M. W. Brother Elmer Raymond Arn was born in Arnheim, Ohio, the son of Adam and Elizabeth (Schatzman.) Arn, on July 8, 1886. After attending the grade school there, the family moved to Russellville, Ohio, where he graduated from East High School receiving a teacher’s certificate. He taught school for four years, spending his vacations at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, in preparation for entrance to the University of Cincinnati Medical School from which he graduated in 1911.
After completing his internship at the Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, he became a member of the staff of that hospital, and also engaged in the private practice of a general physician for six years. During those years, his inherent tendency toward surgery manifested itself. As a further preparation for his life’s work, he pursued his studies in the recognized surgical centers of Europe and became an authority on special types of surgery. Cognizance was taken of his ability, skill and success and he was soon identified as a member of the American College of Surgeons and other related organizations, national, state and county.
M. W. Brother Arn’s contribution and devotion to the civic, club, cultural and social life of his community was equally important and as eminently successful as his professional career. He was a member of the First Lutheran Church of Dayton.
On August 27, 1913, Bro. Arn married Minna Wannagat of Tilsit, Germany, to this marriage two sons were born.
M. W. Brother Arn received his Entered Apprentice Degree in Russellville Lodge No. 166, Russellville, Ohio, December 28, 1907; Fellow Craft Degree, February 11, 1908; Master Mason Degree, March 17, 1908. He was an honorary member of Russellville Lodge, having dimitted to Horace A. Irvin Lodge No. 647. He was Worshipful Master of that Lodge in 1926 and 1927.
In the Grand Lodge F. & A. M. of Ohio, he served as District Lecturer of the Second Masonic District, 1928-1929; Senior Deacon, 1930-1931; Grand Orator, 1931-1932; elected Junior Grand Warden in 1932, Senior Grand Warden, 1933, Deputy Grand Master, 1934. He was elected and installed M. W. Grand Master, October 17, 1935, at the Communication of the Grand Lodge in Akron, Ohio.
He was exalted in Victory Chapter No. 210, R. A. M., Dayton, on March 30, 1921, later dimitting to Unity Chapter No. 16, also of Dayton, Ohio. He was greeted in Reese Council No.9, R. & S. M., on May 6, 1921, serving as Illustrious Master in 1930. He was knighted in Reed Commandery No.6, K. T., of Dayton, Ohio, on May 17, 1921. In 1946 he was Eminent Commander of Dayton Commandery No. 68.
In the Scottish Rite, he received the degrees from the Fourth to the Thirty-second, inclusive, in the Dayton Bodies at the April 1918 reunion; served as Commander-in-Chief of Dayton Consistory from 1935 to 1938. He was crowned a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33°, September 16, 1930, and elevated to the rank of Active Member, September 22, 1932, and elected an Emeritus Member, September 25, 1950.
He was a member of the Royal Order of Scotland, Antioch Temple A. A. O. N. M. S., Brunis Grotto of Dayton and Royal Order of Jesters.
His eminent work as President of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association was invaluable for the Association, reflected his executive ability, and brought distinction to the Grand Lodge of Ohio.
The Grand Lodge had a bust of our M. W. Brother sculptured and placed in the Memorial on February 22, 1952, as a tribute for his eminent nation-wide Masonic Service. He was made an honorary member of Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22, of Alexandria, Va., the oldest Lodge in that State, whose first Worshipful Master was George Washington. In 1947, M. W. Brother Am received the Albert Gallatin Mackey Medal awarded by the Grand Lodge of Masons in North Carolina.
While it was known that our M. W. Brother Arn was seriously ill, yet his death, which occurred on Monday, December 24, 1951, at Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton, Ohio was unexpected. The funeral was private but a public Memorial Service was held January 6, 1952, in the First Lutheran Church of Dayton.
M. W. Brother Arn’s remains were cremated and his ashes were scattered over the grounds of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia.