Page 236 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Ralph C. McAllaster: 1907-1908

Most Worshipful Brother Ralph Clapp McAllaster, who was
born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, August 26th, 1864, and was
educated in the Public Schools of that city and graduated at
the State Normal School in 1884. In that year he moved with
his parents to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he spent two years
at the University of Michigan. During the succeeding years
until 1893, he was employed in insurance and law offices in
Michigan and Wisconsin. Returning to Ann Arbor, he was
connected with the Ann Arbor Water Company for a time,
and was city editor of the Ann Arbor Democrat for a year. In
1898 he moved to Seattle and took a position as secretary of
a school-furniture firm. Afterwards he was associated with
the Trustee Company of Seattle for a time, and then entered
the fire insurance business. He also served as City of Seattle
Park Commissioner for a term.

Brother McAllaster was made a Master Mason in 1895 in Fraternity Lodge, No, 262, of Ann Arbor,
Michigan. He affiliated with Eureka Lodge, No, 20, of Seattle, in 1899, and became its Master in 1904.
He was elected Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Washington in that year, and was regularly
advanced until he was elected Grand Master in June, 1907. He served on the Jurisprudence Committee in
1912, and as Foreign Correspondent since that year. In his home city he was especially active in Masonic
affairs, being often consulted by Masters of Lodges and others, and he gave gladly of his experience and
knowledge.

He received the Royal Arch degrees in 1904 in Oriental Chapter, No, 19, of Seattle, and became its High
Priest in 1908, He assisted in organizing University Chapter, No, 32, in 1911, and was its first High Priest.
At the time of his death, he was Grand Steward of the Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons of Washington.

He received the Orders of Knighthood in Seattle Commandery, No, 2, of Seattle, in 1904, and was its
Commander in 1907, and assisted in organizing University Commandery, No, 23, of Seattle, in 1922,
serving as its Recorder.

He received the Royal and Select Masters' degrees in 1904, and became a 32° Scottish Rite Mason the
same year, serving as Orator. He was also Past Wise Master of Washington Chapter Knights Rose Croix,
He was a member of Doric Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star; an Honorary Member of the "Square and
Compass," a student fraternity at the University of Washington, and a member of Nile Temple, A. A. O.
N. M. S.

On the evening of December 23, 1924, our brother was suddenly called from labor to refreshment after an

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