Founding Date

Jan 30th, 1856

The Mu Chapter chartered at Howard College on January 30, 1856, and later ceased in 1861. Howard College was renamed Samford University in 1965. The college was located in Marion, Alabama until 1887, when it relocated to Birmingham, Alabama. 

More History of the Mu Chapter

Howard College opened in Marion Alabama in 1842. Phi Gamma Delta was the first fraternity at the College, maintaining Mu Chapter there from 1856 until the Civil War. No other fraternity existed at Howard until 1870. The College relocated to Birmingham in 1888 and in 1965 became Samford University.

The January 30, 1856, minutes of the Grand Chapter at Jefferson College recount the start of Mu Chapter.

A letter from Tuscaloosa was read, petitioning for the papers requisite for establishing a chapter of the order at Howard College, Marion. On motion these papers were granted and Bro. J. J. Harris appointed Legate.

John J. Harris (Alabama 1856) was a charter member of Theta Chapter, installed May 19, 1855. Precisely when the Mu Chapter installation occured is unclear. The charter members were: B. B. McKenzie 1858, Julius A. Greer 1859, Andrew J. Holman 1859, Thomas M. Lenoir 1860, Wright H. Lavender 1860, and Henry Snell 1860. At the time the Constitution required at least five petitioners before a charter could be granted.

The chapter hit the ground running. Reviews of fraternity and college catalogues indicate that six or seven men were initiated in December 1856, and another eight were initiated in the Spring of 1857. Starting at that time and through the end of the 1858-1859 year, there were about thirteen men in the chapter at any given time, and perhaps as many as fifteen. "We are happy to inform you, that as a chapter we are in a prosperous condition," wrote Secretary John T. Caine to Lambda Chapter in December, 1858. "We are not yet of three year's existence, yet we have made no less than eighteen accessions of the true Delta stamp, twelve of whom are now members of this college."

The Phi Gams appear to have held top rank scholastically and in extracurriculars. All three Phi Gams in the class of 1861 are noted in the 1860-61 catalogue as having academic averages of "more than 90 per cent of the maximum." Much of campus life centered around the Adelphi and Franklin literary societies; the brothers were well represented in the honors of both. 

Each society annually elected five editors for the Howard College Magazine. For the inaugural year of 1858-59, Franklin elected two Phi Gams, John P. Hubbard and J.T. Caine, and Adelphi elected three: S.C. Cook, T.B. Cox, and T.M. Lenoir. The following year, E.H. Ward in the fall and J.L. Dupree in the spring represented Franklin. For Adelphi, W.T. Hendon, J.F. Burns, and T.M. Lenoir served, with J.M. McKleroy replacing Lenoir in the spring.

The societies sponsored oratorical exhibitions in honor of society anniversaries in January or February. Election as president, "anniversarian" (keynote speaker), orator, or one of two essayists was considered a great honor.  In 1859, T.M. Lenoir presided over Adelphi's event while John P. Hubbard gave Franklin's anniversary address on "Inducements to American Literature." The Howard College Magazine said,

Mr. Hubbard entertained the company for a half hour with a beautiful and patriotic presentation of the the claims of America as a nursury for literature. . . . Mr. Hubbard is fortunate in the possession of a face and form which gain for him the attention of the audience before whom he rises. His delivery, however, is not so remarkable for grace as for freedom from all affectation. The style is impassioned, and the charm of earnestness attaches to every word he utters.

The twelfth anniversaries in 1860 saw two brothers honored by Franklin: R.A. Massey as anniversarian and J.T. Caine as orator. The Phi Gams almost swept the Adelphi event. Henry Snell presided, and J.F. Burns was orator. TheMarion Commonwealth said, "Especially we were pleased with the anniversary oration by William Hendon, of Newbern, whose theme was Washington Irving." It was reprinted in the Howard College Magazine.

The chapter's size of thirteen or so was average or even on the large size for the 1850s. Consider that Howard College had seventy-three students during the 1856-57 year, according to that year's catalogue. Such a number was respectable for a college in those days. Twenty-two were preparatory students; however, the Phi Gams restricted their recruitment to the fifty-one collegiate students. That number grew to 62 the following year, and 74 the next. But the chapter apparently did not grow correspondingly.

Five brothers did not return in the fall of 1857, and another five in the fall of 1858. These included only two graduates; another transferred to Virginia and helped start Omicron Chapter. The loss of the other seven was not unusual. Students might withdraw from school due to sickness, family finances, or school discipline. Yet, the chapter apparently did not replace its departed members. Recruitment dropped from fifteen in the first year to between four and six the second, and five or six the third. Moreover, there seems to have been an over-representation of the class of 1860, with fourteen initiated.  Their senior year the chapter faced an uncertain future.

The chapter had ten brothers by March of 1860, according to the Fraternity's "Annual Circular" of that date. Six or seven were seniors. Three were juniors and there may have been one sophomore. Despite the situation, the chapter apparently initiated only one person. By the spring of 1861 only four brothers remained. Our membership catalogues do not indicate that any more initiations took place. Why?

It seems the faculty was partly to blame. The "Annual Circular" of March 1860 states "Faculty down on them, but prospects brightening." In December, the Grand Chapter wrote to Indiana Asbury, ". . . . the chapter at Marion Ala. is about to die, owing to the strong measures the faculty have taken against secret societies."  In January 12, 1861, John Greer Dupree wrote to Indiana Asbury,

We are glad to have your sympathy in our time of trouble, when our existence as a chapter is rapidly drawing to a close . . . . We would be happy to fill the void thus created, in case of our death. May your chapter never be placed in the condition in which ours is.

Interestingly, the previous day the state of Alabama had seceded from the United States. Of the 62 students attending Howard that academic year, 42 volunteered for Confederate military service before commencement ceremonies in June. Thus, despite the brilliant record of the brothers attending Howard College, Mu Chapter ceased by the end of the 1860-1861 school year.

Thanks to John Tryon Hubbard, Jr. of Phi Kappa Psi for inspiring this article and providing valuable information on his great-grandfather, John P. Hubbard (Howard 1859). The images above come courtesy of Mr. Hubbard. Thanks also to Elizabeth Wells, Special Collections Coordinator at Samford University, for her assistance in our research at the University's fine library.

The following list of Mu Chapter members and their hometowns comes from Phi Gamma Delta's 1862 Catalog. Additions, corrections, and biographical information come from the Fraternity catalogues of 1925, 1941, and the Unfinished Catalog c. 1898. Another excellent source is Owen, Thomas McAdory. History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography Volumes 3 and 4 (Chicago: The SJ Clarke Publishing Co., 1921).

Other sources are noted in the text, like Confederate Veteran magazine, Confederate rosters of soldiers, and The Phi Gamma Delta magazine. Of course, this list is a work in progress.

Names in italics indicate the chapter's charter (founding) members.

CLASS OF 1857

Waddy Thompson Armstrong, Notasulga AL. Initiated as a senior February 1857. Born c. 1838 in Alabama to Dr. Ralph Clay Armstrong and Cornelia Thompson. First cousin of Goveror of South Carolina Hugh Thompson. Armstrong's parents died before 1850; he and his sister were adopted by Rev. Henry Talbird, a Montgomery minister and later president of Howard College. The sister later married Boardman Crumpton (see below). First listed in a Howard catalogue in 1850-1851, as a prepatory student. One of three Howard graduates in 1857. Appointed on or before January 1859 as Professor of Greek Literature, Irving College, Warren Co., Tennessee. According to one site, married Elizabeth M. Abercrombie in Pensacola, Florida, October 9, 1861; they had a child in October, 1862. Several sources show a Waddy T. Armstrong as Captain, Co. K, 6th Alabama. Howard College's 1875-1876 catalogue lists him as a lawyer in Marion, and the Alabama census of 1866 also puts W. T. Armstrong in Marion. 1941 catalog: Died April 7, 1869 at Pensacola FL.

CLASS OF 1858

Bethune Beaton McKenzie, Louisville, AL. Initiated as a junior December 1856; served as chapter president. One of three Howard graduates in 1858, A.B. degree. Howard catalogue 1875-1876 lists him as a civil engineer in Lewisville. Unfinished Catalog: "Member Alabama State Constitutional Convention, '65; Civil Engineer, '69-'81. President Lumber Company." 1913 catalog: lumber business, Dunham, AL. 1941 catalog: Died June 29, 1915 at Eufaula, AL. Captain, Co. B, Fourth Alabama Cavalry Battalion (Love's); in July 1864 it became Co. I, Jeff Davis Legion (Mississippi). Served April 4, 1861 to April 26, 1865. (Unfinished Catalogue) According to one web site: "Named for civil engineer, soldier and member of the Alabama Constitutional Convention, Bethune Beaton McKenzie, [McKenzie Alabama] is located in the southern section of Butler County north of the Butler-Covington county line. He built a sawmill in the area known as Dunham Station and was its principal owner." Married Caroline Elizabeth Flournoy.

James R. Webster, Clinton, AL. Initiated as a junior June 1857. Enrolled in the theological class; did not graduate. Pastor of Clinton Baptist Church; married. 1941 catalog: died Jan. 12, 1860 at Clinton.

CLASS OF 1859

John Ashurst Caffey, Montgomery AL. Initiated as a sophomore 1856 (1862 catalog says March while 1878 catalog says May). Served as chapter secretary. Did not graduate. 1925 catalog: planter, died April 27, 1881, Benton AL. CSA Private, Co. E 6th Alabama. According to one site: "John Ashurst Caffey was born December 13, 1840 in Alabama . . . and married February 5, 1865 in Lowndes County Alabama to Irene Caroline Caffey . . ." Son of Hugh Caffey and Mary Ashurst.

Samuel Calvin Cook, Camden AL. See related article on his Civil War service. Born November 6, 1837. Initiated as a sophomore January 1857; served as chapter president. Graduated with A.B. degree, 1859. Unfinished Catalog: "Principal of Rock West Academy '59-'61; Teacher in Wilcox Female Institute, '79; Editor Wilcox Progress, '89-'90. Agriculturist, Horticulturist and Magistrate. Lawyer." 1941 catalog: educator, editor, lawyer; died June 8, 1904 at Camden. Interred at Cook Hill family cemetery (the 1839 plantation house is still extant) in Wilcox County. Captain, 3rd Alabama Cavalry. At Shiloh, Chickamauga, Dalton, Atlanta. Second lieutenant commanding troops engaged in first small-arms skirmish of Civil War, May 9, 1861. For three years under General Joe Wheeler, ". . . member of that officer's staff of picked men known as the "Elite Corps," which was an organization composed of one commissioned officer and two privates from each company . . . trained by West Point graduates for hazardous and daring duties." (PGD magazine, Oct. 1937, p. 27-28) According to his grandson Dan Cook, S. C. Cook was a quartermaster for Wheeler, married Mary Gullett, and had 16 children, of whom 14 lived to adulthood.

Julius A. Greer, Macon MS. Initiated as a sophomore December 1856. Did not graduate. 1941 catalog: died August 7, 1900 at Meridian MS. The 1860 census shows a person of this name in Noxubee County (which includes Macon) as 21 years old, a farmer, and owning seven slaves. Co. G, 1st Mississippi Cavalry, has a sergeant of this name; this company was from Noxubee County.

Andrew J. Holman, Shongalo MS. Initiated as a sophomore December 1856; served as chapter treasurer. Graduated with A.B. degree, 1859. 1925 catalog: druggist; died at Carrolton MS.

John Patillo Hubbard, Union Springs AL. Initiated as a junior October 1857. Graduated with A.B. degree, 1859. 1862 catalog: Attorney. Unfinished Catalog: Private, 22nd Alabama. "Contributer [sic] Southern Advertiser and Messenger and Advertiser, '65-'70; Member of the House of Representative, '68-'70 and '76-'77, Speaker of the House, '70-'72; Judge of the 2d Judicial Circuit since August, '80." 1941 catalog: legislator, lawyer, judge; died Sept. 16, 1904 at Troy, AL. Note: middle name misspelled in Fraternity catalogs and other records as "Pertiller".

CLASS OF 1860

Gabriel N. Benson, Marion LA. Initiated as a freshman March 1857. The 1850-1851 Howard catalogue lists him as a prepatory student. Did not graduate. The 1860 census of Marion, LA, taken that August, shows G. N. Benson, a farmer of 22 years of age. Court records show that he died the following month, about September 28, 1860.

John Fielding Burns [middle initial reported as H. in 1862], Burnsville AL. Initiated as a junior February 1859; served as chapter treasurer according to the Fraternity's "Annual Circular" of March, 1860. He was one of two orators for the Adelphi Literary Society's anniversary exercises in February, 1860. History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography, Vol. 3, page 264: Born April 23, 1840 at Burnsville, to James Harris and Lucinda Ann Straughn. Attended common schools of Dallas Co. prior to Howard. Earned A.B. with honors, although it gives the year as 1859. Studied law in Montgomery and at Athens, GA. "Elected first lieutenant of the Red Eagles, a company organized in Burnsville in 1860, and when it disbanded, he went to Virginia as a private in the Fourth Alabama [Infantry].... and then joined Wheeler's Cavalry." (Probably Co. I, 51st Alabama Cavalry, Partisan Rangers.) Practiced law in Selma, then planted in Burnsville, then moved to Selma in 1888. Married Eugenia Harriet Clay, October 28, 1869. Justice of the peace, member of 1875 and 1901 state constitutional conventions, state legislator 1896-1897, five-time Democratic National Convention delegate. Baptist. Established and sold multiple newspapers. Died June 9, 1905, Selma.

John T. Caine, Tuscaloosa AL. Initiated as a freshman February 1857 at twenty-five years of age; served as chapter secretary and, as reported in the Fraternity's March 1860 "Annual Circular," as president. Graduated with A.B. degree, 1860. Minutes of the Eightieth Annual Session of the Bethel Baptist Association, September 21-13, 1900, p. 12: "Our beloved brother, Elder John Thomas Caine, was born in Walker County, Ala., Sept. 15, 1831, and died at his home near Safford Station, Dallas Count, March 12, 1900. In his youth he attended Salem Academy, at old Elyton, now a part of Birmingham, and for a while was a teacher in that noted school. He afterwards taught school at Harpersville, Providence, and for a number of years near his home. He was licensed to preach by Canaan Church in 1852, and ordained by Mt. Moriah church in 1854; thus he had been in the Baptist ministry for nearly forty-five years. Entering Howard College in 1857, he graduated in 1860 with the degree of A.B. For many years he was pastor of churches in this section, and for the last five years he was Moderator of Bethel Association. Shortly after graduating he married Miss D.A. Holmes . . . . They first met while he was a student at the Howard and she at the Judson Institute. Eight children were born to them, seven of whom survive him.

Thomas Bolin Cox, Brandon MS. Initiated as a junior November 1858; served as chapter secretary according to the Fraternity's "Annual Circular" of March, 1860. Graduated with A.B. degree, 1860. After the war went to Virginia and served there as chapter president in 1870. He was active in correspondence with other chapters, and visited the chapters in New York City. By the winter of 1871 he was an attorney in Macon, Georgia, and that spring he served as legate installing Kappa Deuteron chapter at the University of Georgia. Unfinished Catalog: C.S.A., Captain, Oct. '61 to April '65. 1913 catalog: lawyer, Waco TX. 1941 catalog: died Nov. 25, 1926 at Braxton MS.  Mississippi CSA soldiers directory has a photo of a Thomas B. Cox and his brother. We have no proof it is him; but the age is right.  A First Lt. Thomas B. Cox was in Co. A, 14th Mississippi Infantry (Consolidated) in April, 1865 with Lt. Col. William T. Hendon (Howard 1860). We do not know if this was the same T. B. Cox.

Reuben J. Evans, Warsaw AL. Initiated as a sophomore April 1858. Did not graduate. Son of Frances A. and John P. Evans. Would have been 19 or 20 when initiated, according to his age in the 1850 census. 1925 catalog: planter.

William T. Hendon, Newbern AL. Initiated as a freshman March 1857; served as chapter treasurer. Graduated with A.B. degree, 1860. Unfinished Catalog: "Evergreen, Ala. . . . Planter and Lawyer." 1941 catalog: died Sept. 1, 1916 at Marion, AL. Lt. Colonel, 14th Mississippi, Consolidated; Captain, Co. K, 6th Mississippi. "When the war commenced he assisted in raising an infantry company, of which Hon. A. Y. Harper was captain and W. T. Hendon first lieutenant. This later became Company K, of the 6th Mississippi Regiment, organized early in 1861 at Grenada, Miss. . . . Participating in the battle of Shiloh . . . it was reorganized . . . and Lieut. W. T. Hendon succeeded [Harper] as captain of Company K. He held this rank until . . . April 9, 1865, when seven companies of the 6th, the 14th, and 43rd Mississippi regiments were consolidated and known as the 14th Mississippi, Consolidated. Captain Hendon was made lieutenant colonel of this regiment. Afterwards he surrendered with the regiment at Greensboro, N. C., under Gen. Joseph E. Johnson." --obituary, Confederate Veteran Vol. XXVI, p.167. Board of Visitors at Judson Institute, and Howard College Trustee circa 1876.

Wright H. Lavender, Gaston AL. Initiated as a sophomore December 1856. Did not graduate. 1913 Catalog: Physician, Marengo Co. AL. There is a Wright H. Lavender in Company K, 3rd Alabama Infantry.

Thomas M. Lenoir, Cahaba AL. Initiated as a freshman December 1856; served as chapter treasurer. Did not graduate. Captain, Co. I, Third Alabama Cavalry (his company possibly detached as Lenoir's Independent Company Alabama Cavalry). One of six blood brothers in CSA service. ". . . [K]illed at Lay's Ferry, near Resaca, Ga., on May 14, 1864. General Wheeler told me a few years before his death that he sent three flags of truce to the Federal commander trying to get my brother's body, but was refused every time." (Charles Lenoir, quoted in Confederate Veteran.)

Richard Albert Massey, Perry Co., Alabama. Initiated as a junior October 1857. Enrolled in the theological class and the scientific course, according to the 1855-1856 college catalogue. Graduated with A.B. degree, 1860. Unfinished Catalog: "Bethlehem, Ala. State Evangelist. Baptist Minister." 1913 catalog: Bethlehem, AL. 1941 catalog: clergyman; died in Hale County, AL. Married Emma A. Brown in Sumterville, 1861. Received an honorary degree from Howard College, 1875. Born November 18, 1837; died October 11, 1901. Buried Spence Cemetery, Hale, AL.

John Martin McKleroy, Eufaula AL. The 1870 catalog shows him in the class of 1860, and indicates he was initiated as a sophomore in November, which would make the year 1857. Graduated with A.B. degree, 1860.

History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography, pages 1126-1127: Born May 13, 1843 in Eufaula to William H. McKleroy and Martha Gill Shorter. "He was graduated from Howard College, 1860, and the following year went to Texas. After a few months service with a Texas frontier company in the Indian territory, he enlisted, May 1861, as a private in the Third Texas cavalry...." Served a year, then adjutant, Hilliard's Legion. When broken up in late 1863, became adjutant, 10th Confederate Cavalry, and later captain of Co. A of same. Wounded March 10, 1865 near Fayetteville, NC (possibly Monroe's Crossroads). Lawyer starting November 1865 in Eufaula. Married Martha I. Woods, February 28, 1867. State superintendent of public instruction, 1874-1876. State representative for Barbour Co., 1876 for one term. Gubernatorial candidate 1882 and 1886. President, Anniston City Land Company.

1941 catalog: died Aug. 30, 1894 at Anniston. The Florida School Journal, October, 1894, says when he died he was a candidate for Congress. Issues of Confederate Veteran indicate he was a Brigadier General for Alabama in the United Confederate Veterans shortly before his death. Commencement speaker at Howard College, 1876. His name also appears on the rolls of Sigma Alpha Epsilon's Georgia Epsilon chapter at Emory University (founded 1881) as an honorary initiate.

William E. Ross, Marion AL. Initiated as a freshman March 1857. Did not graduate. Born 1837 in Fairfield County, SC to James Whitaker Ross and Sarah E. J. Rochelle (who later remarried). Relocated to Union Parish, LA. Apparently did not marry, but moved with brother John Alfred Ross to Burnet, Texas around 1873; he died there before 1900. Buried in Old Burnet Cemetery. Older brother of Anderson J. Ross (below). Source. A picture of William E. Ross.

Anderson J. Ross, Marion AL. Initiated as a freshman March 1857. Did not graduate. Younger brother of William E. Ross (above). Born about 1838 in Alabama. One source says deceased by 1862 at Anderson AL. However, this is disputed by at least one source.

Henry Snell, Camden AL. Initiated as a freshman December 1856; served as chapter secretary. He was in charge of the 1860 anniversary exercises for the Adelphi Literary Society. Graduated with A.B. degree, 1860. 1925 catalog: lawyer; died at Camden. The Grand Chapter at Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, on February 9, 1864 instructed its Secretary to "confer with other chapters and with Frater W. Hall [Jefferson 1861] at Fort Donelson in respect to assisting Frater Snell [Howard 1860], a prisoner at said fort." Thus, Snell was in Confederate service. Probably quartermaster sergeant, 6th Alabama.

Edward Howard Ward, Pelham AL. Initiated as a freshman December 1856; served as chapter president. Did not graduate. Unfinished Catalog: "Gaston, Ala. C.S.A., Captain. '61-'65. Merchant." 1925 catalog: merchant; died at Gaston, AL. Probably Co. E, 40th Alabama.

CLASS OF 1861

John Greer Deupree (Dupree), Macon MS. Initiated as a sophomore July 1859. Graduated with A.B. degree, 1861. 1878 catalog: Paulding MS. Unfinished Catalog: "Clinton, Miss. . . . South Western University, '90; Principal Paulding (Miss.) High School, '70-'72; Principal Verona (Miss.) Collegiate Institute, '73-'77; Professor Ancient Languages, Waco (Texas) University, '78-'79; President of Okolona (Miss.) Female College, '79-'83; Professor Mathematics Mississippi College, Clinton, Miss., '83-'84; Professor Mathematics, So. West Baptist University, Jackson, Tenn. '84-'85; Professor Mathematics in Mississippi College from '88 to '93; President Mississippi Teachers State Convention; Professor of English Mississippi College, and Editor of the Mississippi Teacher." 1925 catalog: professor Mississippi College. 1941 catalog: college president; died Nov. 28, 1919 at Clinton MS. Private, Co. G, First Mississippi Cavalry (Armstrong's Brigade, Jackson Division). (Unfinished Catalogue) "I had three horses shot from under me during the war." (PGD magazine June 1890) One source shows a John Greer Deupree born in April 25, 1843, and marrying Eleanor Smithson Durham. The University of Mississippi has an 1897 photo of Deupree as a faculty member; an office building/former residence hall on campus is named after him. ". . . promoted to corporal, had received his B.A, degree from Howard University two months before the close of the session in 1861, and was married in Nov. 1865. He earned an M.A. degree and was conferred a LL.D at the Southwestern Baptist University. He was a professor at the University of Mississippi, and held chairs in Latin, Greek, English and Mathematics."

Major Dowell Sterrett, Columbiana AL. Born June 27, 1840 near Columbiana, Shelby County, Alabama. Parents, Judge Alfonso A. Sterrett and Elizabeth M. Gooch. Attended a military school at Camden, Alabama, according to one source. Went to University of Alabama in 1857 as a freshman per its alumni register, but transferred to Howard College, Marion, Alabama that same year, and is listed as a freshman in the 1857-1858 catalogue. Initiated by Mu Chapter as a freshman, reportedly in February 1858, although such dates from the fraternity catalogues are often suspect. Suspended for participating in a duel. Transferred to UVA and appears in the 1858-1859 and 1859-1860 catalogues. He served as Legate (installing officer) of Omicron Chapter, and as chapter president. Studied medicine at Selma, Alabama with Dr. P. H. Cabel. Raised a Master Mason in 1861; also was active in the Missionary Baptist Church and was an Odd Fellow. Enlisted at Selma, April 10, 1861; private, lieutenant, captain, Co. C, 4th Alabama Infantry. Wounded at Antietam, September 17, 1862, from which he lost a leg, and was promoted to major. Declared unfit for field duty, he was made a quartermaster in Alabama. Licensed to practice medicine by Shelby County, 1864, following study with Dr. J. C. Blake in Columbiana Co. M.D. and valedictorian, Atlanta Medical College, 1866. Moved to Grand Bluff, Panola County, Texas that year. Married January 20, 1870 to S. Julia Vawter at Marshall, Texas. Later lived in Beckville, Texas. Moved to Confederate Home in Austin in 1908. Died October 24, 1919 at Austin TX. See related article about his badge, with photos.

Freeman, Terah M. "Dr. Major Dowell Sterrett." Confederate Veteran, November 1920, page 430.

Daniell, Lewis E. Types of Successful Men of Texas (Austin: Eugene Von Boeckmann, 1890), pages 235-236. History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography, Volume 4, pages 1620-1621.

Oliver H. Spencer, Bell's Landing AL. Initiated as a junior July 1860. Graduated with A.B. degree, 1860. 1913 catalog: planter, Nellie AL. 4th Alabama Infantry, Co. G (Roster). 1st Lieutenant ADC, Sorrel's Brigade, November 1864 (Crute p. 201).

CLASS OF 1862

Boardman Hartwell Crumpton, Pleasant Hill AL. Initiated as a freshman November 1858. Born March 19, 1840 in Pleasant Hill to Rev. John Crumpton and Mary Ann Ulmer. Graduated in 1859 after two years at Howard (although the 1875-1876 Howard catalogue's list of graduates does not list him). gMarried Ralphine Carolina Armstrong, Waddy Armstrong's sister (see above), October 27, 1859. Ordained November 25, 1860 at Pleasant Hill, and "begain his missionary work in and around Pleasant Hill, Dallas County, at the same time engaging in farming on his widowed mother's plantation." Confederate chaplain. There was a person of this name in Co. A, 6th Alabama Cavalry. Served pastorates throughout Alabama and one in Dallas, Texas. Trustee of Howard College and Judson Institute. Howard College gave him a Doctorate of Divinity in June, 1888. Last lived in Belleville, but went to Bay Minette AL, for health reasons, and died there Oct. 13, 1909. "Magnolias", or Crumpton House in Pleasant Hill, Dallas County, Alabama was listed in 1990 on the National Register of Historic Places.

History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography, Volume 3, page 436.