Page 211 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ John E. Fowler

1928-1929

John Ernest Fowler was born at Marietta, Ohio, of Quaker
parentage, on May 20, 1879. He was educated in the public
schools of Chillicothe, Ohio, and graduated from Rayen
School of Youngstown, Ohio, having specialized in
mechanics. After graduation, he was employed in Chicago,
Illinois, until 1901, as a machinist and draftsman. He would
returned to Chillicothe and serve as Deputy County Auditor
until 1904, when he came West and entered the retail lumber
business with his father at Seattle. In 1906, he came to
Aberdeen where he engaged in the lumber industry in Grays
Harbor.

He always took an active interest in civic matters and in those various things that contributed to
the welfare of the community in which he lived. While there was no deviation in his loyalty to
Ancient Craft Masonry he belonged to other orders. He enjoyed his membership in the Elks at
Aberdeen and took great interest in the Masters and Wardens Club and Grays Harbor Past Masters
Association. He held membership in the Chapter and Council in the York Rite at Aberdeen, and
he was enrolled in the Grays Harbor Scottish Rite Bodies. He was a Past Patron of the local Chapter
of the Eastern Star, and his own Lodge made him a life member and an honorary member, and the
Sister Lodge at Aberdeen, Concord Lodge, No. 273, likewise honored itself in making him an
honorary member thereof.
Our Past Grand Master was raised in Scioto Lodge No. 6, F. & A. M., at Chillicothe, Ohio, January
21st, 1903. He affiliated with Aberdeen Lodge, No. 52, F. & A. M. in Aberdeen on March 9th,
1909. He served this Lodge in many capacities and was its Worshipful Master in 1916, and he
delighted in his further service as Secretary in the years 1920-1922. His contact with Grand Lodge
began in 1913 and thereafter his attendance was regular. He was early at Masonic labor as a
member of the Charity Committee in 1917 and acted as Grand Marshal in 1917-1918. His principal
contribution prior to his elevation was as member and chairman of the Board of Custodians in
which he was prominent from 1921-1925. It was he who was responsible for the members of this
committee visiting every Lodge within his district and reporting the condition and problems of
each one, at no cost to the Grand Lodge,

He was elected Junior Grand Warden in the year 1925, was regularly advanced and served this
jurisdiction as its Grand Master in the year 1928-1929.

As Grand Master and as one of the trustees of the Masonic Home, the groundwork he laid for the
Masonic and yet business-like handling of the affairs of this Charity were well remembered and