Founder Marcus P. Blakemore was born on January 3, 1889, in Franklin, Indiana, and later moved to Anderson, Indiana, where he completed high school. He enrolled at Indiana University in 1910 and was among the founders of Kappa Alpha Psi. After leaving the university in 1912, Blakemore established the Electric Engineering Company. He later enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War I, serving in the 154th Depot Brigade. Following his honorable discharge in 1918, he remained active in business, church, and community service.