Birthday Anniversary of Founder Joseph L. Settles

November 2nd, 2007 is 136th Anniversary of Founder and Frater Joseph Lorenzo Settles' birth. Even today, his wisdom and foresight rings true in the minds and hearts of Tekes across the world.

Frater Settles wrote an address for Founders Day in 1933 from his home in Los Angeles, California that talks about the birthday of the Fraternity and what it means to him. His sentiments are a good guide even today, as we celebrate the birth anniversary of the principle organizer of the Knights of Classic Lore.

Birthdays should always be filled with happiness and joy; happy because of work well done and joyful in the anticipation of future conquests. We, Founders of Tau Kappa Epsilon, wish to congratulate you all on your worthy accomplishments of the past year and your determined dash into the new year with a renewed determination to win or --- NO! There is no alternative to the man with victory in his blood, for one, alone in consciousness with the infinite, constitutes a complete majority.

We have heard much the past year about the 'Better Days', 'A New Deal', 'Technocracy' and a lot of other bunk and balderdash. Heed not these alluring by-paths, but let us keep our faces fixed toward the future, remembering, achievement of whatever kind is the crown of effort, the Diadem of Thought.

Joseph Lorenzo Settles was born November 2, 1871, in the little town of Lexington, seventeen miles northeast of Bloomington, Illinois. He entered Illinois Wesleyan Academy in the fall of 1896, and was known as "Dad" Settles; 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 more than 18 years. He then served as Assistant Treasurer of the Methodist Centenary Fund and later moved to Los Angeles to become Executive Secretary for the Los Angeles Rotary Club. Founder Settles remained in Los Angeles until his death on February 15, 1943.