SDGMWilliamsO
OWEN HENRY WILLIAMS 1865-1954
Grand Master of South Dakota, 1913-1914
BIOGRAPHY
From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 89:
Brother Owen H. Williams was born in Holyhead, Wales, March 25, 1865. With his parents he moved to the United States in 1869, locating in Utica, New York, where he spent the early years of his life. He received his education in the Utica Public Schools, Academy, and Business College, later taking up special work in Chicago and New York.
Previous to taking up his profession of Dentistry, he was engaged in the Wholesale Produce Business in Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota. He practiced Dentistry first in Vermillion and Gayville then moved to Springfield in 1902.
On October 6, 1891, he married Miss Charlotte Adelaide Bryan at Elk Point, South Dakota.
He was raised on March 6, 1904, in Mount Zion Lodge No. 6 at Springfield. He received the Capitular Degrees in Scotland Chapter No. 31 at Scotland and was Knighted in DeMolay Commandery No. 3, at Yankton.
1914
The Grand Charity Fund held the attention of the delegates, as Grand Master Williams opened the fortieth Annual Communication at Aberdeen in June, 1914. Grand Master Owen H. Williams in his address recommended, "Our Grand Lodge should increase its per capita at least ten percent. There are many within our borders who need assistance. It is not my plan to recommend a Masonic Home (at least at present) but to create such a fund that the revenue derived therefrom will amply care for our needy."
A special Grand Charity Fund Committee reported, "We most heartily approve the recommendation of the Most Worshipful Grand Master as to the increase in per capita tax, but do not think that the increase recommended by him is as large as it should be." A review and detailed report of the Fund was presented by the Committee and made a part of the record. Upon motion of Brother Ayres, it was resolved that the Grand Master appoint a special committee to devise ways and means of increasing the collections for the Grand Charity Fund during the coming year and report at the next annual communication. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Committee on By laws proposed that fifty cents of each member's dues be paid into the Grand Charity Fund. The proposed amendment to the by-laws was unanimously adopted.
Brother J. L. Turner of Springfield, who had been Junior Grand Warden in 1878 and Senior Grand Warden in 1879 and who had been in constant and regular attendance at Grand Lodge for forty years, was made an Honorary Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of South Dakota.
The Grand Master reported that he had attended the Conference of Grand Masters of the World held in St. Louis and that 34 Jurisdictions were represented.
Brother Walter L. Williamson reported on his attendance at the meeting of the Memorial to George Washington group in Alexandria, Virginia, and outlined the purpose and work of the Body as he observed it.
Dispensations had been issued for new lodges at Cottonwood, Buffalo, and Wood. Lodges had been constituted at Onida, Newell, Raymond, and Brentford. A new Masonic Temple had been dedicated at Canton during the year.
At the last Session of the Grand Lodge, Coteau Lodge, Webster, had been instructed to retain counsel and to take into Court the matter of taxation on the Masonic Building owned by Coteau Lodge and used exclusively for Masonic purposes. At the conclusion of the trial, the Court ruled that the taxing officers be enjoined forever from collecting the tax. The Grand Lodge assisted in defraying the expenses of the Court action.
LODGES
- Onida #173 (06/10/1914)
- Newell #174 (06/10/1914)
- Mosaic #175 (06/10/1914)
- Brentford #176 (06/10/1914)
