James Ewing, was one of the best and foremost citizens of Union County during the first thirty years of its existence.  His old homestead in Jerome was in Survey 12,125, where he lived to the time of his death.  He was elected and served as the first Sheriff of Union County.  In religious belief, he was a Presbyterian and a firm member, and for many years a Ruling Elder of Lower Liberty Church.  In politics, he was an unflinching Whig.  In 1810, Mr. Ewing purchased a stock of goods at Chillicothe, brought them to his farm and opened a country store, thereby becoming the first merchant in what is now Union County.  Through his efforts, a post office was secured and he was appointed the first Postmaster.  He operated the store for about ton years, and then withdrew for a time from mercantile business.  In 1833, he erected a large frame store room adjoining his dwelling, and filled it with an extensive stock of goods.  He continued in business this latter time only two years.  In 1835, his younger son, David, to whom he was deeply attached, met with an <>untimely death just as he was entering upon a life of brilliant promise, and under his sense of lose Mr. Ewing retired permanently from business.  He had been the possessor of some means when he came to Ohio, and by his stern, honorable business qualities he accumulated considerable property.  He was one of the first trustees of the Franklin County Bank  He was scrupulously honest in all his dealings, and his word passed current for almost any amount. Small currency was very scarce, and in order to meet the demand for this kind of money and facilitate trade, he issued what was termed in those days "shin plasters," payable on demand.  They were considered by the people as good as coin and were never dishonored by their maker.  James Ewing possessed strong convictions and was always true to them.  He lived in his little log cabin till the day of his death, which occurred August 26, 1850.  It was too closely associated with his earliest struggles, when the country was wild and unoccupied, to be forsaken for the more modern spacious frame that stood by its side.  He was married about 1807 to Elizabeth, daughter of Calvin Cary, of Madison County.  Their children were several daughters who died young, and two sons, Thomas M. and David C.  The latter was an intelligent, promising young man, who graduated at South Hanover College, Indiana, in 1835, and was just entering upon the study of law, when he fell a victim of typhoid fever.  Thomas M. was a well-known resident of Jerome. <>