The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-10-28
HON. THOMAS EWING.
His Life and Public cServiccs-Inter.
esting "Reminiscences - General
Sherman's Eather.in-I.aW-H Enn.
braces the Roman Catholic Faith.

From the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Hon. Thomas Ewing died at Lancas'
ter on Thursday. The place of Mr..
Ewings nativity was Ohio county, Nlr'
einis. He WAS born on the 18th day
of December, 1889, and is consequently
in the eighty.second year OF his age at
this time. His father, man Of some
means, became considerably reduced
during the progress OF the Revolution
ary War, in which he took part.
Alter the establishment OF peace the
paternal Ewing removed his family 10
the valley OF the Muskineum, in Ohio,
and in 1892 he repaired TO frontier
settlement, now known rs Athe"s
county. 1t was in this wild region that
Young Thomas spent his boyhood, and
it is quite probable that the rough ex.
perience Of frontier life aroused and
developed that fortitude and self
reliance which were such dis
tinguishing elements in his char,
acter in after life. He was taught
TO read by an elder sister and gave
early indications OF remarkable intel.
lectual activity. He read eagerly all
the books that came within his reach,
pursuing his researches at night by the
glowing light OF hickory bark, or the
inevitable pine knot-uniailing sources
OF light to our ancestors, and always at
hand. Having attained his twentieth
year, he left the parantel roof and set
out for the Kanawha salt mines to work
on his own account. In the course OF
two or three years, by the exercise OF
prudence and economy, he saved
enough from his scanty earnings to pur,
chase farm from his father, and with
the meager surplus he entered the Ohio
University and pursued his studies en-
ergetically. with occasional Interrupt
tions in consequence Of failing funds,
until the year 1915. when he graduated,
receiving the first degree Of A. B. ever
issued by that educational institution.
Having previously determined to
adopt the profession OF the law as II
means OF livelihood, he Immediately
commenced his studies at Lancaster,
Ohio. and was admitted TO practice IN
1916. From the first his efforts were
crowned with success, and he rapidly
achieved wealth and reputation. much
OF his practice in the Supreme Court OF
the United States being OF remunera'
tive character.
About this time he began TO take an
active part in politics, and in 1881 he
was elected to the United States Senate
as q Wing, and became the friend and
colleague OF Clay and Webster.
lie took prominent and leading po'
sition in the Senate and assaiIed the
Administration for It's apparent en-
eroachments He took strong grounds
against the confirmation OF Martin Van
Buren,. who had been designated by the
President a. Minister TO the Court OF ST.
James, and was warm adherent and
supporter OF the protective tariff ylews
Of Mr.. Clay.
II was through the instrumentality
Of Mr.. Ewing that the much mooted
question OF the boundary Of Ohio was
settled by a bill introduced by him
December u, 1885, which reached 'ts
final passage the following year. on the
llth Of March, in the Senate and on
the 18th OF June in the House Of Repre-
sentatIves.
Upon the expiration of his term in
1897, Mr. Ewing returned to Lancaster
and resumed the practice Of the law,
Upon the election OF Gen. Harrison 70
the Presidency, Mr.. Ewing, who had
been warm supporter, was made a
member Of the Cabinet, occupying the
position OF Secretary Of the Treasury,
the duties OF which responsible Office lac
continued to discharge under President
Tyler.
The Department OF the Interior haY'
ing been created under the administra,
ton OF President Taylor, Mr.. Ewing
accepted the Secretaryship and organ
lied it. During his term OF office he
recommended several measures OF pub
lie importance in his reports.
Mr.. Ewing differed with Mr. Clay and
others OF his associates on the question
OF Congressional Legislation on the sub
ject Of slavery. Mr. Clay cOnteuded
that the question should be settled a
once. and Mr.. Ewing that he lsgisla
ton OF Congress was uncalled for
The death o. General Taylor and th'
accession OF Mr. Fillmore, 90 the 9th 0
July, 1850, precipita,ed the questio
and rendered the resignation OF Mr
Mr.. Ewing necessary. Hon. Thomal
Corwin was appointed Mr. Ewings sue
cessor. and Mr.. Ewing was appointeC
by tie Governsr or Ohio to serve in th'
Senate the unexpired term Of Nj Cor
win. During this period he was az
active defender Of General Taylors ad
ministration. He was opposed to fugi
tive slave Law, the compromise bill o
Mr.. CLAY. advocated the establisbmen
| Of a branch mint in California, the re
duction Of postage, internal improve
ments and various other measures o
public importance.
He did not retire 10 private life unit
1851, when he returned 10 Lancaster
his old home, and resumed the practic
ofthe law. He was engaged as an a
torney in many important litigation
requiring the exercise OF the highes
order OF talent, and always aequitte