Page 238 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Edward F. Waggoner: 1906-1907

Most Worshipful Brother Edward Franklin Waggoner was
born in Lostant, Illinois, February, 15, 1870, and acquired his
early education in the public schools there. He was afterward
sent to Eureka College at Eureka, Illinois, and when he had put
aside his textbooks he became a clerk in a store there. The next
step in his business career brought him into close connection
with the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company as
traveling salesman and collector, in which capacity he traveled
for them in Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. He displayed
notable ability in all branches of the harvesting machinery
business, thereby winning the position of general agent and
manager of the company's business in Washington, Oregon,
Idaho, Montana and a part of Wyoming.

In 1908 the International Harvester Company was formed, taking over the McCormick Harvesting
Machine Company and Mr. Waggoner was continued in charge of the business until October 15, 1906,
when he resigned to enter upon an independent business venture, organizing the Union Fuel & Ice
Company, of which he served as its president. The company was established as a wholesale and retail
business. The business grew steadily and substantially from its inception and became one of the important
and prosperous commercial undertakings of Spokane, doing a business of nearly a half million dollars in
1911.

Edward Franklin Waggoner was made a Mason in Spokane Lodge No. 34, serving as its Master is 1901.
Waggoner was trustee and secretary of the Masonic Temple Association and it was he who as the Master
of Spokane Lodge No. 34, F. & A. M., conceived the project of erecting a Masonic Temple in Spokane
and assisted in the formation of the association which erected the temple. He acted as secretary of the
board of trustees and as chairman of its finance committee from the outset until the temple was completed,
and his work in this connection received warm commendation. The association was formed in 1901;
ground for the temple was broken by President and Brother Theodore Roosevelt on the 26th day of May,
1908; the cornerstone was laid October 6, 1904; and the building was dedicated June 14, 1906. The date
of dedication was of some significance as it was M⸫W⸫ B Waggoner who presided over that ceremony
th
as his first act as newly elected Grand Master of Masons in Washington at the 49 Annual Communication.

Most Worshipful Brother Waggoner was married to the former Nellie McKibben. In the social circles of
Spokane they were well known and the hospitality of the best homes was cordially extended them. His

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