Samuel Zenas Ammen

Samuel Zenas Ammen (1843–1929) was an American Confederate veteran and journalist. He is known as the 'Practical Founder' of the Kappa Alpha Order. He was the literary editor of The Baltimore Sun and author of three books.

Samuel Zenas Ammen was born on October 23, 1843 in Fincastle, Virginia. His father was Benjamin Ammen and his mother, Naomi (Cross) Ammen.

During the American Civil War of 1861–1865, Ammen served in the Confederate States Army. He enlisted in Company D ("Finchester Rifles") of the 11th Virginia Infantry on August 31, 1861 for 1 year of service and was discharged May 15, 1863 or May 18, 1862. He then served with Captain William Andrew McCue's Fincastle Cavalry Company, Burks' Regiment Virginia Local Defense to do cavalry service with the Confederate Home Guard in Botetourt County.

Following the war, Ammen attended Washington College in Lexington, Virginia, where Confederate General Robert E. Lee was President. While there, he founded the Kappa Alpha Order. He designed its ritual, accolade and prayer. He served as its second Knight Commander after John Francis Rogers for six terms. During his tenure, he helped establish twenty-two active chapters and four alumni chapters.

Ammen became the literary editor of The Baltimore Sun from 1881 to 1911. He was also the author of three books.

Ammen died on January 5, 1929 in Daytona Beach, Florida. He was buried at the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery in Lexington, Virginia.