Phi Gamma Delta

John Templeton McCarty

John Templeton McCarty (1828- 1860)
"Mac" or "Johnty," as he was called by his brothers, was born in Brookville, Indiana, to Scotch-Irish parents on August 28, 1828. His father was wealthy, making his money from merchandising, large-scale farming, pork packing, selling real estate and operating stage-coach and canal-boat lines. In addition, he was a prominent Mason and member of the state legislature. John’s mother was a cousin of statesman John C. Calhoun.

McCarty was educated in the public schools, studied Greek and Latin under a local clergyman and at seventeen went to Oxford, Ohio to enter Miami University. There he remained for two years, pursuing only a "partial course," before matriculating to Jefferson College in 1846. At Jefferson, he soon determined to establish a new organization, whose emblem is now so proudly borne by so many.

McCarty the student is described as a young man of unusually fine physique, open-hearted, generous, genial, sociable, and very popular. He was a clear thinker, a vigorous writer, a forcible speaker with a ready wit; his frank Western manner and joyous laughter mad him loved by all. At the same time, he was a born adventurer and fighter, as his later life disclosed.