BIO: HASTINGS ALEXANDER EWING, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
   
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson
  OCRed by Judy Banja

  Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm
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  _____________________________________________________________

  >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
  Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 304-305
  _____________________________________________________________

  NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
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    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 cabinetmaker'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
 
    CUMBERLAND COUNTY. 305
 
  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 cabinetmaking under his father, serving a regular apprenticeship.
  That his instruction was thorough goes without saying, and tinder 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 in 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.