Page 231 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ George Lawler

1917-1918

Most Worshipful Brother George Lawler was born in
Carlinville, Illinois on July 28, 1861. His life’s journey
brought him to Tacoma in 1888. He would be initiated in
Tacoma Lodge, No. 22 on July 14, 1889; Passed as a
Fellowcraft on December 8, 1889; and Raised to the Sublime
Degree of Master Mason on February 16, 1900. He would be
elected to serve as Worshipful Master of Tacoma Lodge, No.
22, in 1906.

At the Sixtieth Annual Communication of Grand Lodge, held
in Seattle, June, 1917, his brethren bestowed upon him the
highest honor within the power of Free and Accepted Masons
to confer upon a brother Mason. During the succeeding twelve months he faithfully and
conscientiously served this Most Worshipful Grand Lodge as Most Worshipful Grand Master.
A wartime Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Lawler was mindful of the need to conserve
and preserve. These words from his Address to the Brethren best speak his feelings: “As your
Grand Master, I call on you. Masters, Wardens and Past Masters, and through you to every
individual Mason, to do all in your power to help win this contest for the Associated Western
Powers—those valiant champions of the right. Eat little, busy yourselves constantly in doing the
thing closest at hand, and thus work hard and long. Give generously. Uphold the hands and policies
of our government enthusiastically, not only because it is a duty, but also because it is a great
privilege and a distinct honor to be living and having the chance to be part of this struggle.”

While most of his time, outside of his family and business, was devoted to his Lodge and to the
affairs of this Grand Lodge, he was not unmindful of the ethical, social, and moral value of other
fraternal organizations, especially such as those having Masonic affiliation as a prerequisite for
membership. He was a member of the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, the Shrine, the Eastern Star
and the Amaranth. At various times he took an active part in all of them.

We are inspired by the knowledge that all that the Supreme Grand Master of the Universe requires
of any man is that he make the best use of the tools with which he has been endowed. Most
Worshipful Brother George Lawler would lay down those tools on December 22, 1948