Born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, Ewing received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Princeton University in 1869 and an Artium Magister degree from the same institution in 1872.

He was a Judge of the 14th Judicial District of Pennsylvania from 1887 to 1899, returning to private practice in Uniontown from 1900 to 1906.

[1] Ewing received a recess appointment from President Theodore Roosevelt on September 25, 1906, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania vacated by Judge Joseph Buffington.

He was nominated to the same position by President Roosevelt on December 3, 1906.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 11, 1906, and received his commission the same day.