G. W. McEwen

G. W. McEWEN, a gentleman prominent in the financial circles of Labette county, Kansas, is vice-president of the Citizens State Bank of Chetopa, which is owned by the McEwen family. In addition to this, he carries on a large business in private loans, etc., having a separate office for this purpose. He is a man of great strength of character, and of pleasing personality, and has many friends throughout the county. He was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburg, in 1841, and is a son of J. R. and Nancy (Crooks) McEwen. J. R. McEwen and his wife were of Scotch descent, and of the United Presbyterian faith. He was a farmer and died in Ohio.

G. W. McEwen was reared in Pennsylvaina, where he attended Cie common schools and at the same time handled the plow and drove oxen for his father. He removed to Guernsey county, Ohio, with his father, in 1867. He was married there, made that county his home, and followed farming until 1872. Then he returned to Pennsylvania and engaged in the lumber business at Oakdale, Allegheny county. In 1876 he removed to Gage county, Nebraska, where he was engaged in farming until the spring of 1880. He then came to Chetopa, Labette county, Kansas, where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits for three and a half years with his brother-in-law, J. F. Sterling. In 1884 he commenced the loan business, and was for a time in partnership with F. M. Smith, now of Vinita, Indian Territory, but now conducts it alone.

Mr. McEwen was united in matrimony, in Ohio, with Mattie Best, who died in 1889, at the age of thirty-nine years leaving three children: John F.; Winnie, who died in 1897, at the age of nineteen years; and W. C. In 1892 Mr. McEwen formed a second marital union, - Kate Slagle, of Columbus, Ohio, becoming his wife. In politics he is a strong Republican; he has been a councilman, and also on the school board for the past twelve years. He was clerk of the board of education for ten years. He joined the Ancient Order of United Workmen in 1880, and is still all active member of the lodge at Chetopa. He was reared in the United Presbyterian faith.