Page 254 - PGM Compendium

to him in the presence of the President of the United States, with his Cabinet and the Judges of the
Supreme Court. The presentation was made by the Solicitor General on behalf of the Attorney
General, who complimented Mr. Arthur for his able and scholarly production and shortly
afterwards moved that Mr. Arthur be admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United
States, which was an unusual mark of favor.

He entered upon the practice of law in the City of Washington, and was immediately successful.
In 1883 he was offered the Attorneyship for the Tacoma Land Company, which he accepted and
moved to that city.

In April 1887, he came to Seattle, where he resided until his death. He conducted an extensive
practice in land litigation, to which branch of the law he gave particular attention. He also had a
general practice in the Superior Courts of King and Pierce Counties. As a lawyer. Brother Arthur
was held in high esteem by the members of both Bench and Bar. In recognition of his high legal
ability and attainment, in 1883 he was elected Secretary of the Seattle Bar Association and Vice
President of the State Bar Association. In addition to the duties of his profession, he engaged in
many civic functions. At one time he was an active member of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce.

When steps were taken to relocate the University of Washington to the present Campus, Brother
Arthur was appointed President of the University Land and Building Commissioners, and went to
Washington City in the interests of the University, and through his instrumentality the landed
interests of the old University were placed on a solid basis and made available to that Institution.

Brother Arthur did not accumulate great riches, but he possessed a far better heritage—that of a
well- spent life laboring in the cause of humanity. He was modest, kind-hearted and charitable. He
always had a smile upon his face for all who met him—a friendly hand-shake accompanied with
the greeting, "God bless you." He was ever ready to divide whatever he possessed among the
unfortunate and distressed. He was never known to turn away those who appealed to him in need,
without rendering assistance when in his power to do so. In rendering assistance he practiced the
true Masonic spirit in rendering individual aid. He was known to conduct cases at law through the
courts at his own expense for poor clients, for which he would take no fee.

Most Worshipful Brother Arthur's Masonic career was a notable one. He was made a Mason in St.
John's Lodge. No. 9, in Seattle, in 1889. He thoroughly learned the principles of Ancient Craft
Masonry, to which he gave his best allegiance during the remainder of his life. He was a Royal Arch
Mason, member of Seattle Chapter, No. 3; a Knight Templar, member of Seattle Commandery,
No. 2; and Thirty-second Degree Scottish Rite Mason, member of Lawson Consistory. He was
Past Potentate and life member of Afifi Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic
Shrine at Tacoma.

In regular course of promotion he was elected and installed Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of
Washington in June 1902.

The most important and interesting event of Brother Arthur's administration was the celebration
of the 50th Anniversary of the introduction of Masonry into the Commonwealth of Washington,
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in a special communication of Grand Lodge held in Olympia. December 11 and 12 of 1902.