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THOMAS HENDERSON BROWN 1836-1922
Grand Master of Dakota, 1875-1876
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BIOGRAPHY
From The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975, Page 20:
Thomas H. Brown, the first Grand Master of Masons of Dakota, was born in Portobello, England, August 17, 1836. He came to this country with his parents when he was 11 years of age. He lived in Wisconsin at New Diggings, Shullsburg, Calamine, and Broadhead. After growing to manhood in Wisconsin, he joined the Union Army in 1861 where he served until 1865. After spending one and a half years mining in Montana, he returned to Wisconsin where he engaged in the hardware business in Brodhead. In October 1872, he and his wife moved to Sioux Falls, Dakota Territory. Over the years he engaged in many endeavors but is probably best known for the firm of Brown & Saenger, Book and Stationers, which he founded. In addition he was a civic and community leader.
In the year 1867 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Mores. They were the parents of three sons, Marshall, Oscar, and Henry.
He was made a Master Mason in Bicknell Lodge No. 94, Brodhead, Wisconsin, April 12, 1864, by receiving all three degrees of dispensation from the Grand Master of Wisconsin. He was a charter member of Minnehaha Lodge No. 5, Sioux Falls. He belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star. He was a member of Oriental Consistory No. 1, Yankton, later transferring to Occidental Consistory No. 2 at Sioux Falls. He was a member of the El Riad Shrine Temple, Sioux Falls.
The Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge met in Yankton on June 13, 1876, with Grand Master Thomas Henderson Brown presiding. Representatives from all six chartered lodges were present - http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=SDStJohn1 St. John's Lodge No. 1], Yankton; Incense Lodge No. 2, Vermillion; Elk Point Lodge No. 3, Elk Point; Silver Star Lodge No. 4, Canton; Minnehaha Lodge No. 5, Sioux Falls; and Mount Zion Lodge No. 6, Springfield.
In his address the Grand Master said, "It is the province of the Grand Lodge to select for the use of the lodges under its jurisdiction a form of work that will best teach the sublime truths which are basic to our Order, and which will at the same time secure the greatest possible degree of harmony between the lodges. If the ceremony used impresses the mind with a reverence for the truth conveyed and engages the attention to our solemn rites, it becomes not only a power for good but an interesting object for study as to the manner m rwhich 1t may be made conducive to still greater good."
The Grand Master was deeply concerned by the failure of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota to answer correspondence from the Grand Lodge of Dakota, or to recognize the existence of such a Grand Lodge and recommended that further steps be taken to remove the barrier between the two Grand Lodges.
The Committee on Jurisprudence submitted a code for "trials and punishment" which was adopted and 200 copies were ordered printed.
A committee was appointed to draw up a form of standard by-laws for lodges under dispensation and chartered lodges within the jurisdiction and report to the next Meeting of the Grand Lodge.
The committee appointed "on Orator" reported that Reverend Brother Melancthon Hoyt would deliver the address.
Brother Franklin J. DeWitt was elected as Grand Master but declined because of "impaired health." Another ballot was taken and Brother H. H. Blair was elected.
The Grand Treasurer submitted his report showing annual expenses of $92.00 and receipts from the lodges of $181.37.
