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Right Eminent
Sir Arthur T. Nelson
Grand Commander
1921-22
Right Eminent Sir Arthur T. Nelson had birth in the City of Buffalo, New York on December 14th, 1864, being a son of Absalom and Nancy A. Nelson. His infancy and youthful period were passed in that city and it's public schools became responsible for the educational influence to which he was subjected.
At the age of fifteen he entered the employ of the W. W. Brown Lumber Company and later was stock boy in the wholesale grocery house of George W. Hayward.
Promotion was in the air and the auditing department of the While Line Fast Freight Company secured his services. Transportation in those days was ever alert for good men, and the Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railroad made him a ticket auditor. Later, the New York Central established him as train auditor between Buffalo and Niagara Falls.
On April 4th, 1882, the whole current of life work was changed of the young man by the removal of the Nelson family to the Ozark region of Missouri, locating at the City of Lebanon , where he became a horticulturist, engaged with his father in planting and developing apple orchards. The Ozark Plateau Land Company of Buffalo, New York , had purchased 165, 000 acres of land I the hilly country of Missouri and the elder Nelson was general manger to its affairs.
At the death of his father in 1901, the son succeeded to the position. His Success secured him recognition in state affairs and he became a member of the State Board of Agriculture, twice its president, serving twenty-one consecutive years under six state administrations, those of Governors Dockery, Folk, Hadley, Major, Gardner and Hyde. He was also President of the State Fair Board at two different periods. He is a life member of the State Horticultural Society and served it as a president through three terms.
The fruit of the Pyrus Malus has attained a universal use, and producing it scientifically and practically has almost brought the labor and skill required within the class of a professional. Ten gold medals stand to the credit of R. E. Sir Arthur T. Nelson, from expositions in the United States and at the City of Paris, in France, at which latter city he had placed seventy-five barrels to show the capability of the Missouri Ozarks. As a matter of course, every State Exposition held in Missouri had a display front the Nelson orchards, and in 1898 he was superintendent of the Missouri fruit exhibit at the Trans-Mississippi Exposition at Omaha, Nebraska.
It was his delight to read the Great Book of Nature, observing the law of the Lord, as affecting the production of apples, mediating day and night to secure an understanding that would bring the fruit in it's season, the only drawback encountered being a freeze-up at a peculiar period of fruit incubation.
Prosperity has averaged it's favors to him, but he has not been permitted to devote his entire energy to horticultural pursuit. For six years he was called to serve the City of Lebanon as an alderman and it's treasurer. He is manager of the Laclede County Telephone Company, vie-president of the Missouri Telephone Association, president of the Lebanon Creamery Company, and president of the Niangua River for the furnishing of electrical power and light to central Missouri cities.
During the World War he was chairman of District Exemption Board No. 2 of Western District of Missouri. In June, 1921, the Governor of the State selected him to head the Board of Penal Institutions, which position he held until the Special Legislature created a State Marketing Bureau, and on December 1st, 1921, he resigned from the Penal Board and became by appointment of the Governor, State Marker Commissioner in which he is now serving.
R. E. Sir Arthur T. Nelson became interested in Freemasonry in 1902, when he petitioned Laclede Lodge No, 83, A. F. & A. M. at the City of Lebanon, Missouri. He was initiated February 28th, passed March 19th, and raised April 30th, 1902. He served the Lodge as Steward, Senior Deacon and Junior Warden.
He was advanced in the Capitular System by Lebanon Chapter No. 64, R. A. M., becoming a Mark Master August 28th, Past and Most Excellent Master September 12th, and Royal Arch Mason October 11th, 1902. He served the Chapter in several positions and was elected high Priest in 1917.
He entered the Secret Vault under the auspices of Zabud council No. 25, R. &. M. at the City of Springfield, Missouri , October 13th, 1910.
Starting in the Fraternity at about the middle period of the allotted term of life his advancement was rapid and he obtained the orders of Christian Knighthood in Lebanon Commandery No. 33, K. T., stationed at the city of Lebanon; Red Cross, January 6th, 1903; Malta and Temple, February 20th, 1903. He became active in the local body at once and served it in almost every capacity. For eight terms he was Captain General and three varying terms, Commander, besides several terms in other stations.
In the Grand Commandery of the State, he was elected Grand Warder in 1913, advanced each successive year without a break attaining the station of Grand Commander in 1921. He was not averse to the sporting proclivities of his associates in the human family and enjoys dignified fun at times when it breaks the monotony of existence, so on October 15th; 1903, at Springfield Missouri, he was found in a caravan crossing desert sands under lead of Abou Ben Adhem Temple of the A. A. O. N. M. S., and was enrolled one of its charter members.
On May 20th, 1920, at Joplin, Missouri, Saint Andrew Conclave No. 11 of the Constantinian Order conferred upon him the initial grades of the Red Cross and appendant orders.
Short of
the three score period in years and broadened by the close communion with
Nature and her ways, there is yet before the retiring Grand Commander many
opportunities of development in which his energy may continue for the advantage
and comfort of his fellowman. The remainder of his days will see no diminution
of his love for the apple, nor will he cease to hear the whispering of
the trees as he wanders among them through his interest in the growth and
fruitage. He has earned and is entitled to wear the sobriquet so universally
bestowed: "The Apple King of the Ozarks".
