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SAMUEL AUGUSTINE BROWN 1848-1918

Grand Master of South Dakota, 1909-1910

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BIOGRAPHY

From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 82:

Samuel A. Brown was born in North Cove, McDowell County, North Carolina, June 25, 1848. He received his public school education in that area, was in private school for four years, and then attended Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia where he obtained his medical education, graduating in 1871. He spent the next thirteen years as an assistant Surgeon in the United States Navy. After his separation from the Navy, he moved to Sioux Falls, Dakota Territory, and entered into the private practice of Medicine. He married Miss Clara K. Cross of St. John, New Brunswick, on Sep­tember 11, 1875. Her death occurred on May 5, 1889. On September 21, 1896 he married Miss Susan Mary Ward of Wayland, Massachusetts. There were no children from either union.

He was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on June 21, 1887 in Minnehaha Lodge No. 5, Sioux Falls. He was a member of the York Rite Chapter, Council, and Commandery. In the Scottish Rite he had received the 33rd degree honorary. He was also a member of El Riad Shrine and the Order of the Eastern Star. He served the Grand Lodge as Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence for ten years.

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1910

Rumors of efforts to form a National or General Grand Lodge for the United States were reported to the thirty-sixth Annual Communication held in Pierre in 1910. Grand Master Samuel A. Brown recounted details of his attendance at meetings held in Baltimore and later Philadelphia which were attended by many Grand Masters. Efforts were made by individuals without authority to organize such a lodge for the United States. A special committee was appointed to study the movement and to recommend what action the Grand Lodge of South Dakota should take. They reported, "We have had the matter under consideration and deem it inexpedient to take any action on the subject at this Session." The report was accepted.

In making his sixteenth annual report, the Grand Secretary said, "I take great pleasure in congratulating the Grand Lodge upon the prosperity of our lodges, particularly in regard to membership." The following statistics were reported: Lodges in the Grand Jurisdiction - 121, Members in good stan­ding - 8,301, and net gain during the year - 666.

The Grand Master reported a busy year. Lodges at Leola, Draper, Kadoka, and Philip had been constituted, dispensations for lodges at Presho and Gregory had been issued, and cornerstones had been laid for a Masonic Temple at Huron and for the Carnegie Library at Dell Rapids.

In his report the Grand Master reported, "Three times the funeral bell has tolled for a member of the Grand Lodge since last we were together - Past Deputy Grand Master Brother William H. Miller, Sr., of Canton, Past Senior Grand Warden Brother Bligh E. Wood of Springfield and Past Grand Master Byron P. Dague of Deadwood.

A committee was appointed to draft a form of service to be used in St. John's day ceremonies.

LODGES

• Philip #153 (06/09/1909)
• Leola #154 (06/09/1909)
• Mt. Moriah #155 (06/09/1909)
• Draper #156 (06/09/1909)

Grand Masters of South Dakota