The Ewings are a family that can claim more than a century of residence in Mahoning County, and men of that name have achieved honor and respect by reason of their activities as farmers, businessmen, and the
professions, and by the deep loyalty and sincerity of their citizenship.

Of this family, James Renwick Ewing has given most of his life to the cares and duties of agriculture.  His home is in Jackson Township, twelve miles southwest of Youngstown, and he was born in the same township October 4, 1852.   His grandfather, John Ewing, was a Scotch Irishman, a native of Ireland, and came to Mahoning County about 1803.  He was a brother of Archibald Ewing, who came at the same time and established another well known branch of the family in this section.  John Ewing married Margaret Orr and spent his active life on a farm in Jackson Township and reared a large family.  The names of his children were Mary, Marjorie, Martha, Anna, Nellie, Sarah, Rebecca, Catherine, Alexander, Gibson, and John.  The old homestead was acquired by his son, John, who was the father of Samuel O. Ewing.

Gibson Ewing, father of James Renwick, was born in Jackson Township July 23, 1818, and grew up among the familiar scenes of frontier country.  On May 19, 1842, he married Margaret Riddle, who was born on the farm now owned by her son James Renwick Ewing, September 18, 1823, the daughter of Samuel and Margaret Riddle, both of whom spent their lives on the farm just mentioned.  Margaret Riddle inherited 100 acres of this place, and at the time of his marriage, Gibson Ewing settled in the woods and by many years of industry accumulated a well improved estate of nearly 300 acres.  Gibson Ewing died February 11, 1890, his wife having passed away in January, 1872.  They were the parents of a large family of children, six of whom reached mature years:  Samuel John, born July 17, 1844, was an early volunteer in the Forty-First Ohio Infantry, and after having been wounded was brought home and died May 2, 1863, at the age of nineteen;  Martha Ann, who was born August 7, 1846, died September 17, 1902, just two weeks after the death of her husband, D. R. Johnson;  James Renwick;  Rutherford, born October 9, 1858, died at the age of twenty-two; Mary E., wife of Frank Clemons, living at Warren, Ohio;  and Sarah M. wife of H S Klingman.

James Renwick Ewing acquired his early education in the public schools of Jackson Township, attended the old Poland Union Seminary, and one October 23, 1873, married Mary Lynn, of the prominent Lynn family of Canfield.  She was born in the southwest part of Jackson Township April 7, 1854, a daughter of Levi Lynn.

At the time of his marriage, Mr. Ewing moved to the Riddle Farm, in which his mother had inherited a third interest.  Assisted by his father James Ewing, bought out the other heirs, and started with 100 acres.  Later he bought fifty-four acres more, and then divided the property into his two farms, building a new set of buildings on the south part.  His son, Renwick L. farmed this portion until his death  two years later, and that land was then sold, leaving at present seventy-seven acres of the old property.  Mr. Ewing has spent his business life on this farm, and has taken pride in its improvement and development and its productiveness, and for many years the place has been a dairy farm.  His sons have been interested in the breeding of Jersey cattle for a number of years.  The old home was a brick house, and Mr. Ewing replaced it with the present residence, modern in every respect, with acetylene lighting plant, running water, bath and hot air furnace.

Mr. Ewing and family are members of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics he has always been affiliated as a republican. He served nine years as trustee of the township, and his son George is one of the present trustees.  His son Renwick also served as a trustee.

Mr. and Mrs. Ewing were the parents of four children.  Mrs. Ewing died September 24, 1912, at th age of fifty-eight years and five months, and there were three deaths in the family just two years apart.  The oldest of the children is Harmon R., born May 14, 1875, a successful attorney at Sebring, who married Nora Tibbitt, of Jackson Township, daughter of John and Almira Tibbett, now living retired at Warren.  Harmon Ewing and wife have one son, Howard, born November 24, 1902.

The second of the children was Austin Rutherford, who was born March 10, 1879, and died November 11, 1914.  HE was at the time of his death a sergeant on the police force at Youngstown and was killed while riding a fire truck to a fire, being thrown from the running board against a telephone pole.  His wife was Anna Krause, adopted daughter of Lee Krause of Youngstown.  She had been a professional nurse and since the death of her husband has resumed that profession at a hospital in Youngstown.  She is the mother of one daughter, Ramah M., now eleven years of age.

Renwick L Ewing, born December 14, 1881, died October 23, 1916.  He was one of the progressive young farmers  of Jackson Township and was active as a Jersey cattle man and in township affairs.  He married Estella Williams, daughter of DeLos Williams of Ellsworth Township, and she is now living in Arizona.

The youngest of the family, George Gibson Ewing, was born September 21, 1886, and has spent his active life on the home farm.  His brother Renwick had operated the homestead for five years before his death, and then George rented the land and is now in the full tide of his career as a farmer and stock raiser.  He married Oneita Bunts, daughter of John and Emma Jane Sharpnack Bunts, of Ellsworth Township.  Their  three children are Loren, born August 5, 1909;  Robert A., born September 7, 1912; and Mary Jane, born April 17, 1915.