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ALLEN PHILLIP STODDARD 1898-1983

Grand Master of South Dakota, 1962-1963

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BIOGRAPHY

From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 198:

Allen Stoddard, the eighty-ninth Grand Master of Masons of South Dakota, was born in Plankinton, South Dakota, February 14, 1898, and received his education there.

On February 18, 1928, he was united in marriage to Alma Fern Sapp. They have two sons and one daughter, six grandsons, and one granddaughter. He is an active member of the Methodist Church.

He has been engaged in farming and in the livestock business all of his life with large holdings in the Plankinton area. .

Brother Stoddard was made a Mason in Plankinton Lodge No. 61, June 26, 1947. He is a member of Oriental Consistory No. 1, Yankton, having received the Rank and Decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor in 1961. He is a member of El Riad Shrme in Sioux Falls. He was exalted in Mitchell Chapter No. 16, Royal Arch Masons, received the degrees in Mitchell Council No. 8, and was Knighted in St. Bernard Com­mandery No. 11. He is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Plankinton.

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1963

As Grand Master Stoddard opened the eighty-ninth Annual Communication at Pierre in 1963, he said, "Should we go forward under the proud banner of Masonry, ever conscious of our heritage, or should we stand by while forces that enslave the minds and souls of men engulf all our forefathers gave to ensure our democratic form of government?" This was in conclusion to his program during the year of Separation of Church and State, Masonry and Communism, and Masonry in other areas.

The Grand Secretary reported that the public liability insurance with a substantial reduction in the premium was now in effect for all 167 constituent lodges.

A special Committee on Library Inspection recommended that the non­ Masonic works in the library be presented to area schools and, due to the relative disuse of the library, it was urged that no improvements be made and its use as a general library cease.

A net decrease in membership of 302 was primarily ·attributed to suspensions for nonpayment of dues. Grand Secretary John S. Rowe urged the secretaries to send him the names of delinquent members. If they would do so, he would contact each delinquent member personally.

Due to a lack of continued interest by the donor, the proposal dealing with the Grand Lodge consideration of the establishment of a retirement home in Aberdeen should be dropped and the committee charged with investigation discharged.

The issuance of ninety-eight 50-year medals and eight 60-year palms had been a reminder that the membership was getting older. Three brothers had received the coveted Distinguished Service Award.

The by-laws were amended as follows: "Each Master Mason raised shall present himself for examination in the lecture of the degree. Until such shall have been had and the fact recorded, he shall not be entitled examination or to petition any dependent body of Masonry for membership."

A check for $8,500.00 was presented to the Masonic Service Association. During the year $22,693.76 was disbursed for charity cases.

The budget adopted for the coming year was set at $42,602.89. This budget included $250.00 for the Order of DeMolay and a like amount for Job's Daughters.

Grand Masters of South Dakota