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LOUIS G. LEVOY 1858-1945
Grand Master of South Dakota, 1898-1899
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BIOGRAPHY
From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 62:
Brother Louis G. Levoy was born November 12, 1858, at Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. He lived in Australia until 1882 when he came to this country. He spent two years in travel and then settled in Webster, Dakota Territory.
His occupation was that of a merchant.
He was made a Mason in Australia in 1880. He later affiliated with Coteau Lodge No. 54 in Webster on January 18, 1887. Brother Levoy was a member of the York Rite Chapter and Council. He served as Grand High Priest m 1895. He held a 33rd Degree honorary in the Scottish Rite and was a member of the Eastern Star. Brother Levoy presided as Grand Master at the Quarto-Centennial Session of the Grand Lodge held at Yankton.
1899
To commemorate a quarter of a century of Masonry in the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of South Dakota, delegates from 83 lodges gathered at Yankton for their twenty-fifth Annual Communication. The year was 1899. The Grand Master pointed out the progress made by Masonry in South Dakota when he said, "At the first Communication there were six lodges and twelve delegates; today there are ninety-three lodges and about three hundred representatives present, and when we consider that from the original Territory another Grand Lodge has been erected, we cannot but be impressed by the magnitude of its growth."
During the past twenty-five years, 5,583 members had been raised, 2,991 admitted, and 269 re-instated for a total of 8,843. Five hundred thirty four had died, 1,086 suspended and 3,006 demitted, a total of 4,626. This left a total of 4,250 Master Masons in good standing.
Pursuant to a resolution adopted at the last Session, the Grand Lodge was incorporated on September 7, 1898. The Grand Master reported that on July 11, 1898, bonds were received and approved for the Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary.
During the year part of the Grand Charity Fund, in the amount of $1,225.00 had been loaned on parcels of farm land in Day County at a rate of 8% interest.
The Grand Master reported that every lodge in the state had been visited by a Grand Lodge Officer during the year. The work being used in the lodges was almost unanimous to that adopted by the Grand Lodge. Probably the greatest menace to the welfare of the lodges was the large amount of unpaid dues, the total amount being $10,689.50.
On January 5, 1899, an unusual request had come to Grand Master Levoy. He had received a letter from the Grand Master of Pennsylvania requesting permission to make Bishop William Hobart Hare, Episcopa1 Bishop of South Dakota, a Mason at sight. Bishop Hare was returning to his old home in Pennsylvania for a visit and while there, he wanted to become a Mason. Brother Levoy refused the request but because Bishop Hare lived in Sioux Falls, he asked Minnehaha Lodge No. 5 to waive jurisdiction. This was arranged so he could become a Mason in Pennsylvania Lodge No. 51, the same lodge to which his son belonged. In the meantime the Grand Master of Pennsylvania who had made the original request died but Bishop Hare did become a Mason.
Most Worshipful Brother Theodore S. Parvin, Grand Secretary of Iowa, was present and was called to the East. On behalf of the Grand Lodge of South Dakota he presented William Blatt, Past Grand Master, a suitably engraved watch. Brother Blatt was about to retire from his business and move from the jurisdiction.
On motion it was resolved that the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, and Grand Secretary be elected trustees of the Grand Lodge for the ensuing year.
The Committee on the Quarto-Centennial Celebration reported as follows: "It was the purpose of the Committee to prepare something which would be of historic value to the Grand Lodge, so an historical Masonic souvenir has been prepared. The collection of material for this souvenir has necessitated a great deal of work. It consists of a twenty-four page booklet that will be made a part of and attached to the proceedings of 1899."
At 10:00 P.M. on Tuesday, June 13, 1899, the members of the Grand Lodge, together with invited guests consisting all told of three hundred ladies and brethren, assembled around the banquet table in Turners Hall where a sumptuous repast had been provided by the members of St. John's Lodge No. 1 of Yankton. Most Worshipful Grand Master Levoy acted as Toastmaster. Toasts were given, tributes were paid to the work and efforts of pioneer Masons, and early incidents were recalled by prominent Brothers. The proposed history by Brother William Blatt was postponed when he reported, "At the last moment, I find myself unable to write the history of this Most Worshipful Grand Lodge. I deem it for the very best interest of the Grand Lodge in this matter to postpone the publication of its history for one year, and present the same complete it its every particular at our next_Annual." It was a very successful evening and ended at 1:00 A.M. the following morning.
