SDGMKutnewskyJ
JOHN K. KUTNEWSKY 1858-1957
Grand Master of South Dakota, 1925-1926
picture
BIOGRAPHY
From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 118:
John K. Kutnewsky, the fifty-second Grand Master of Masons of South Dakota. was born April 20, 1858, in Groveland, Tazewell County, Illinois. He was educated in the public schools of that city, at the University of Illinois. and was graduated from Rush Medical College in 1882.
After practicing medicine in Groveland for a time, he moved to Redfield, Dakota Territory, where he established a practice in 1884. In 1901 he was appointed Superintendent of the State School and Home for the Feeble Minded at Redfield.
He was united in marriage to Miss Etta Kincaid at Athens, Illinois, on May 4, 1882. One son, Walter, and one daughter, Edna, completed the family.
He was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in Redfield Lodge No. 34, Redfield, on January 26, 1886. He received the Capitular degrees in Redfield Chapter No. 20; the Cryptic degrees in Huron Council; and the vows of Christian Knighthood in Huston Commandery, Redfield. He was elected Grand High Priest of 1905. He was also a member of Yelduz Shrine Temple in Aberdeen.
1926
When Grand Master Kutnewsky opened the fifty-second Annual Communication at Yankton in 1926, it was on a note of sadness. Not only had 171 brothers passed on but so had three well-known and very active Past Grand Masters, George A. Johnston, Charles L. Brockway, and John L. Turner.
The number of chartered lodges had reached 170 and the total membership 19,632 with a net gain for the year of 336 members. A Grand Orator was not always included in the list of Grand Officers, but Brother Charles S. Hall had been appointed Grand Orator for that particular year. He presented an inspiring and well-received oration entitled "Leaders of Light" at the Annual Communication.
The Grand Master was concerned about the apparent lack of instruction in some of the lodges and a report of the Board of Custodians pointed up the reason. Only 42 visits were made by the Custodians with 37 being made by one member.
It was resolved that support of the Order of DeMolay be continued by the Grand Lodge and the subordinate lodges of this jurisdiction.
