Page 208 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ R. C. McCroskey: 1924-1925

Past Grand Master Robert C. McCroskey, a scion of one of
Washington's most distinguished families, was born in
Hollister, California, on February 4, 1885, and came with his
parents to this state when three years of age, locating at
Garfield. He received his education in the grade and high
schools of his home town, and in the State College, at
Pullman, from which latter institution he graduated in 1906.
After two years spent at St. Maries, Idaho, during which time
he had charge of the affairs of the St. Maries Land Company,
he returned to Garfield.

Possessing a combination of rare ability and a liberal
scientific education, Brother McCroskey was eminently
successful in the operation of his large farm of 720 acres in
the rich grain belt of Whitman County. In addition to general
farming, he had a hobby for breeding and exhibiting Clydesdale horses. No stock show in the Pacific
Northwest was complete without "Bob "McCroskey's Clydesdales," which never failed as prize winners.
For many years he pursued farming and stock raising, and, later, became interested in the life insurance
business and built up a comfortable estate in that field.

On January 25, 1911, he married Miss Eleanor Wesco, of Portland, Oregon. They had one son, Robert C.
McCroskey, Jr. Both wife and son were deeply interested in Brother McCroskey's ambitions, and their
home was always open to the brethren.

Brother McCroskey received the Masonic degrees in Anchor Lodge, No. 88, Garfield, having been
initiated November 5, 1906, passed November 19, 1906, and raised to the Sublime Degree of Master
Mason December 3, 1906. He was Worshipful Master of his Lodge in 1914 and 1915. His first attendance
at our annual communications was in 1914, when he represented his Lodge, and he has not missed a
communication since that time. He was appointed Grand Standard Bearer in 1915, and has served as a
member of the Committee on Grievance and Appeals, Board of Custodians, and Committee on Finance.
The Grand Lodge showed its appreciation of his faithful service by electing him Junior Grand Warden in
1921, and advancing him in regular order through the other stations, making him Grand Master in 1924.
After a successful administration, which won universal confidence and respect, he retired in 1925, and
was made a member of the Committee on Jurisprudence.

Outside of the Blue Lodge, our Brother was a member of Colfax Chapter No. 28, Royal Arch Masons;
Colfax Commandery No. 15, Knights Templar; El Katif Temple of the Shrine; Eureka Chapter No. 92, O.
E. S., and the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. He was an officer at the time of his death in Cascade Chapter
of the Rose Croix, and in 1941 was honored with the rank of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor.

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