SDGMLockhartR
ROBERT S. LOCKHART 1865-
Grand Master of South Dakota, 1923-1924
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BIOGRAPHY
From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 112:
Robert S. Lockhart was born at Caledonia, Columbia County Wisconsin, January 8, 1865. (Note that the Find A Grave page lists 8 February as the day of birth.) After graduating from high school at Portage, Wisconsin, he taught school for four years. He came to Clear Lake South Dakota, 1892 where he engaged in the implement business for a period of eleven years. He sold his business and traveled for the International Harvester Company for the next fifteen years. After resigning this job, he opened a real estate and loan office in Watertown.
He was married to Miss Jessie Grout September 28, 1892, to which union two sons, Carrol Herbert and Glenn Robert, were born.
Brother Lockhart received his degrees in Rio Lodge No. 52 at Rio, Wisconsin, August 27, 1892; demitted and joined Crystal Lodge No. 113, Clear Lake, South Dakota. When Crystal Lodge gave up its charter he became a charter member of Phenix Lodge No. 129 on June 15, 1898, also of Clear Lake. After moving to Watertown, he affiliated with Kampeska Lodge No. 13 on February 6, 1912.
He was a member of the York Rite Chapter, Council, and Commandery. As Grand Master he laid the cornerstone for the new Grand Lodge Office and Library Building on June 6, 1924.
1924
As Grand Master Lockhart opened the fiftieth Annual Communication at Deadwood in June, 1924, he observed, "For the fiftieth time the gavel has sounded in this Grand Lodge to assemble the representatives of the different lodges within our State for conference and work. A new era dawns before us. Let us hope that the enthusiasm of the past may not be diminished in the future, for we must all realize that every great and commanding movement in the annals of the world is the triumph of enthusiasm, but in the march of progress do not let our lodges become mere machines for conferring degrees, forgetful of the finer things of the teachings of Masonry."
The membership had reached 18,965 but the net gain of 460 was about one-half the average. There were 165 chartered lodges on the rolls.
During the year dispensations had been issued for lodges at Hayti, Watertown, and Tripp. Cornerstones had been laid at Mitchell for a new Masonic Temple and for the Grand Lodge Library Building at Sioux Falls. New Masonic Temples had been dedicated at Pollock and Eureka. A new Masonic Lodge had been constituted at Stratford.
The Grand Master reported that the Board of Custodians and some of the District Lecturers were doing excellent work but that some of the Lecturers w:re not proficient in their work. He suggested that the Grand Lodge reimburse _them for their expenses.
The first 50-year medal presented in South Dakota was awarded to Brother Peter Wilson of Mt. Aetna Lodge No. 128. The presentation was made by Past Grand Master William Blatt.
Excavation for the basement had been completed, the foundation walls finished and the cornerstone laid for the new Library Building. Funds for the completion of the building now became a problem. The Grand Master proposed that $32,000.00 of United States Bonds in the Grand Charity Fund be sold and the proceeds placed in the Library Fund. This proposal was not adopted. The Grand Lodge then approved a resolution authorizing the Building Committee to negotiate a loan or loans in amount sufficient to complete and equip the building as quickly as possible.
The Grand Master reported that he and the Grand Secretary had been resent and had participated in the cornerstone laying of the George Washington Memorial Building in Alexandria, Virginia.
