Page 214 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Walter F. Meier

1926-1927

Walter Frederick Meier, the sixty-fourth Grand Master of the
Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington, was
born on a farm near Lincoln, Nebraska, on September 12, 1879.
While in his "teens" he was initiated in the mysteries of farming,
which increased his ability and enthusiasm in his pursuit of a
liberal education – the basis of his successful social, fraternal and
professional career. Inheriting, through a long and distinguished
ancestry, a robust constitution and energetic ambition, Brother
Meier utilized every opportunity in preparing himself for the
journey of life.

In 1903, immediately after his graduation from the University of Nebraska, he moved to the
Evergreen State, where, after two years of service as an instructor in the high schools of South
Bend and Spokane, he became actively and successfully engaged in the practice of law in Spokane
until the fall of 1909, when relocated to Seattle. He would enter the semi-political arena in 1915
serving King County and the State as Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. From 1916 - 1918, he
would serve as First Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Seattle; following which he was
twice elected as Corporation Counsel for the City of Seattle without opposition. In 1926, he was
elected a member of the Freeholders' Committee to revise the city charter and served as its
chairman.

Our distinguished Past Grand Master, initiated in University Lodge No. 141 on February 5, 1912;
serving as Master of that Lodge in 1916. He was appointed Grand Representative of the Grand
Lodge of Canada for the Province of Ontario near our Grand Lodge in 1921; was Junior Grand
Warden of our Most Worshipful Grand Lodge in 1923; and was elected its Grand Master on June
15, 1926. He served as a member of the Jurisprudence Committee in 1927, 1928, 1937 and 1938;
and on the Committee on Grievance and Appeals in 1928, 1931, then as its chairman from 1929
through 1934. He was chairman of the Committee on Masonic Research and Education in 1935,
when he was appointed and served as Grand Foreign Correspondent until appointed our Grand
Historian in 1938, in which capacity he served until his demise on July 19, 1940.
Our Most Worshipful Brother also served as Excellent High Priest of University Chapter, 32,
Royal Arch Masons in 1929; Illustrious Master of Adoniram Council, No. 17, Royal and Select
Masters in 1925; Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Washington, Royal and
Select Masters, in 1935; and was elected an Honorary Past Grand Master of the Grand Council of
Oregon and also General Grand Captain of the Guard of the General Grand Council in 1939. He
was a member of University Prophets of the Enchanted Realm, Angora Grotto in 1928; Illustrious
Potentate of Nile Temple, Ancient Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of North America in 1925.