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PAUL B. SLOCUM 1920-2009
Grand Master of South Dakota, 1970-1971
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BIOGRAPHY
From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 214:
The ninety-seventh Grand Master of Masons of South Dakota, Paul B. Slocum, was born in Everett, Snohomish County, Washington, on January 22, 1920.
He received his elementary education in Norfo1k, Nebraska, and graduated from high school in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He has been employed by John Morrell and Company since 1942.
On February 8, 1942, he married Miss Harriet Elizabeth Pearson. They have one son, Jeffrey Deane.
He was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason September 28, 1956, in Unity Lodge No. 130, Sioux Falls. He is a member of Sioux Falls Chapter No. 2, Alpha Council No. 1, Sioux Falls Consistory and El Riad Shrine.
1971
Based on Quality, Equality, and Pride in Membership, Grand Master Slocum inaugurated his program early in his year. With the cooperation of the District Masters, it was put into operation in all parts of the Jurisdiction. He touched many areas of Masonic activity in his program including Masonic Education, the physical condition of the Temples, leadership, and a stronger relationship between Masonry and youth organizations such as Job's Daughters and DeMolay. All of this was climaxed at the Annual Communication held at Sioux Falls in 1971.
In his address the Grand Master said, "I have also noticed with happiness that there is a closer relationship between the Symbolic Lodges and the Appendant Bodies which is, of course, in accordance with what we advocate, 'who best can work and best agree.'"
A study of just what is secret in Masonry was urged. Time was given to workshops under the direction of various Grand Lodge Officers.
Prudence Lodge No. 119, Canistota, had consolidated with Fortitude Lodge No. 73 at Salem and York Lodge No. 53 at Iroquois had consolidated with Redstone Lodge No. 102, Carthage, during the year. With the loss of these two lodges, the number of chartered lodges had dropped to 160. The membership stood at 16,867 after a loss of 464 for the year.
Four hundred and thirty-one members had been called from labor to rest during the year. In this group had been three Past Grand Masters, Francis E. Manning, F. D. Richards, and Harry H. Margolin.
The Board of General Activities reported that a South Dakota Mason, Past Grand Master Harold L. Tisher had been elected President of the Midwest Conference on Masonic Education.
The Grand Historian chose for his report "The Bronze Plaque" placed on the Masonic Temple at Elk Point commemorating the place where the convention was held forming the Grand Lodge of Dakota in 1875.
In its praise of the Grand Master's program, the Committee on Grand Officers' Addresses and Reports said, "Such a program could be characterized in a sense as a program of re-dedication of Masons to Masonry."
