarkable in Decatur County.
Mr, and Mrs. Ewing have had fifteen children, of whom thirteen are now living, including triplets, each of whom weigh more than two hundred pounds; We give a summary of these fifteen children in order:
- Sarah J., born in Kentucky, married to John G. King ; she is now dead, but has a son living in St. Joseph, Mo., who is an editor of considerable note.
- Mary, married to Jesse Howard.
- Eliza (deceased), who was married to John G. King after death of Sarah J.;
- Putnam, Abel and Joshua (triplets)
- Putnam married to Mary De Armond, and after her death to Sarah A. Hackleman ; - Joshua married to Alice Russell, and
- Abel married to Nancy J. G. Patten;
- Robert married to Sallie King;
- Cortez married to Elizabeth H. Matthews, December 27, 1860. Has two children, Maggie, now Mrs. George B, Stockman, and Oscar Hord.
- Samuel H. married to Mahala Braden ;
- Lydia A. married to James W. Barclay ;
- James K. ;
- George M.;
- Martha C. married to James B. Davis ;
- Morgan J,; and
= Alice J. married to James M. Hyner.
Most of this numerous family are residents of Decatur County, and many of them have attained prominence among the business and professional men of their county.
Cortez and James K. are among the leading attorneys of Greensburg ;
Putnam is one of the old and substantial business men of Greensburg, is of the firm of Ewing & Foley, one of the oldest here, also R. R. Agent;
George is Express Agent, and a good business man.
The whole family have been life-long Democrats, and have probably done more than any other family in the county for the success of that party. Like all the Ewings both North and South, their principles have been purely Democratic.
Patrick Ewing, now living in Clay Township, is, as we have already stated, one of the oldest of the pioneers living. He still retains the use of his faculties perfectly, and has good general health. These facts indicate that he has a considerable time yet left to enjoy the wealth he has accumulated, surrounded by his children who are particularly attentive to their parents.
His wife, Lydia Morgan, was a daughter of Abel Morgan, who was of the Morgan family, often spoken of in the history of Montgomery County, and from which Morgan Station derived its name. She has been a true helper to her husband, and has done her part in rearing their large family, Mr. and Mrs. Ewing have been married for more than fifty-five years.
