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John Ewing

1844 – 1922

Goldminer

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About John Ewing

Lived 1844 – 1922 (aged 77–78). John Ewing was a New Zealand.

John Ewing (3 November 1844 – 30 August 1922) was a New Zealand goldminer, entrepreneur, and mining engineer. He was referred to as 'Big John Ewing', the 'Gold Baron' or the 'Mining Monarch'.

Life Ewing was born in Bonhill, Dunbartonshire, Scotland on 3 November 1844. His father was a manufacturer. He emigrated to New Zealand in 1863, joining the Otago goldrush. Ewing mined at Gabriel's Gully and Fourteen Mile Beach before settling at Dunstan Creek goldfield in Saint Bathans. Ewing was an early adopter of mining technology such as hydraulic mining, and was a founding shareholder of the Scandinavian Water Race Company, which provided water to miners at St Bathans. In 1884 Ewing unsuccessfully stood against Scobie Mackenzie for the Mount Ida electorate.

Ewing was referred to as 'Big John Ewing', the 'Gold Baron' or the 'Mining Monarch'.

Later life Ewing died on 30 August 1922 in the Chalet Hospital at Dunedin, survived by his wife, Mary Frances Ewing. He is buried in Dunedin's Andersons Bay cemetery.

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Important facts

Birth century
Died
1922
Nationality

People in John Ewing's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John Ewing's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John Ewing?

Goldminer

When was John Ewing born?

John Ewing was born on 3 November 1844.

When did John Ewing die?

John Ewing died in 1922.

What nationality was John Ewing?

John Ewing was New Zealand.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John Ewing

· Wikidata: Q6232103

· DBpedia: John Ewing (goldminer)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Ewing. https://biography.guide/john-ewing-1844/

MLA: "John Ewing." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-ewing-1844/.

Chicago: "John Ewing." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-ewing-1844/.

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