Phi Delta Theta, Epsilon Chapter, 1885

History of the Illinois Epsilon Chapter, Phi Delta Theta.

The Chapter at Illinois Wesleyan is the Epsilon or fifth organized in Illinois. The charter was granted in 1878 to Messrs. J. A. Wakefield, M. L. Johnson and C. H. Sherwood. Of these, Bro. Wakefield has taken his degree, completed a course in law, and is at present in the far west. Bro. Johnson is still with us. C. H. Sherwood, two years since, graduated at a school of dentistry in Philadelphia. The Epsilon Chapter struggled heroically against the ills to which a young fraternity is generally heir to, and in a year or two its growth was marked. New men were added possessing the qualities of mind and heart necessary for one to wear the Shield and Dagger worthily. The interest in fraternities at that time was not so marked, however, at the Wesleyan as at present. The fraternity met for a long time as did the other fraternities connected with the University, either weekly or bi-monthly, in some one of the recitation rooms; but in the spring of 1880 Phi Delta Theta procured of the president what is now known as the north music room. This was neatly fitted up, and we were beginning to think of a local habitation and a name, when by an action of the board of trustees all secret societies were excluded from the University building. We were roomless but not friendless; the board of trustees offered us a larger room in the old college building, but it was decided not to accept their offer, and for many reasons, rather to furnish a commodious room in the Durley building, down town. This was done at considerable cost during the summer of 1881. The hall has lately been repaired; so the fraternity n w has a good hall at a cost of several hundred dollars. Our roll of Alumni is short on account of our brief existence. A few I will mention: Bro. N. K. McCormick is with Prof. Forbes, at Normal, as assistant in State Laboratory of Natural History; Bro. Fullenwider, of the class of '82, is taking a course in law at Ann Harbor; Bro. W. A. Jones is practicing stenography at Piano, Ill.; Bro. F. F. Roose and wife, are missionaries in Brazil; while Bro. Ruby, also of '82, is engaged in business at Bement. In giving a true history of our Chapter I ought not to omit two Chapters which are the outgrowth of the enterprise and energy of our boys-namely the Minn. Alpha at Minneapolis, and the Kan. Alpha, at Lawrence, both of which are in excellent Universities and in a flourishing condition. The condition of our inter-fraternal relations has certainly been pleasant. On the whole we have, as a University, a reputation almost totally devoid of hostility or ill-feeling in any form. The Epsilon Chapter, at Bloomington, has had in all its history no aim but what was exalted and noble, chiefly to attain characters as upright as it is possible for young men to arrive at by individual exertions, the assistance of their brothers and Divine Grace. Phi Delta Theta has steadily advanced since the first Chapter was established in 1848, and it is only a few weeks since the fraternity met in national convention at Richmond, Va., which had perhaps the best attendance ever experienced by a Greek Letter fraternity. Phi Delta Theta is to-day represented in over fifty among the best colleges and universities in America, with strong Alumni Chapters at Indianapolis, Nashville, Chicago, Louisville, Cincinnati, and other cities. Her loyal sons are scattered all around this sphere; a goodly number assist in forming our nation's laws at every congress, and positions of eminence have been attained in every vocation of life, and why? Because the foundation of our mystic discipline has been that of every true man, and without which no one can wage the battle of life successfully; and with this discipline, no matter whether one becomes renowned or not, " life's fitful fever over" he lies down calmly with the blessed assurance well done. W. M. C. -Wesleyan Bee, Mar. 1, 1883, pg. 9