SDGMGiffordO

From MasonicGenealogy
Revision as of 21:27, 12 June 2025 by Hotc1733 (Talk | contribs)

(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to: navigation, search

OSCAR S. GIFFORD 1842-1913

Grand Master of Dakota, 1882-1884

GiffordO.jpg

BIOGRAPHY

From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 31:’’

Oscar S. Gifford, the ninth Grand Master of Masons of Dakota, was born October 20, 1864, in Watertown, New York. While yet young, he ac­companied his parents upon their removal to Rock County, Wisconsin, but subsequently lived with his maternal grandfather, David Ressequie, in the Adirondack Mountains in New York. In 1853 he moved with his parents to Boone County, Illinois, and in October, 1871, he settled in Canton, Lincoln County Dakota Territory.

He received a common school education which was supplemented by attendance at the Beloit Wisconsin Academy. After serving in the Army, he entered upon the study of law and in 1871 was admitted to the bar. In June, 1875, he entered into a law partnership with Mark W. Bailey. He was in­terested in civic, community, state, and national activities, having served in the United States Congress for several terms. The question concerning the division of Dakota and admission of North and South Dakota as States were the most important measures before Congress while Brother Gifford was a member thereof, and it was largely through his efforts, aided by the sen­timents of his constituents, that Dakota was divided and two states formed from the immense territory.

He was married in May, 1874, to Miss Phoebe M. Fuller.

He was made a Mason in Silver Star Lodge No. 4, Canton, on October 27, 1877. He was very active Masonically in the State, serving as Grand Master for two terms.

1883

The ninth Annual Communication was held in Rapid City in 1883 under a veil of optimism. In opening the meeting Grand Master Gifford said, "There is greater interest in the Craft in all portions of the jurisdiction. The desire to establish lodges in new towns and settlements reflects great credit on the members of the Order. The condition of the Craft in this jurisdiction is prosperous to a high degree, and its growth and propriety is keeping pace with the remarkable and almost unparalleled development of the Territory."

At the beginning of the year Grand Master Gifford appointed Brother I. K. Buck as Grand Lecturer to carry out the wishes of the last Grand Lodge and to unify the work under the Webb system. During the year Brother Buck held schools of instruction in thirty different localities, and everywhere reported a desire to conform to the work. However, a work could not be adopted that would satisfy all parties involved and, as a result, the lodges above the 46th Parallel were exempted from the adoption of the work. The prevailing sen­timent among them being that no lodge desired to change its work until required to do so. A resolution was presented and adopted repealing any resolution dealing with exemption of the work in any part of the jurisdiction and again stating that Webb Work was to be the adopted work of the whole jurisdiction.

Dispensations had been issued during the year for lodges at Ashton, Alexandria, Aberdeen, St. Lawrence, Redfield, Lemmon, Dell Rapids, Lisbon, Clark, Columbia, Kimball, Howard, Grafton, and Forestburg. Charters were granted to all at the Session.

A cornerstone had been laid during the year for the Rapid City High School. Masonic Temples had been dedicated at Bismarck and Grand Forks.

Appropriations were allowed in the amounts of $500.00 to the Grand Sc􀁀rctary per annum for his services, $500.00 to the Grand Lecturer for travel expenses, and $400.00 for mileage to the members and representatives in attendance at the Session of the Grand Lodge.

Public installation of the Officers was held at 8:00 P.M. on June 15, 1883.

1884

Most Worshipful Brother Oscar S. Gifford had been re-elected Grand Master and the tenth Annual Communication was held at Aberdeen in 1884. A typical Communication of the Grand Lodge in the 1880's lasted for at least three days. The meeting in 1883 lasted until 10:00 P.M. on the fourth day. The Communication opened with 53 lodges represented. This was the largest representation ever for the Grand Lodge. A banquet under the sponsorship of the Grand Lodge was not a practice of the time.

During the year the Grand Lecturer had visited 52 lodges and held 40 schools of instruction north of the 46th parallel as well as below it. Six hundred dollars was appropriated to continue the office.

The sum of $869.22 was appropriated to pay mileage to the members and representatives at this Communication. A recommendation was made that at the next Annual Communication the Officers, the permanent members, and one delegate from each subordinate lodge would be paid mileage at the same rate as at the present Session and, in addition, this same group would be paid a per diem of two dollars for each day's actual attendance.

Cornerstones had been laid for Masonic Temples at Sioux Falls and Ashton, as well as for buildings at the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks and at Spearfish Normal at Spearfish.

Dispensations had been issued for lodges at Steele, Sanborn, Scotland, Iroquois, Webster, DeSmet, Chamberlain, Elkton, Wahpeton, Larimore, Minto, and Plankinton. During the Communication charters were approved for these lodges.

For the first time a fund of $200.00 was appropriated for the expenses of the Grand Master during the coming year.

At the close of the Communication a resolution was introduced and adopted to procure a Past Grand Master's Jewel and present it to outgoing Grand Master Gifford.

LODGES

1883

  • Note: "Lodge in Lemmon" may be Lennox #35.
  • Note: Lodges 47-50 do not appear in the 1883 session description.

1884


Wikipedia entry

Grand Masters of South Dakota

Retrieved from "http://masonicgenealogy.com/MediaWiki/index.php?title=SDGMGiffordO&oldid=70982"