Born in Osceola, Nebraska in 1906, John A. Reuling graduated from Michigan State College and received an M.A. from Cornell University. From 1927 to 1941, he was director of teachers' training at Adams College, Natal, South Africa, serving under the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. He also served as farm manager and vice-principal of Adams College and District Commissioner for the African Boy Scouts.
From 1942 to 1945, Reuling was president of Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin. He was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from Northland College in 1945.
Beginning in 1946, Reuling was Africa Secretary for the American Board and its successor, the United Church of Christ's Board for World Ministries. From 1962 until his retirement in 1971, Reuling was General Secretary for Mission, United Church Board for World Ministries. John Reuling died in 1990.
Eleanor Swanson Reuling was born in 1903 and graduated from Michigan State College. She married John Reuling in 1926, and was appointed as an ABCFM missionary to South Africa in 1927. In addition to raising the couple's four children and providing hospitality for many visitors, Eleanor also taught at Adams College as needed and tutored students who had special needs. Following their return to the U.S. Eleanor continued her work of hospitality, was active in volunteer work, including on the board of Church Women United in New Jersey, and filled various educational and administrative posts for the United Church Board for World Ministries on an interim basis. She was also an accomplished writer. She edited newsletters and prepared interpretive material for the cause with which she was involved, as well as writing a biography of James C. Bryant entitled First Saint to the Zulus . Eleanor Reuling died in 1983.
From the guide to the John and Eleanor Reuling Papers, 1920-1965, (Yale University Divinity School Library)
