Thomas Ewing Sr.

Thomas Ewing (1789–1871) was a leading lawyer of the era. His initial foray into politics included a term as U.S. senator from Ohio and six months as secretary of the Treasury under Presidents Harrison and Tyler. President Taylor tapped Ewing as the first secretary of the Interior when the Department was established in 1849, inheriting disparate functions cast off from other Departments. Ewing was a proponent of westward expansion and a transcontinental railroad but was immediately responsible for the Land, Patent, and Pension Offices; Indian Affairs; and public buildings. Ewing earned the moniker “Butcher Ewing” for replacing employees on a partisan basis. At its inception, the Department occupied rented space at 15th and F Streets, N.W.