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'''Grand Master of South Dakota, 1928-1929''' | '''Grand Master of South Dakota, 1928-1929''' | ||
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=== BIOGRAPHY === | === BIOGRAPHY === | ||
Latest revision as of 21:49, 12 June 2025
ST. CLAIR SMITH 1889-1977
Grand Master of South Dakota, 1928-1929
BIOGRAPHY
From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 123:
St. Clair Smith, the fifty-fifth Grand Master of Masons of South Dakota, enjoyed the distinction ot being one of the youngest men so honored by the fraternity in South Dakota. He was a native son born in Brown County in 1889.
He received his preliminary education in the Aberdeen Public Schools and graduated from Northern State Teachers College of Aberdeen in 1909. In 1912 he received his L.L.B. degree from George Washington University in Washington D.C. He then established a law practice in Aberdeen.
He was married to Miss Catherine C. Fagg on May 21, 1920. He was a member of the Methodist Church.
Brother Smith was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on December 28, 1915,in Aberdeen Lodge No. 38. He received his capitular degrees in Aberdeen in 1925.
1929
The advisability of creating degrees and rites predicated upon the Blue Lodge was questioned by Grand Master St. Clair Smith in his report to the fifty-fifth Annual Communication held m Mitchell in 1929. He said, "We rest our whole structure on a foundation of Brotherhood. Yet, by following the course of creating subsidiary bodies, to which a brother must be elected and for which he pays a separate fee, we divide ourselves. The very spirit of Brotherhood demands that all share equally in the fruits of the fraternity. These considerations cause me to conclude that the tendency to create degrees should be discouraged and that the best interests of the Craft as a whole will be served if the Brethren rededicate themselves as Master Masons and give an increased proportion of their time, thought, and energy to the activities of Symbolic Masonry." Lack of close ties with the constituent lodges and a loose control of the finances were seen as weaknesses by the Grand Master. He concluded that this Grand Body, as the responsible head of Freemasonry in the State, must recognize itself for work throughout the year rather than exercise supervision once a year at the Annual Communication.
To carry out the reorganization, he proposed that the fiscal affairs of the body be placed in control of the Trustees, that the office of a Grand Lecturer be again created, that a Board of District Deputies be created, and a_ Board of General Activities be added. The Grand Lodge approved all of his recommendations except the creation of the office of Grand Lecturer.
The Committee on Necrology reported that 257 brethren had ceased their labors including three Past Grand Masters, William Blatt, William H. Roddle, J. Q. A. Braden, and J.C. Bryan, Past Grand Treasurer.
The Grand Secretary reported that Past Grand Master George O. Goodman had been appointed Assistant Grand Secretary.
New Masonic Temples had been dedicated at Pierre and Humboldt an a dispensation had been issued for a new lodge at Mound City. The Committee on Monument reported that the ground had been leveled and enclosed, walks had been laid out, stone had been set up, and all that was needed for completion was a retaining wall.
LODGES
None.
