Page 183 - PGM Compendium
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Frank L. Poole: 1937-1938
Most Worshipful Brother Franklin Lindsey Poole, the Seventy-fifth
Grand Master of Masons in Washington, was born on July 2, 1880,
the son of Mr. and Mrs. Franklin S. Poole, a pioneer family who
came to the then Territory of Washington in 1875. Frank was born
on what is now known as Third Avenue in the City of Seattle, where
now stands one of the large office buildings in that City.
Poole received his education in the Public Schools in Tacoma, and
after finishing, he worked for a time in his father's feed and
implement store in Tacoma. He then accepted a position with two
farm implement companies, traveling extensively throughout the
Northwest. Later he became associated with the Tacoma Milk
Distributors Association, serving in the capacity of Secretary-
Manager. In 1945 he accepted a position with the United States
Army at Fort Lewis as a Safety Engineer, serving in that capacity until he retired in 1959.
He first saw the light of Masonry in William P. Dougherty Lodge No. 224, being raised to the Sublime
Degree of Master Mason in 1926. He at once became intensely interested in Masonry, became active in
the work of the Lodge, serving in various stations, and was elected Worshipful Master in 1930.
In addition to his membership in William P. Dougherty Lodge, he was a dual member of Research Lodge
No. 281 of Seattle, as well as an honorary member of Terrestrial Lodge No. 228, of Eatonville, Riverside
Lodge No. 112 of Wenatchee, Tanana Lodge No. 162 of Fairbanks (Alaska), and of Daylight Lodge No.
232 of Seattle. He was also an honorary life member of Lodge Southern Cross No. 44, of Ancient Free
and Accepted Masons of British Columbia, and an Honorary Past Grand Master of Ancient Free and
Accepted Masons of Idaho. He was a member of the York Rite bodies Including the Knights Templar, of
the Scottish Rite bodies up to the 32nd degree, of the Grotto and of the Northwest Past Masters
Association.
His activities in Grand Lodge began when he was appointed a member of the Committee on Credentials.
In 1931 he served as Junior Grand Steward and again in 1932 as Senior Grand Deacon. His valuable
service to Grand Lodge was rewarded by his being elected Junior Grand Warden in 1934, being regularly
advanced until he was elected Grand Master in 1937.
When he became Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Poole had two major aims. First he desired to
effect the Masonic education of new members of the Fraternity, as well as of older ones who had failed to
obtain the knowledge to which they were entitled. He endeavored to place in the hands of the brethren
books and literature on Masonry. His work in this field was successful in bringing more light and
knowledge to the less informed. To him, an enlightened Mason became a better Mason.
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