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William Ewing




Ewing was born in Paris , Kentucky and practiced law in Shawneetown , Illinois. James Monroe appointed him to be a land office receiver in Vandalia in 1820 . He served as a Colonel of the "Spy Battalion" during the Black Hawk War . In 1830 , he was elected to serve in the state House of Representatives as Speaker. He had previously been the clerk of the House. From 1832 to 1834 , he was a State Senator, serving as President '' Pro Tempore '' of the State Senate in 1832. In 1833 , he was also named acting Lieutenant Governor of Illinois and served as Governor of Illinois for fourteen days in 1834.

Upon the death of Elias Kane in 1837 , Ewing was appointed by Joseph Duncan to serve out the rest of Kane's term in the U.S. Senate . His re-election campaign was unsuccessful and he returned to the Illinois State House, becoming Speaker of the House again. He died in Springfield , Illinois and is believed to be buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery .