William Lee D. Ewing

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William Lee Davidson Ewing (August 31, 1795March 25, 1846) was a U.S. Senator from Illinois.

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.[1]

Preceded by:
John Reynolds
Governor of Illinois
1834
Succeeded by:
Joseph Duncan
Preceded by:
Elias Kane
Class 3 U.S. Senator from Illinois
1835–1837
Succeeded by:
Richard M. Young

This article incorporates facts obtained from the public domain Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.