The Carthage Republican
Carthage, Illinois
Wednesday
May 4, 1910
Page 8
Columns 3 & 4G. W. Ewing
(Written by a Niece.)
May 29, 1833, 77 years and 11 months ago in Gallia county, Ohio, to Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Ewing a tiny babe was born. In due time this wee bit of humanity was named George Washington Ewing and he spent his boyhood days on the old home place. On Sept. 10, 1849, he with his parents moved to Illinois, the journey being made overland in a wagon for at that time there was only one railroad between the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and that ran through Springfield, Ill. He saw the railroad but not the cars and also saw lots of deer, prairie chickens and mud holes while crossing the big prairies of Illinois. On the first of October, 1849, he arrived in Hancock county, Ill., which place has been his home ever since, he making one visit to the place of his birth a number of years ago.
On Jan. 4, 1857, he was married to Miss Eunice Cox, a daughter of the late Mastin Cox, and for over fifty-three years they have trod the pathway of life together. Fifty-three years is a long time when measured by the tardy sands that slowly run their way through the hour glass of sorrow and despair but how short the span when crowded with the joys of life illuminated by love. This was an ideal home; love always ruled their fireside. For a year he had been in failing health and in the early fall his granddaughter, Miss Olive Ewing, gave up her parents, brother and sisters, home and young friends and associates at East Lynn, Mo., to come to care for grandpa. As winter came on another grandchild, Thane Dickinson, joined her and during all the long cold winter these two faithful grandchildren gave him their loving care until his spirit took its flight on Thursday, April 28, 1910, at 8 a. m.
He was a good, kind and indulgent husband and father, ever ready to do his part. He never identified himself with any church. He leaves to mourn him his aged companion and five living children, Elton Ewing and Mrs. Frank Smith, of Dighton, Kas., Will Ewing, of East Lynn, Mo., Mrs. John Dickinson, of Middle Creek, and Myrtle, who lives at home. One daughter, Pearl, the beloved wife of Morris White, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 1898. Twenty grandchildren and a large number of relatives and friends together with one sister, Mrs. Electa Howell, of Medill, Mo., who is 86 years old, are also left to mourn.
No funeral service was held but the Masonic order of which he had been a faithful member for over fifty-three years, took charge of the body at the residence and performed their funeral ceremonies at the Holland cemetery where the remains were laid to rest by the side of his mother, Friday, April 29, 1910, at 3 p. m.
There is a vacant chair in another home and a familiar form and face will be seen no more for the grim ferryman has crossed the shadowy river again, bearing his victim beyond the mists that hide the other shore from mortal vision. But the dark side of the cloud is below and the sun may be shining with glorious light on the other side and for another weary and afflicted sojourner the end of the way has been reached. The gate has opened into a prepared home and loving hands have smoothed the lines of care out and the tear which told of heartache has been wiped away. The tired hands and feet rest at last and instead of the discord and wall of woe so often heard on earth there now breaks upon spirits ear attuned for perfect melody the song of angels and the triumphant shout of the redeemed. He fain would have lived to have saved his loved ones this bitter sorrow. Truly a good man has gone home.
