Page 245 - PGM Compendium

presentation was made by the Solicitor General on behalf of the Attorney General, who complimented
Mr. Arthur for his able and scholarly production and shortly afterwards moved that Mr. Arthur be admitted
to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, which was an unusual mark of favor.

He entered upon the practice of law in the City of Washington, and was immediately successful. In 1883
he was offered the Attorneyship for the Tacoma Land Company, which he accepted and moved to that
city.

In April 1887, he came to Seattle, where he resided until his death. He conducted an extensive practice in
land litigation, to which branch of the law he gave particular attention. He also had a general practice in
the Superior Courts of King and Pierce Counties. As a lawyer. Brother Arthur was held in high esteem by
the members of both Bench and Bar. In recognition of his high legal ability and attainment, in 1883 he was
elected Secretary of the Seattle Bar Association and Vice President of the State Bar Association. In addition
to the duties of his profession, he engaged in many civic functions. At one time he was an active member
of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce.

When steps were taken to relocate the University of Washington to the present Campus, Brother Arthur
was appointed President of the University Land and Building Commissioners, and went to Washington
City in the interests of the University, and through his instrumentality the landed interests of the old
University were placed on a solid basis and made available to that Institution.
Brother Arthur did not accumulate great riches, but he possessed a far better heritage—that of a well-
spent life laboring in the cause of humanity. He was modest, kind-hearted and charitable. He always had
a smile upon his face for all who met him—a friendly hand-shake accompanied with the greeting, "God
bless you." He was ever ready to divide whatever he possessed among the unfortunate and distressed. He
was never known to turn away those who appealed to him in need, without rendering assistance when in his
power to do so. In rendering assistance he practiced the true Masonic spirit in rendering individual aid.
He was known to conduct cases at law through the courts at his own expense for poor clients, for which
he would take no fee.
Most Worshipful Brother Arthur's Masonic career was a notable one. He was made a Mason in St. John's
Lodge. No. 9, in Seattle, in 1889. He thoroughly learned the principles of Ancient Craft Masonry, to which
he gave his best allegiance during the remainder of his life. He was a Royal Arch Mason, member of Seattle
Chapter, No. 3; a Knight Templar, member of Seattle Commandery, No. 2; and Thirty-second Degree
Scottish Rite Mason, member of Lawson Consistory. He was Past Potentate and life member of Afifi
Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Tacoma.
In regular course of promotion he was elected and installed Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of
Washington in June 1902.

The most important and interesting event of Brother Arthur's administration was the celebration of the
50th Anniversary of the introduction of Masonry into the Commonwealth of Washington, in a special
th
th
communication of Grand Lodge held in Olympia. December 11 and 12 of 1902. During the two days no
business was transacted except addresses by nine Past Grand Masters – Most Worshipful Brothers Thomas
Reed, Joseph Kuhn, Louis Ziegler, Nathan Porter, Edward Hare, Archibald Frater, William Upton, Joseph
Taylor – and Grand Master Arthur. It is said that our Most Worshipful Brother presided in his happy,

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