M. W. Brother Harry Meyer was born on July 18, 1873, at Independence, Kansas, and in his early youth came to Columbus, Ohio. He had served an apprenticeship in the baker’s trade. Soon after his arrival in Columbus, he became associated with the then famous “Busy Bee Restaurant,” and rose quickly to a position superintendent of operations and a director of the company. He later resigned to become president and general manager of the Top-Notch Baking Company and in 1917 was elected president of the Ohio Bakers Association.
On October 25, 1897, he married, Miss Anna Hazebrock, to this union four children were born.
His real vocation and avocation and his greatest career was in the service of Freemasonry. He was initiated an Entered Apprentice on April 20, 1901; passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on May 4, 1901 and raised to the Sublime Degree of master mason on May 29, 1901 in Humboldt Lodge No. 476, F. & A. M. At the time of his entrance into our Order, his Lodge worked in the German language, but soon after his admission, the use of the German tongue was abandoned in favor of the English. In his 56 years of membership, he witnessed the phenomenal growth of his Lodge from a membership of 180 to more than 2,900, the largest subordinate Lodge under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Ohio. His was a long and honorable service to the Craft. He was Master of his Lodge in 1904 and Secretary from 1908 to 1957.
He was exalted in Ohio Chapter No. 12, R. A. M., on February 21, 1919, and was its Secretary from 1932 to 1943. He was greeted in Columbus Council No.8, R. & S. M., on January 20, 1920, and served as its Recorder from 1932 to 1943. He became an honorary member of the degree of the Silver Trowel in 1941. In Mt. Vernon Commandery No.1, K. T., he was knighted on March 25, 1920. He was its recorder from 1932 to 1952.
He received the degrees of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in the Valley of Columbus in 1911, and was a faithful worker in the bodies of that Rite for many years. He also was a member of: Aladdin Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. (1920); Achbar Grotto, M. O. V. P. E. R. (1912; Secretary 1925-1938); St. Jerome Conclave No. 32, Red Cross of Constantine (1935; Sovereign 1946-1047); Columbus Chapter No. 10, National Sojourners; Ohio Masonic Veterans’ Association (President 1935); and Secretaries’ Association, F. & A. M. of Ohio, of which he was the founder. He was crowned a member of the Supreme Council, 33°, A.A.S.R. at Cleveland, Ohio, on September 25, 1935.
He was an honorary member of Syria Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Columbus Court, Royal Order of Jesters; and of 43 Subordinate Lodges in Ohio.
He served as District Lecturer (now designated as District Deputy Grand Master) in the 14th Masonic District (Ohio) from 1927 through 1930. Beginning in 1932, he served in the several appointive and elective offices of the Grand Lodge, F. & A. M. of Ohio, and was installed and served as Grand Master in 1938.
He was a loyal member of St. John’s Evangelical and Reformed Church, Columbus, Ohio.
He was called to life eternal on December 10, 1957. Religious and Masonic services were held on December 13, 1957, with interment in Union Cemetery, (Old Section), Section 61, Lot 49, Columbus, Ohio.