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The Illustrious Founders
Elder Watson Diggs (circa 1890-1947), born in Christian County, Kentucky,
was a graduate of Indiana State State Normal (now Indiana State Teachers
College) and Indiana University, the birthplace of Kappa Alpha Psi
Fraternity. He served as Grand Polemarch for the first six consecutive years
of the Fraternity's existence. For this and other outstanding contributions
to the Fraternity, he was awarded the Fraternity's first Laurel Wreath in December, 1924.
An educator by profession, he taught in the public schools of
Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was elevated to a principalship. After his
death on November 8, 1947, the name of the school where he taught was
changed to the Elder Diggs School in his memory. Upon America's entrance
into World War I, Diggs resigned his principalship to enter the Nation's
first Officer's Training Camp at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, and was commissioned
a lieutenant. After European service with the 368th Infantry, he became a
captain in the Reserve Officers Training Corps. Diggs was instrumental in
having the Indiana Constitution amended to permit Negro enlistment in the
Indiana National Guard.
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John Milton Lee, born in Danville, Indiana, September 7, 1890, was
graduated from the Danville High School in 1910 and entered the University
of Indiana and there completed three years of pre-medical work. He later
became a student at Temple University (1915) but was compelled to leave
school because of a death in the family. He enlisted in the 349th Field
Artillery in March of 1918 and served overseas as a First Class Sergeant
and Gunner. His battery enjoys the unique distinction of having been the
first battery of Negro Artillerymen ever to open fire upon an enemy. John
Milton Lee fired the first shot.
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Byron K. Armstrong (1890-1980), born in Westfield, Indiana, entered Indiana
University where he studied philosophy, mathematics, and sociology. After
finishing Indiana University, he earned his Master's degree at Columbia
University in 1913, and subsequently the Doctor of Philosophy degree from
the University of Michigan. He held teaching positions in Florida, Indiana,
Kansas, and Oklahoma. During World War I, he served as an investigator for
the Department of Labor. He was awarded the Laurel Wreath in 1935.
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Guy Levis Grant (1891-1973), born in New Albany, Indiana, attended public
schools in that city, was graduated from Scribner High School in 1909, and
later entered Indiana University. While there, he majored in chemistry,
graduating with the A.B. degree in 1915. In 1920, he received the D.D.S.
degree from Indiana Dental School, then a part of the University of Indiana;
he practiced dentistry in Indianapolis. In 1929, he married Laura Hammons.
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Ezra Dee Alexander (1892-1971) was born in Bloomington, Indiana in 1892,
the site of Indiana University. He was graduated from Bloomington High
School in 1910. He matriculated at Indiana University in the fall of 1910
and was graduated from Indiana University in 1917 with the A.B. degree. He
received his M.D. degree from the Medical School of Indiana University in
1919. He practiced medicine in Indianapolis. In 1920, he married Mary
Hunter, a teacher in the Indianapolis Public School system. Alexander served
several terms as a member of the Grand Board of Directors.
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Henry T. Asher (1892-1963), born in Woodburn, Kentucky in 1892, was
graduated from the Bloomington High School in 1910. He received the degree
of Bachelor of Arts from Indiana University in 1914 and the next year was
an instructor at Lincoln Institute at Jefferson City, Missouri. He was a
graduate student at the University of Minnesota in 1917. He received the
degree of LL.B. at the Detroit College of Law in 1928.
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Marcus Peter Blakemore (1889-1959), born in Franklin, Indiana in 1889,
attended common and high schools in Anderson, Indiana. He was graduated
from High School in 1909 and entered the University of Indiana the
following year. After leaving the University, he organized the Electric
Engineering Company, which he operated until he enlisted in World War I.
He later entered the Dental School of the University of Pittsburgh, from
which he was graduated in 1923.At the time of his death in October 1959,
he was residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he maintained his
practice of dentistry.
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Edward Giles Irvin (1893-1983), born in Spencer, Indiana, on August 13, 1893,
was graduated from Kokomo, Indiana High School in 1910 and entered the
University of Indiana the same year. After leaving school, he pursued a
Journalistic career in various cities throughout the country until World War I.
Aside from his success as a Journalist, Brother Irvin was a pioneer in
promoting basketball and track athletics in the small town schools of
Indiana. He was an active member of the Methodist Church of Chicago and
a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows Lodges. He organized and operated
the Afro-American Manufacturing Company in Chicago, which produced novelties,
candies, and specialties.
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Paul Waymond Caine (1891-1922) was born in Charleston, Indiana, in 1891 and
attended grade school and high school in Greencastle, Indiana. He enrolled at
Indiana University in 1909 and helped the other Founders in organizing Kappa
Alpha Nu. Because of a disastrous fire in the Fraternity house in which he
was employed, he never finished his sophomore year.
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George W. Edmonds (1890-1962) 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.
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