SDGMThomsonJ
JOHN NORMAN THOMSON 1899-1982
Grand Master of South Dakota, 1968-1969
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BIOGRAPHY
From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 210:
John N. Thomson, the ninety-fifth Grand Master of Masons of South Dakota, was born in Centerville, Turner County, South Dakota, January 30, 1899.
He received his grade and high school education in Centerville. He then attended and graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1921.
On November 9, 1927, he married Miss Murel Wanamaker. They have a son John, a daughter Martha, and five grandchildren.
He was employed by the Bank of Centerville in 1921 and was connected with the same bank until his retirement. He served as Treasurer of the State of South Dakota in 1942.
He became a member of Myrtle Lodge No. 91, Centerville, on December 15, 1922. He became a member of Oriental Consistory, Yankton, in 1923 and is a member of El Riad Shrine in Sioux Falls.
Brother Thomson has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M., of South Dakota since 1938, serving even during his year as Grand Master.
1969
Meeting in Sioux Falls, the Grand Lodge heard Grand Master John N. Thomson outline what his program for the year had been. He had called it, "To set the Craft at work." This had been a recovery program aimed at regaining those who had been suspended for nonpayment of dues and those who had received one or two degrees and had progressed no further. He also had emphasized the importance of Brotherly Love and Relief in our lodges and the assistance that our Grand Lodge Charity Fund is giving to the poor and distressed worthy brothers of our lodges.
In his report Brother John Rowe, Grand Treasurer-Secretary, called attention to Rowe's Ramblin's, a publication he is sending to the lodges to keep the brothers better informed on meetings in their areas, along with other news of the Grand Lodge. He also reported, "Masons of South Dakota have been responsible for providing approximately $638,000.00 in charity since our birth as a Grand Lodge some 95 years ago." Of this amount, $33,174.00 had been spend for charity during the past year.
The Master and Wardens of Zenith Lodge No. 202 of Tulare were presented at the altar and recognized as having had their three principal officers present each year for the past twenty-five.
Due to increasing costs, the Grand Master urged an increase of $250.00 m the appropriation to the Centennial Committee. The Finance Committee approved the request.
The special Commission of Masonic Education named in 1968 became a permanent committee and its membership increased to eight members by action of the Grand Lodge.
On October 19, 1968, Grand Master Thomson and his Officers had laid the cornerstone and had dedicated the new Masonic Temple at Keystone.
The annual banquet was attended by 430 Masons and their ladies. Grand Master Thomson served as toastmaster. The Grand Orator, Brother Karl E. Mundt, United States Senator from South Dakota, gave a very inspiring message, "Masonry and Americanism."
