Page 244 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ John Arthur: 1902-1903

Most Worshipful Brother John Arthur was a native of
Ireland, born near Ennis in County Clare on June 20, 1849.
He began his travel to that undiscovered country from whose
borne no traveler returns on December 23, 1926.
Brother Arthur's early education was acquired in his native
land and in England largely under the instruction of private
tutors. It was one of his youthful ambitions to follow a
literary life but reversed family fortune denied him the
privilege of pursuing a course in higher education. He was a
life-long student, and by his industry and energy became a
profound scholar. His career illustrated in the best manner
the maxim—energia est genius. He possessed a versatile
mind, read much, thought much, and wrote much and well
on various topics.

In the field of literature and general history he had no superior. He was a linguist of more than ordinary
ability. He knew the literature of Erse and Gaelic tongues. He understood the French and German
languages. He was well versed in the ancient classics. He understood and used the English language with
a high degree of excellence. His keen eye and great literary acumen enabled him at once to detect an error
in any piece of English composition that came to his attention. So great was his literary ability that the
Author's Club of London elected him a member honoris causa, an honor conferred on few Americans.

In 1861, when twelve years old, he came to the United States and made his home in Westmoreland County,
Pennsylvania, where he continued his studies which had been well founded in the schools of England.

His first employment in Pennsylvania was as bookkeeper and store clerk for a railroad contractor.
Afterwards he entered the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company on the Philadelphia and Erie
Line, and was soon promoted to a position of trust and responsibility.

Deciding upon the legal profession, he studied law in Erie, Pennsylvania, under the preceptorship of Hon.
John P. Vincent, ex-presiding Judge of the Erie Judicial District. Being an apt student, he made rapid
progress in the study of law and in due course was admitted to the Bar.

Desiring a higher education, he went to Washington, District of Columbia, and entered the Law School of
the Columbian University and completed the regular and post-graduate courses of two years each.

Upon his graduation in the latter course, as Master of Law, he was awarded the first prize of the school in
competition for producing the best thesis upon a legal subject. The prize was delivered to him in the
presence of the President of the United States, with his Cabinet and the Judges of the Supreme Court. The

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