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RALPH RUSSEL TWAMLEY 1888-1956
Grand Master of South Dakota, 1947-1948
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BIOGRAPHY
From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 166:
Brother Ralph R. Twamley was born on a farm near Allen, Dixon County, Nebraska, March 23, 1888. He moved to Larchwood, Iowa, where he received his public education. He worked in Sioux City, Iowa, as a shoe salesman before moving to White Lake, South Dakota, where he ran a general store. This developed into a general mercantile business.
On September 4, 1917, he was mamed to Miss Blanche G. Williams in Omaha, Nebraska. They were members of the Methodist Church.
He became a Mason in Omaha Lodge No. 5, Dakota City, Nebraska, March 14, 1915. He affiliated with White Lake Lodge No. 85, February 8, 1918. He was a member of the York Rite Chapter, Council, and Commandery. He also belonged to the Scottish Rite, Shrine, and Eastern Star.
In remarks prepared for delivery at the seventy-fourth Annual Communication held at Mitchell in 1948, Grand Master Twamley said in part, "A man is not a Mason just because he has taken the three degrees. He is not a Mason until he practices in his daily living those lessons taught in the three degrees of Masonry and until he promotes Masonic principles by his activity in his local lodge. Masonry in its true form is a pattern for living. Its influence is not collective but is exemplified through the individual. In our daily life let us conduct ourselves, as we associate with our fellow men, so that when a man is said to be a Mason, all will know thence is a good man."
Brother Elvin F. Strain, Grand Secretary, said in his report, "I wish we had a secretaries' organization. I am inclined to believe that if we had one and could have sectional meetings with the Grand Secretary, we could all become more proficient in our work."
The Committee on Necrology reported that 305 members had heard the sound of the gavel calling them from labor to rest. Three Past Grand Masters, William F. Sargent, George Philip, and Alton C. Kingsbury, had been in this group.
A special meeting had been held on April 11, 1948, at the home of Brother Byron J. Cochrane on the shores of Lake Cochrane for the purpose of congratulating him on his 99th birthday. He was the oldest Mason in South Dakota and the third oldest Mason in t.he United States.
A new Masonic Temple at Alcester had been dedicated during the year.
The membership had reached 17,387 with a net gain for the year of 773.
The Distinguished Service Award had been presented to thirteen brethren, the 50-year medal to twenty-three brethren, and the 60-year palm to three brothers.
At the 1944 Grand Lodge Communication the General Activities Committee had reported on two plans for a Grand Lodge bulletin but no action had been taken. They now presented an introductory issue and asked that consideration be given to the project. The membership voted in favor but the Finance Committee asked that it be tabled and by vote it was so ordered.
