SDGMGoodmanG
GEORGE O. GOODMAN 1879-1956
Grand Master of South Dakota, 1927-1928
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BIOGRAPHY
From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 121:
George Oscar Goodman, the fifty-fourth Grand Master of Masons of South Dakota, was born at Winona, Minnesota, October 5, 1879, and came to South Dakota as a youth.
He attended the public schools and graduated from the Watertown High School. He graduated from the Northwestern University School of Dentistry in 1902. In 1903 he 1ocated in Milbank where he engaged in the practice of Dentistry.
He was married in 1915 to Miss Lula M. Johnson of Parker. The had one son, George Jr.
He became a Mason in Milbank Lodge No. 20 on December 20, 1904. He was a Royal Arch Mason, a Scottish Rite Mason, a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and a Shriner.
1928
As Grand Master Goodman opened the fifty-fourth Annual Communication at Sioux Falls in June, 1928, he began his address by saying, "Another year with its sunshine and its shadows, its laughter and its tears has gone carrying with its many tender memories." He stated further, "At this time I would call your attention to the death of Colonel P. F. McClure on May 24 at Rapid City. Colonel McClure left this Grand Lodge a very large bequest and we are to act as the trustee of the entire estate."
Because each Grand Master while in office had never had the satisfaction of wearing a suitable jewel in keeping with the office, the Grand Master reported, "I purchased such a jewel and do now present it to the Grand Lodge. It is my wish that it be passed on to each incoming Grand Master." The Board of Trustees reported that the income from the Grand Charity Fund was not enough to take care of the permanent relief cases. They had an income of $7,900.00 and had already spent $8,700.00. A proposal was made to levy a special assessment of one dollar per capita to be used for relief pur poses. Following discussion it was decided to make a special appeal for voluntary donations to the fund.
The Board of Custodians reported that corrections had been made in the ritual. The corrections were adopted and it was ordered that the revised ritual be printed and ready for the next Annual Communication. Their report also showed that the chairman, H. M. Hammond, had made 34 visits while the other four members together had made but 13 visits.
The Committee on Monument reported that a suitable stone had been selected and a bronze tablet cast to be placed upon the stone. Perpetual easement had been procured and plans drawn up for the grading and beautifying of the grounds. An appropriation of $700.00 was asked and granted to carry on the work.
Lodges had been constituted at Harrisburg and Bison. A cornerstone for a new Masonic Temple had been laid at Pierre. Masonic Temples had been dedicated at Philip, Belle Fourche, and Vermillion. Due to a fire at Dallas on September 25, 1927, with a complete loss, a duplicate charter had been granted.
The Grand Secretary reported that the Grand Lodge Library all indebtedness. He also reported that the brethren of the Black Hills had placed two urns 4½ feet tall, made of white cement andc overed with rock specimens from the Hills, one on each side of the entrance.
