SDGMAllenW
WILLIAM C. ALLEN 1845-
Grand Master of South Dakota, 1894-1895
picture
BIOGRAPHY
From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 52:
Brother William Allen was born in New Castle, County of Durham, Ontario, Canada November 15, 1845.
The only schooling he had was in the public schools of Canada until he was fifteen years of age. In 1861 his family moved to Columbia County, Wisconsin. He lived on a farm for some time, then moved to town where for several years he worked in an Abstract Office. In 1880 he moved to the area of Groton, Dakota Territory where he engaged in farming. He later became a dealer in lumber, hardware, and machinery in Groton. During this period he was studying law and in 1890 was admitted to the bar.
He was married December 25, 1876, at Portage, Wisconsin, to Miss Sarah T. Carr from which union there were born two sons. After the death of his wife, he married Miss Edna J. Jewett at Woodstock, Illinois, January 16, 1878 and from this union there were also two sons.
Brother Allen was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in Neilsville Lodge No. 163, Wisconsin, on December 19, 1872. He demitted December 1, 1881 and was a charter member and the first Master of Groton Lodge No. 65, Groton, Dakota Territory, on June 14, 1884. He was a member of Black River Falls Chapter No. 14, W1sconsm; Chippewa Commandery No. 8, Wisconsin; and a charter member of South Dakota Consistory No. 4, Aberdeen.
1895
Brother' Allen presided over the twenty-first Annual Grand Lodge Communication held in Representative Hall, State House, in the city of Pierre in 1895.
The Grand Secretary, Brother George A. Pettigrew, said in his first report that work was well under way to compile a record showing initiations, passings, raisings, affiliations, demissions, suspensions, expulsions, and deaths in all constituent lodges. Since Brother Pettigrew lived in Flandreau, it was necessary to move the Grand Lodge Library from Aberdeen to Flandreau.
At the last Annual Communication Brother L. G. Levoy was appointed Librarian to take charge of the Grand Lodge Library. This was clearly in conflict with the Grand Lodge by-laws which say, "The Grand Secretary by virtue of his office, is hereby constituted Grand Librarian." Brother Levoy cited the by-laws and, believing his appointment as Librarian to be unconstitutional, asked that the office be left with the Grand Secretary. The Grand Lodge Committee on Library concurred.
Three handsome myrtle wood gavels, a gift from Brother T. R. Willard, Coquille City, Oregon, were received and were being used for the first time by the Grand Lodge Officers.
The Gran. Master appointed Past Grand Master William Blatt to represent the Grand Lodge at the Centennial anniversary observance of Brother George Washington's death. This was to be held at Mount Vernon, Virginia, December 17, 1899.
In consideration of the many favors received at the hands of Most Worshipful Brother T. S. Parvin, Grand Secretary of Iowa, he was made an honorary member of the Grand Lodge of South Dakota.
The Committee on Ritual presented a recommendation which was adopted, "that the Grand Lecturer system be continued and that this Grand Lodge do appropriate a sufficient amount to enable our Grand Lecturer to hold at least twenty-five schools."
During the year dispensations had been issued for lodges at Canistota, Hurley, Hudson, Yankton, and Fort Pierre. They received their charters at this Annual Communication
