The Founders of Kappa Alpha Psi


The Founders of Kappa Alpha Psi were God-fearing, clean-living, serious-minded young men who possesed imagination, ambition, courage and determination to defy custom in pursuit of a college education and career.
ELDER WATSON DIGGS
Born in Madisonville, Kentucky, Elder Watson Diggs graduated from the Indiana State Normal School (now the Indiana State Teachers College) at Terre Haute, Indiana, in the spring of 1908, and entered Howard University in 1909. In June 1916, he was granted a degree by Indiana University. His leadership ability, sincerity of purpose, enthusiasm and dedication earned for him the respect of his fellows and the office of Grand Polemarch of the newly established Fraternity. He held that office for six consecutive years (to December 1917) and was awarded the first Laurel Wreath, the Fraternity's highest recognition for achievement, in 1924. Writing for the May 1916 issue of the Kappa Alpha Psi Journal, E. W. Proctor reflected the esteem in which Diggs was held with the statement: "(He) will be graduated this June. Our Grand Polemarch has the alpha of every attempt directed toward some good end. It is with great regret that we are about to lose him." Diggs died November 8, 1947, and a public school in Indianapolis was named in his memory.
BYRON KENNETH ARMSTRONG
Byron Kenneth Armstrong of Westfield, Indiana, entered Howard University in 1909, met Elder Watson Diggs, and with Diggs transferred to Indiana University in the fall of 1910. By 1914, he had earned his master's degree from Columbia University. His early and continuing efforts in the Fraternity interest earned him the Laurel Wreath in 1935. In 1940, he was granted the Doctor of Philosophy degree by the University of Michigan.
GUY LEVIS GRANT
Guy Levis Grant was born in New Albany, Indiana, the third of Robert and Lucy Grant's thirteen children, five of whom became members of Kappa Alpha Psi. After the death of his father, Guy became head of the household and assumed responsibility for the education of himself and his younger brothers. After finishing high school, Guy entered Indiana University and graduated with the bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1915. In 1920, he received the D.D.S. degree from the school of dentistry. Many played their roles in the making of this history, but it was left to a few to see that it would be told. Dr. Guy L. Grant was involved in both the making of the history and the telling of the Story. He was a constant source of inspiration in the preparation of this document. He collected and guarded the precious source material which eventually became the factual, supportive base for the history. He was named Grand Historian Emeritus.
EZRA D. ALEXANDER
Ezra D. Alexander was a native of Bloomington. Having been born and reared in that southern Indiana town, Ezra had first hand acquaintance with the bias that led to the establishment of Kappa Alpha Nu. Being a student at the University, from which he received his bachelor's and M.D. degrees in 1917 and 1919, he knew and learned to live with the existing social conditions. He was the non-voting member of the Grand Board of Directors until his death on September 29, 1971.
EDWARD G. IRVIN
Edward G. Irvin was born in Spencer, Indiana, and graduated from Kokomo High School in 1910. In the fall of that year, he entered the University, became a Founder of Kappa Alpha Nu, and served on the Fraternity's Incorporation Committee. After leaving Indiana, Irvin pursued a journalistic career. After World War I, he served on the staff of the Indianapolis Freeman. In March of 1922, he established The Shining Star, a weekly newspaper in Anderson, Indiana. Within less than five years, he enlarged the paper without capital from a leaflet to an eight page, six column newspaper. The success of this venture brought a bid from te Gary Sun for Irvin's services as its editor. He accepted, but later resigned to become sports editor with the Chicago Daily Bulletin. Irvin became the most beloved Kappa man of the seventies and eighties. He wore the Laurel Wreath.
PAUL W. CAINE
Paul W. Caine entered the University from Greencastle, Indiana. His pleasant disposition soon won many friends in the Greek letter houses where he worked as a cook or housekeeper. These friendships enabled him to gain information that contributed to the organization of Kappa Alpha Nu. In later years, Caine operated his own catering service in Evanston, Illinois. He died in 1922.
MARCUS PETER BLAKEMORE
Marcus Peter Blakemore was born in Franklin, Indiana, and attended the public schools of Anderson. He was graduated in 1909 and entered the University in the fall of 1910. A rugged individual, Blakemore was determined to make a place in life for himself. As a roommate of Byron Armstrong, he became enthusiastic about the new Fraternity and contributed significantly to Kappa Alpha Nu. After leaving the University in 1911, Blakemore organized the Electric Engineering Company which he operated until he enlisted in World War I. He received his D.D.S. degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1923 and practiced until his death on October 9, 1959.
HENRY T. ASHER
Henry T. Asher was born in Woodburn, Kentucky, June 29, 1890, and moved to Bloomington where he graduated from high school in the spring of 1910. In June of 1914, he was granted the Bachelor of Arts degree by Indiana University. After one year of teaching at Lincoln Institute, Jefferson City, Missouri, Asher entered the graduate school at the University of Illinois for the 1915-1916 school year, but received the Master of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota in 1917. In 1928, he was awarded the LL.B. degree by the Detroit College of Law. Asher died March 5, 1963.
JOHN MILTON LEE
John Milton Lee, a personable, confident graduate from the Danville, Indiana high school entered the University in 1910 where he competed three years of pre-medical study. As told elsewhere in this Story, Lee was from the beginning an active and interested participant in the founding of Kappa Alpha Nu. In 1915, he attended Temple University. In 1918, he enlisted in the 349th Field Artillery and served overseas as a sergeant first class and gunner. His was the first all black battery to open fire on an enemy. John Milton Lee was associate editor of Modern Artillerymen, the official record of Battery F. 349th Artillery. He died Jauary 8, 1958.
GEORGE W. EDMONDS
Little was known of the Fraternity's tenth Founder, George W. Edmonds. George W. Edmonds was born in Vandenburgh County, Knight Township, Indiana on August 13, 1890. He entered Carver Elementary School and Clark High School in Evansville, graduating in 1910. In the fall of 1910, George entered Indiana University at Bloomington. He joined nine other students in founding Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. After George returned home for the summer of 1911, his father became ill with pneumonia and died. His father had worked in the coal mines of Vandenburgh County for many years. George, being the eldest son, became head of the family, thus preventing his return to school. With the new responsibility of supporting the family, George took a job with the area coal mines and worked with the coal mines and the railroad until he died of pneumonia on June 13, 1962. George married the former Willa Mae Forte and settled in Stevenson, Indiana. They became the parents of one son, Noel. His family and grave were discovered in Evansville, Indiana in 1978.