"John W. Ewan was born at Newton (Stephens City), Frederick County, Va., November 19, 1831; and died in Washington City, December 29, 1890, aged fifty-nine years. His parents were Methodists of the Wesleyan type, and their children were brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. It is not strange that their eldest son, living in so pure and spiritual an atmosphere, should give evidence, even in childhood, of those gifts and graces which afterward shaped his character. He attended a select classical school at Harrisonburg, Va., and made satisfactory progress in his studies. Owing to a combination of unfavorable circumstances he did not enter college, but took the advice of friends, and went into the "school of the prophets,' in the Methodist Ministry. While at school he was happily converted, at Bridgewater, Va., under the ministry of the lamented Dr. Samuel Register, and he was licensed to exhort on April 14, 1851. He was authorized to use his gifts as local preacher January 10, 1852, his license bearing the signature of the late A. A. Reese, presiding elder. In March 1853, he entered the Baltimore Conference on trial, and was appointed to Front Royal Circuit, Here commenced an affection between the boy preacher and this people which continued to the day of his death, and at his request his body sleeps in the beautiful cemetery overlooking the quaint old town. At Baltimore, March 11, 1855, he was ordained a deacon by Bishop Scott; and elder by Bishop Waugh, March 8 1857, in the same city. He was married to Miss Reubena E. Hill, daughter of Reuben D. Hill, Esq., of Staunton, Va., on February 29, 1856, who, with two daughters, survives him and mourns the irreparable loss…He entered into his reward at midnight, December 29, 1980. He fell by a stroke of paralysis, and died in a few hours, conscious almost to the last, but speechless. His funeral discourse was preached in his beautiful residence at Washington, D.C., by Rev. J. T. Wightman, D.D. and his body sleeps at Front Royal, Va [moved in Nov. 1913 to be buried next to his wife Rubena at Rock Creek Cemetery, District of Columbia]."

Source: Minutes of the Annual Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal , Methodist Episcopal Church, South. From the Library of Bishop Collins Denny. University of Virginia 1819

Children:
Minnie Ewan Eustis 1861 – 1935
Mabel Ewan Sabbag Bey 1876 – 1953

Note: Minnie Ewan Eustis paid for her parents lots in Rock Creek as well as others. She nor her husband are buried at Rock Creek.

Siblings:
Frances Ewan Rogers 1833 – bef 1868
Robert B Ewan 1842 – 1922