Joel H. Ewing

As printed in 1910

JOEL H. EWING.

Faithfulness to duty and a strict adherence to a fixed purpose, which always do more to advance a man's interest than wealth or advantageous circumstances, have been dominating factors in the life of Joel H. Ewing, one of the representative and influential citizens of Lexington, Lafayette county, his career having been replete with honor and success worthily attained. He was born in Lexington township, this county, February 8, 1860, and is the son of Neander C. and Catherine W. (Wilcoxon) Ewing, the father having been born in the same room in which his son, Joel H., first saw the light of day, the birth of the former occurring September 24, 1830. He was the son of Robert and Elizabeth J. (Campbell) Ewing, both born in Kentucky, near Russellville, the family having come to that state from Virginia in an early day, the early ancestors having come to America from northern Ireland and Scotland, some of whom were in the Revolutionary war. Senator Cockrell's mother was a Ewing. The old bookcase of Finis Ewing is now in the home of the subject. Robert Ewing and his brother, Young, came to Lafayette county, Missouri, in 18 18, located here and spent the remainder of their lives in this locality. Young Ewing was the first county clerk; they both lived in Lexington township. His father, Chathan Ewing, came to this county about 1830, being then advanced in years, and he spent his last days here. Finis Ewing, brother of Chathan, also emigrated to Lexington and died here. Robert Ewing owned a large tract of land, from one thousand to fifteen hundred acres, and was one of the most extensive farmers of the county. The house he built in 1825 is still standing, a double log house, all the lumber in it having been cut with a whip-saw and finished by hand. It is located in section 21, township 50 mange 27, four and one-half miles south of Lexington. The old place is now owned by Robert's granddaughter, Mrs. A. H. Eggleston. The brick house was built by Chathan Ewing and still stands, being now owned by James Peak, of Lexington. The old house of Finis Ewing, which stood close to that of his brother Chathan, was burned during the Civil war.

Robert Ewing's family consisted of four children: Joel H. died when seventy-nine years of age on a farm in Washington township, this county; Eveline J. married James Read, went to Cooper county and died when seventy-eight years of age; Young died in 1868, at the age of forty-one years, his death occurring at Mayview, this county, where he owned a mill; Neander C, whose birth was given above, died on January 14, 1888, at the age of fifty-eight years.

When sixteen years of age Neander C. Ewing attended the old Chapel Hill College, and when eighteen entered the old Masonic College at Lexington, from which he was graduated. His father dying soon afterward, he was given full control of the home place in 1853, and he managed the same very successfully. In 1866 he built the house that is now standing on the place. As he prospered he added more land to the farm and spent his entire life on the home place, becoming one of the leading farmers of the township and one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of the county; however, he was not a public man. He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and for many years an active worker and a deacon in the local church. His wife passed to her rest in 1892, at the age of fifty-seven years. She was known in her maidenhood as Catherine Wilcoxon and they were married in 1856. She was the daughter of Horatio Wilcoxon, who was born in Maryland. Three children were born to this union: Anna H. is the wife of John Eggleston, of Lexington; Joel H., of this review, and Young lives in Lexington,

Joel H. Ewing received a good education in a private school in Lexington, George Catron and Rev. James Greer being his tutors. He remained with his father on the farm and early in life became familiar with all phases of agricultural pursuits. He continued to live on the home place until twelve years ago, when he moved to Lexington. Joel H. has ten acres of land in the south edge of Lexington, the old home of William H. Russell, the old Pacific mail contractor, which was built in the fifties for his private secretary. It was one of the old homes in this city and a fine place in those days, and is one of the picturesque landmarks of the town today. The subject has remodeled the house somewhat, making it comfortable and modern, yet retaining its old-time aspects.

Joel H. Ewing was married on December 27, 1905, to Christie Vaughan, daughter of George M. and Lucy Vaughan, both still living in Lexington. Mrs. Ewing was born near this city and was educated in the Lexington high school, also in a business college, and is a lady of refined tastes. This union has been graced by the birth of one child, George McNaught Ewing, now three years old.

Mr. Ewing is independent in politics and has never taken much interest in public affairs. He is a member of the Union Presbyterian church. In all the relations of life he has sought to maintain untarnished the honored name of this old and worthy family.

As printed in Young's history of Lafayette County, Missouri (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.