In the pantheon of great men in American history, George Washington occupies a level all his own. There is little of his public life that is not common kn...
George S. Yost was born March 25, 1890, in Baltimore, Maryland, one of four children of George Yost and his wife, Annie Steedman Yost. He was educated in the Public Schools of Baltimore City, and was graduated from the Baltimore City College in 1907. He studied law at the Baltimore Law School (since consolidated with the University of Maryland), and received the degree of LL.B. in 1911. He was the recipient of double honors upon his graduation, receiving the award for the highest general average in this class for the entire course, and also the award for the best thesis submitted.
He was admitted to the Bar in 1911, and was an active in the practice of law in Baltimore City as a member of the firm of Niles, Barton, Morrow and Yost. He was a member of the Baltimore City Bar Association, the Maryland State Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. He was also a member of the Law Faculty of the University of Baltimore, where he was a lecturer on the subject of Contracts.
On August 1, 1916, he was married to Miss Adele Dankmeyer, daughter of Charles and Lena Ohle Dankmeyer. This union was blessed with two daughters, Adele Dorothy and Nanne Carolyn.
He was also took extreme interest in religious circles, as a member of the Second Lutheran Church of Baltimore. He served as Superintendent of the Sunday School for an extended period of time of over a decade. He was for several years Preside of the Maryland Sunday School Association, and served for some years on the Board of the Baltimore City Federation of Churches. He was Chairman for several years of the Religious Work Committee of the Y.M.C.A. in Baltimore City. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Lutheran Inner Mission Society of Baltimore, the Board of Foreign Missions of the United Lutheran Church in America, and of the Board of Directors of the Maryland Bible Society.
He was raised in Union Lodge, No. 60 Baltimore, on September 24, 1914, and served as Worship Master in 1923. He was exalted in St. John’s Royal Arch Chapter, No. 19, on April 7, 1920, and served as Most Excellent High Priest in 1933. He was for several years Chairman of the Jurisprudence Committee of the Grand Chapter of Maryland. He was a member of the Council of Anointed High Priests of the State of Maryland. He was also the representative of the Grand Chapter of Queensland.
He was greeted in Concordia Council, No. 1 Royal and Select Masters on April 16, 1920, and severed as Thrice Illustrious Master in 1934. He has also served as Chairman of the Jurisprudence Committee of the Grand Council of Maryland for several years. He was the representative of the Grand Council of Illinois.
He was knighted in Crusade Commandery, No. 5, Knight Templars, on October 18, 1928, and served as Eminent Commander in 1936. He was a member of the Committee of Jurisprudence and By-Lays of the Grand Commandery of Maryland.
He was a member of Chesapeake Consistory, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, having received the Thirty-second Degree on January 31, 1935, and was invested with the rank and decoration of Knight Commandery, Court of Honor, on October 18, 1939.
He was made a Noble of Boumi Temple, Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine on April 18, 1931.
He was a member of St. Cyprian Conclave, No. 41, Order Red Cross of Constantine; Baltimore Forest, No. 45, Tall Cedars of Lebanon; the Masonic Veteran Association; and served as President of the Past Masters’ Association of Baltimore City.
In the Grand Lodge of Maryland, Yost served for a number of years as a member of the later as Chairman of the By-Laws Committee; he was a member of the Board of Grand Inspectors. He also served on the Board of Managers and the Board of Trustees of the Masonic Homes. He was the representative of the Grand Lodge of New Brusnwick.
He was elected Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of Maryland in 1938, and was elected Most Worshipful Grand Master at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of Maryland in 1940.