SDGMMortimerS
SAMUEL GEORGE MORTIMER 1880-1959
Grand Master of South Dakota, 1936-1937
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BIOGRAPHY
From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 142:
Samuel G. Mortimer was born at Lead, Dakota Territory, October 16, 1880, of Scottish parentage. He attended the public schools of Denver, Colorado. When Sam was fourteen years old his father bought a ranch in Wyoming he helped in the stock raising business until 1901 when he moved to Belle Fourche, South Dakota.
Over the years he served as Mayor, County Treasurer, Receiver at the United States Land Office, Postmaster, President of the Chamber of Com mt and inmany other positions, all in Belle Fourche.
In 1903 he was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Ward. They had three children, Ruth, Dorothy, and George.
On December 15, 1902, he was made a Mason in Cedar Lodge No. 124, Belle Fourche. He was a member of the York Rite Bodies, Chapter, Council and Commandery. He also held membership in the Scottish Rite Bodies, the Eastern Star and the Shrine.
1937
"The District Deputy system has developed into a splendid medium with which to furnish assistance and instruction to the constituent lodges. By their unselfish efforts in carrying out the Masonic programs outlined for the benefit of the lodges, these brethren have been instrumental in bringing about a better understanding and closer contact between the Grand Lodge and the constituent bodies, as well as improving the ritualistic proficiency of the officers." These were the words of Grand Master Samuel G. Mortimer as he opened the sixty-third Annual Communication at Aberdeen in 1937.
He in like terms thanked the Board of Custodians for their extra effort in preparing the new Monitor as it was a great improvement over the last work. Brother W. D. Swain, in his first report as Grand Secretary, reported a total of 176 chartered lodges, with a membership of 15,495, a decrease from the previous year of 553 members. Atwood Lodge No. 147 at Colman surrendered its charter during the year.
Brother Swain reported further, "We have kept within our appropriations made for the year and have no unpaid bills from this or prior years."
The Board of Trustees reported that the Grand Charity Fund totalled $213,524.75. They also pointed out that only the earnings from these in vested funds, together with a certain portion of the dues received from the lodges, makes up what is known as the Temporary Fund which is used for charity. Due to the extra heavy demands on charity cases for the past several years, additional funds had to be transferred from the Grand Charity Fund to bolster the Temporary Fund. They hoped to discontinue this practice as soon as possible. T e committee recommended that for the coming year the Grand Lodge appropriate $730.00 per month or a total of $8,650.00 for charity.
The Trustees also recommended that changes be made in the Grand iod e dist:ricts by increasing the number from twenty-five to twenty-eight. Their entire report was unanimously adopted.
The Board of Custodians reviewed Past Grand Master M. E. Crockett's Program of Proficiency for the lodges as outlined by him as Grand Master. They agreed it was an important suggestion but said further, "Grand Lodge needs a Grand Lecturer. We believe that in no other way can our lodges get the training they need, and in no other way can we get the desired uniformity in the work."
A Masonic banquet was held in the Presbyterian Church at 7:00 P.M., June 8th at which over 300 Masons participated. The address of the evening was by Brother Frank L. Eversull, President of Huron College.
The Committee on Masonic Activities outlined their program for the coming year. As in the past they designated a special program for each month. The program and information was to be carried into the lodges by the District Deputy Grand Masters. In their report they said, "The brethren are beginning to learn that Masonic recovery is a one-man job. It is your job. It is my job. It is every Mason's job and responsibility. It's a man's job to put Masonry on its feet when the six-year fog of depression and crop failures is hiding what the future holds. 'Men Wanted' is the slogan for this drive toward recovery."
