The New Student's Reference Work/Ewing, Thomas

Ewing (ū′ing), Thomas, an American statesman, was born in Virginia in 1789. He fitted himself for college by night-study while at work in the Kanawha salt-works. He graduated at Ohio University at Athens, O., receiving the first degree of A. B. ever given in that state. He was admitted to the bar in 1816, and was soon known as one of the first lawyers in Ohio. He was United States senator from 1831 to 1837, secretary of the treasury in 1841, and in 1849 he organized the newly-created department of the interior, returning afterward for a time to the senate. He was strongly opposed to slavery, voting against the fugitive-slave law and for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia. He introduced many improvements in the postal service. He died at Lancaster, O., on Oct. 26, 1871.