My Genealogy Hound

CARLOS EWELL. One of the foremost business men in the village of Silver Creek at the time of his death was Carlos Ewell, who was born in Middlebury, Wyoming county, New York, in 1833, and died at his home in Silver Creek about noon on the 27th day of October, 1887.

On the 10th day of January, 1856, he married Annette Wilson, of Wyoming county, and the union resulted in a family of three children; Mrs. George Moore resides in Fredonia; Ernest graduated at the Buffalo Medical University and is practicing in that city; and Josephine, a miss now six years of age.

Carlos Ewell came to Silver Creek in 1866 and bought a one-fourth interest in the manufacturing establishment of Howes, Babcock & Co., and the style of the firm was changed to Howes, Babcock & Ewell; later Mr. Babcock retired and the house was known as Howes & Ewell. During the first ten years of his connection with this company Mr. Ewell became quite prominent in local politics, but in 1877 he was severely attacked with nervous prostration, which entirely unfitted him for business of any kind for a period of six years, when he seemed to secure a new lease of health and from that date until his death he was apparently on the highway of longevity; and he again assumed the arduous duties of purchaser and general overseer of the works that had grown to large proportions and in which he had acquired a half interest. He applied himself diligently to business, in fact too closely, and it was not long before his kidney trouble again displayed its presence and soon developed into acute Bright’s disease, which compelled him to abandon, one after the other, the duties he had been accustomed to perform until exhausted vitality gave way and his life expired. Carlos Ewell was a man of positive character, as exacting in his requirements upon those whom he employed as he was rigid in the discharge of those duties that he himself was expected to perform, yet he possessed the faculty of commanding the respectful attachment of his employees, and withal was popular with his men, neighbors and fellow-townsmen. By his untiring attention to business, although so many years compelled to relinquish its active superintendence, he secured a substantial fortune. Social pleasures had but small attraction for him, his chief happiness appearing to centre in his business and his family. Alter his decease his interest in the machinery factory, then known as the Eureka works, was disposed of to his former associate, Simeon Howes, who still continues the business.

For fifteen years Mr. Ewell was a member of the Presbyterian church and was a liberal contributor to its support. In 1882 he erected at Silver Creek one of the finest residences in Chautauqua county, a model of convenience and architectural beauty, in which his widow, who has since married Gilbert B. Brewster, now resides. Mr. Brewster was formerly of Addison, New York. He was born in Elmira, Chemung county, New York, in 1828, removing to Addison in 1845. Mr. Brewster has been engaged in various business enterprises in Addison but has now retired from active business and resides in Silver Creek.