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JOHN HOPWOOD McCORD 1860-1921

Grand Master of South Dakota, 1920-1921

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BIOGRAPHY

From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 105:

Brother John H. McCord was born at Abingdon, Knox County, Illinois, February 11, 1860. He attended the common schools and finished at Abingdon Co11ege. He came to Dakota Territory March 23, 1883 and made his home in Highmore and later in Pierre. He was a farmer, real estate dealer, Register of Deeds, and an abstractor. ' He was married to Miss Susie C. Morton on November 7, 1886. Five children blessed the union.

He becam a Master Mason in Ree Valley Lodge No. 70 on April 21, 1886, and affiliated with Pierre Lodge No. 27 on April 11, 1892. He was a member of Pierre Chapter No. 27, Temple Council No. 7, and the Capitol City Commandery No. 21, all of Pierre. He was a member of the Black Hills Consistory No. 3 of Deadwood and Yelduz Shrine Temple in Aberdeen.

1921

As Grand Master McCord opened the forty-seventh Annual Com­munication at Watertown in 1921, he said, "The world has gone through a period of deep depression following the Great War. Conditions in our own country are very unstable, and the so-called 'hard times' has caused everyone to wonder whether we are going to be able to weather the storm and maintain the institutions that are so dear to the heart of every Mason. But through it all, Masons have every where stood firm in their convictions and proved themselves ready to support the government and the institutions thereof." He went on to say, "Our lodges are becoming mere degree machines. Usually in a period of depression, the growth of Masonic bodies are materially affected, not so with us." He was referring to the record of 150 chartered lodges, 16,460 members with a net increase for the year of 1,945-the largest ever.

Dispensations had been issued for lodges at Pollock, Fairfax, Wakonda, Irene, Colome, Pierpont, and Vienna. Cornerstones had been laid for a Court House at Winner, a YMCA building at Sioux Falls, and a new Masonic Temple at Highmore. The Masonic Temple at Volga had also been dedicated.

On May 16, 1921, Draper Lodge No. 156, Draper, closed its lodge and surrendered its charter, books, and paraphernalia to the Grand Secretary.

At the last Annual Communication a revised Constitution for the Grand Lodge had been adopted. This was then sent to each constituent lodge, who in turn approved it by more than a two-thirds majority. The next step then was to present to the Grand Lodge a revised Code of By-laws, which was done. Approval was given and the new by-laws were ordered printed m the proceedings.

The revised by-laws created a Board of Custodians of the Work consisting of five members to be appointed by the Grand Master. The Grand Junsdiction was to be divided into districts and the Custodians were to appoint qualified Lecturers for each district. The first Board of Custodians was Charles L. Brockway, Andrew Kopperud, Harry M. Hammond, Walter Harkness, and Charles L. Dawley.

Up until this time the Grand Lodge of South Dakota and the Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, that held their Annual Meetings in the same city at the same time. During the ever increasing attendance at both of these functions, the Grand Master suggested that these organizations consider holding their Annual Sessions at different times. However, no action was taken.

The Committee on Correspondence sounded a note of concern as follows: "Everywhere the need for Masonic Education is recognized and there is not one of the Grand Lodges that is not alive to the need, and a1l are working at the problem of meeting the need effectively."

The Grand Lodge and the Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, were still exchanging delegations and the committee from the Grand Lodge reported, in a lighter vein, "We have met the enemy, and we are theirs."

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