SDGMVoorheesS
SIDNEY C. VOORHEES 1893-1965
Grand Master of South Dakota, 1954-1955
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BIOGRAPHY
From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 182:
Sidney C. Voorhees was born in Meade County, South Dakota, on a ranch between Sturgis and Whitewood on June 1, 1893. He attended elementary schools in Sturgis, Lead, and Palo Alto, California, and graduated from high school in Deadwood. For many years he resided on a farm near Sturgis.
Brother Voorhees was a public servant most of his adult life in the Sturgis area. He served as Register of Deeds, County Auditor, and County Assessor and in other related offices.
He was married on October 19, 1914, to Miss Bessie Leland Lambert at Sturgis. They had six sons and one daughter. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.
He became a Mason in Deadwood Lodge No. 7 on December 29, 1914. He affiliated with Whitewood Lodge No. 144_ on April 12, 1919,· and from there to Olive Branch Lodge No. 47 of Sturgis on May 5, 1926. He was a member of the York Rite Bodies in Lead, being Exalted in Dakota Chapter No. 3, Knighted in Dakota Commandery No. 1, and Greeted in Black Hills Council No. 3. He served as Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council. He belongs to the Consistory at Aberdeen and Naja Shrine Temple in Deadwood. He is a member of Matopaha Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, of Sturgis. Brother Voorhees was pleased and proud to have had the opportunity to raise his five sons in Olive Branch Lodge. His sixth son is deceased.
1955
As Grand Master Voorhees opened the eighty-first Annual Communication at Mitchell in 1955, he said, "I have at all times given the Worshipful Masters of the lodges credit due them. They work for the good of Masonry without any thought of compensation or reward. It is through them that the candidates get the first impression of Masonry and lay the foundation for better Masons."
Of the 169 chartered lodges in the state, 120 were represented at the Meeting. The membership had increased by 288 to a total membership of 20,348 for the year. Fifty-two 50-year medals, one 60-year palm, and four Distinguished Service Awards had been authorized.
Masonic Temples had been dedicated at Custer, Hermosa, and Dupree during the year.
The by-laws were amended to include a retirement benefit plan for employees of the Grand Lodge.
The Board of Custodians recommended and were supported by the Grand Lodge that the School of Instruction held at the Annual Meeting be again held on Monday night instead of Monday morning so more could attend.
At the annual banquet the Grand Orator Brother Robert F. Patterson, spoke on the subject Sunshine Patriots and Summer Soldiers.
Three hundred forty-eight brothers had passed to the lodge on High during the year. Among these were Past Grand Master Marshall R. Brown and Past Grand Master Owen H. Williams.
A dinner meeting of Washington Lodge No. 111, White, dated April 4, 1955 appears to be the beginning of the only Table Lodge in South Dakota. The name and makeup were adopted in 1956 and one session has been held each year since.
