Ewin, Jedidiah

Submitted by Tamara Kincaide

JEDIDIAH EWIN came to Newburgh from Pennsylvania with his wife ELIZA ANN and children GEORGE and REBECCA. JEDIDIAH was the postmaster from 1849 to 1852. He partnered with MARTIN LUTHER VANADA in a grocery business on Water St.

His son GEORGE went to PA to spend 2 years serving an apprenticeship in the drug business, GEORGE went on to become the county's leading physician. GEORGE and wife MARY STRUM and had several children, He left the county for a time to practice in Iowa and Wisconsin. He and his wife and surviving children came back to Newburgh to settle down and open his practice on the grounds of the family home.
His oldest son George bought the old Bethell mill and started the electric light plant in Newburgh, Direct currents of 250 volts was furnished thru the town between 5 pm and 12 pm, later it provided all day service. Many people were skeptical of the new electric and so young George persuaded family and friends to help him started in his business.

JEDIDIAH's daughter REBECCA EWIN was a teacher until her marriage to ORASMUS P. SARGENT.
After GEORGE retired from medicine the children were grown and married, He began devoting his time to beekeeping, His grounds held many fruit trees which was ideal for beehives. His youngest son EDWARD came to live with him bringing along his wife CARRIE a schoolteacher, EDWARD learned the drug trade and together with his spouse CARRIE took ownership of J.C. THOMAS DRUGSTORE. He graduated from Valparaiso School of Pharmacy. CARRIE went on to receive a license to practice pharmacy.