View source for SDGMKaiserH

== HAROLD R. KAISER 1898-1974 ==

'''Grand Master of South Dakota, 1969-1970'''

https://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/images/SouthDakota/KaiserH.jpg

=== BIOGRAPHY ===

''From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 212:''

Harold R. Kaiser, the ninety-sixth Grand Master of Masons of South Dakota, was born at Orient, Faulk County, South Dakota, January 26, 1898.

He received his elementary education in a rural school after which he attended high school in Redfield, South Dakota. 

He worked as a farmer and rail mail clerk. He retired after twenty-five years as a parts manager at the Spearfish Motor Company in Spearfish, South Dakota. 

On November 25, 1920, he married Miss Florence Overland of Redfield. They have two daughters. He is a member of the Methodist Church.

Brother Kaiser was raised to the degree of a Master Mason in [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=SDBrentford176 Brentford Lodge No. 176], Brentford, South Dakota, on January 4, 1926. He affiliated with [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=SDSpearfish18 Spearfish Lodge No. 18] on May 6, 1943. He 1s a member of Lookout Chapter No. 36 and Black Hills Commandery No. 23, both in Spearfish. He belongs to Black Hills Council No. 3 in Lead and Black Hills Consistory in Deadwood.
 
He served as Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery, Knights Templar, of South Dakota.

* [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/108793484/harold-r-kaiser Find A Grave page]

=== 1970 ===

"A Personal Responsibility" had been the theme chosen by Grand Master Kaiser to promote his Masonic program throughout the state. At his many personal visitations to the lodges and meetings, he pointed out that Masonry was a personal thing and that it was the personal responsibility of each Mason to bear his share in its betterment.

The ninety-sixth Annual Communication was held at Spearfish, the home of the Grand Master, in June, 1970. The year had ended with a total of 162 chartered lodges and a net loss of 472 members, bringing the total membership to 17,331.

Masonic Temples had been dedicated at Spearfish, Groton, and Frankfort. The cornerstone laying and dedication of the temple at Groton came about because of a tornado that had destroyed the original building in June. A call for assistance had been sounded by the Grand Master and a total of $3,412.00 had been contributed by the lodges, individual Masons, and friends.

The Grand Historian made an in-depth complete report on the Grand Lodge Monument marking the beginning of the Grand Lodge as constituted at Vermillion.

The Spearfish Armory was the scene of the Annual Banquet with four hundred Masons and their ladies in attendance. After a short but inspiring address by Brother James D. Jelbert of Spearfish, the entire group moved to the Spearfish amphitheater to see the famous Black Hills Passion Play.

A resolution was adopted stating, "Every member of the Craft should publicly display the American Flag at his home and/or place of business each day as a demonstration of respect and love for our country."

<hr>

[https://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=SouthDakotaGMs Grand Masters of South Dakota]