SDGMDavenportJ
JOSEPH J. DAVENPORT 1850-1937
Grand Master of South Dakota, 1908-1909
BIOGRAPHY
From "The First 100 Years of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of South Dakota, 1875-1975", Page 80:
Joseph J. Davenport, the thirty-fifth Grand Master of Masons of South Dakota, was born January 23, 1850, at Cruger, Woodford County Illinois. His education was obtained there along with three years at the University of Illinois. In 1884 he arrived in Sturgis, Dakota Territory, where he organized the First National Bank and the gravity water system. In time he sold the bank but retained and operated the water business.
He was married to Miss Sara Elizabeth Jarvis, October 14, 1885, at Brooklyn, New York. They had two daughters and two sons.
Brother Davenport commenced his Masonic career in Elizabeth Lodge No. 437, Elizabeth, Indiana, on August 22, 1871. On September 7, 1872, he demitted to Urbana Lodge No. 157, Urbana, Illinois, and from there he demitted to Olive Branch Lodge No. 47 at Sturgis, June 21, 1899. He received the Capitular Degrees in Black Hills Chapter in 1888. He was Knighted in Schrader Commandery No. 9, Rapid City, in 1889. He was a member of Black Hills Consistory No. 3 at Deadwood and was a Past lllustrious Potentate of Naja Shrine Temple at Deadwood.
1909
After Grand Master Davenport and his officers opened the thirty-fifth Annual Communication at Watertown in 1909, he asked all present to stand and he said, "There are many things this morning that we should be thankful for, and now Brethren, let us rise in our places and bow our heads in silent thanks to Him whom we look to as the rule and guide of our faith."
In his report the Grand Master said, "The most noteworthy event that it has been my privilege to attend as Grand Master of this Jurisdiction was in witnessing the making of William Howard Taft, President-elect, a Master Mason at sight. The ceremony was performed in the presence of several thousand brethren assembled in the Scottish Rite Temple at Cincinnati, Ohio, on February 18, 1909.
The Grand Secretary reported that a reprint of the by-laws had been made and that they had been distributed to the lodges.
The new Monitors approved at the last Session had entailed a large amount of work and they were not yet completed, however, they would soon be ready for distribution.
A change was approved in the by-laws and now read:
A profane, whose petition for the degrees has been rejected, cannot renew his petition until after the expiration of six months.
No candidate shall be advanced to the degree of Fellow Craft or Master Mason until he has been examined in open lodge as to his proficiency in the preceding degree; and within sixty days after receiving the Master Mason degree he must pass an examination in open lodge as to his proficiency in the Master Mason degree. Such examinations may take place at either a stated or a special meeting.
During the year a cornerstone had been laid for the South Dakota State Capitol at Pierre and for the Masonic Temple at Redfield.
Dispensations had been issued for new lodges at Leola, Philip, Kadoka, and Draper. Lodges had been constituted at Burke, Northville, Dallas, Lemmon, and Wolsey.
Upon motion of Brother George Philip it was resolved that the Grand Master appoint a committee of three to be known as Custodians of the Work. For the first time the list of Grand Officers included a Grand Orator, the Reverend M. F. Montgomery of Golden Star Lodge No. 9, Lead.
LODGES
- Burke #148 (06/10/1908)
- Northville #149 (06/10/1908)
- Gatewood #150 (06/10/1908)
- Lemmon #151 (06/10/1908)
- Anchor #152 (06/10/1908)
