SDGMSargentW
WILLIAM F. SARGENT 1877-1947
Grand Master of South Dakota, 1929-1930
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BIOGRAPHY
From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 126:
William F. Sargent, the fifty-sixth Grand Master of Masons of South Dakota was born at Maquoketa, Iowa, August 6, 1877. His education was received in the grade and high schools of Yankton, South Dakota.
Brother Sargent learned the pr•nters trade.m the office of the old Dakota Herald of Yankton. Later he was employed by the Press and Dakotan and finally became the president of Hughes-Sargent Press Incorporated, commercial printers.
On April 30, 1928, he was married to Miss Grace W. Milliken of Yankton. He was a member of the Episcopal Church.
He was made a Mason in St. John's Lodge No. 1, Yankton, on March 31, 1902. He was exalted in Yankton Chapter No. 1, Royal Arch Masons and was knighted in DeMolay Commandery No. 3, also of Yankton. He was a member of Oriental Consistory No. 1, Yankton, havmg received the 33rd degree honorary in 1923. He was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
1930
As Grand Master Sargent opened the fifty-sixth Annual Communication at Rapid City in 1930, he called attention to some areas of concern. He said, "I believe the time has come when this Grand Lodge should adopt a larger program. We are expecting the business of our Grand Lodge to be run on practically the same income it had twenty years ago. When you take into consideration the fact that the expenses of this body have increased over one hundred per cent during this period, you will easily see the difficulty that confronts us." He related further, "For the past years I have watched, •with growing concern, the springing up of new organizations which predicate their membership on Freemasonry. I have nothing against the purposes of these organizations. They are composed of brethren who are undoubtedly trying to do some good. The danger lies in the fact that these organizations will tend to split up Masonry." He further suggested that a Committee on Membership be appointed in constituent lodges to check into the cases of "suspension for non-payment of dues."
The Grand Secretary suggested that the incoming Grand Master appoint a committee of three to look into the matter of dual memberships in the constituent lodges and report to the Grand Lodge at the Annual Meeting in 1931.
The records showed a total of 177 chartered lodges with a membership of 19,885, a net gain of 106 new members for the year.
The system of District Deputies, as ordered by the last Annual Communication, had been organized with the Grand Jurisdiction being divided into twenty-four districts. A District Deputy Grand Master·was appointed for each district.
Acting on authority from the last Grand Lodge, the Board of General Acvities had be]en organized. The members appointed ware Brother George Goodman, Brother St. Clair Smith, and Brother Enos G. Jones.
The Grand Secretary, Brother George A. Pettigrew, was taken completely by surprise when he was conducted to the Altar and presented a 50-year medal. This medal was due to be presented in four more days which covered the full fifty years, during which time he had served as Grand Secretary for thirty-five years.
Dispensations had been issued for new lodges at Stickney and Morristown, a lodge had been constituted at Mound City, and a new Masonic Temple had been dedicated at Eagle Butte.
The Grand Secretary suggested that some consideration be given to reviving the Grand Lodge Bulletin as only one issue, August 1, 1929, had been printed.
It had been the custom of the Grand Lodge to present each outgoing Grand Master with a suitable Jewel. During this Communication a special Committee on the Grand Master's Jewel reported, "We have selected a design for a Grand Master's apron and recommend that, hereafter, the apron be presented to the incoming Grand Master at the time of his installation. We have also selected a Past Grand Master's lapel button to be presented upon the completion of his year of service." The report was adopted.
