J. J. Ewing
J. J. Ewing, who is prominent in the business circles of Lima, where he conducts a large hardware business, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, May 11, 1850, and is a son of the late Ralph Ewing, of Lima.
In early life Ralph Ewing was a farmer, but later he moved to Columbus Grove and there became a well-known business man and representative citizen. He was engaged in the hardware business here for a number of years with his son, our subject, under the firm name of R. Ewing & Son. He died in 1897.
Our subject was an infant when his parents moved to Hancock County, Ohio, where they resided until he was 11 years old, and then they removed to Huron County, Michigan, where they remained for three years. The next removal was to Bluffton, Allen County, and later to Columbus Grove, where the father was in the hardware business with our subject for 14 years. Then the son bought the father's interest, continuing the business for three years alone.
Mr. Ewing then sold his stock at Columbus Grove and came to Lima, where he entered into partnership with W. K. Boone, and for three years a very successful hardware business was conducted under the firm name of The W. K. Boone Company. Mr. Ewing then sold his interest, and in partnership with a Mr. Emerick bought the stock of J. M. Dungan, who was located at Nos. 225-227 North Main Street. The firm of Ewing & Emerick continued four years, when the senior partner bought the junior's interest and since then he has conducted his business under his own name. With his years of practical experience in this line, Mr. Ewing is well fitted to be the leading hardware merchant of the city, and in his extensive establishment can be found everything pertaining to his line. Mr. Ewing was married in 1872 to Jennie Bayley, who is a daughter of the late Nathaniel H. Bayley, of Putnam County, Ohio. They have two children, viz.: Madge and Porter J. The former is a graduate of Mrs. Richard's private seminary in Philadelphia, and the latter is a student at the University of Michigan, and a former student at Colonel Brown's military institute at Germantown, Ohio.
Mr. Ewing, during his long residence in Lima, has influence in the direction of the advancement of social, moral and educational interests. He has not aspired to political honors' his preference being for a quiet life devoted to his private affairs.