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WILLIAM BLATT 1843-1929

Grand Master of Dakota, 1885-1887

BIOGRAPHY

From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 36:

Brother William Blatt was born at Hattenbach, Province Rhein, Prussia, Germany, December 24, 1843, where he lived for 17 years. He received his education in the grammar and high school near his place of birth. He came to America in April, 1861, directly to Sandusky, Ohio, thence to Cincinnati, Ohio, to Council Bluffs, and in 1873 to Yankton Dakota Territory.

He was engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery business in Yankton, Dakota Territory.

He married Miss Frances Lamm at Chicago, Illinois, May 21, 1878, and from this union was born a son and a daughter. He was of the Jewish faith.

He was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in Excelsior Lodge No. 259, Iowa, on May 26, 1869, and affiliated with St. John's Lodge No. 1, Yankton, on June 20, 1874. He was a charter member of Oriental Consistory No. 1, A.&A.S.R. He was the first member in Dakota Territory to receive the 33rd Degree. He was active in the organizations of the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Dakota Territory and was elected M. E. Grand High Priest at the convention February 24, 1885, and at the Annual Meeting Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Dakota Territory and at the Annual Meeting in June, 1885, and 1886, so he presided as M.E. High Priest at the first and second annual convocations of the Grand Chapter.

Brother Blatt was very active in the civic advancement of both city, community and state.

1886

Eighty-nine lodges, including those under dispensation, were on the rolls when representatives of sixty lodges met at Bismarck in June of 1886 for the twelfth Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Dakota.

Grand Master Blatt was concerned over the liberal policy in permitting the formation of new lodges. He recommended a change from seven to fifteen members in order to open a new lodge. It was his belief that fewer lodges and stronger ones would benefit the Craft.

Silver Creek Lodge No. 46 at Forestburg surrendered its charter; the first to do so due to the hopeless and discouraging conditions of the Lodge.

During the year a cornerstone had been laid for the School of Mines in Rapid City.

A gold watch and chain, handsomely and appropriately engraved, was presented to M. W. Bro. T. S. Parvin. The Grand Chapter and the Grand Commandery of Dakota desired to participate in the testimonial. On behalf of these bodies and the Grand Lodge, Past Grand Master George H. Hand proceeded to Cedar Rapids and made the presentation. Brother Parvin, who constituted all three Grand Bodies in the Territory, reported that he had a complete set of proceedings of the United States for the three bodies which he wanted to present to the Grand Lodge Library in Dakota.

The Grand Master reported that the Grand Lecturer had not been able to carry on his work as planned due to alack of available funds. The committee on work recommended that the Grand Master again appoint a Grand Lecturer for the ensuing year with a revised plan for carrying out his work. On Wednesday night the Grand Lecturer proceeded to exemplify the work in the degrees of Entered Apprentice and Master Mason assisted by the officers of Bismarck Lodge No. 16.

During the year dispensations had been issued for lodges at Bathgate, Frederick, Andover, Gettysburg, Lakota, White Lake, Mellette, Wessington Springs, Milnor, and Volga and by action of the Grand Lodge all received charters during the Communication.

The by-laws, revised by the commitee appointed at the last Annual Communication, were adopted and ordered printed in a separate pamphlet.

1887

When the thirteenth Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Dakota opened at Huron in 1887, Wiliam Blatt was presiding for the second time. Brother Charles T. McCoy was finishing his ninth year as Grand Secretary.

Brother Blatt called attention to the practice of the host lodge tendering to the Grand Lodge officers, delegates, and visitors a banquet and entertainment during the Session. With the membership increasing it had become a burden on the host lodge. A resolution was adopted saying, "This Grand Lodge will not hereafter accept an invitation to attend any banquet or other entertainment given during its Annual Communication.

Immediately after the last Communication, Brother Blatt was successful in getting Most Worshipful Brother Melvin L. Youngs, Grand Lecturer of Wisconsin, to accept temporarily the position of Grand Lecturer in Dakota. carry out the duties of Grand Lecturer in Dakota. Brother Youngs, no stranger to Dakota, made two trips into the Territory. He held thirty-four schools of instruction at which over fifty lodges had received the benefit of his exemplification. The cost to the Grand Lodge was $400.00. Brother Youngs recommended that a resident brother be trained to carry out the duties of Grand Lecturer.

Dispensations had been issued for lodges at Park River, Centerville, Hermosa, Castalia, and Lake Preston during the year and all received charters during the Communication. During the year the charter of Carrington Lodge No. 68 was suspended and the lodge closed.

LODGES

1886

• Silver Creek #46 surrendered its charter on 11/04/1885.

• Bathgate #80 (06/10/1886)
• Tuscan #81 (06/10/1886)
• Corinthian #82 (06/10/1886)
• Ionic #83 (06/10/1886)
• Euclid #84 (06/10/1886)
• White Lake #85 (06/10/1886)
• Ashlar #86 (06/10/1886)
• Frontier #87 (06/10/1886)
• Anchor #88 (06/10/1886)
• Mystic #89 (06/10/1886)

1887

• The charter for Carrington #68 was suspended in 04/1887.

• Golden Valley #90 (06/16/1887)
• Myrtle #91 (06/16/1887)
• Battle River #92 (06/16/1887)
• Doric #93 (06/16/1887) Note: the summary lists this lodge in Castalia, but it currently meets in Platte.
• Meridian #94 (06/16/1887)

Grand Masters of South Dakota