SDGMAyresG
GEORGE VINCENT AYRES 1852=1939
Grand Master of South Dakota, 1889-1890
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BIOGRAPHY
From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 43:’'
Brother George V. Ayres was born November 1, 1852, on a farm in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania. His family moved to Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and finally settled in Nebraska near Beatrice. He received his education in Beatrice and in 1870 entered a drugstore to learn the business. In 1876 he got the Black Hills fever and migrated to Custer City, Dakota Territory. He eventually settled in Deadwood where he entered the hardware business.
Brother Ayres was twice married. On April 23, 1885, he married Miss Kate Towle in Beatrice, Nebraska. She passed away on March 28, 1892, in Deadwood. On December 21, 1898, he married Miss Myrtle Coon of Omaha, Nebraska. From the two marriages five children were born.
He was made a Mason in Beatrice Lodge No. 26, Beatrice, Nebraska, on June 27, 1874. On November 7, 1882, he affiliated with Deadwood Lodge No. 7, Deadwood. He was a member of all the York Rite Bodies, serving as Grand High Priest in 1896. His membership also included the Scottish Rite and the Shrine. He served as Potentate of Naja Shrine Temple in 1897. He served as Grand Commander in 1899.
Brother Ayres was prominent and active in civic, political, and Masonic affairs of his day. He will always be remembered for having established the Grand Charity and Widows' and Orphans' Funds of the Grand Lodge of Dakota, A. F. and A. M. Grand Masters Ayres' concern over such funds was deep-seated. He had felt for a long time that the Masons had made no provisions for the relief of poor and distressed brethren or their widows and orphans. In order to start the program, the Grand Master personally subscribed $50.00, $25.00 to the Grand Charity Fund and $25.00 to the Widows' and Orphans' Fund. In addition, the Grand Master sent a letter to each lodge asking each member to contribute to the funds. To further aid in building up the funds, it was decided to set aside five percent of the receipts of the Grand Lodge. This concern and plan was presented to members of the Grand Lodge at the Annual Communication at Madison in 1890 by Grand Master George V. Ayres.
1890
The Grand Secretary reported that when the Grand Lodge of North Dakota was organized, the total membership in this Jurisdiction was reduced from 4,595 to 3,252. During the year with an increase of 129 members, the membership grew to 3,381.
The constitution was amended to change the name from the Grand Lodge of Dakota to the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of South Dakota.
The following resolution was approved:
"That this Grand Lodge recommend to each particular lodge under this Jurisdiction that it shall require that each brother raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason shall appear in open lodge and pass a satisfactory examination as to his proficiency in the third degree within two months after such raising, unless further time be granted by vote of the lodge."
At the request of the Grand Army of the Republic of South Dakota a special Communication was held to lay the cornerstone of the Soldiers' Home in Hot Springs.
Lodges had been constituted at Claremont, St. Thomas, Inkster, and Oakes. Dispensations had been issued for lodges at Wessington and Eureka and charters issued during the Session.
Due to the formation of the Grand Lodge of North Dakota, several numbers were left vacant in South Dakota. The Grand Master proposed and the Grand Lodge approved that the vacant numbers be assigned to new lodges as they were chartered.
