John Kirkham McEwen was born in Coosa County on April 28, 1856, to George W. McEwen and Mary Sears. On November 28, 1877, he married Cattie Dandridge Walker. To this union were born six children: Archie D., John Walker, George Washington, Mollie Cleveland, Kate, and Charles Wesley. John K. McEwen was a merchant, builder, Indian curator, and a prominent citizen of Rockford.

He had three hobbies. One was analyzing tourists who stopped at this rock store in Rockford, and making a guess as to their age and vocation. He as usually right.

A second hobby involved designing and building a family burial lot. In 1897, he marked off a lot forty feet square at Seas Chapel Cemetery. He cut the rock and masoned the high monument which bears the inscription: "Burial Ground of John K. and C. D. McEwen Aug 4, 1897." He built the coping to designate his lot. The lot has an arched, marble entrance; the walk-way has inscriptions written into it, and among the tombs is a cenotaph to Jesus. McEwen said, "I made it wormproof and waterproof and now I'm trying to live so it will be fireproof." He often said that the cemetery was constructed better than his house because he expected to be there longer.

He was brilliant with his hands and derived great satisfaction out of his carvings in ivory, bone, and other material as well as in shaping things in stone and cement. McEwen also put up some milestones or markers around Rockford. One, which stands, is on Highway 232 North and bears the inscription, "Rockford 2mi. 1913." He mad McEwen Spring more of a landmark with his masonry work and the carving of two imposing stone pillars in natural rock, which bears the inscription, "Buena Agva," meaning good water.

His third hobby was collecting Indian artifacts. His collection contained over 50,000 specimens and for many years was known to be the largest and one of the most valuable in Alabama. Ninety percent of the relics came from Coosa County, and the rest from Talladega, Elmore, and Tallapoosa counties. The silver trade pieces distinguished his collection, and Dr. Thomas Owen remarked that his specimens in silver, both in number and weight, exceeded any other in Alabama.

In 1937, this tremendous collection was given to the Alabama State Department of Archives and History. Relatives have said that much of his collection is not in Montgomery, and that something happened to it between Rockford and Montgomery. In arranging the donation in one letter, McEwen said, "My object in making this collection was not to commercialize on these relics, but to perpetuate the memory of the native Indian."

In recalling the rock store where the Indian artifacts were displayed , McEwen built in the mid 1890's using stone he had spent six months quarrying himself. His slogan concerning the store was the store was that he sold everything a person could need for living and dying. He stayed in business for thirty-five years.

A couple of other noteworthy achievements of John K. McEwen were that he laid the first cement sidewalk in Coosa County, which was in front of his store on Main Street; and he also put in the first telephone in the county.

John K. McEwen died October 5, 1939, and was buried at Sears Chapel Cemetery in the burial lot that he himself designed. by J. T. McDonald

"John McEwen has grown up from childhood in this community, being a son of George McEwen, and grandson of John Sears. McEwen, by his steadiness, tact, and uprightness, has secured a good property, has a fine stone edifice in which to transact business, and an large commodious residence where William Womble once had his home. He has traveled a good deal, and is fond of gathering novelties." (1)

(1) Rev. George E. Brewer, History of Coosa County, Alabama (Easley, South Carolina: Southern Historical Press, Inc., 1987), p. 119.

THE CHRONICLE

"Our fellow townsman Jno. K. McEwen returned a few days since form an extensive trip to Orlando, Florida and other points among the flowers." (1)

"Local and Personal
Mr. and Mrs. S. M. Adams and Jno. K. McEwen, of Rockford, and Mrs. John Dobson, of Sylacauga, returned the latter part of last week from an interesting visit to relatives in Sabastine county, Ark. On their trip they has quite a comprehensive view of the middle south and were perfectly delighted with their trip."(2) They were most likely visiting his sister Mary Lucy McEwen, married to J. T. King.

"John K. McEwen and family returned the latter part of last week from a ten days trip to Washington other points of interest."(3)

"The Sears Chapel people are making considerable improvements in their church, and Jno. K. McEwen is making improvements on the family lot in the cemetery at that place."(4)

From Our Correspondents
Estille Items
"Mr. and Mrs. B. T. Stewart and son, Roscoe and J. K. McEwen left Tuesday night for Wilsonville to see F. M. McEwen, who was very ill, but we are glad to note that he is now improving."(5)

Local and Personal
"W. E. Baily and daughter, Miss Mae are attending the fair in Birmingham this week"(6)

Local and Personal
"Amoung the improvements in Rockford for this year will be a warehouse built by Geo. B. McDonald, the contract having just been let, and a store house by John K. McEwen in the lot adjoining the large store building W. A. Varner."(7)

Local and Personal
"J. K. McEwen is getting the material on the ground to build a store house on Main street between the buildings of W. A. Varner and Pond Brothers, to be occupied by J. W. McEwen, who will enter the mercantille business next fall."(8)

"At a recent meeting of the people of Rockford a committee of citizens composed of J. K. McEwen, H. W. Pond, Jr., and W. J. Prater was appointed to meet with the Sylacauga people for light and power from their Hatchett creek plant for the use of the citizens of Rockford."(9)

"PROMINENT CITIZEN OFFERS TO AID GOOD ROADS
John K. McEwen, of Rockford and one of its enterprising citizens, is ready to encourage in a substantial way the improvement of the public roads. He offers to put up $1000 cash if the Court or County Commissioners, or the citizens, or both will furnish the necessary balance to build a good road from Rockford, a distance of 2 miles, to Sears Chapel. The Turnpike is now a fairly good road from Rockford to that point, and with a small amount in addition to what Mr. McEwen offers it could be made a modern road. The matter should have serious considerations and the means necessary to its accomplishment easily raised. (10)

"J. K. McEwen started, a young man without business experience and after a comparatively short business career, retired a very rich man for this part of the country. He has loaned the county $13,500 without interfering with his surplus cash, and has real prosperty of large value - no one knows how much money he really has got.(11)

Local and Personal
"John K. McEwen, of the firm McEwen Bros. & Co., and S. M. Adams are on a visit to Palm Beach and other interesting points in Flordia."(12)

Local and Personal

"Messers. Dr. Jones and John K. McEwen treated themselves to automobiles last week. The cars are four passengers Fords. Some of the younger set in our community have been joy riding some since the machines come in.

Rockford can now boast of four automobiles. Every automobile owner becomes a good roads enthusiast, and a road suitable for an automobile, is much more suitable for wagons and buggies. We imagine that if we could get roads suitable for automobiles, the horses and mules in our county would laugh and do their burdensome work with a great deal more joy, pleasure, and efficiency." (13)

"JOHN K. MCEWEN DONATES INDIAN RELICS TO STATE



John K. McEwen, Rockford, has donated the Department of Archives and History of Alabama his Indian collection relics, the largest private collection in the State, it is said. Mr. McEwen has been collecting his relics of Indians over many years, and it is quite a contribution to Indian lore of Alabama, and the donor deserves much credit for his liberal donation to the State of Alabama.

Mrs. Marie Bankhead Owen, Director, Mr. Brannon, Orator, and Mrs. Sayer, of the Department of Archives and History, came to Rockford on Thursday by appointment with Mr. McEwen, packed and carried to Montgomery much of the donated collection, and returned Tuesday to carry the remainder. This collection, which will be known as the McEwen Indian Collection, will be housed, with other collection, in the Indian Room of the New Memorial Building and will be one of the most interesting collections there.

For this gracious and generous donation for the future generation of Alabama's people's pleasure and information, Mr. McEwen deserves, and no doubt will have, the plaudits and appreciation of a grateful State and people. All honor to Mr. McEwen." (14)

"PROMINMENT AGED COOSA CITIZEN DIES ON OCT. 5

The career of one of Coosa County's oldest citizens came to a close Thursday morning, Oct. 5, at 7:50 o'clock. Mr. John K. McEwen, the son of Mr. and Mrs. George W. McEwen, pioneer citizens of Coosa County, was born April 28, 1856. On November 28, 1877, he married Miss Cattie Walker and there was born to this union six children, four of whom now reside in and near Rockford, two having died several years ago.

The life of this man may be fittingly characterized as most unusual and unique. Evidence of this could be seen in the careful formulation and execution of all his plans even to the detailed preparation of his own funeral, which exhibited his usual spirit of devotion to his family in his efforts to relieve them of everything possible. He was a builder, promoter, a developer with faith in himself and his country; a lover of nature and a believer in the value of her attractions and benefits; an affectionate husband, a kind, indulgent father and grandfather. This is the man to whom a host of sorrowing friends paid tribute with their presence and their many beautiful floral offerings.

After retiring from a successful business career as a merchant in Rockford, he devoted much of his time to his avocation of collecting Indian relics. His innate powers of perception of true quality guided him in acquiring one of the rarest collections of Indian relics in the South. The climax of this avocational career was reached when through his generosity, he donated this valuable collection to the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Coosa Countians of future generations will experience a thrill of pride when they view the bust of the distinguished contributor to the annals of history.

Funeral services were held at the McEwen home with the Reverend B. T. Waites, of Gadsden, officiating, the Reverend C. D. Dobbs, assisting interment in Sears Chapel cemetery.

Services include his wife, Mrs. Cattie McEwen; two sons, Walker and Charles W. McEwen; two daughters, Mrs. Mollie Nixon and Mrs. George B. McDonald; two granddaughters, Mrs. Horton Gallops and Julia Catherine McDonald; five grandsons, Roy, Harold, and Charles McEwen, Tom, and George McDonald; two great-grand children, all of Rockford; a brother, Mr. Jim McEwen, Rockford; three sister, Mrs. J. T. King, Greenwood, Ark., Mrs. Jim Miller, Rockford, Mrs. J. P. Dobson, Sylacauga.

Out of the County people attending the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Peter Brannon, Leo McEwen, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Smith, Mr. Mint Speer, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Burroughs, of Montgomery; Mr. and Mrs. Stewart McEwen, Gerald McEwen, Mrs. Anna Belle Holman, Miss Bessie Levie, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Turner, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Fitz, Dr. A. K. Whetstone, Rev. Albert Branscombs, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Batson, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Aronold, Mr. Walter Howard, Mrs. John Robinson, Sylacauga; Mr. Monroe Holley, Miss Mary Lyle Lawson, Mr. Vernie McEwen, Mrs. Jack Ray, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Wall, Wetumpka; Mr. and Mrs. Duffie Holt, Mrs. L. Cowlin, Mr. and Mrs. John Fomby and Mr. Jake Lewis, Mrs. Jess Thompson, Deatsville; Mr. and Mrs. John McEwen, Frank McEwen, Wilsonville; Mr. George McCain, Clanton; Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Worthy, Alexander City; Mrs. B. T. Waites, Gadsden; Judge Wallace, Columbiana." (15)

(1) The Chronicle, 19 Mar 1909, p. 5. Published in Rockford, Coosa Co., AL. Microfilm: Located in the Alabama Archives and History, Montgomery, AL.
(3) The Chronicle, 25 Jun 1909, p. 5.
(2) The Chronicle, Local and Personal, 17 Jun 1910, p. 5.
(4) The Chronicle, 6 Sep 1910, p. 5.
(5) The Chronicle, From Our Correspondents, 9 Sep 1910, p. 5. (Note: F. M. [Francis Marion] McEwen is the brother of George W. McEwen, who died 30 Mar 1901. J. K. McEwen is F. M. McEwen's nephew.)
(6) The Chronicle, Local and Personal, 14 Oct 1910, p. 5.
(7) The Chronicle, Local and Personal, 17 Feb 1911, p. 5.
(8) The Chronicel, Local and Personal, 24 Mar 1911, p. 5.
(9) The Chronicle, Local and Personal, 24 Mar 1911, p. 5.
(10) The Chronicle, 11 Apr 1911, p. 5.
(11) The Chronicle, 28 Apr 1911, p. 4
(12) The Chronicle, Local and Personal, 9 Feb 1912, p. 5.
(13) The Chronicle, Local and Personal, 1 May 1914, p. 5.
(14) The Rockford Chronicle, John K. McEwen Donates Indian Relics to State, 1 June 1939 p. 1. Printed in Rockford, Coosa Co., AL. Microfilm: Located in the Alabama Archives and History, Montgomery, AL.
(15) The Rockford Chronicle, Prominent Aged Coosa Citizen Dies on Oct. 5, 12 Oct 1939, p. 1.



Jno. K. McEwen, Town's Oldest Citizen

No story of Rockford and Coosa County would be at all complete without mention of Mr. John K. McEwen and the important role he has played in the development of both. Rockford's oldest business man, both in age and in number of years of service to his people, Mr. McEwen is looked upon by his fellow-townsmen as a sort of sage upon whose wisdom and advice they can rely with a complete confidence.

Locally or in other sections of the state when one refers to Rockford or Coosa County, the name of John K. McEwen is soon injected into the discussion. He is cited as authority concerning the history of the county, and he can paint a vividly descriptive picture of the section's development from the days when the Indians roamed the hills in search of game to the present. From a mind that is remarkably retentive for a man in his eighties, he selects bits of information with which he builds he builds his drama of Coosa County. He is one of the most interesting conversationalists one is likely to meet.

His collection of Indian relics is said to be one of the best in Alabama and his attracted attention of collectors throughout the country. Few men have played such an important part in the progress of Coosa County, and for the visitor to Rockford who has never met Mr. McEwen there is a rare treat to look forward to with pleasure.(1)

(1) "Jno. K. McEwen, Town's Oldest Citizen," in The Central Alabamian, published in 1937, p. 6. I found the article in a box of files (SG) located in the Alabama Archives.

Town of Rockford Over One Hundred Years Old

"Few places in Alabama are richer in early historical lore, especially Indian legend, than is this little Coosa County hamlet. (Rockford). Old timers can sit for hours and spin tales about the days when this country was a prolific hunting ground for the Red Man. John K. McEwen, Rockford's oldest citizen, and one of its business pioneers, is credited by his townsmen as being an authority on this subject. He has made an extensive study of the Indian history of this section, and his collection of Indian relics is rated as one of the best in the South."(1)

(1)"Town of Rockford Over One Hundred Years Old," in The Central Alabamian, published about 1937, p. 6. I found the article in a box of files (SG) located in the Alabama Archives. The above quote is a selection from the article.

1939 hand tooled mile marker still stands on Highway 21

"SEARS CHAPEL - When a road was being built to connect Rockford and Sylacauga, the government found it was short of funds.

It had enough for all but a couple of miles.

So, John K. McEwen, a Rockford merchant, paid for the two miles and placed mile markers at the one-and-two-mile distances.

One of the markers, which McEwen tooled himself, can still be seen on Highway 21 just south of here next to a pasture fence on the west side of the road.

Those who remember McEwen, who died in 1939, say his Rockford store carried everything from groceries to caskets.

McEwen was an amateur archeologist who traveled the world looking for Indian relics. He displayed his collection in his business which was called "John K. McEwen and Company."

When he died he willed his collection to the Alabama Archives. The collection is still an attraction at the Archives and a bronze bust there memorializes this Coosa Countian.

"When I got married he told me what to do to be happy," his grand nephew, Herschel McEwen, said. "He told us, 'Don't both of you get mad at the same time.'"

The two-mile marker was once at Herschel McEwen's driveway but was moved to its present location to avoid an accident.

The marker, which has a face near the top, is dated 1913 and bears the initials
"J.K. McE", and declares "ROCD-2MI."

He built his homplace in Rockford near the old rock jail. His love for rockwork showed around his home which is now owned by Marlon White.

John K. McEwen's grandfather was John Sears who was one of the founders in 1860 of Sears Chapel which is now a United Methodist church.

The corner of the cemetery nearest the church and the road is devoted to McEwen, who was born in 1856, and his wife, Cattie D. McEwen (1860-1942), and some of their contemporary kin.

It contains a pedestal he erected in honor of the charter members of Sears Chapel which it topped with an open book done in marble.

The book lists the charter members.

Also in the corner, "The Old Rugged Cross," which depicts the crucified Christ, is dedicated to "your Son and our dead.' by MICHAEL ANDERSON (1)

(1) Daily Home, Talladega-Sylacauga-Pell City, Ala, Friday, 6 Feb 1987, p. 7.

John donated to Alabama Archives and History some of the Indian artifacts he found in Coosa County. These artifacts are listed under the number 85.13 at the
Archives.

"She ( Sarah Jane [Wood] Waites) was a most attractive young lady. Mr. John K. McEwen (b. April 28, 1856, d. October 5, 1939) told me that Janie Wood was one of the prettiest women he ever saw and that he had been very much in love with her, but that she did not take him seriously. Of course, she didn't! He was seven years her junior which made him less than eighteen at her marriage. In retrospect, he either was teasing me, or as a teenager he had admired Janie very much. In either case, we can accept the statement that Janie Wood was special.

Mr. McEwen was quite a character. He owned in Rockford a mercantile and general store built of stone. For many years he collected Indian artifacts. It was a common knowledge that if in plowing, etc., an Indian item was found, Mr. McEwen would buy it. In the rear of his store he had quite a collection. A mannequin was dressed as an Indian maiden, and it was easy to imagine Indian life from his display. He eventually gave his vast collection to the Alabama Archives and History in Montgomery, and today his hobby enriches our knowledge of the Creek Indian.

Mr. McEwen planned his own funeral and arranged all the details. He erected his own monument at Sears Chapel Methodist Cemetery. He was very fond of my father who was a Methodist minister, and one day Mr. McEwen said to my father, 'Bennett, when I die you are to come from wherever you are and conduct my funeral. You are to talk exactly 25 minutes - neither more nor less - and you will be paid $25.00, one dollar a minute.' My father did hold Mr. McEwen's funeral, and I presume he was given the $25.00" (1)

(1) Sara Waites Guthrie, Ancestral Heritage (Baltimore, MD: Gateway Press, Inc., 1998), pp. 57-58.

Descendants of John Kirkham McEwen



1 John Kirkham McEwen b: 28 Apr 1856 in Coosa Co., AL d: 5 Oct 1939 in Coosa Co., AL
. +Catherine Dandridge Walker b: 24 Sep 1860 in Coosa Co., AL d: 11 Dec 1942 in Coosa Co., AL m: 28 Nov 1877 in Rockford, Coosa Co., AL
...... 2 Archie D. McEwen b: 17 Dec 1878 in Coosa Co., AL d: 13 Apr 1910 in Coosa Co., AL
+[1] George Bulger McDonald b: 17 Dec 1877 in Coosa Co., AL d: 9 Sep 1953 in Coosa Co., AL m: 31 Jan 1906 in Coosa Co., AL
...... 2 John Walker McEwen b: 6 Dec 1880 in Coosa Co., AL d: 12 Dec 1957 in Talladega Co., AL
+Addie Levie b: 7 Jun 1882 in ? d: 8 Sep 1956 in AL m: 28 Sep 1904 in Coosa Co., AL
...... 2 George McEwen b: 30 May 1883 in Coosa Co., AL d: 30 Apr 1886 in Coosa Co., AL
...... 2 Mollie Cleveland McEwen b: 4 Jan 1886 in Coosa Co., AL d: 29 Jan 1980 in Sylacauga, Talladega Co., AL
+George M. Nixon b: 7 Mar 1885 in ? d: 1 Feb 1935 in AL m: 26 Mar 1913 in Coosa Co., AL
...... 2 Charles Wesley McEwen, Sr. b: 30 Mar 1896 in Coosa Co., AL d: 9 Mar 1958 in Coosa Co., AL +Mattie E. Moore b: 4 Apr 1896 in ? d: 23 May 1950 in Coosa Co., AL m: Unknown in AL
...... 2 Kate McEwen b: 19 Jun 1893 in Coosa Co., AL d: 31 Mar 1966 in Sylacauga, Talladega Co., AL +[1] George Bulger McDonald b: 17 Dec 1877 in Coosa Co., AL d: 9 Sep 1953 in Coosa Co., AL m: Abt. 1913 in Coosa Co., AL