Andrew Davison Agnew was born in Ireland on 18 November 1867 and immigrated to
Milwaukee, Wisconsin with his parents when he was four years old. After graduating
with a law degree at Marquette University, he practiced law and worked as a real
estate and insurance agent in Milwaukee until 1925, when he retired to pursue other
interests. These included managing real estate holdings and a general brokerage
business. In 1929, Agnew married Harriet E. Kobs. His civic activities included
membership in the Scottish Rite Masons, which he joined in 1894 at Kilbourn Lodge
No. 3. Agnew received the 33rd degree in 1911, became a member of the Supreme
Council in 1920, and was elected Deputy of the Supreme Council for the District of
Wisconsin in 1927. He became a Knight Templar in Wisconsin Commandery No. 1 in 1900,
then Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Wisconsin in 1920, and eventually
rose to the highest office as Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights
Templar from 1932 to 1937. He also was president of the St. Andrew’s Society, a
Scottish cultural group; the Arions, a noted Milwaukee musical society; the Forum
Club, a literary organization; the Young Men’s Republican Club, and many others. He
died 20 December 1951.
