Philander Ewell, ex-member of the Legislature of Michigan and now owner and proprietor of a large class woolen factory at Stony Creek, Michigan, has been married three times and had ten children;
James Nelson Ewell (h/o Elsie A. Cannon)
Amanda Melvina Ewell (w/o Charles Bronson)
Samuel Day Edgar Ewell
Andrew J Ewell
Mary Ann Ewell (w/o George Ward)
Alexander P. Ewell (died in infancy)
Sarah Ann Ewell (w/o Adolph Krolick)
Lydia Viola Ewell (w/o J.S. Crittenden)
George W. Ewell
Chauncey M Ewell
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Supervisor for Shelby Twp., Michigan
1849-57
1860-61
1865-66
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Married Mrs. Sarah M. Crittenden 14 MAR 1867
Birth 5 Jan 1810
Death 13 Apr 1876
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Married Eunice Ann Skidmore 1876 NOV 11
Birth 7 Mar 1828 in Royalton, Niagara, NY
Death 14 Jul 1892 in Millington, Tuscola, MI
1 child - Chauncey M. Ewell b abt 1862
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PHILANDER EWELL. It is doubtful if Oakland County contains another man of as advanced years as Mr. Ewell, who takes so active a part in the affairs of life, and if any, the number of such must be few. He is now in his eighty-third years, and is hale and hearty, as will be seen by a glance at his portrait on the opposite page. He looks after the business of his woolen mill, keeping his own books, and doing much labor of a more physical nature. He has been carrying on the woolen mill almost a score of years and prior to that time was engaged in farming which he still conducts. He has borne a part in the civil affairs of the sections in which he has lived and has shown the same consideration for the public as he manifests regarding his own finances, endeavoring to avoid unnecessary expenditure and prevent extravagance.

The Ewell name was established in America three generations before our subject, and its originators were from Scotland. John Ewell, the emigrant, lived to be ninety-four years of age, and his remains were carried to the tomb by four of his great-grandchildren, he of whom we write being of the number and the only one now living. The next in the line of descent was a second John, who also was born in the old country and was a sea-faring man. In the third generation was Peleg, who was born September 30, 1784, in the old Bay State and died March 3, 1860. His wife bore the maiden name of Clarissa CURTIS and was a native of New York, in which State they established their home.

Philander Ewell was born in Middlebury, N.Y., in what is now Wyoming but was then Genesee County. His natal day was March 3, 1809. He remained in his native place until he was of age, then came West and settled in Macomb County, this State. He crossed the lake to Detroit, on a steamer, at a time when but four boats were engaged in the carrying trade between the lake ports. Mr. Ewell was engaged in farming until 1869, when he removed from Macomb to this county and took charge of the woolen mill. He is a painstaking and careful manager, who deals honorably with all and while endeavoring to advance his personal interests, does not forget that others have rights as well as himself and that their needs should be considered and value given for that received.

Mr. Ewell was married to Miss Lydia A. WELLS, October 13, 1831, and had the companionship of that capable woman until October 17, 1865, when she was called from time to eternity. Of the union have been born nine children --James Nelson, now living in Macomb County; Amanda Melvina, wife of Charles BRONSON of Stony Creek, this county; Samuel D., deceased; Andrew Jackson, who lives in Clinton County; Mary, wife of George WARD, in Portland, Ionia County; Sarah Ann, wife of Adolph KROLICK of Detroit; Viola, widow of J.S. CRITTENDEN, now living in Montana; George, deceased; and Alexander P., who died in infancy. A second marriage was consummated by Mr. Ewell March 14, 1867, the bride being Mrs. Sarah M. Crittenden, who was born January 5, 1810. This estimable woman shared his fortunes for a decade, then entered into rest April 13, 1876. She was reared in the same county as her husband and both attended school together in their youth.

In political matters Mr. Ewell has always affiliated with the Democratic party. He was Supervisor ten years while living in Macomb County, and was a member of the legislature in 1855. At that time the sessions of that body were but forty days in length, the people being less extravagant in legislative affairs than in these later days. Mr. Ewell is a member of the Universalist Church. He has twenty-seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, of whom he is justly proud.

Portrait and Biographical Album of Oakland County, Michigan. Chicago : Chapman Bros., 1891, pp.601-602.
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Born in Middlebury, New York Mar. 3, 1809. He perceived a common school education. In 1820 he came to Michigan and settled on a farm in Shelby, Mich. Married Lydia Wells and they had nine children, five boys and four girls. Edwell was Supervisor of Shelby Township in 1860, and 1865. He was also a state representative of Shelby Township in 1855-1856. In 1869 he sold his farm in Shelby and moved to Rochester, Mich. where he owned and ran the Stony Creek Woolen Mills until his death on Aug. 17, 1895. (DSGR Magazine, Jan-Feb 1948, p. 67-68. Michigan Biographies, p. 278)

Utica Sentinel, Aug. 24 1895
Philander Ewell, one of the widest known of the old residents of Oakland county, died at his home in Detroit after only a week's illness on Saturday, Aug. 17th, aged 86 years.

He had been visiting his son, Nelson Ewell, and the families of his sisters, Mrs. Dr. Knight and Mrs. Wells, only a week before and seemed in unusual good health, and his serious illness and death was a shock to all.

Mr. Ewell was so well known and had been identified with the interest of this and Oakland counties for so many years that a history of his life would be of much interest, and we hope may be furnished for next week's issue.

Of him the Free Press of Sunday last says:
Philander Ewell, who is dead at his home, 597 Lincoln avenue, was one of the pioneers of this state. He was born in Middlebury, N.Y. in 1809, and came to this state when 20 years old settling in Macomb Co., and living there forty years. In 1869 he began the manufacture of woolen goods, and continued this twenty years in Stony Creek, Oakland Co. He came to this city six years ago. He represented four generations of New England forefathers. The first two were soldiers in the war for independence, and his father fought for independence, and his father fought on the right side in the war of 1812.

Mr. Ewell was married in 1831 and raised a family of eight children. He was a man of integrity, a good neighbor and ever ready to help the unfortunate. Mr. Ewell was a subscriber of the Free Press from the day it was first published, had a copy of the first number and kept a file of the tri weekly for many years.

Mr. Ewell's funeral was held from the Congregational church at this place on Tuesday last and was conducted by Rev. W. F. Wilmot.

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1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Philander Ewell
Age: 71
Birth Year: abt 1809
Birthplace: New York
Home in 1880: Avon, Oakland, Michigan
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Eunice A. Ewell
Father's Birthplace: Scotland
Mother's Birthplace: New York
Neighbors: View others on page
Occupation: Proprietor Of Woolen Mill
Household Members:
Name Age
Philander Ewell 71
Eunice A. Ewell 51
Chauncey M. Ewell 18

Utica Sentinel, Aug. 24 1895
Philander Ewell, one of the widest known of the old residents of Oakland county, died at his home in Detroit after only a week's illness on Saturday, Aug. 17th, aged 86 years. He had been visiting his son, Nelson Ewell, and the families of his sisters, Mrs. Dr. Knight and Mrs. Wells, only a week before and seemed in unusual good health, and his serious illness and death was a shock to all. Mr. Ewell was so well known and had been identified with the interest of this and Oakland counties for so many years that a history of his life would be of much interest, and we hope may be furnished for next week's issue.

Of him the Free Press of Sunday last says: Philander Ewell, who is dead at his home, 597 Lincoln avenue, was one of the pioneers of this state. He was born in Middlebury, N.Y. in 1809, and came to this state when 20 years old settling in Macomb Co., and living there forty years. In 1869 he began the manufacture of woolen goods, and continued this twenty years in Stony Creek, Oakland Co. He came to this city six years ago. He represented four generations of New England forefathers. The first two were soldiers in the war for independence, and his father fought for independence, and his father fought on the right side in the war of 1812. Mr. Ewell was married in 1831 and raised a family of eight children. He was a man of integrity, a good neighbor and ever ready to help the unfortunate. Mr. Ewel was a subscriber of the Free Press from the day it was first published, had a copy of the first number and kept a file of the tri weekly for many years. Mr. Ewell's funeral was held from the Congregational church at this place on Tuesday last and was conducted by Rev. W. F. Wilmot.