Page 209 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Arthur W. Davis

1929-1930

Most Worshipful Brother Arthur William Davis was born in
Maynard, Iowa on November 16, 1873, and received his
education in the Public School and at Upper Iowa University
at Fayette, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1893.

He taught school for several years and later became
Superintendent of Schools at Pocahontas, Iowa. It was during
these years that he became interested in law. He studied at
night and later enrolled at the University of Iowa, from which
he graduated, and was admitted to the bar.

Along with his brother, Walter, a law partnership was formed
though dissolved several years later when he and another
brother, Irving, formed a partnership, which was the nucleus of the later firm of Davis, Heil &
Davis.
He was a prominent member of his profession, having been a member of the State Bar of Law
Examiners, and for many years was a member of the Uniform Law Commission, having taken an
active part in the deliberations of the American Bar Association.

He sought and was brought to Masonic Light in Symbol Lodge, No. 432, in Fonda, Iowa, receiving
the Sublime Degree on November 18, 1896, and served as Worshipful Master 1903-1904. He
affiliated with Spokane Lodge, No. 34, in 1906, and was its Worshipful Master in 1925.

Always deeply interested in Masonic Research and Education, he reasoned that the way to develop
an interest in the Study of the History, Philosophy and Symbolism of Masonry was to develop the
talent within the Lodge itself, rather than by inviting in outside speakers. He instituted such a
program in his own Lodge and during his year as Master, every officer – elected and appointed –
delivered a talk on some Masonic subject. This practice continued for seventeen years.

He first became identified with Grand Lodge in 1915, and attended nearly every Annual
Communication. In 1924 he was appointed Grand Orator by Most Worshipful Brother Robert
McCroskey, and at the 1925 Communication delivered an oration which received favorable
comment from many Grand Jurisdictions.
He was elected Junior Grand Warden in 1926 and by successive steps became Grand Master of
Masons in Washington in 1929. During his year as Grand Master he sponsored a program of self-
education, similar to that which was carried out in his own Lodge. He also systematized the work
of the Masonic Home Committee, arousing a greater interest in the practical application of
Masonic Truths.