Henry Arthur
Callis became a practicing physician,
Howard University Professor of Medicine and prolific contributor to medical journals. Often regarded as the “philosopher
of the founders,” and a moving force in the Fraternity’s development, he was the only one of the “Cornell
Seven” to become General President. Prior to moving to Washington, D.C., he was a medical consultant to the Veterans
Hospital in Tuskegee, Alabama. Upon his death in 1974, at age 87, the Fraternity entered a time without any living Jewels.
His papers were donated to Howard’s Moorland-Spingarn Research Center.
Charles Henry
Chapman entered
higher education and eventually became Professor of Agriculture at what is now Florida A&M University. A university funeral
was held with considerable Fraternity participation when he became the first Jewel to enter Omega Chapter in 1934. Described
as “a Brother beloved in the bonds,” Chapman was a founder of FAMU’s Beta Nu Chapter. During the organization
stages of Alpha Chapter, he was the first chairman of the Committees on Initiation and Organization.
Eugene Kinckle
Jones became the first Executive Secretary
of the National Urban League. His 20-year tenure with the Urban League thus far has exceeded those of all his successors in
office. A versatile leader, he organized the first three Fraternity chapters that branched out from Cornell—Beta at
Howard, Gamma at Virginia Union and the original Delta at the University of Toronto in Canada. In addition to becoming Alpha
Chapter’s second President and joining with Callis in creating the Fraternity name, Jones was a member of the first
Committees on Constitution and Organization and helped write the Fraternity ritual. Jones also has the distinction of being
one of the first initiates as well as an original founder. His status as a founder was not finally established
until 1952. He died in 1954.
George Biddle
Kelley became the first African American
engineer registered in the state of New York. Not only was he the strongest proponent of the Fraternity idea among the organization’s
founders, the civil engineering student also became Alpha Chapter’s first President. In addition, he served on
committees that worked out the handshake and ritual. Kelley was popular with the Brotherhood. He resided in Troy, New York
and was active with Beta Pi Lambda Chapter in Albany. He died in 1963.
Nathaniel Allison
Murray pursued graduate work after completing
his undergraduate studies at Howard. He later returned home to Washington, D.C., where he taught in public schools.
Much of his career was spent at Armstrong Vocational High School in the District of Columbia. He was a member
of Alpha Chapter’s first committee on organization of the new fraternal group, as well as the Committee on the Grip.
The charter member of Washington’s Mu Lambda Chapter was a frequent attendee of General Conventions. He died in 1959.
Robert Harold
Ogle entered the career secretarial
field and had the unique privilege of serving as a professional staff member to the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations.
He was an African American pioneer in his Capitol Hill position. He proposed the Fraternity’s colors and was Alpha Chapter’s
first secretary. Ogle joined Kelley in working out the first ritual and later became a charter member of Washington’s
Mu Lambda Chapter. He died in 1936.
Vertner Woodson
Tandy became the state of New York’s
first registered black architect, with offices on Broadway in New York City. The designer of the Fraternity pin holds
the distinction of being the first African American to pass the military commissioning examination and was commissioned First
Lieutenant in the 15th Infantry of the New York State National Guard. He was Alpha Chapter’s first treasurer and took
the initiative to incorporate the Fraternity. Among the buildings designed by the highly talented architect is Saint Phillips
Episcopal Church in New York City. He died in 1949, at age 64.