John and Mary L. (SHILL) EWRY were early settlers in Lafayette, Indiana. Two of John's brothers ( William and Samuel) came with him from Montgomery County Ohio. They settled in Wayne Township, West Point area.
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John Ewry, one of the oldest citizens of Tippecanoe County, and a prominent business man of Lafayette, died Sunday morning, age eighty two years.
Fort Wayne Weekly Gazette May 06, 1886
===========================
Mr. EWRY was born in Frederick County, Maryland, on the 14th of October 1804. In 1812, when in the 8th year of his age, he emigrated with his father's family to Montgomery County, Ohio. His father was engaged in farming and to this pursuit reared his son. Until 19 years of age, he was thus engaged, but feeling a desire to acquire some of the mechanical arts, he apprenticed himself to a carpenter in Dayton, Ohio, in whose employ he remained for a period of three years. The fame of the "Wabash country" reached his ears during this time, and ambitious to make a start in life for himself, he associated himself with two other young men, and together they journeyed on horseback through trackless forests, for the goal of their ambition. The 3d day of October 1828 found them at the little village of LaFayette, then a mere opening in the wilderness. With the capital accumulated during his labor as a carpenter, Mr. EWRY purchased a town lot on Second Street. Having thus taken the fist step toward securing a home, he decided to return to Ohio. Passing through Delphi, which then contained only one log cabin, he reached Logansport, where he met Gen. MILROY, preparing to start on a journey to Pottawatomie Millt__ an institution established by Government for the Pottawatomies on the present site of Rochester, Ind. He was invited by the General to join th e company, and by him was furnished with a guide who directed him to the mouth of the Mississinewa River. Following the course of this stream, he reached Greenville, Ohio, and from thence went to Dayton. After a few days at home, he went to Cincinnati, where he procured employment. Dissatisfied, he again returned to his home at the end of two months, and announced his intention of removing permanently to LaFayette. In this project he was opposed by his parents, who desired him to remain with them; but his purpose was fixed, and he was bent upon its accomplishment. Waiving all objections and entreaties he embarked on a canal boat for Cincinnati, at which point he took passage on the steamer "Criterion," bound for LaFayette. But disaster seemed to follow his path. After traveling up the Wabash River for a distance of twenty-five miles, the boat became firmly grounded.
After a fruitless effort had been made to extricate her from this position, he determined to walk the remainder of the journey. In this undertaking he was joined by four other passengers and after walking as far as Vincennes, they engaged a wagon to take them to Terre Haute, and at that point engaged another wagon in which they traveled to Perrysville, walking from there to LaFayette, which point they reached on the 3d day of April 1829. Here a new difficulty met him the boat on which his chest of tools was stored was left fast aground., and had not yet arrived, and as a consequence he was unable to engage in the work which he had in view. He employed the time, however, in grubbing and clearing his own lot at the same time contracting for lumber to build his house.
He also contracted to build a store for JOSEPH HANNA and one for JOHN McCORMICK, which he completed two weeks later, when the steamer arrived with his chest of tools. By the proceeds of this job he was enabled to build his own house. He then built a barn for Col. JOHNSON, who kept a hotel at LaFayette, and with the money thus procured he returned to Ohio for his wife. In September, 1829, in company with AARON CLASPEL, he started on foot for Dayton, Ohio, walking the entire distance, and returning soon after with his family and household goods in a wagon.
Until the Spring of 1836, he continued to reside in the house first erected by him on Second Street, but at that time sold his property and erected a residence on the corner of Second and Alabama streets, in which he continued to reside for a period of forty-one years, during which time death did not visit his household. He is the father of nine children, six of whom were born in this house.
In 1852, his son JOHN, excited by reports of golden treasure in the West, left his home for Oregon, and for a period of nineteen years remained absent from home, writing seldom. Finally a great doubt laid hold upon the mind of the father, and determined to be satisfied as to this existence, he started on a journey, in 1871, for the point from which he had last heard from his son, and after a sojourn of two months returned to his home satisfied that all was well.
In 1857, his sons engaged in the dry goods trade in the Purdue Block, where they remained eighteen months, afterward removing to the building which they now occupy, on the corner of Second and Columbia streets. In 1865, associated with their father, they purchased the LaFayette Woolen Mills, which they now operate under the firm name of EWRY & Co.
In the foregoing sketch we have endeavored to give an outline of the life of one of the pioneers of this city. Arriving at a time when the site of LaFayette was marked only by a few houses, he has lived to witness its steady progress, and to take an active part in its commercial circles; and although having lived beyond the allotted time of man, he is still active and vigorous, transacting his daily duties with great energy and precision. Throughout his life his action have been marked by an honesty of purpose that has secured him friends wherever he has been situated.
1878 Combination Atlas Map of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, published Kingman Brothers, 1878, pg. 32,35
=============================
John Ewry, one of the oldest citizens of Tippecanoe County, and a prominent business man of Lafayette, died Sunday morning, age eighty two years.
Fort Wayne Weekly Gazette May 06, 1886
===========================
Mr. EWRY was born in Frederick County, Maryland, on the 14th of October 1804. In 1812, when in the 8th year of his age, he emigrated with his father's family to Montgomery County, Ohio. His father was engaged in farming and to this pursuit reared his son. Until 19 years of age, he was thus engaged, but feeling a desire to acquire some of the mechanical arts, he apprenticed himself to a carpenter in Dayton, Ohio, in whose employ he remained for a period of three years. The fame of the "Wabash country" reached his ears during this time, and ambitious to make a start in life for himself, he associated himself with two other young men, and together they journeyed on horseback through trackless forests, for the goal of their ambition. The 3d day of October 1828 found them at the little village of LaFayette, then a mere opening in the wilderness. With the capital accumulated during his labor as a carpenter, Mr. EWRY purchased a town lot on Second Street. Having thus taken the fist step toward securing a home, he decided to return to Ohio. Passing through Delphi, which then contained only one log cabin, he reached Logansport, where he met Gen. MILROY, preparing to start on a journey to Pottawatomie Millt__ an institution established by Government for the Pottawatomies on the present site of Rochester, Ind. He was invited by the General to join th e company, and by him was furnished with a guide who directed him to the mouth of the Mississinewa River. Following the course of this stream, he reached Greenville, Ohio, and from thence went to Dayton. After a few days at home, he went to Cincinnati, where he procured employment. Dissatisfied, he again returned to his home at the end of two months, and announced his intention of removing permanently to LaFayette. In this project he was opposed by his parents, who desired him to remain with them; but his purpose was fixed, and he was bent upon its accomplishment. Waiving all objections and entreaties he embarked on a canal boat for Cincinnati, at which point he took passage on the steamer "Criterion," bound for LaFayette. But disaster seemed to follow his path. After traveling up the Wabash River for a distance of twenty-five miles, the boat became firmly grounded.
After a fruitless effort had been made to extricate her from this position, he determined to walk the remainder of the journey. In this undertaking he was joined by four other passengers and after walking as far as Vincennes, they engaged a wagon to take them to Terre Haute, and at that point engaged another wagon in which they traveled to Perrysville, walking from there to LaFayette, which point they reached on the 3d day of April 1829. Here a new difficulty met him the boat on which his chest of tools was stored was left fast aground., and had not yet arrived, and as a consequence he was unable to engage in the work which he had in view. He employed the time, however, in grubbing and clearing his own lot at the same time contracting for lumber to build his house.
He also contracted to build a store for JOSEPH HANNA and one for JOHN McCORMICK, which he completed two weeks later, when the steamer arrived with his chest of tools. By the proceeds of this job he was enabled to build his own house. He then built a barn for Col. JOHNSON, who kept a hotel at LaFayette, and with the money thus procured he returned to Ohio for his wife. In September, 1829, in company with AARON CLASPEL, he started on foot for Dayton, Ohio, walking the entire distance, and returning soon after with his family and household goods in a wagon.
Until the Spring of 1836, he continued to reside in the house first erected by him on Second Street, but at that time sold his property and erected a residence on the corner of Second and Alabama streets, in which he continued to reside for a period of forty-one years, during which time death did not visit his household. He is the father of nine children, six of whom were born in this house.
In 1852, his son JOHN, excited by reports of golden treasure in the West, left his home for Oregon, and for a period of nineteen years remained absent from home, writing seldom. Finally a great doubt laid hold upon the mind of the father, and determined to be satisfied as to this existence, he started on a journey, in 1871, for the point from which he had last heard from his son, and after a sojourn of two months returned to his home satisfied that all was well.
In 1857, his sons engaged in the dry goods trade in the Purdue Block, where they remained eighteen months, afterward removing to the building which they now occupy, on the corner of Second and Columbia streets. In 1865, associated with their father, they purchased the LaFayette Woolen Mills, which they now operate under the firm name of EWRY & Co.
In the foregoing sketch we have endeavored to give an outline of the life of one of the pioneers of this city. Arriving at a time when the site of LaFayette was marked only by a few houses, he has lived to witness its steady progress, and to take an active part in its commercial circles; and although having lived beyond the allotted time of man, he is still active and vigorous, transacting his daily duties with great energy and precision. Throughout his life his action have been marked by an honesty of purpose that has secured him friends wherever he has been situated.
1878 Combination Atlas Map of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, published Kingman Brothers, 1878, pg. 32,35
John and Mary L. (SHILL) EWRY were early settlers in Lafayette, Indiana. Two of John's brothers ( William and Samuel) came with him from Montgomery County Ohio. They settled in Wayne Township, West Point area.
=============================
John Ewry, one of the oldest citizens of Tippecanoe County, and a prominent business man of Lafayette, died Sunday morning, age eighty two years.
Fort Wayne Weekly Gazette May 06, 1886
===========================
Mr. EWRY was born in Frederick County, Maryland, on the 14th of October 1804. In 1812, when in the 8th year of his age, he emigrated with his father's family to Montgomery County, Ohio. His father was engaged in farming and to this pursuit reared his son. Until 19 years of age, he was thus engaged, but feeling a desire to acquire some of the mechanical arts, he apprenticed himself to a carpenter in Dayton, Ohio, in whose employ he remained for a period of three years. The fame of the "Wabash country" reached his ears during this time, and ambitious to make a start in life for himself, he associated himself with two other young men, and together they journeyed on horseback through trackless forests, for the goal of their ambition. The 3d day of October 1828 found them at the little village of LaFayette, then a mere opening in the wilderness. With the capital accumulated during his labor as a carpenter, Mr. EWRY purchased a town lot on Second Street. Having thus taken the fist step toward securing a home, he decided to return to Ohio. Passing through Delphi, which then contained only one log cabin, he reached Logansport, where he met Gen. MILROY, preparing to start on a journey to Pottawatomie Millt__ an institution established by Government for the Pottawatomies on the present site of Rochester, Ind. He was invited by the General to join th e company, and by him was furnished with a guide who directed him to the mouth of the Mississinewa River. Following the course of this stream, he reached Greenville, Ohio, and from thence went to Dayton. After a few days at home, he went to Cincinnati, where he procured employment. Dissatisfied, he again returned to his home at the end of two months, and announced his intention of removing permanently to LaFayette. In this project he was opposed by his parents, who desired him to remain with them; but his purpose was fixed, and he was bent upon its accomplishment. Waiving all objections and entreaties he embarked on a canal boat for Cincinnati, at which point he took passage on the steamer "Criterion," bound for LaFayette. But disaster seemed to follow his path. After traveling up the Wabash River for a distance of twenty-five miles, the boat became firmly grounded.
After a fruitless effort had been made to extricate her from this position, he determined to walk the remainder of the journey. In this undertaking he was joined by four other passengers and after walking as far as Vincennes, they engaged a wagon to take them to Terre Haute, and at that point engaged another wagon in which they traveled to Perrysville, walking from there to LaFayette, which point they reached on the 3d day of April 1829. Here a new difficulty met him the boat on which his chest of tools was stored was left fast aground., and had not yet arrived, and as a consequence he was unable to engage in the work which he had in view. He employed the time, however, in grubbing and clearing his own lot at the same time contracting for lumber to build his house.
He also contracted to build a store for JOSEPH HANNA and one for JOHN McCORMICK, which he completed two weeks later, when the steamer arrived with his chest of tools. By the proceeds of this job he was enabled to build his own house. He then built a barn for Col. JOHNSON, who kept a hotel at LaFayette, and with the money thus procured he returned to Ohio for his wife. In September, 1829, in company with AARON CLASPEL, he started on foot for Dayton, Ohio, walking the entire distance, and returning soon after with his family and household goods in a wagon.
Until the Spring of 1836, he continued to reside in the house first erected by him on Second Street, but at that time sold his property and erected a residence on the corner of Second and Alabama streets, in which he continued to reside for a period of forty-one years, during which time death did not visit his household. He is the father of nine children, six of whom were born in this house.
In 1852, his son JOHN, excited by reports of golden treasure in the West, left his home for Oregon, and for a period of nineteen years remained absent from home, writing seldom. Finally a great doubt laid hold upon the mind of the father, and determined to be satisfied as to this existence, he started on a journey, in 1871, for the point from which he had last heard from his son, and after a sojourn of two months returned to his home satisfied that all was well.
In 1857, his sons engaged in the dry goods trade in the Purdue Block, where they remained eighteen months, afterward removing to the building which they now occupy, on the corner of Second and Columbia streets. In 1865, associated with their father, they purchased the LaFayette Woolen Mills, which they now operate under the firm name of EWRY & Co.
In the foregoing sketch we have endeavored to give an outline of the life of one of the pioneers of this city. Arriving at a time when the site of LaFayette was marked only by a few houses, he has lived to witness its steady progress, and to take an active part in its commercial circles; and although having lived beyond the allotted time of man, he is still active and vigorous, transacting his daily duties with great energy and precision. Throughout his life his action have been marked by an honesty of purpose that has secured him friends wherever he has been situated.
1878 Combination Atlas Map of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, published Kingman Brothers, 1878, pg. 32,35
=============================
John Ewry, one of the oldest citizens of Tippecanoe County, and a prominent business man of Lafayette, died Sunday morning, age eighty two years.
Fort Wayne Weekly Gazette May 06, 1886
===========================
Mr. EWRY was born in Frederick County, Maryland, on the 14th of October 1804. In 1812, when in the 8th year of his age, he emigrated with his father's family to Montgomery County, Ohio. His father was engaged in farming and to this pursuit reared his son. Until 19 years of age, he was thus engaged, but feeling a desire to acquire some of the mechanical arts, he apprenticed himself to a carpenter in Dayton, Ohio, in whose employ he remained for a period of three years. The fame of the "Wabash country" reached his ears during this time, and ambitious to make a start in life for himself, he associated himself with two other young men, and together they journeyed on horseback through trackless forests, for the goal of their ambition. The 3d day of October 1828 found them at the little village of LaFayette, then a mere opening in the wilderness. With the capital accumulated during his labor as a carpenter, Mr. EWRY purchased a town lot on Second Street. Having thus taken the fist step toward securing a home, he decided to return to Ohio. Passing through Delphi, which then contained only one log cabin, he reached Logansport, where he met Gen. MILROY, preparing to start on a journey to Pottawatomie Millt__ an institution established by Government for the Pottawatomies on the present site of Rochester, Ind. He was invited by the General to join th e company, and by him was furnished with a guide who directed him to the mouth of the Mississinewa River. Following the course of this stream, he reached Greenville, Ohio, and from thence went to Dayton. After a few days at home, he went to Cincinnati, where he procured employment. Dissatisfied, he again returned to his home at the end of two months, and announced his intention of removing permanently to LaFayette. In this project he was opposed by his parents, who desired him to remain with them; but his purpose was fixed, and he was bent upon its accomplishment. Waiving all objections and entreaties he embarked on a canal boat for Cincinnati, at which point he took passage on the steamer "Criterion," bound for LaFayette. But disaster seemed to follow his path. After traveling up the Wabash River for a distance of twenty-five miles, the boat became firmly grounded.
After a fruitless effort had been made to extricate her from this position, he determined to walk the remainder of the journey. In this undertaking he was joined by four other passengers and after walking as far as Vincennes, they engaged a wagon to take them to Terre Haute, and at that point engaged another wagon in which they traveled to Perrysville, walking from there to LaFayette, which point they reached on the 3d day of April 1829. Here a new difficulty met him the boat on which his chest of tools was stored was left fast aground., and had not yet arrived, and as a consequence he was unable to engage in the work which he had in view. He employed the time, however, in grubbing and clearing his own lot at the same time contracting for lumber to build his house.
He also contracted to build a store for JOSEPH HANNA and one for JOHN McCORMICK, which he completed two weeks later, when the steamer arrived with his chest of tools. By the proceeds of this job he was enabled to build his own house. He then built a barn for Col. JOHNSON, who kept a hotel at LaFayette, and with the money thus procured he returned to Ohio for his wife. In September, 1829, in company with AARON CLASPEL, he started on foot for Dayton, Ohio, walking the entire distance, and returning soon after with his family and household goods in a wagon.
Until the Spring of 1836, he continued to reside in the house first erected by him on Second Street, but at that time sold his property and erected a residence on the corner of Second and Alabama streets, in which he continued to reside for a period of forty-one years, during which time death did not visit his household. He is the father of nine children, six of whom were born in this house.
In 1852, his son JOHN, excited by reports of golden treasure in the West, left his home for Oregon, and for a period of nineteen years remained absent from home, writing seldom. Finally a great doubt laid hold upon the mind of the father, and determined to be satisfied as to this existence, he started on a journey, in 1871, for the point from which he had last heard from his son, and after a sojourn of two months returned to his home satisfied that all was well.
In 1857, his sons engaged in the dry goods trade in the Purdue Block, where they remained eighteen months, afterward removing to the building which they now occupy, on the corner of Second and Columbia streets. In 1865, associated with their father, they purchased the LaFayette Woolen Mills, which they now operate under the firm name of EWRY & Co.
In the foregoing sketch we have endeavored to give an outline of the life of one of the pioneers of this city. Arriving at a time when the site of LaFayette was marked only by a few houses, he has lived to witness its steady progress, and to take an active part in its commercial circles; and although having lived beyond the allotted time of man, he is still active and vigorous, transacting his daily duties with great energy and precision. Throughout his life his action have been marked by an honesty of purpose that has secured him friends wherever he has been situated.
1878 Combination Atlas Map of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, published Kingman Brothers, 1878, pg. 32,35
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