| John C. Johnson
was a native West Virginian (although at that time
the area was still a part of Virginia). He became
a lawyer and politician and was the political advisor
to John W. Davis, the Democratic nominee for President
in 1924. He outlived the other founders by eight
years. |
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| Alexander
C. Earle, the youngest of the eight founders,
went on to become a captain in the Second South
Carolina Volunteers, where he commanded his own
company. For many years his whereabouts were unknown
and he was believed dead, but he was located living
in Arkansas. Earles’ spirit of courage is
one we emulate today. He also set an excellent example
for us through his commitment to lifelong learning
and growth by attending three Karneas. |
 |
Henry K.
Bell, a Kentuckian, lived only six years
after graduation but his contribution to the Fraternity
was immense. Without him, there would be no Delta
Tau Delta today. Bell responded to a call for help
from the last remaining members of the Bethany chapter
who were leaving to join the armed forces. Bell
initiated Rhodes Standbury Sutton and Samuel S.
Brown from Jefferson during a raging snowstorm on
February 22, 1861. Upon the collapse of the Bethany
chapter following its members’ departure,
the new Jefferson chapter took over management of
the Fraternity.
|
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| William R.
Cunningham was 25 and only a freshman at
the time Delta Tau Delta was formed. Because he
was older and had become a Mason he exerted much
influence in the group. Cunningham was probably
responsible for much of the early language in both
the Constitution and Ritual. He served as President
of the Karnea in 1883. He was also a minister and
held public office in the state of Washington. |
 |
| John L.N.
Hunt was the scholar of the group. After
graduating from Bethany, he became the valedictorian
of his class at New York University’s School
of Law. He then served for several years as New
York’s Commissioner of Education. |
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| Richard H.
Alfred, at 26, was the oldest of the group
and later became a minister and a physician. His
involvement with Delta Tau Delta stemmed from a
sense of moral duty to the truth. |
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| Jacob Lowe
hosted the first meetings of the group in his quarters
in a rooming house that has now become a shrine
for the Fraternity. Lowe, who became a professor
and later a college president, helped facilitate
the initial bonds of brotherhood. |
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| Eugene Tarr,
a "local boy" whose home was only six
miles from Bethany, stayed in West Virginia after
college. A strong proponent of strengthening his
community, he became a noted speaker, lawyer and
editor of a newspaper. |
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