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Revision as of 23:17, 21 November 2024
GEORGE W. TOFT 1903-1985
Grand Master of South Dakota, 1951-1952
picture
BIOGRAPHY
From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 174:
George Toft was born on February 22, 1903, in Hanson County, South Dakota. He attended the public schoo1s in Mitche11 from the fourth and through high school. He spent one year as a student at Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell.
Banking is his business and he has held positions in banks at Kimball, Kadoka, and Mitchell. He is now semi-retired, living in Mitchell, South Dakota.
He was married to Miss Florence E. Gillis on September 2, 1925. To this union two daughters were born, but one died at the age of two and one-half years. He is a member of the Congregational Church.
He became a member of Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 155 at Kadoka on November 11, 1927, and affiliated with Resurgam Lodge No. 31, Mitchell, on April 10 1928. He is a member of Mitchell Chapter No. 16, St. Bernard Commandery No. 11, as well as Mitchell Council No. 8. He is a member of Oriental Consistory No. 1, Yankton, having been Coroneted an Inspector General Honorary of the Thirty-third Degree.
1952
"Our times have been good to Masonry since we are not having the struggles that have confronted us in former years. It is very pleasant for me to report to you that our growth in membership continues to be substantial and our treasury balances have increased. It is a pleasure to tell you that the state of the Craft is good." These were the words of Grand Master Toft as he opened the seventy-eighth Annual Communication at Huron in 1952.
His program for the year had been set up with five divisions:
- Masonic Education
- Masonic Service Association
- Masonry and Communism
- George Washington National Memorial
- The Church in Masonry
These various divisions were assigned to the Grand Lodge officers to be carried to the constituent lodges during the year.
The Masonic Service Association Committee reported that from May 1, 1951, to May 31, 1952, a total of thirteen months, a total of $11,123.93 had been forwarded to the Masonic Service Association in Washington.
Because of the by-laws, a request for a lodge at the Rapid City Air Base, which had been presented at the last Grand Lodge Communication, was not approved.
A bronze plaque, 12 inches by 18 inches with the following inscription:
This Plaque was erected by the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota in Commemoration of a meeting held near this site on June 21-23, 1875, for the Purpose of Establishing Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Dakota Territory.
was placed on the present Masonic Temple at Elk Point at a special meeting held on April 28, 1952.
A dispensation had been issued for a new lodge at Rapid City. Cornerstones had been laid for new Masonic Temples at Armour and Mission. Forty 50-year medals and eight 60-year palms had been authorized during the year. Mileage one way was bemg paid at ten cents per mile.
Twelve distinguished guests were welcomed by the Grand Master as he opened the Meeting. One of the guests, Most Worshipful Brother Charles Lankford, Jr., Grand Master of the Commonwealth of Virginia, was wearing jewel that had been made for George Washington in 1778. The jewel had been worn by every Grand Master of Virginia since 1778.
A committee held over from the last Annual Communication presented a favorable report along with a set of by-laws for a Lodge of Research. On motion the charter was authorized with a charter membership of 33 brethren.
During the year the lambskin, or white leather apron, had been laid on the coffins of 350 members of the Craft. Included among these was Brother Arthur A. Blomquist, Grand Treasurer since 1929. O n recommendation of Grand Master Toft, $500.00 was appropriated for the purpose of publishing and mailing, under the direction of the Grand Master, a semi-monthly calendar of Masonic events on a limited basis of distribution.
During the meeting Brother Toft was elected Grand Treasurer, a position which he held for twelve years.
