Page 205 - PGM Compendium
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Walter F. Meier: 1926-1927
Walter Frederick Meier, the sixty-fourth Grand Master of the
Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington, was
born on a farm near Lincoln, Nebraska, on September 12, 1879.
While in his "teens" he was initiated in the mysteries of farming,
which increased his ability and enthusiasm in his pursuit of a
liberal education – the basis of his successful social, fraternal
and professional career. Inheriting, through a long and
distinguished ancestry, a robust constitution and energetic
ambition, Brother Meier utilized every opportunity in preparing
himself for the journey of life.
In 1903, immediately after his graduation from the University
of Nebraska, he moved to the Evergreen State, where, after two
years of service as an instructor in the high schools of South
Bend and Spokane, he became actively and successfully engaged in the practice of law in Spokane until
the fall of 1909, when relocated to Seattle. He would enter the semi-political arena in 1915 serving King
County and the State as Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. From 1916 - 1918, he would serve as First
Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Seattle; following which he was twice elected as
Corporation Counsel for the City of Seattle without opposition. In 1926, he was elected a member of the
Freeholders' Committee to revise the city charter and served as its chairman.
Our distinguished Past Grand Master, initiated in University Lodge No. 141 on February 5, 1912; serving
as Master of that Lodge in 1916. He was appointed Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Canada
for the Province of Ontario near our Grand Lodge in 1921; was Junior Grand Warden of our Most
Worshipful Grand Lodge in 1923; and was elected its Grand Master on June 15, 1926. He served as a
member of the Jurisprudence Committee in 1927, 1928, 1937 and 1938; and on the Committee on
Grievance and Appeals in 1928, 1931, then as its chairman from 1929 through 1934. He was chairman of
the Committee on Masonic Research and Education in 1935, when he was appointed and served as Grand
Foreign Correspondent until appointed our Grand Historian in 1938, in which capacity he served until his
demise on July 19, 1940.
Our Most Worshipful Brother also served as Excellent High Priest of University Chapter, 32, Royal Arch
Masons in 1929; Illustrious Master of Adoniram Council, No. 17, Royal and Select Masters in 1925; Most
Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Washington, Royal and Select Masters, in 1935; and
was elected an Honorary Past Grand Master of the Grand Council of Oregon and also General Grand
Captain of the Guard of the General Grand Council in 1939. He was a member of University Prophets of
the Enchanted Realm, Angora Grotto in 1928; Illustrious Potentate of Nile Temple, Ancient Order Nobles
of the Mystic Shrine of North America in 1925. He was Wise Master of Washington Chapter Rose Croix
and Commander in Chief of Washington (formerly Lawson) Consistory both at Seattle, and was coroneted
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