George Ewing, born January 9, 1864, in Brenham, Texas, was the son of George and Kate Ewing. Young George’s father was a plantation owner from Alabama, who came to Texas in 1854 and settled in Washington County. During the Civil War he fought with Hood’s Brigade. George’s mother, Kate, was from Aberdeen, Mississippi, and came to Texas in 1857.
Young George came to Gonzales in 1901 to manage the Alamo Lumber Company, later renamed the Ewing Lumber Company. On November 18, 1903, he married Sallie Sample and they had two daughters and two sons. Sallie was born in Pilgrim, Texas, May 13, 1879, the daughter of James Madison Sample of Alabama and Henrietta White Sample of Mississippi. According to a family member, James Sample served under Robert E. Lee during the Civil War and was with Lee when the General surrendered at Appomattox.
George served as mayor of Gonzales from 1923 to 1934 and initiated the first program to pave the city’s streets. Sallie was choir director of the First Baptist Church for many years. The Ewings completed their Queen Anne style home in 1910.
George died following an operation June 14, 1936, and Sallie died April 26, 1972. They are buried in the Gonzales Woodman of the World Cemetery. The house now serves as the Gonzales Senior Citizens Center.
