Meet the Founders of Tau Kappa Epsilon
In 1899, TKE was founded by five men with one bold idea—that character is more important than wealth or rank. Their vision laid the foundation for the Teke brotherhood that still thrives today: an organization guided by the timeless values of Love, Charity, and Esteem.
C. Roy Atkinson
C. Roy Atkinson was born in Bloomington on October 17, 1877. He attended Illinois Wesleyan in 1896 and graduated in 1900, making him a junior at the time of the founding—two years ahead of his fellow Founders.
He was a quiet young man with a beautiful singing voice and a passion for music. He had a leading spot in many church choirs in Bloomington, and at the time of his death, was director of music in the Sunday school of the First Christian Church. He was also the official organist for the Order of the Eastern Star and played for various events at the Masonic Lodge. He was a Past President and Charter Member of the Kiwanis Club, where he was, unsurprisingly, the chairman of the music committee. Frater Atkinson died in an automobile accident on September 14, 1930. At his funeral, vocal music was absent because none of the fellow singers could trust themselves not to break down during the service.
James Carson McNutt
James Carson McNutt was born on June 13, 1878, in Herrick, Illinois. McNutt was the first person whom Frater Settles approached with his plan for a new fraternal organization.
After graduating in 1901, Frater McNutt taught school in Southern Illinois before entering Washington University School of Medicine, where he earned his medical degree in 1905. Dr. McNutt was a general practitioner for many years and, in 1955, received the Illinois Medical Society’s gold pin for 50 years of active practice. He was a well-respected physician who helped found two nursing schools.
James McNutt kept an avid interest in the fraternity and continued to attend Conclaves, giving frequent speeches at Founders’ Day and other Teke banquets. He was the last of the Founders to pass away, dying at the age of 83 on May 19, 1962.
Joseph Lorenzo Settles
Joseph Lorenzo Settles was born on November 2, 1871, in the little town of Lexington, Illinois. He entered Illinois Wesleyan Academy in the fall of 1896 and was given the nickname “Dad” Settles, as he was nearly 25 years old at the time. He completed the Academy coursework and enrolled in college, graduating from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1902.
After graduation, he served as a minister for the Methodist Episcopal Church for over 18 years. He then served as Assistant Treasurer of the Methodist Centenary Fund and later moved to Los Angeles, where he worked as the Executive Secretary for the Los Angeles Rotary Club. Founder Settles remained in Los Angeles until his death on February 15, 1943.
Owen Ison Truitt
Owen Ison Truitt was born in Spring Bay, Illinois, on November 20, 1868, making him 30 years old at the time of the founding. His secondary education was also gained at the Wesleyan Academy, graduating in the same class as Settles. Both were in training for the ministry of the Methodist Church, and both held student pastorates. Frater Truitt subsequently served four pastorates, all in the Central Illinois Conference.
On July 13, 1929, both he and his wife were killed in an automobile accident, making him the first of the Founders of “the Miracle Fraternity” to pass into the Chapter Eternal.
Clarence Arthur Mayer
Clarence Arthur Mayer, Frater McNutt’s roommate, was born on May 18, 1879, at Mt. Pulaski, Illinois. Frater Mayer graduated from Illinois Wesleyan in 1902.
A great musician with exceptional training in both piano and pipe organ, Mayer was the most colorful of the Founders. In 1916, he, his wife, and Wallace Grieves founded the Springfield College of Music and Allied Arts, where he was the director until 1926. Frater Mayer continued to be an active Teke and, along with Founder McNutt, created the eight criteria of a real Teke, codifying the creed of the Founders. When Clarence A. Mayer died on August 8, 1960, Tau Kappa Epsilon lost not only a Founder, but an inspiring leader.