California Biographies Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from its earliest settlement to the present time. Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905 Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176 DAVID S. EWING. Among the professional men who occupy a position of prominence in the esteem of the citizens of Fresno is David S. Ewing, an attorney of more than local note, and one who has won a wide popularity for the sterling traits which distinguish his character. Born in Fulton, Callaway county, Mo., October 24, 1866, he was the son of Henry Neal Ewing, who was a native of the same locality. The grandfather, James Ewing, was born in Kentucky and emigrated to Callaway county, Mo., in 1820, following the example of his father, who had crossed the mountains into Kentucky from his native state � Virginia. The family were of Scotch-Irish ancestry and inherited the sturdy-traits which have made of these people some of our most desirable citizens. Henry Neal Ewing was reared in Missouri and educated at Yale University, after which, in 1849, ne crossed the plains to California by ox-team. Upon his ar- rival he engaged in mining for several years, after which he returned to Missouri. He again crossed the plains, and again returned to Missouri during the Civil war. He removed to Kansas City in 1874, where he engaged in business for about six years, in 1880 bringing his family to California and locating in Fresno county. He was the third colonist of Fresno colony, where he purchased a farm one and a half miles southeast of Fresno and set out a vineyard and a forty-acre orchard, as well as made many other valuable improvements. In 1887 he sold out this property and located in Fresno, where his death occurred in 1890. In his religious convictions he was a member of the Baptist Church. His wife, formerly Carrie Martin, was born near Fulton, Mo., the daughter of William Martin, who was a native of Virginia and an early resident of Missouri, settling on a farm adjoining the property of James Ewing. He was of French and German ancestry, and a worthy and esteemed man. Mrs. Ewing died in Kansas City in 1878, leaving a family of six sons and two daughters, all of whom attained maturity and five sons now surviving : A. D., deputy county clerk of Fresno county; Harry M., of Fresno; Emmet M., who is in business in Victoria, British Columbia; Forest B., a sheep man of Nevada; and David S., the subject of this review. The second son in his father's family, David S. Ewing was reared to manhood in Fulton, Kansas City, Fresno and the paternal farm in Fresno county. In 1883 he secured employment as a member of the surveying corps on the upper San Joaquin canal, where he remained for about two and a half years, after which, in 1887, he attended the Pacific Business College in San Francisco. Returning to Fresno county, he was employed in the city tax collector's office, and the following year became deputy county school superintendent under Prof. B. A. Hawkins. In 1890 and 1891 he served as chief deputy in the county tax collector's office. In all his official positions he acquitted himself honorably, doing credit to himself and those who placed him in his various capacities. From early boyhood, however, he had an eager desire to study law, and was not content even with '.he good positions which he so easily secured. At every opportu- nity he took up the ponderous tome which held for him the realization of his ambitions, and in 1893 he was admitted to practice by the Superior Court in Fresno county, and began the practice of his profession. He formed a partnership with O. L. Everts, which firm was known as that of Everts & Ewing, and together they built up a general practice. This partnership still exists and is the oldest legal firm in the county. In 1895 Mr. Ewing entered the University of Mich- igan as a senior in the department of law, being graduated therefrom in 1896 with the degree of LL. B., and again taking up his practice in Fresno. Among the cases which Mr. Ewing has conducted or assisted in conducting may be mentioned those of the "Land Scrippers," The Cosmopolitan Exploration Company vs. the Gray Eagle Development Company et al, in which he took part, that being the first on record to decide against the "Land Scrippers" ; and the case of J. G. Roberts vs. The Fresno Democrat Publishing Company, wherein the firm represented the defendant. In Fresno, May 1, 1898. Mr. Ewing married Grace Maul, a native of Illinois. She was the daughter of Frank Maul, who was born in Germany, and after his emigration to the United States became a grocer in Illinois. He is now living retired in Fresno. Mrs. Ewing is a grad- uate of the Kewanee (Ill.) high school. To Mr. Ewing and his wife in Fresno, August 15, 1901, were born two daughters, twins, Blanche and Mildred. In his fraternal relations Mr. Ewing is a member and exalted ruler of Fresno Lodge No. 439, B. P. O. E., and Manzanita Camp No. 160, W. O. W., which he has served five terms as consul commander. In 1898 he was elected head escort of the Head Camp P. J. Woodmen of the World, and served two years. His wife is a member of the Episcopal Church. Politically he is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, and is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member of the Fresno County Bar Association.