Our Founders

Byron Kenneth Armstrong was born in Westfield, Indiana on April 8, 1892. He enrolled at Howard University in 1909 and transferred to Indiana University in the fall of 1910. He graduated from Indiana University with an A.B. degree in the fall of 1913 and subsequently earned a Master’s degree from Columbia University in 1914 and a Ph.D. degree from the University of Michigan in 1940.

He was one of the primary potent forces behind the founding of the Fraternity, for which these and other significant contributions, the 6th Laurel Wreath was conferred upon him. The Byron K. Armstrong Scholars Award, the only Grand Chapter award available to fraternity undergraduate members for outstanding achievement, is named in his honor.

He died June 28, 1980.

Our Founders

Ezra Dee Alexander was born in Bloomington, Indiana on July 18, 1891 and graduated from Bloomington High School in 1910. He matriculated to Indiana University in the fall of 1910 and graduated from Indiana University in 1917 with an A.B. degree. He received his M.D. degree from the Medical School of Indiana University in 1919. He practiced medicine in Indianapolis for nearly 50 years.

He died September 29, 1971. 

Our Founders

Henry Tourner Asher was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, on June 30, 1890 and graduated from the Bloomington High School in 1910. He graduated from Indiana University with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1914. He became an instructor at Lincoln Institute at Jefferson City, Missouri from 1914-1915 and subsequently attended the University of Minnesota, where he earned his MA degree in 1917. He received the degree of LL.B. from the Detroit College of Law in 1928.

He died on March 5, 1963.

Our Founders

Marcus Peter Blakemore, born in Franklin, Indiana in 1889, moved to Anderson, Indiana where he attended public schools and graduated from high school in 1909. He entered Indiana University the following year.

After leaving Indiana University, he organized the Electric Engineering Company, which he operated until he enlisted with the U.S. Army in World War I.

He later entered the Dental School of the University of Pittsburgh, from which he graduated with a DDS degree in 1923. In 1949, he became the first Black to receive the MS degree in Prosthetic Dentistry from the University of Pittsburgh Dental School.

He died on October 9, 1959.

Our Founders

Paul Waymond Caine was born on May 17, 1890 in Greencastle, Indiana, where he attended elementary and high schools. He enrolled at Indiana University sometime in 1909 and helped the other Founders in organizing the Fraternity. Because of a disastrous fire in the fraternity house in which he was employed, he never finished his sophomore year.

He subsequently set up the Caine Catering Company in several cities. He later went into business in Rockford, Illinois, where he was burned during an explosion of gaseous materials as he worked in his dry cleaning business. He later succumbed from pneumonia he acquired from the fire and died on April 15, 1931.

Outstanding Alumni Chapters are presented the Paul W. Caine Award, named in his honor.

Our Founders

George Wesley Edmonds was born in Knight Township, Indiana on August 13, 1890. He attended the Carver Elementary School and Clark High School in nearby Evansville, Indiana and enrolled at Indiana University in the fall of 1910.

After he returned home for the summer of 1911, his father became ill and died. He was the eldest son, became the head of the family, thus preventing his return to school. With the new responsibility of supporting the family, he took a job with the area coal mines and with the railroad.

He died on June 13, 1962.

Our Founders

Guy Levis Grant was born in New Albany, Indiana on April 9, 1891 and graduated from Scribner High School in 1909, and later entered Indiana University. He subsequently graduated with the A.B. degree in 1915. In 1920, he received the D.D.S. degree from Indiana University Dental School; he practiced dentistry in Indianapolis for over 50 years.

He served the Fraternity as Grand Historian for 16 years. The Guy Levis Grant Award is named in his honor to undergraduate members of the fraternity who exhibit extra meritorious contributions to the Fraternity’s advancement.

He died on November 11, 1973.

Our Founders

Edward Giles Irvin was born in Spencer, Indiana on August 13, 1893. He graduated from Kokomo Indiana High School in 1910 and entered Indiana University the same year. He did not return to the university following the spring term of 1911. After leaving school, he pursued a Journalistic career in various cities throughout the country until World War I, when he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was awarded for his duty.

Following the War, he promoted athletics in the small town schools of Indiana. He also organized and operated the Afro-American Manufacturing Company in Chicago, which produced novelties, candies, and specialties. He was a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows Lodges.

He was honored to have the Laurel Wreath Award conferred upon him. The Fraternity named an award in his honor, the Edward G. Irvin Award, bestowed upon the most outstanding Undergraduate Chapter.

He died on November 4, 1982.

Our Founders

John Milton Lee was born in Danville, Indiana on September 7, 1890, where he attended public schools and subsequently enrolled at Indiana University in 1910. He completed three years of pre-medical work before leaving the university. He subsequently enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University but had to withdraw from both due to health reasons and a death in the family.

He enlisted in the Army in 1917, into the 349th Field Artillery Regiment, 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. He fired the first shot.

He helped organize, and for several years was president of the Fairview Golf Club, the first Negro Golf Club in Pennsylvania. He was also engaged in several other vocations.

He died on January 3, 1958.