SDGMSmithC
CHARLES C. SMITH 1883-1961
Grand Master of South Dakota, 1939-1940
BIOGRAPHY
From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 150:
Brother Charles C. Smith, the sixty-sixth Grand Master of Masons in South Dakota, was born in Melvin, Ford County, Illinois, November 19, 1883. He received his elementary and high school education in Melvin. He graduated from the Palmer School of Chiropractic at Davenport, Iowa. He practiced his profession in Watertown, South Dakota. . . On January 1, 1907, he married Miss Irene A. Bond of Melvin, Illmois. This union was blessed with two daughters.
He was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in Melvin Lodge No. 811, Melvin, Illinois, August 23, 1912. He affiliated with Kampeska Lodge No. 13 at Watertown, South Dakota, on February 7, 1922. He was a member of the York Rite, Chapter, Council, and Commandery. He was a member of the Eastern Star and El Riad Shrine Temple, Sioux Falls.
1940
"I am very pleased to report that every one of our twenty-eight District Deputy Grand Masters have worked untiringly through this year. They have been courteously received by the constituent lodges, and much credit should be tendered them for the renewed vigor, progress, and inspiration of Masonry in our Grand Jurisdiction. Your Grand Master feels deeply indebted and appreciates their cooperation, and the many courtesies extended and pleasures it has been his lot to enjoy while working with them the past year." These were the words of Grand Master Charles C. Smith as he presided at the opening of the sixty-sixth Annual Communication at Watertown in 1940.
The Grand Master reported that he had visited every district in the state and some a second time. From his many visits he reported that general conditions in Masonry throughout the state were showing improvement. The year-end report showed no charters being surrendered, and that the net loss of members was at 116 which was the lowest number in years.
The Committee on the George Washington National Memorial reported that the constituent lodges were now responding with donations to help pay the Grand Lodge's share of the Memorial. They recommended that one dollar be collected in the future from each new member raised.
The supply of Rituals and Monitors was depleted and the Board of Custodians were revising both before reprinting. They were adding a flag ceremony, a funeral ceremony, and a ceremony of presentation for 50-year medals.
The by-laws were further amended and ordered printed. The office of Grand Historian as created for the first time by the Grand Lodge. At the same time the duties were spelled out for the Grand Historian.
During the year cornerstones had been laid for the Methodist Church in Webster and for the United States Post Office in Spearfish.
Masonic Education was becoming more important in the Grand Lodge with the General Activities Committee compiling a booklet, Masonry, An Introduction. This booklet was to be distributed to the lodges throughout the state. Up to this time most of the education material used came from the Masonic Service Association.
The banquet had now become a part of the Grand Lodge activities and was held at 6:30 P.M. on Tuesday evening. The speaker of the evening was Past Grand Master and present Grand Secretary, Walter L. Stockwell of North Dakota.
At 2:30 P.M. on the last day of the meeting, Brother David Graham, Grand Orator, delivered a thoughtful and inspiring address which was well received and greatly appreciated.
