Past Masters
Albert Pike Lodge No. 303
1920’s
Charles F Latchaw
1929
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Vern H Cobb
1928
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Perry D Baker
1927
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Kenneth M Kier
1926
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Walter L Anderson
1925
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George M Lowry
1924
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Ray L Ruthrauff
1923
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George B Cartwright
1922
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Douglas S Newell
1921
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Raymond S Love
1920
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Charles F Latchaw
Past Master, Albert Pike Masonic Lodge
Brother Latchaw was an architect and builder of mausoleums. He was remembered as the district’s most effective “attorney for the defense” in Masonic trials.
Vern H Cobb
Past Master, Albert Pike Masonic Lodge
Brother Cobb was Deputy County Clerk. He began the custom of serving light refreshments after Stated Communications.
Perry D Baker
Past Master, Albert Pike Masonic Lodge
Brother Baker was an auditor for the Cudahy Packing Co. His year saw extensive repairs and redecorating of the lodge hall and parlor.
Kenneth M Kier
Past Master, Albert Pike Masonic Lodge
Brother Kier was a partner in Kier and McDaniel Sporting Goods with Alva McDaniel (1919). Described as an unknown but gifted poet, he moved to California shortly after his year.
Walter L Anderson
Past Master, Albert Pike Masonic Lodge
Brother Anderson (1880–1963) was born in St. Marys, Kansas. A short-order cook, he began selling hamburgers in 1916 from a converted streetcar at Douglas and Mead and soon ran several stands. In March 1921 he and E. W. “Billy” Ingram opened the first White Castle at First and Main in Wichita, starting what is credited as the first hamburger chain in the United States. Brother Anderson developed its assembly-line kitchen, made cleanliness its calling card and introduced the paper hats. He sold his share to Ingram in 1933, and the company moved its headquarters to Columbus, Ohio, the next year.
His year as Master continued the lodge’s unbroken harmony, and membership reached 2,363. He died in Wichita on December 13, 1963, and was entombed at the Old Mission Mausoleum.
George M Lowry
Past Master, Albert Pike Masonic Lodge
Brother Lowry was president of The Wichita Flour Mills, which his family helped found in 1914. He had the best attendance record of any Past Master after his year and served as a lodge Trustee for many years.
Ray L Ruthrauff
Past Master, Albert Pike Masonic Lodge
Brother Ruthrauff worked for the Greenway and Rau Department Store. He organized and trained a drill team, and the Third Degree was presented in dramatized form for the first time in years. Bestor G. Brown Lodge No. 433 was chartered during his year.
George B Cartwright
Past Master, Albert Pike Masonic Lodge
Brother Cartwright was foreman of the car repair shops of the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railroad, whose main shops had moved to Wichita. He was remembered as wholeheartedly faithful in attendance and work.
Douglas S Newell
Past Master, Albert Pike Masonic Lodge
Brother Newell was an auditor for Kansas Gas and Electric Co. He gave the lodge its altar Bible, used until 1943, and more men were raised in his year than in any before it.
Raymond S Love
Past Master, Albert Pike Masonic Lodge
Brother Love, a physician and surgeon, was the only physician to serve as Master. He worked night and day through the second flu epidemic, and the lodge reached 1,468 members in his year.
Kenneth M Kier
Past Master, Albert Pike Masonic Lodge
Brother Kier was a partner in Kier and McDaniel Sporting Goods with Alva McDaniel (1919). Described as an unknown but gifted poet, he moved to California shortly after his year.