W. Henry Ewing
W. Henry Ewing, a well known business citizen of Steubenville, O., who is engaged in the general contracting business, has been a continuous resident of this city since 1903, when he erected his comfortable residence at No. 728 North Fifth Street. He was born at Hookstown, Pa., in January, 1846, but was reared and educated at Wellsville, O.
In early manhood Mr. Ewing learned the machinist's trade and for some years worked as a machinist in different sections of Ohio and then entered the employ of the Ohio & Pennsylvania Coal Company, of Cleveland, O., as a master machinist. From there he came to Mingo, Jefferson County, in 1876, called here to start the old Mingo Junction plant, and two years later came to Steubenville, where he started the old Avrick shaft and made this city his home from 1880 until 1886. He then went to Port Royal, where he built the Port Royal Coal Works, going from there to Yorkville, where he was in charge of the mines for seventeen years and during fifteen years of that period was postmaster at Yorkville and had mercantile interests. In 1903 he returned to Steubenville and entered into general contracting and enjoys a large amount of patronage in this line.
In 1881 Mr. Ewing was married to Miss Mary Emma Mosel, and they have three children: George, who is a traveling salesman for W. F. Davidson & Company; Harry C, who is also with the above firm; and Hattie B., who is the wife of A. C. Douglas, of Steubenville. Mr. and Mrs. Ewing are members of the Congregational Church, in which he is chairman of the board of trustees. He is identified with the order of Royal Arcanum. During the Civil War Mr. Ewing had a unique and interesting experience. When General Morgan, the Confederate officer, who, with his followers, had brought such terror to the quiet hamlets of Ohio by his raids, was finally captured and placed under restraint at Wellsville, it fell to the lot of Mr. Ewing to be guard of the prisoner. Laying aside sectional feelings, a mutual regard sprang up between the two and Mr. Ewing still preserves the silver spur given him by the redoubtable "raider."
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910