EWBANK-Jacob - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Jacob Ewbank, farmer, Harveysburg, was born in Dearborn County, Indiana and is a son of L.L. and Polly (Blasdel) Ewbank. His father came from England and in 1838 moved to Parke County, Indiana where he buried his wife in the following year and died himself in 1857, having been a second time married. Both were members of the Methodist Church. He was a whig in politics. He had 10 children, in his first family and four in his second family. Jacob Ewbank made his home at his father's till his marriage which took place November 2, 1856, to Elizabeth Ratcliff, daughter of John and Mary Ratcliff, early settlers of Parke County. In 1855 Mr. Ewbank bought 128 acres in Fountain County, Mill Creek Township and lived on this two years after marriage. He then sold and moved to Parke County. In 1861 he moved back to Fountain County, buying 120 acres. He has added till he owns 280 acres. He began in the woods, and has made great changes in his farm. In 1878 he built a brick house, 38 x 40, two stories high at a cost of about $3,000. His farm is well stocked. Politically, Mr. Ewbank was a whig, then a republican and in 1876, espoused the greenback doctrine, voting for Peter Cooper. He served as justice of the peace four years. His brother, L.C., Martin and George served from two to three years in the Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Ewbank are members of the Christian Church. They have six children, living and two dead. He is a member of Wallace Masonic Lodge. Mr. Ewbank is a successful farmer and owes his success to his own efforts.