Page 271 - PGM Compendium

began teaching, which proved to be his life work. In 1879, he moved from Ohio to Milton, Umatilla
County, Oregon, where he became principal of the public schools in that town. Here he remained
until 1883, when he went to Centerville, now Athena, in the same county, as principal of the public
schools there. In 1884, he was chosen as the first principal of the Eastern Oregon Normal School
at Weston, Oregon.

The following year he came to Seattle to accept the Chair of Mathematics, offered to him by the
Board of Regents of the University of Washington, and here he spent the balance of his active
years as a teacher of both mathematics and astronomy. He was an important factor in the
upbuilding of the University of Washington, and that he attained to eminence in his profession is
attested by the fact that he served in both the capacities of President of the Washington State
Teachers' Association and Secretary of the State Board of Education. Even after he ceased his
active work as a teacher at the University, he continued to engage in private educational work, for
many who required special assistance and training sought and obtained his aid. As a result of his
profession he became known to an ever-increasing circle of acquaintances and friends.

Masonically, he had an unusually active career from which he derived a broad and valuable
experience. It was while he was principal of the public schools in Weston that in 1882, he applied
for, and received, the symbolic degrees of Masonry in Weston Lodge, No, 65. He must have
manifested an interest in the affairs of the Lodge from the start, for, on December 13, 1884, he was
elected Secretary, The last minutes of the Lodge attested by him are those of the meeting held June
27, 1885, The record of November 14, 1885, shows that his dues "were ordered remitted In
consideration of his acting as Secretary for the year 1885, and a dimit ordered sent to him," he
having moved to Seattle to take up his work in the University of Washington.

Upon his arrival In Seattle, he was not long in re-establishing his Masonic connections, as he
affiliated with St, John's Lodge, No, 9, on December 26, 1885, As in the case of his Mother Lodge,
so in respect to his Lodge of adoption, he took an active part In the work. This Is attested by the
fact that he served as Junior Warden in 1887, Senior Warden in 1888, and Worshipful Master in
1889, 1890 and 1891, being the only Master of St, John's Lodge, No, 9, to serve three consecutive
years.

He was not content to serve only in the Symbolic Lodge, as he was also a member of Seattle
Chapter, No. 3, Royal Arch Masons, which he served as High Priest in 1892. On June 17, 1892,
he was anointed and consecrated to the Holy Order of High Priesthood, and on the following day
he was installed as Excellent Grand Orator in the Most Excellent Grand Chapter of Royal Arch
Masons of Washington. He was greeted in Seattle Council, No, 6, Royal and Select Masters. He
was knighted in Seattle Commandery, No. 2, Knights Templar, wherein he served as Prelate several
years. He received the degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, served
as Wise Master of Washington Chapter of Rose Croix, Commander of Washington Council of
Kadosh, and Commander In Chief of Lawson Consistory. For his service to the Scottish Rite, he
was invested with the rank and decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour. He was
a member of Afifi Temple, Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also served as
Worthy Patron in Lorraine Chapter, No. 6, Order of the Eastern Star, and was elected and installed
as the first Worthy Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of that Order when It was organized in Port