Page 213 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Robert A. Wilson

1927-1928

Robert Adamson Wilson, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of
Free and Accepted Masons of Washington from June 1927 to
June 1928, was born in Leith, Scotland on March 13, 1882. His
early education was secured in the public schools of the city of
his birth and was finished at George Geriot's in Edinburgh. He
came to the United States in October 1904, locating at Passaic,
New Jersey. Two years later, along with his family, he would
make his way to Boston, Massachusetts; then to Minneapolis,
Minnesota, where he was employed by Swift & Company.

Our Brother came to the State of Washington on December 13,
1909, locating at Spokane. During his early years in Spokane, Wilson followed his profession as
a public accountant. In January of 1915, he was appointed Treasurer of the City of Spokane and
served in that capacity until January 1924, when he resigned to become secretary of School District
No. 81. He would serve in this position for 18 years, until he moved to employment with Spokane
County in 1942 as Deputy Clerk. He was appointed to fill a vacancy as Clerk, and elected to the
office in 1946. He would serve the citizens of Spokane County in that capacity until his death on
August 2, 1951.

Our Most Worshipful Brother was raised in Ark Lodge No. 176, A. F. & A. M., of Minneapolis,
Minnesota, on September 5th, 1909. Following his relocation to Spokane, he affiliated with
Oriental Lodge No. 74. He served his lodge as its Worshipful Master in 1915. Among his other
Masonic activities, Most Worshipful Brother Wilson served as Worthy Patron of Electa Chapter
No. 20, Order of Eastern Star, in 1919; and for two years was Venerable Master of Albert G.
Mackey Lodge of Perfection. In 1919, the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite for the Southern
Jurisdiction of the United States recognized and regarded his services by electing him to receive
the honor of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor. He would be coroneted as a 33rd Degree
Inspector General Honorary in November 1927.

Wilson's first appointment in Grand Lodge was as a Custodian of the Work, serving on that Board
for 7 years, 4 years of which he its Chairman. In June, 1924, he was elected Junior Grand Warden
of the Grand Lodge, advancing each year Robert A. Wilson, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of
Free and Accepted Masons of Washington advancing each year thereafter in regular succession
until his election and installation as Grand Master in June 1927.