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William
Lewis Lockwood, the only one of the seven
Founders not a member of DKE, was born in
New York City and was 18 years old at the
time of the founding of Sigma Chi . He is
best remembered as the
“businessman” or organizer of
the group, and for bringing the element
of cultural refinement. His
organizational skills are largely
responsible for the survival of the young
Fraternity.
Of him Runkle recalled: He was different
from each of the others. The difference
was hereditary and was sharpened by
environment. He was cultured and had been
partly educated in the East. He was a
slender, fair- haired youth with polished
manners, and was always dressed in the
best of taste. When he first came to
Miami wondrous tales were told of his
wardrobe, of his splendid dressing gowns,
and the outfit of his quarters. He was
refined in his tastes. He knew something
about art and had some understanding of
the fitness of things genteel. We
welcomed him into our circle. He could
bring to our ambitious little band some
things, mental and spiritual, that were
sorely needed. He came to us, brought us
all he had, and divided even his
wardrobe, which seemed to be unlimited.
Lockwood knew, instinctively, the value
and power of money. He was treasurer and
managed the business of the Fraternity.
He furnished the business spirit to the
little band, and without it we must
utterly have failed. He shared our love
while living, and tender memories follow
him to the brighter world.
After graduating in 1858, Lockwood
returned to New York, studied law and was
admitted to the Bar. At the outbreak of
Civil War he recruited a company of
volunteers, which he later led. He
greatly distinguished himself in battle,
but was seriously wounded and never fully
recovered. He returned to Usquepaugh,
R.I., with his wife and son, Frank (named
for Frank Scobey). Unable to practice law
because of his poor health, he bought the
local woolen mills and formed the firm of
Lockwood, Alpin and Company.
Although the business was a great
success, his health failed constantly. In
1867, he became the first of the Founders
to enter the Chapter Eternal , and is
buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn,
N.Y.
Related links:
James Parks Caldwell
Isaac M. Jordan
Benjamin Piatt Runkle
Franklin Howard
Scobey
Thomas Cowan Bell
Daniel William Cooper
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