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Lives of the Founding Fathers

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Brother James M. Cooper

Born in 1877, James Cooper was the first founder to pass on to Chapter Eternal. Because of this fact, the information on Cooper is shorter than the other Founders, but his life, both in and out of the fraternity, was well spent.

  • Graduated with an M.D. from the University of Michigan 1903

  • Immediately after graduating, spent time researching the typhoid fever epidemic relating to the Spanish-American War

  • Entered the New York Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Infirmary as an intern

  • Entered practice in Detroit specializing in eye, ear, nose and throat

  • Died from complications from bronchial pneumonia on December 30, 1923

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  • Married Francis Goodman and had two sons

  • Entered business in the United States in Portland, OR in 1914, and retired to Sonora, CA in 1927

  • Died on April 21, 1949 of a heart attack at age 70 — survived by his wife, two sons (Benjamin E. DeRoy, Jr. and Albert F. DeRoy) and two granddaughers (Tamar and Linda).

Brother Benjamin E. DeRoy

According to fellow Founder Charles A. Sink, Deroy "was a businessman...sharp as a tack." It was DeRoy who came up with the first badge for Acacia, as his connections allowed for communication with jewelers in New York City. The first pin was given to Sink and at five dollars, as Sink recalls, "both DeRoy and I thought them to be rather handsome for the price." DeRoy was second on the roll of the Michigan Chapter.

  • Born in Pittsburgh, PA on January 27, 1879

  • Graduate of Willard Preparatory School at Pittsburgh

  • Started out at Muskingham College in 1900 where he earned a Ph.D. He moved on to Franklin College in 1902, Michigan University (1902-04), Washington and Lee University (1905) and the University of Mississippi (1906)

  • Began his career as a reporter for the Scranton, PA Republican in 1907

  • Was a Lieutenant in Philippine Constabulary (1908-12) and a commanding officer and inspector for the Province of Ifugao, Philippine Islands (1912-13)

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Brother Edward E. Gallup

  • Born in Jackson, MI on November 29, 1872

  • Graduated from Jackson High School

  • Earned a B.S. from the Michigan Agricultural College

  • Earned his A.B and M.A. from the University of Michigan

  • Was superintendent of schools for Chelsea, Adrian and Monroe City all in Michigan

  • In 1918, was appointed State Supervisor of Vocational Agricultural Education for the State of Michigan

  • Served as past president of the Michigan High School Oratorical Association, theMichigan High School Principals Association and the American Association for the Advancement of Agricultural Training

  • Died in 1940

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  • Charter member of the Modesto Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Charter Commander Modesto Commandery 57, and a Scottish Rite Mason

  • Former Governor and secretary-treasurer of the State Bar of California and past president of the Stanislaus County Bar Association

  • Served as a president of the Midway McKittrick Oil Company, director of the Stanislaus County Abstract and Escrow Company and a member of the Advisory Board, Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association

  • Died on July 15, 1959 in Modesto, CA

Brother Jared W. Hawkins

Hawkins, along with fellow founders Walter S. Wheeler and Benjamin E. DeRoy, was on the original committee to "ascertain the legal requirements for forming a fraternal organization to be national in scope." From his work was laid the foundation of what would soon become Acacia Fraternity. He would go on to be one of the first directors of Acacia, and along with Founder Walter S. Wheeler would help install Acacia's second chapter at Leland Stanford University.

  • Born in Hollister, CA on May 22, 1880

  • Earned his L.L.B. from the University of Michigan in 1904

  • Admitted to the California Bar in 1903, and entered general practice at Woodland, CA in 1904

  • Moved to Modesto, CA in 1905, where he continued to practice law

  • In 1908, started the firm of Hawkins and Hawkins with his father (later his brother would join)

  • Listed in Eminent Americans and Eminent Judges and Lawyers of the American Bar

  • Married Bettie Ora Stephens in 1905, and had four children: Bettie Lee Simmonds, Orlena Kathryn Adams, Jared W. Hawkins, Jr. and Lewis N. Hawkins (both sons would go on to practice in the firm of Hawkins and Hawkins that their father helped start)

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Brother Clarence G. Hill

When a Masonic club formed at the University of Michigan back in 1894, interest was keen. By 1896, the club had 94 members. Yet by 1903, due to lackluster efforts at organization and leadership, the club was nearly dead. In fact, at the first meeting of the 1903-04 year, only three men showed up. Clarence G. Hill was one of those men. The other two were William J. Marshall and Charles A. Sink. These three men would, by themselves, agree to reorganize the club on a more stable and permanent basis and to seek cooperation with similar clubs known to exist in other institutions. Hill, Marshall and Sink were on the road to forming Acacia Fraternity.

  • Born in Unionville, MI on September 15, 1881

  • Graduate of Ithaca High School, Ithaca, MI, 1901

  • Attended Kalamazoo College in Michigan (1901-02)

  • Earned his L.L.B. from the University of Michigan in 1905

  • Entered law practice in Detroit in 1908

  • Married Minnie Giles in Detroit on June 30, 1909

  • Member of the State Board of Accountancy (Michigan), 1920-24

  • Knight Templar and Scottish Rite Mason

  • Acting National Treasurer of Acacia (1904-05) and National Secretary (1904-08)

  • Installed chapters at Ohio State, Dartmouth, Harvard, Pennsylvania and Cornell

  • Died in 1947

Black and white portrait of a young man with light-colored hair, wearing a collared shirt.

  • Charter member of the Modesto Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Charter Commander Modesto Commandery 57, and a Scottish Rite Mason

  • Former Governor and secretary-treasurer of the State Bar of California and past president of the Stanislaus County Bar Association

  • Served as a president of the Midway McKittrick Oil Company, director of the Stanislaus County Abstract and Escrow Company and a member of the Advisory Board, Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association

  • Died on July 15, 1959 in Modesto, CA

Brother Jared W. Hawkins

Hawkins, along with fellow founders Walter S. Wheeler and Benjamin E. DeRoy, was on the original committee to "ascertain the legal requirements for forming a fraternal organization to be national in scope." From his work was laid the foundation of what would soon become Acacia Fraternity. He would go on to be one of the first directors of Acacia, and along with Founder Walter S. Wheeler would help install Acacia's second chapter at Leland Stanford University.

  • Born in Hollister, CA on May 22, 1880

  • Earned his L.L.B. from the University of Michigan in 1904

  • Admitted to the California Bar in 1903, and entered general practice at Woodland, CA in 1904

  • Moved to Modesto, CA in 1905, where he continued to practice law

  • In 1908, started the firm of Hawkins and Hawkins with his father (later his brother would join)

  • Listed in Eminent Americans and Eminent Judges and Lawyers of the American Bar

  • Married Bettie Ora Stephens in 1905, and had four children: Bettie Lee Simmonds, Orlena Kathryn Adams, Jared W. Hawkins, Jr. and Lewis N. Hawkins (both sons would go on to practice in the firm of Hawkins and Hawkins that their father helped start)