John Adams Ewalt was born on January 25, 1846, in Rowland, Ohio.

He studied at Oberlin College, Ohio; Princeton Seminary, New Jersey, and at McCormick Theological Seminary, Illinois, graduating in 1877. He was licensed by the Presbytery of New Brunswick in 1876 and ordained by the Presbytery of Ottawa in 1877, being at the same time installed pastor of the Park Church of Streator, Illinois. Between 1882 and 1918, he served as a pastor in several Ohio churches in London, Cincinnati, Winchester, Loveland, and in Seattle, Washington and in Gahanna, Ohio from 1918 until his death. In 1898, he received the honorary degree of D.D. from Wooster University, Ohio.

In 1877, he married Elizabeth Mary Ferguson (1851-1926). He died on June 5, 1927, in Oakland, California.

Eleanor Ewan was a resident of Montréal and of Georgeville, Québec. She was a friend of Dr. John McCrae, author of "In Flanders' Fields."

Lieutenant Colonel Royal L.H. Ewing was a prominent member of the Montreal business community. He and his brother A. Stuart Ewing established the Montreal real estate and insurance firm of Ewing & Ewing before the war in 1906, continuing the work of their late father. He was a member of many social and sport clubs and organizations, including the Art Association of Montreal. A highly decorated World War I veteran, commander of the 42nd Battalion of the Royal Highlanders (Black Watch), the lieutenant colonel was awarded the Military Cross for “conspicuous gallantry” in 1916 and the Distinguished Service Order and its Bar in 1917-1918; he also received the French Legion d’Honneur Croix de Chevalier. During World War II, he was involved with the administration of the Montreal division of the Corps Commissionaires that guarded the Port of Montreal against sabotage.