William Ewin (October 8, 1808 – November 25, 1886)[1] was an American artisan, lawyer, civil servant and State Senator.

William Ewin
Member of the West Virginia Senate
from the 9th district
In office
1879–1882
Personal details
Born(1808-10-08)October 8, 1808
County Leitrim, Ireland
DiedNovember 25, 1886(1886-11-25) (aged 78)
St. George, West Virginia

Early life edit

Ewin was born in County Leitrim, Ireland on October 8, 1808. He then emigrated with his parents to New York City in 1822. From 1830 to 1840 he worked in Philadelphia and Baltimore as a maker of mathematical instruments.[2]

Tucker County edit

He married Martha Ann Dennis in 1835. In 1840 he moved to Western Ford, Randolph County, Virginia, which today is Saint George, Tucker County, West Virginia. Ewin studied law and lobbied the Virginia General Assembly for the formation of Tucker county, accomplished in 1856.

Work edit

Ewin served as Postmaster and County Circuit Clerk until barred from public service in 1861 because he, as did other county officials, supported Virginia's secession from the United States.

Ewin used his surveying and legal skills to obtain and sell land grants of many thousand acres. After the Presidential and State amnesties of 1868 and 1871 for secessionists, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney, then to the West Virginia Senate from 1879 to 1882.[3]

Death and Burial edit

Ewin died November 25, 1886, and is buried in the family graveyard overlooking the Cheat River at Saint George.

References edit

  1. ^ "William Ewin (1808 - 1886) - Find A Grave Memorial". www.findagrave.com. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  2. ^ "William Ewin". www.surveyhistory.org. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  3. ^ Kestenbaum, Lawrence. "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Evergreen to Ewin". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved December 22, 2016.

External links edit