SDGMHandG

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GEORGE HARPER HAND 1837-1891

Grand Master of Dakota, 1877-1880

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BIOGRAPHY

From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 25:’’

George Harper Hand was born at Akron, Ohio, August 9, 1837. At the age of sixteen he moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he received his education. From Wisconsin he moved to McGregor, Iowa, where he entered into the practice of law for a time. In 1865, he removed to Yankton, Dakota Territory, where he served as United States Attorney for a period of three years. In 1872, he received the appointment of Register of the United States Land Office. From 1874 to 1883 he was Secretary of the Territory during a large portion of this time acting as Governor.

He was married to Miss Helen M. Ketchum, of Portage, Wisconsin, on March 28, 1858. They had three sons and four daughters.

He became a member of St. John's Lodge No. 1 on January 4, 1868. Though a member of other Masonic bodies, his love for and devotion to Ancient Craft Masonry were distinguishing characteristics in his Masonic career. He received the Capitular degrees in Yankton Chapter No. 1, the Chivalric degrees in DeMolay Commandery No. 3, Yankton and was a member of Oriental Consistory No. 1, Yankton.

1878

The fourth Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Dakota was held at Sioux Falls in June 1878. Because Deadwood Lodge No. 7 had been added to the rolls, representatives from seven lodges were present for this Annual Communication.

The Grand Master in his address to the members of the Grand Lodge said, "I congratulate you, my brethren, upon the peace and harmony that prevails in all the lodges of this jurisdiction and among the members. I congratulate you upon the success that has attended our efforts to promote and extend the principles of Freemasonry in Dakota." He reported that he had visited the six chartered lodges in Southern Dakota and found them generally in a prosperous condition. During the year he had commissioned Brother Wm. Blatt of St. John's Lodge, Yankton, as his representative to proceed to Deadwood, constitute the lodge, and install the officers. In this he was assisted by E. P. Snow, Past Grand Master of Wyoming, and Sol Starr, Past Grand Master of Montana, who happened to be in the area.

On May 7, 1877, the Grand Master granted a dispensation for a new lodge at Pembina, Dakota Territory. In view of the distance involved to other lodges in the Territory, it was suggested that they exemplify the work and receive their certificate from Emerson Lodge in Manitoba, Canada. It was found impossible to organize and return the dispensation by the time of the 1878 Communication so the dispensation was renewed and ordered held over until next year.

A total of $66.58 in Grand Lodge funds was lost in a bank that failed.' However, after receivership, forty per cent was returned to the Grand Lodge.

The Grand Secretary elect was directed to correspond with several manufacturers and dealers in Masonic Jewels, obtain their prices and all possible information, and report at the next annual meeting.

A special committee reported that to secure uniformity in the ritualistic work of the lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Dakota, an instructor or Grand Lecturer should be employed. The report was received and adopted.

At the time of the Annual Communication the total membership was 280. During the year 20 members had been suspended for nonpayment of dues. No word had been received from the Grand Lodge of Minnesota relative to recognition by that body of the Grand Lodge of Dakota. With this in mind the following resolution was unanimously adopted:

That the Grand Lodge of Dakota possesses sole and exclusive Masonic jurisdiction throughout the Territory of Dakota, and that no subordinate Lodge can maintain a lawful existence in said Territory without acknowledging allegiance to the Grand Lodge of Dakota.

They also adopted a resolution:

That all non-affiliated Masons be restricted to three visits to any one lodge in their visitations of lodges in this jurisdiction.

It was reported that at the close of the last Annual Communication the Grand Secretary "caused to be printed 500 copies of the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge and immediately distributed them to lodges in this jurisdiction and to the Grand Lodges throughout the United States and Canada."

1879

From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 27:

The fifth Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge returned to Yankton, Dakota Territory, with Brother George H. Hand presiding for the second time. All seven of the chartered lodges were represented.

The Grand Master by resolution invited all sojourning brethren who were in the City, during the session of the Grand Lodge, to take seats as visitors.

The Grand Master reported that death "the quiet haven of us all" had overtaken Right Worshipful Brother Mark W. Bailey. Brother Bailey was the Secretary of the Convention that organized the Grand Lodge and served for two terms as Grand Secretary.

It was recommended by the Grand Master and adopted by the Grand Lodge "that every candidate, at the time of his initiation, be presented with a lamb-skin apron as an absolute gift to be taken away with him."

In his address to the Grand Lodge Brother Hand said, "I regret to say that our relations toward the Grand Lodge of Minnesota remain unchanged. That Grand Body has not recognized us nor extended its fraternal greetings. However," he continued, "Shiloh Lodge, Fargo, one of the two lodges in the northern reaches of the Territory, at the time of the formation of the Grand Lodge of Dakota, came under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge during the year."

A charter was granted to Golden Star Lodge No. 9 at Lead City with Brother Albert O. Ingalls as the first Master, Brother R. D. Millett as first Senior Warden and Brother William H. Harlow as first Junior Warden.

The lodge at Pembina, Under Dispensation; had lost its lodge room and all its furniture by fire. The lodge at Flandreau lost its designated Master by removal to Iowa. All monies received from these two lodges were ordered returned and the lodges continued under dispensation.

The Grand Master reported that he was trying to secure the services of a Grand Lecturer, as adopted in a resolution at the last Annual Com­munication, but so far had met with little success.

1880

From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 28:’’

The sixth Annual Communication was called to order at Yankton by Most Worshipful Brother George H. Hand who had been elected Grand Master for a third consecutive term. Six chartered lodges and two lodges under dispensation were represented.

Dispensations had been issued during the year for four new lodges located at Watertown, Casselton, Gary, and Grand Forks. Charters were issued for these lodges during the Communication.

The business section of Deadwood was destroyed by fire during the year and with it the Temple of Deadwood Lodge No. 7. A duplicate charter was issued by the Grand Secretary and the brothers of Deadwood Lodge secured another building in which to hold their meetings.

A dispensation had been issued for Evergreen Lodge at Herman and charters were issued to Pembina Lodge and Flandreau Lodge during the meeting.

The lodge at Bismarck sent in their charter and asked to be accepted and certified as a member of the Grand Lodge of Dakota. They were warmly welcomed by the Officers of the Grand Lodge. Their charter was returned bearing the No. 16.

The by-laws were amended to allow a change in the election of the of­ficers in the constituent lodges from June to the first stated meeting in November with installation on or before December 27th.

The Grand Master was requested to employ a Grand Lecturer. He ap­pointed a Committee on Work, but time was so short that they were ordered to report at the next Annual Communication.

1881

From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 29:

The seventh Annual Meeting of the Grand Lodge of Dakota was held in Sioux Falls, Dakota Territory, in 1881. Grand Master Hand, who was to be presiding, was unable to be present. Right Worshipful Brother Henry H. Folk, Deputy Grand Master, presided in his place.

The Grand Master pro-tem was pleased to report that Minnesota had recognized this Grand Body and had extended a warm and fraternal greeting to the Grand Lodge of Dakota.

The Grand Treasurer reported that the expenses for the year had been $568.25 with a balance of $605.92 on hand. A resolution that a committee be appointed to revise the by-laws was adopted and Brother Folk appointed Brothers Charles T. McCoy, Franklin DeWitt, and George H. Hand.

The Committee on Grand Lodge Building reported that they had found the library in good condition and rapidly improving.

In his message to the Lodge the Grand Master reported that in his compliance to a request to hire a Grand Lecturer, he had induced Right Worshipful Brother M. L. Youngs, Grand Lecturer of Wisconsin, to visit Dakota and exemplify the work he teaches. Brother Youngs had held meetings at Springfield, Yankton, Canton, and Sioux Falls, but weather, time, and sickness in his family prevented him from holding any more meetings during the year.

The Committee on Work then came up with a plan that was adopted. The State was to be divided into three districts and each district was to be presided over and the work exemplified by a member of the three man committee.

Six lodges were issued charters located at Herman, Spearfish, Jamestown, Milbank, Valley City, and Central City.

A cornerstone for the new Court House at Bismarck was laid on June 10, 1880, with Worshipful Brother Davidson representing the Grand Master.

The new officers of the Grand Lodge were installed at 7:30 in the evening.

LODGES

1878

None.

1879

1880

1881

  • Note: Mandan #23 has a 06/15/1881 charter date but is not mentioned in the description.

Grand Masters of South Dakota

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