Difference between revisions of "SDIncense2"

Latest revision as of 14:07, 6 April 2025

INCENSE LODGE #2

Precedence Date: 01/14/1869
Charter Date: 06/02/1869
Dakota GL Charter Date: 06/22/1875

Chartering Grand Master: Grand Lodge of Iowa, as Incense #257

Location: Vermillion, SD
Current Status: Active

NOTES

From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 4:

Six years elapsed before another permanent, Iowa-sponsored lodge was formed in the Territory. In 1868 St. John's Lodge No. 166, Yankton, recommended to the Grand Lodge of Iowa that a dispensation be issued to a group of brethren at Vermillion.

Brother A.G. Fuller, who had until recently been a member of St. John's Lodge, headed the group.

The dispensation was issued on January 14, 1869, with Brother A. G. Fuller as Worshipful Master, Brother J. C. Damon as Senior Warden, and Brother A. J. Austin as Junior Warden. The first meeting of the lodge was on February 10, 1869.

The lodge was busy for the next few months. When the next Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Iowa was held, they asked for a charter. This was issued under the date June 2, 1869, and the newly char­tered lodge was designated as Incense Lodge No. 257. For some unexplained reason, no meetings were held by the new lodge until December, 1869.

The history of Incense Lodge is very clear on the events leading up to the formation of the Grand Lodge of Dakota. From the minutes we find, "It was August, 1874, that preliminary measures toward the formation of a Territorial Grand Lodge were first considered. A petition numerously signed by Minnehaha Lodge (Sioux Falls) was laid before the local Lodge, read and referred to the next communication, at which time, September 24, 1874, it was ordered that this Lodge concur with Minnehaha Lodge and sign the petition for a Grand Lodge Charter."

At the March 18, 1875 meeting, the matter of a Territorial Grand Lodge formation was again taken up and the lodge then and there resolved to do its full share toward accomplishing what its membership seemed a most desirable purpose. The Elk Point Lodge had already made a decided move in this direction and had its three delegates appointed who should meet with a like delegation from other lodges in sympathy with the movement for in­ dependence. The sentiment of the lodge was generally in accord with that of most other neighboring lodges with reference to separation from Iowa. It was decided to act in unison with its neighbors, and three delegates were chosen to represent Incense in the forthcoming convention. Their commission to attend the convention was conditional on the proviso that other lodges in the Territory should elect delegates in like manner and for such purposes.

At the June 17, 1875, meeting a communication was received from Brother Henry H. Blair, Worshipful Master of Elk Point Lodge, stating that a convention of lodges had been called to meet in Elle Point on June 22, 1875, to form a Grand Lodge. For some unexplained reason the communication was not received in as enthusiastic manner as had been expected. It is a matter of record that the same delegation was again elected to represent Incense Lodge at the convention. A motion was entertained that they be instructed to vote against withdrawing from the Jurisdiction of Iowa, but this motion was finally amended by the substitution of that the delegates use their judgement in regard to forming a Grand Lodge and was carried as thus amended.

GRAND MASTERS

• Edgar E. Brookman Raised 1889
• Leonard M. Simons Raised 1905
• Irwin R. Erickson Raised 1915

South Dakota Lodges