Page 253 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ John Arthur

1902-1903

Most Worshipful Brother John Arthur was a native of Ireland,
born near Ennis in County Clare on June 20, 1849. He began his
travel to that undiscovered country from whose borne no traveler
returns on December 23, 1926.

Brother Arthur's early education was acquired in his native land
and in England largely under the instruction of private tutors. It
was one of his youthful ambitions to follow a literary life, but
reversed family fortune denied him the privilege of pursuing a
course in higher education. He was a life-long student, and by
his industry and energy became a profound scholar. His career
illustrated in the best manner the maxim—energia est genius. He possessed a versatile mind, read
much, thought much, and wrote much and well on various topics.

In the field of literature and general history he had no superior. He was a linguist of more than
ordinary ability. He knew the literature of Erse and Gaelic tongues. He understood the French and
German languages. He was well versed in the ancient classics. He understood and used the English
language with a high degree of excellence. His keen eye and great literary acumen enabled him at
once to detect an error in any piece of English composition that came to his attention. So great was
his literary ability that the Author's Club of London elected him a member honoris causa, an honor
conferred on few Americans.

In 1861, when twelve years old, he came to the United States and made his home in Westmoreland
County, Pennsylvania, where he continued his studies which had been well founded in the schools
of England.

His first employment in Pennsylvania was as bookkeeper and store clerk for a railroad contractor.
Afterwards he entered the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company on the Philadelphia and
Erie Line, and was soon promoted to a position of trust and responsibility.

Deciding upon the legal profession, he studied law in Erie, Pennsylvania, under the preceptorship
of Hon. John P. Vincent, ex-presiding Judge of the Erie Judicial District. Being an apt student, he
made rapid progress in the study of law and in due course was admitted to the Bar.

Desiring a higher education, he went to Washington, District of Columbia, and entered the Law
School of the Columbian University and completed the regular and post-graduate courses of two
years each.

Upon his graduation in the latter course, as Master of Law, he was awarded the first prize of the
school in competition for producing the best thesis upon a legal subject. The prize was delivered