Difference between revisions of "SDGMEricksonI"
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Brother Erickson married Miss Evelyn Ellen Lehan of Sioux City on July 14, 1921. They had one daughter, Bettilou. | Brother Erickson married Miss Evelyn Ellen Lehan of Sioux City on July 14, 1921. They had one daughter, Bettilou. | ||
| − | Brother Erickson became a Mason in [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=SDIncense2 Incense Lodge No. 2], Vermillion on July 1, 1915. The Capitular Degrees were received in Vermillion Chapter No. 21, and the Commandery in Vermillion Commandery No. 16. He belonged to the Eastern Star in | + | Brother Erickson became a Mason in [http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=SDIncense2 Incense Lodge No. 2], Vermillion on July 1, 1915. The Capitular Degrees were received in Vermillion Chapter No. 21, and the Commandery in Vermillion Commandery No. 16. He belonged to the Eastern Star in Vermillion, Abu Bekr Shrine Temple in Sioux City, Iowa, and Oriental Consistory No. 1, Yankton. |
=== 1943 === | === 1943 === | ||
Latest revision as of 14:06, 6 April 2025
IRWIN REYNOLD ERICKSON 1894-1973
Grand Master of South Dakota, 1942-1943
picture
BIOGRAPHY
From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 156:
Irwin R. Erickson was born at Vermillion, Clay County, South Dakota, March 17, 1894. After an elementary school education in Clay County, he followed the profession of farming. Later he took special work at the University High School and entered the School of Law at the University of South Dakota. In 1932 he pursued the practice of law in Vermillion.
Brother Erickson married Miss Evelyn Ellen Lehan of Sioux City on July 14, 1921. They had one daughter, Bettilou.
Brother Erickson became a Mason in Incense Lodge No. 2, Vermillion on July 1, 1915. The Capitular Degrees were received in Vermillion Chapter No. 21, and the Commandery in Vermillion Commandery No. 16. He belonged to the Eastern Star in Vermillion, Abu Bekr Shrine Temple in Sioux City, Iowa, and Oriental Consistory No. 1, Yankton.
1943
"It is with mixed feelings of happiness, sadness, and regret that I appear before this sixty-ninth Annual Communication of this Grand Lodge. We are saddened by the knowledge of suffering and misery born by our brothers, their families and friends, in nations torn by war, crushed for the moment under the relentless heel of dictators. We have sorrow and tragedy in American homes, resulting from participation in the most terrible struggle of all times." These were the words of Grand Master Erickson as he opened the sixty-ninth Annual Meeting at Aberdeen in 1943.
In spite of the many problems brought on by the war, the membership increased by 236 for the year. The charter of Ark Lodge No. 198 at Letcher had been arrested during the year.
The three Masonic Service Centers at Rapid City, Sioux Falls, and Sturgis were operating well which prompted the Grand Master to say, "This is the finest work ever undertaken by the Masons of this Grand Jurisdiction." These centers had been established by the Masonic Service Association and each was staffed with a field agent. The average cost of operating a center was $8,500.00 for one year. To partially reimburse the Masonic Service Association each constituent lodge was asked for $1.00 per member.
The Grand Lodge was now holding a banquet during the evening of the first day of the Communication. Over 400 Masons and guests listened to the address of the evening by Most Worshipful Brother Karl J. Mohr, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Illinois.
The Committee on Monument asked to be discharged as the monument ite was now under the care of the city park system. The Grand Treasurer was instructed to send the maintenance check of $25.00 directly to the City of Vermillion.
The Grand Master in his recommendations asked that the Board of General Activities make a survey of the costs and mechanics of publishing a Grand Lodge bulletin and report the findings at the next Annual Commumcation.
