Barton County KS Archives Biographies.....Ewing, James R. 1840 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ks/ksfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@gmail.com November 13, 2005, 12:43 pm Author: Great Bend Tribune JAMES R. EWING THE "J. R. Ewing Thoroughbred Stock and Alfalfa Farm," which is located eleven miles west of Great Bend, covers four hundred acres of the choicest of Barton County's tillable land and is all that its name implies. Its owner, James R. Ewing, is a fancier of thoroughbreds, and his specialties are Black and Gray Percheron horses, Shorthorn Cattle, Big Boned English Berkshire hogs and Rhode Island Red chickens. The house is a two story frame with eleven rooms; the barn 40x64; the poultry house large and modern, and there is an automobile garage, windmills and numerous outbuildings. The farm is set in corn, wheat and forage crops, and a goodly portion in alfalfa and native grasses. In fact it has been planned for a breeding farm and has the necessary appurtenances. On it at this time is "Kansas King," a thoroughbred registered Black Percheron stallion and eleven registered brood mares of the same breed. Two of these mares are said to be worth above $1,000 each, and the value of "Kansas King" has not been fixed as he is not yet two years old and is said to be one of the largest colts ever bred in the county. "Deering Archer," a thoroughbred Shorthorn bull, and six Shorthorn cows—all from imported stock. A herd of Big Boned English Berkshire hogs and a flock of Rhode Island Red chickens. These animals have been bred for sale from sires imported at great cost, with a view to bettering the stock of the county, and are the result of many years of effort, and Mr. Ewing deserves much credit for being the pioneer in his line. James R. Ewing was born February 10th, 1840, in Crawford County, Pa., but in 1857 moved to Webster County, Iowa, where he engaged in farming. On July 14th, 1861, he was married to Miss Hannah Elizabeth Cline, of that county, and they have four children: David A., Fred H. and Harve Ewing, all farming in Barton County, and Mrs. Blanche Nairn of Pawnee County. On August 22nd, 1862, he entered the United States army as a private in Co. I, 32nd Iowa Volunteers and served during the remainder of the civil war. He was in eight general engagements, many skirmishes, and was at one time for thirty-one days under fire; but escaped with a scratch across the fcrehead, a grazed arm, and a hat shot from his head. He faced Price, Marmaduke, Bee and Dwight at the battles of Ft. DeRusa, Pleasant Hill, Mansfield, Old Oaks, Lake Checot, Mineral Point, Big Blue and Nashville, and was at the taking of Ft. Blakeny, Ala., on the 14th day of April, 1865. After the close of the war he returned to his home in Iowa and took up farming again until coming to Barton County on November 13th, 1S85, when he bought a section of land where he now resides. Although about seventy-two he is well preserved and actively engaged every working day, and drives his automobile as recklessly as the younger generation. Mrs. Ewing is also a well preserved lady, and has been a true helpmate for her energetic husband. She can yet attend to her household work and assist out of doors, and is very proud to do so. [photo] Home of James R. Ewing Additional Comments: From: Biographical History Of Barton County File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ks/barton/bios/ewing131gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ksfiles/ File size: 3.7 Kb