My Genealogy Hound

HON. EDWIN H. EWING, LL. D., of Murfreesboro, Tenn., was born in Nashville December 2, 1809, being a son of Nathan and grandson of Andrew Ewing, who was one of the first settlers of Nashville. The names of Nathan and Andrew Ewing appear in the county court records as clerks successively from 1783 to 1830. Our subject secured a good literary education and graduated with the degree of A. B., from the University of Nashville in 1827, and later had the honorary degree of LL. D., conferred upon him. He began studying law without a preceptor, using the books of an elder brother and occasionally appealing to that able lawyer, Francis B. Fogg, who generously assisted him in his struggles to rise. In 1830 he was licensed to practice and was admitted to the bar a year later. He was a partner of James P. Grundy until 1837, and grew rapidly in character and standing as a lawyer. He and his brother Andrew formed a partnership, and in 1840 he worked with so much vigor for the election of the Whig ticket that he was honored by an election to the Stale Legislature in 1842, where he became reputed for his able speeches. In 1844 he favored Henry Clay for the presidency; and in 1845 he was elected to fill a vacancy in Congress for the Nashville District. He served two sessions in that body, when he declined to fill a seat in the House longer. While there he delivered several able speeches, one on the Oregon question; one on the Tariff of 1846, which was favorably commented on by his room mate, Alexander H. Stephens; one on the River and Harbor Bill of 1846, and one on the Mexican war. Meanwhile his reputation as a lawyer increased and he was frequently chosen special judge on the supreme bench, and his opinion delivered on the great Winchester case won him a wide-spread reputation. In 1850 he made a fortunate speculation in real estate, which rendered him financially independent. He then decided to make a tour of the globe, and in 1851 left for the Old World, taking copious and interesting notes of the many countries he visited. Mr. Ewing practiced his profession in Nashville until 1856, when he came to Rutherford County and resided with his daughter until 1860, when she removed to Nashville and he continued to make his home with her until 1861. At the breaking out of the war he spoke and voted for the Union in the election of February, 1861, but after Lincoln’s proclamation he took a position against coercion. In the latter part of 1863 he advised the people of the State to submit to the Federal Government. His letter to this effect was published and subjected him to much criticism and aided probably in his defeat for judgeship of the supreme court afterward. After the war he practiced his profession in Murfreesboro, but of late years has retired from active duties and is spending his declining years at his residence in this city. Mr. Ewing has always been an energetic student in literature and has contributed largely to newspapers and has been much sought after throughout the State as a public lecturer.