Samuel Taylor Marshall (1812–1895) was one of eight founders of Beta Theta Pi, a college fraternity founded at Miami University in 1839. It was the first college fraternity founded west of the Allegheny Mountains. Marshall was a lawyer in Lee County, Iowa and served as the sergeant-at-arms of the Iowa legislature (1846–48). He was the oldest of the eight founders and received his A.B. degree in 1840.
Other founders of Beta Theta Pi:
Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Lee County, Iowa Author: Anonymous City of Publication: Chicago Publisher: Chapman Bros. Date: 1887 Page Count: 648 p.: ill., ports
SAMUEL TAYLOR MARSHALL, who occupies a high position among the professional men of the Hawkeye State, is next to the oldest member of the bar of Lee County, and during a long experience in matters requiring his professional services, has distinguished himself by his ability, learning and natural genius.
Mr. Marshall was born in Butler County, Ohio, Feb. 26, 1816, and is the son of Gilbert and Mary [Hueston] Marshall, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia respectfully. His grandfather, James Marshall, was a native of Washington County, Pa., and a man of great energy and force of character, and who became prominently identified with the gricultural and industrial interests of that section. He was a farmer by occupation. His wife's father was a pioneer settler of the Old Dominion and was killed by Indians. He lived in a block-house at the time, and was shot while attending to the drying of some tobacco. Gilbert Marshall, the father of our subject, had a family of ten children, all of whom lived to mature years and raised families of their own.
Samuel T. Marshall, of our sketch, was reared on his father's farm, which was in sight of the old Oxford College, and received the advantages of the country schools of his neighborhood. In due time he entered the preparatory department of said college, where he took a full classical course, and graduated in August, 1840. He wrote the first Constitution and By-Laws of the Greek Letter Society, called the "Beta Theta Pi," being one of the three founders of the society, which is still in existence and at present has a membership of over 7,000. About this time young Marshall suddenly became very patriotic, and joined the little army called "The Patriots," which served at the time of the Canadian Rebellion. For his zeal and activity he was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel, and is still in possession of the document indicating his soldierly rank. While in the service, he and one of his comrades were taken by the enemy and thrown into prison. After a trial and being pronounced guilty of invasion, they were sentenced to be fined and transported to Van Dieman's Land. Mr. Marshall, on the account of the indifference with which he viewed the situation was set free, but his friend was sent into banishment. During his imprisonment Mr. Marshall suffered great hardship and exposure, which brought on severe illness. After reaching home, he entered the law office of Timothy Walker at Cincinnati. After one session there he resumed his reading in the office of Pettit & Orth, of La Fayette, Ind., both distinguished jurists, where he completed his studies and returned to his home in Ohio for a brief season.
Mr. Marshall came to Lee County in December, 1842, and commenced the practice of law at West Point, then the county seat, where he continued until 1846, when he removed to Keokuk. In the meantime he had been united in marriage with Miss Louisa Patterson, the second daughter of Col. William Patterson, of Lee County. Mr. Marshall claims that his marriage was the most profitable day's work which he ever did in his life. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall has been blest by the birth of ten children, six sons and four daughters, six of whom have lived to mature years, and are recorded as follows:
Robert Mitchell graduated at Miami Collage in 1870, and has been Prosecuting Attorney for the past four years, and is a law partner of his fathers; William Patterson, the second son, was obliged to leave the same college in the junior year on account of sickness, he afterward studied law with his father, and is now in the office of the latter. Albert Tom, a graduate of the High School of Keokuk, afterward commenced the study of law, and is now practicing, having his office with his father; he is now County Auditor for the south half of Lee County. Chapin Hall was educated at Keokuk, and is a postal clerk on the M., I. & N. R. R.; he has been in Montana Territory, where for some time, he operated a sheep ranch; Maude received her education at the home schools, and being studious and fond of her books, is well versed in history, mathematics and music; Sabret Taylor, sixteen years old, is yet in school at Keokuk.
Mr. Marshall has never been a political aspirant, although taking a lively interest in matters pertaining to the public welfare, and has often stumped the county in behalf of candidates whom he regarded as competent to fulfill important trusts. He is a Democrat of the Jeffersonian type, but gives most of his attention to his law practice and his clients.