My Genealogy Hound

CAPT. SAMUEL W. EWING, retired. Oakdale, was born in Robinson (now Collier) township in 1818. In or about the year 1775 James Ewing, known in early days as “Squire Ewing.” came to Pittsburgh, and soon thereafter moved to Robinson township, to near the present town of Walker’s Mills. He purchased a tract of land on Robinson’s run, extending on the east and west side of the creek from the present town of Mansfield to Walker’s Mills. In this tract were some nine hundred acres, to which he afterward made additional purchases, owning at one time about two thousand acres. This pioneer farmer and millwright married Mary McKown, who bore him five sons and four daughters. At the death of their father the sons inherited the land. He left five sons-William, Alexander, Samuel, John and James — and four daughters, all of whom reared large families. Samuel, called “Major Sam,” married a Miss Letty McCurdy, who lived to the age of one hundred and seven years, and died but three or four years ago. The daughters were married, respectively, to a Mr. Boyd, a Maj. Walker, a Mr. Kelso and a Mr. Fryor. All of old Squire Ewing’s children are dead, but he has left many grand and great-grandchildren, dispersed, it is believed, over many of the states and territories; one of them preaches in New Jersey; some of his descendants are in Oregon and in Washington territory. Some three years after the settlement of ‘Squire Ewing in Allegheny county, his cousin, Alexander Ewing, came from Eastern Pennsylvania and located near the present town of Oakdale. There he rented a farm and remained four years. He then purchased one hundred acres of land on the Steubenville pike, near what was then the North Star hotel. He married Jane Anderson, and to them were born four children, of whom William was the youngest. Alexander died about 1795.

William was reared on the farm purchased by his father, moved to his wife’s property on Pinkerton’s run about 1810, built a saw and grist mill and bought several farms. He married Jane, daughter of Isaac Walker, who was the pioneer of the family, and there were born to them seven children, five of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. William died in 1865, aged eighty-two years, and his wife aged sixty-two years. Samuel W., the second son born to William and Jane Ewing, was reared on the farm, and with the exception of a few years he was engaged in carpentering; has always led a farmer’s life. In October, 1839, he married Mary Lorane, daughter of Parker Lorane, of an old family of this county. Eight children, six yet living, were born to this union: Margaret, Anna, Emily, Melissa, Martha, Kate, William and Ida. Mr. Ewing has resided on his present farm since 1839. It consists of eighty-one acres, beautifully located. He was captain of militia fifteen years; has held township offices, and is a member of the U. P. Church. In politics he has always adhered strongly to the principles of the democratic party.

Isaac Ewing, the eldest son of William and Jane (Walker) Ewing, was born in 1811, and reared on a farm, the pursuits of which he has always followed. He was educated at a log school, and has been hardworking and industrious. He married, in 1834, Margaret Drake, daughter of Jacob and Ann (Barkley) Drake. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ewing, five of whom are yet living: Jane (Mrs. Williams), Margaret, Joseph, Mary and Melinda. The parents are members of the U. P. Church; he is a democrat. Mr. Ewing has lived on his present farm since 1838, eighty-six acres of which was the property inherited by his mother, and part of the original land of Isaac Walker.