Thomas Johnstone Lipton was born to Irish emigrants Thomas and Frances (Johnstone) Lipton in Glasgow, Scotland on May 10, 1850. He emigrated to the United States in 1865 and worked in the rice fields of the Carolinas for two years before returning home to Scotland. In 1871, Lipton opened a small provision shop in Glasgow. The venture proved very successful, and Lipton's business soon expanded throughout the British Isles. For some time, he also owned and managed a tea business in North America. In order to reduce costs, Lipton traveled to India and purchased a large tea plantation in 1889. He was knighted in 1898, created a Knight Commander of the Victorian Order in 1901, and created a Baronet in 1902. Lipton was also very fond of sailing, owned a number of yachts, and competed in the America's Cup several times. Lipton died on October 2, 1931 at his home in Southgate, Middlesex, England.

Henry Nevett Saxton Jr. was born to Henry Nevett and Margaret (Cardin) Saxton in Surrey, England in December of 1865. The Saxton family moved to the United States in about 1873 and Henry Saxton eventually settled in Knoxville, Tennessee where he married Sarah Sutherland Boyd (1887-1912) in 1884 and worked as a timber exporter. Saxton died in 1943 and is buried in Old Gray Cemetery.