Page 217 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ R. C. McCroskey

1924-1925

Past Grand Master Robert C. McCroskey, a scion of one of
Washington's most distinguished families, was born in Hollister,
California, on February 4, 1885, and came with his parents to
this state when three years of age, locating at Garfield. He
received his education in the grade and high schools of his home
town, and in the State College, at Pullman, from which latter
institution he graduated in 1906. After two years spent at St.
Maries, Idaho, during which time he had charge of the affairs of
the St. Maries Land Company, he returned to Garfield.

Possessing a combination of rare ability and a liberal scientific
education, Brother McCroskey was eminently successful in the operation of his large farm of 720
acres in the rich grain belt of Whitman County. In addition to general farming, he had a hobby for
breeding and exhibiting Clydesdale horses. No stock show in the Pacific Northwest was complete
without "Bob "McCroskey's Clydesdales," which never failed as prize winners. For many years he
pursued farming and stock raising, and, later, became interested in the life insurance business and
built up a comfortable estate in that field.

On January 25, 1911, he married Miss Eleanor Wesco, of Portland, Oregon. They had one son,
Robert C. McCroskey, Jr. Both wife and son were deeply interested in Brother McCroskey's
ambitions, and their home was always open to the brethren.

Brother McCroskey received the Masonic degrees in Anchor Lodge, No. 88, Garfield, having been
initiated November 5, 1906, passed November 19, 1906, and raised to the Sublime Degree of
Master Mason December 3, 1906. He was Worshipful Master of his Lodge in 1914 and 1915. His
first attendance at our annual communications was in 1914, when he represented his Lodge, and
he has not missed a communication since that time. He was appointed Grand Standard Bearer in
1915, and has served as a member of the Committee on Grievance and Appeals, Board of
Custodians, and Committee on Finance. The Grand Lodge showed its appreciation of his faithful
service by electing him Junior Grand Warden in 1921, and advancing him in regular order through
the other stations, making him Grand Master in 1924. After a successful administration, which
won universal confidence and respect, he retired in 1925, and was made a member of the
Committee on Jurisprudence.

Outside of the Blue Lodge, our Brother was a member of Colfax Chapter No. 28, Royal Arch
Masons; Colfax Commandery No. 15, Knights Templar; El Katif Temple of the Shrine; Eureka
Chapter No. 92, O. E. S., and the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. He was an officer at the time of
his death in Cascade Chapter of the Rose Croix, and in 1941 was honored with the rank of Knight