SDGMKingsburyA
ALTON CHARLES KINGSBURY 1872-1948
Grand Master of South Dakota, 1931-1932
BIOGRAPHY
From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 130:
Alton Charles Kingsbury was born at Tripoli, Bremer County, Iowa, March 31, 1872. He received his education at the same place.
He was connected with the lumber business practically all of his life, moving to several locations in South Dakota and finally to Philip where he had extensive business interests in lumber and hardware throughout that area of the state.
On November 23, 1892, he was united in marriage to Miss Alda E. Turner of Algona, Iowa. To this union was born two sons and three daughters. · He was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in Brule Lodge No. 44 at Kimball on December 2, 1898. He affiliated with Myrtle Lodge No. 91, Centerville, on May 7, 1902; with Philip Lodge No. 153 on October 3, 1911; and became a charter member of Cottonwood Lodge No. 178 on June 10, 1914. He demitted from Cottonwood Lodge on December 3, 1919, and again affiliated with Philip Lodge No. 153.
He received the degrees m Black Hills Chapter No. 25; was a member of Schrader Commandery No. 9, Rapid City; and Black Hills Council No. 3, Lead. He was a member of Oriental Consistory No. 1, Yankton, and the El Riad Shrine Temple in Sioux Falls.
1932
The growing need and demand for more Masonic education and in formation was evidenced by reports of various individuals and committees at the fifty-eighth Annual Communication held at Huron in 1932.
Grand Master Kingsbury in his report on the condition of the Craft pointed out, "The emphasis laid on the study of Masonry during the past year is bearing fruit. It is realized as never before that if Masonry exists only for the purpose of conferring degrees, beautiful as to the ritualistic ceremonies, then surely it has become 'as sounding brass or tinkling cymbal.' Too often in the past we have admonished members to search out and obtain light and then left them blindfolded to grope about in the darkness feeling their own way to the light, but lodges are realizing today that what is needed to create more interest in things Masonic is more light and are making arrangements for meeting that need."
For the third time in the history of the Grand Lodge a loss in membership was recorded. The records showed 179 chartered lodges with a membership of 19,176, for a loss of 667 members.
During the year ninety-one lodges had participated in a program formulated for the celebration of the Bi-centenary of Brother George Washington.
The Necrology Committee reported that Brother J. R. Willcockson, Junior Grand Deacon; Past Grand Master Evan W. Goodner; and 280 brother Masons had been raised to the sublime degree of eternal life.
At the last Annual Communication the amendment on dual and plural membership had been submitted to the constituent lodges. Their vote being inconclusive, it was brought up for consideration by the lodges present and was passed by an 82 to 17 vote.
Beacon Lodge No. 218 at Morristown had been constituted and a new Masonic Temple had been dedicated at Clear Lake.
LODGES
- Beacon #218 (06/15/1932)
