SDGMBrookmanE
EDGAR D. BROOKMAN 1855-1927
Grand Master of South Dakota, 1905-1906
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BIOGRAPHY
From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 73:
Brother Edgar D. Brookman of Vermillion was born in Fort Plain Montgomery County New York, April 12, 1855. He was one of a family of nine children. He received his education at Fort Plain.
At the age of twenty-one he married Miss Julia A. Walrath of St. Johnsville, New York. Her death occurred some five years later, and it was at this time that he came to Madison, Wisconsin; later traveling as a salesman throughout Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska. In June, 1886, he settled in Vermillion, Dakota Territory, and in 1889 he married Miss Frances Hunter of Herrington, Kansas.
In the spring of 1890, with his twin brother Edwin Brookman he established the Pearl Roller Flour Mill at Vermillion. They later installed the electric light plant of that city in connection with the roller mill and operated both until the city purchased the light plant.
He was raised to the degree of a Master Mason in Incense Lodge No. 2 at Vermillion on March 12, 1889. He received the Templar Degrees in DeMolay Commandery No. 3 at Yankton and was a charter member of Vermillion Commandery No. 16, as well as a member of Vermillion Chapter No. 21. He belonged to Oriental Consistory No. 1 in Yankton and the El Riad Shrine in Sioux Falls. He was a member of the Council serving as Grand Master.
1906
As Grand Master Brookman opened the thirty-second Annual Communication at Sioux Falls in 1906, he had words of praise for the new Masonic Temple. He said, in part, "This magnificent building, when finished, will reflect credit upon the fraternity at large. It will mark an epoch in Masonic history of South Dakota." Under State of the Craft he said, "The growth of our Order has kept pace with the splendid material development of our young state, and the future is big with promise."
His optimism was prompted by one of the largest gains in membership in several years, a net gain of 383. The total membership had reached 6,336, with 108 lodges.
At 7:30 P.M., June 12, the Grand Lodge convened for the purpose of dedicating the new Masonic Temple. Nearly twelve hundred people assembled in the auditorium for the program.
Dispensations had been issued during the year and charters granted at the Grand Session for lodges at Worthing, Doland, Parkston, Whitewood, and Bonesteel.
The Committee on Library was pleased to report that at last the valuable books and documents comprising the Grand Lodge Library were safely stored in a fire-proof room in the new Temple.
The Grand Secretary reported that some of the Jurisdictions were experiencing difficulty with clandestine Masons. As a result they were demanding more than a receipt for dues in the form of a certificate. He recommended that the subject be taken up at this Session.
During the year the Grand Lecturer, Brother Benjamin Ives had visited sixty-two lodges and held schools of instruction. The Committee on Ritual recommended that the Grand Lecturer be authorized and required to inspect the books, records, and blanks in use by each lodge and to give each secretary advice and instruction. They also recommended that the Grand Secretary be authorized to carry out his plan with reference to "Identification of visitors, and cards for receipts of dues." Both recommendations were adopted.
Evergreen Lodge No. 17, Madison, had lost its Temple, Charter, Jewels. and most of its records by fire during the year. The Grand Secretary had issued a duplicate Charter and their Grand Lodge dues were remitted for the year.
Cornerstones had been laid for a new Masonic Temple at Sioux Falls, and a new Masonic Temple had been dedicated at Lead.
LODGES
- Worthing #141 (06/12/1906)
- Doland #142 (06/12/1906)
- Parkston #143 (06/12/1906)
- Whitewood #144 (06/12/1906)
- Bonesteel #145 (06/12/1906)
