From "History of Wheeling City and Ohio County, West Virginia and 
Representative Citizens," by Hon. Gibson Lamb Cranmer, 1902. 

Typed by Laurie Birks Dean

pp. 510-511

James Dallas EWING, deceased, was a representative of an old and 
prominent family and a distinguished member of this chosen 
profession, - that of the law.
	The Ewing family was established in this country by James 
Ewing, some time between 1795 and 1797.  He was a son of Henry and 
Elizabeth (Glenn) Ewing, both natives of Ireland, the former of whom 
was born on Lord Abercon's estate, County Tyrone.  James Ewing was 
born in Ireland in 1771, and on coming to America settled on the 
eastern shore of Maryland.  He was a lieutenant and subsequently a 
captain in the War of 1812.  He removed at an early day to Ohio 
county, Virginia (now Marshall county, West Virginia), where he 
settled on a farm which he called "Fairhill" and which he established 
as a family homestead.  His parents came here afterwards and spent 
the remainder of their lives, their graves on the farm being marked 
with a time-worn headstone.  He was married to Elizabeth Wilson in 
Maryland and brought her with him to Virginia.  By this marriage he 
had four sons and three daughters:  Henry, James, William, John, 
Maria, Jane and Elizabeth.
	William Ewing was born on the homestead in 1810, and there 
resided as the owner of the property, until his death in 1861.  He 
was married to Martha Martin, and left 10 children:  James Dallas; 
William Wilson, who succeeded to the proprietorship of "Fairhill;" 
John Alexander, a prominent attorney of Moundsville; George Martin; 
Isaac Newton; Samuel H.; Susan Ann; Robert A.; Elizabeth W., who 
married Daniel Hartley and Mary, who married Alfred McCuskey.
	James Dallas Ewing was born on the homestead December 19, 1832, 
and there remained, attending and teaching school, until he reached 
his majority, when he began the study of law in the office of Wylie 
H. Oldham, one of the foremost lawyers of his time, and in 1858 was 
duly licensed and admitted.  Locating in New Martinsville, Wetzel 
county, he there remained about seven years.  Compelled to abandon 
the practice of his profession during the period of the Civil War, he 
engaged in mercantile pursuits, afterward spending two years in 
Kentucky.  Deciding to return to West Virginia and to the practice of 
law, he selected Moundsville, in Marshall county, as his residence, 
where he at once acquired a large and remunerative business.  In 1878 
he removed to Wheeling, appearing before the different courts there 
held as well as those before which he had appeared in former years.  
He practiced alone for a time, but his clientage increasing, he 
associated others with himself, and was the head of different firms - 
Ewing & Riley; Ewing, Melvin & Riley; and Ewing, Melvin & Ewing, in 
the order named.  His life closed on September 1, 1898, at his home 
at Leatherwood, east of the city.  While residing at New 
Martinsville, he married Emma Anderson, a daughter of William 
Anderson, at one time sheriff of his county and a prominent and 
reputable citizen.  By this marriage there were 10 children, eight of 
whom are living:  Effie Estella, wife of John H. Holt, of Huntington; 
Emma Irene; James William; Robert Benton, who holds a responsible 
position with the Wheeling Corrugating Company; Daisy, wife of H. C. 
McMillen, of Huntington; Fred Anderson, who is also with the Wheeling 
Corrugating Company; and Ethel and Genevieve, who with the other 
unmarried children reside with their mother at the Leatherwood home.
	In his career as a lawyer Mr. Ewing took and held high place.  
He cared but little for politic honors, yet more than once was he 
pressed into service as a candidate for office by the political party 
with which he affiliated and was unsuccessful only because his party 
was not in the ascendancy.  In the court-room and in the office he 
was alike successful.  In close attention to the concerns of those 
who sought his aid, in earnestness and ability in presenting 
questions to court or jury, in foresight and sagacity, whether in 
giving counsel or in managing a cause, he was not excelled by any of 
his able colleagues at the bar.  Devoted to family, friends and 
clients, public spirited in all general matters of pith and moment, 
and just in everything engaging his attention, his life was a useful 
one, - a model in more respects than one.
	James William Ewing, the oldest son, was born at Moundsville, 
October 25, 1869, and the family removing to Wheeling, in 1879, he 
there attended the public schools and was graduated from Linsly 
Institute in the class of 1887.  During the following two years he 
received a business training in different capacities, and in 
February, 1890, was appointed and acted as private secretary to 
Governor Fleming, residing at the state capital, Charleston.  He read 
law while thus serving and in the summer of 1893 took the examination 
and was admitted to the practice.  In the fall of the same year he 
entered the University of Virginia, and in the spring of 1894 
returned to Wheeling, taking the place of the retiring junior member 
of the firm of which his father was then the head.  Upon the father's 
death the survivors continued in business until September, 1899, when 
Judge Melvin went upon the Circuit Court bench; and since then Mr. 
Ewing has practice alone at No. 1400 Chapline street.  He is still 
unmarried.  In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party.  He 
is a member of the college fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta, and is a 
past master of Wheeling Lodge, No. 5, A. F. & A. M.  He has a well-
established practice and a host of friends in and out of the 
profession and in all portions of the state.