My Genealogy Hound

HASTINGS ALEXANDER EWING, who for the past twenty years has been engaged as cabinet-maker and undertaker in Carlisle, is one of the well known business men of the town, holding a high place in commercial circles because of his unquestioned integrity and his practical, progressive spirit.

In the early days the Ewing family emigrated from Ireland. Armstrong Ewing, the grandfather of Hastings A., resided in Middletown, Dauphin county. He began life for himself in the humble calling of boy driver on a tow-path, and for many years followed the canal, gradually advancing in his work. He married Eliza Zimmerman, of Perry county, and they became the parents of five children, one son and four daughters: Alexander Black; Mary, who became Mrs. John Bistline, and lives in Illinois; Miss Elizabeth; Jane, who married William Wells, of Baltimore; and Emma, wife of Edward Arney, of Carlisle. Armstrong Ewing died at his home in Middletown. His widow passed away in Carlisle, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Arney.

Alexander Black Ewing was born in Middletown, Dauphin county, March 23, 1831, and remained at home until he was eighteen years of age. The public schools afforded him good educational advantages for the time, and when he started out for himself he was better equipped than most boys of his age. During his boyhood, however, when not in the schoolroom, he had driven mules on the tow-path, and for some time thought of following in his father’s footsteps, and working all his life on the canal. The work, however, did not offer to the ambitious young man the good inducements other callings did, and when he was eighteen he went to Carlisle, and there apprenticed himself to learn the cabinet-maker’s trade with Henry Fetter. He thoroughly mastered his trade, and continued in the employ of his instructor until 1853, when he started in business for himself at No. 159 West High street. This location proving a good one, he continued in it for the remainder of his life. He met with great success in his work, because of his thorough mastery of the trade and his pride in turning out flawless work. Whatever he attempted he did well. His death occurred Sept. 23, 1903.

In 1851, in Carlisle, Mr. Ewing was married to Eliza Jane Shrom, who was born in that city June 5, 1832. Of the children born of this marriage four died young: Kate is Mrs. Samuel Gensler, of Carlisle; Florence died unmarried Feb. 20, 1903; Grace is Mrs. William Kieffer, of Carlisle; Hastings Alexander is mentioned below; May A. married Herbert Bender, of Carlisle.

Hastings A. Ewing was born in the old home in Carlisle Jan. 14, 1866. He received a good education in the public schools of Carlisle, from which he was graduated with the class of 1883, and learned cabinet-making under his father, serving a regular apprenticeship. That his instruction was thorough goes without saying, and under the same careful guidance he began his business career. The old saying “like father, like son” aptly applies in this case, as both were masters of their trade, and both took pride in the high class of finished work leaving their shop. In 1893, while attending and directing a funeral, the father met with an accident which practically ended his personal supervision of the business. His son stepped quietly and modestly into his place and afterward practically conducted the entire establishment, which he has continued to carry on since his father’s death.

On Dec. 6, 1888, Hastings A. Ewing was united m marriage with Effie De Lancey, daughter of Oliver and Emma (Shrom) De Lancey. They have had four children, as follows: Alexander B., one that died in infancy in 1892, Mary E., and William Joseph. The religious connection of Mr. Ewing and his wife is with the Episcopal Church, both being communicants in St. John’s parish. In politics Mr. Ewing is a stanch Republican. Fraternally he belongs to Lodge No. 91, I. O. O. F., of which he is past grand; to the K. G. E., No. 110, in which he is past chief to the Mystic Circle, and to Tent No. 403, K. O. T. M., Carlisle. For the past eight years he has been a member of the Union Fire Co. of Carlisle, and he is a member of the Southern District Funeral Directors’ Association. He is very popular socially, and is a welcome addition in the friendly gatherings of the best people of the city.