Faulk County, SD History .....Chapter XXVII - York Masonry 
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YORK MASONRY.



    The York rites of Free Masonry in Dakota Territory date from February 25th,

1885, when charters were issued for chapters at Yankton, Sioux Falls, Dead wood,

Canton, Huron, Watertown, Brookings, Flandreau, Redfield and others to the

number of fourteen, delegates from which met at Sioux Falls, July 8, 1885 and

proceeded to organize the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for South Dakota.

This branch of this ancient order together with the auxiliary order of the

Eastern Star have found a very fruitful field in this state. The class of people

who constituted the pioneer settlers of Faulk County were of that degree of

intelligence that required just such social and intellectual enjoyment that this

popular and influential organization was prepared to supply.



    It was not until December 21, 1888, that discussion and agitation culminated

in a meeting at the Masonic Hall at Faulkton, at which decisive measures were

taken to secure from the Grand Chapter a dispensation under which to meet in

view of a permanent organization.



    The first meeting under a dispensation was held at the Masonic Hall in

Faulkton, Jan. 23, 1889, with the following active members:



Companion R. G. Morton, High Priest.

Visiting Companion C. H. Ellis, King.

Companion H. S. Humphrey, Scribe.

Companion M. S. McDearmon, Captain, of the Host.

Companion I. Allen Cornwall, Royal Arch Captain.

Companion J. A. Pickler, Grand Master Third Veil.

Companion C. H. Derr, Grand Master Second   Veil.

Companion Jerome Ferguson, Grand Master First Veil.

Companion G. A. Morse, Secretary.



    The Most Excellent High Priest read the dispensation under which the Chapter

was acting. It was decided to elect a secretary and treasurer. Companion George

A. Morse was unanimously elected to fill both of the offices. The following is

the record of the first Stated Convocation of Faulkton Chapter No. 30 Royal Arch

Masons, held at the Masonic Hall, Faulkton, South Dakota, July 10, 1889.



    Companion, H. S. Williams, of Aberdeen Chapter No. 14 South Dakota, a duly

appointed Deputy, Most Excellent Grand High Priest, installed the following

elected officers, viz:



Companion R. G. Morton, High Priest.

Companion H. S. Williams, King.

Companion Ed. W. Lowe, Scribe.

Companion M. S. McDearmon, Captain of the Host.

Companion P. H. Wilson, Past Scribe.

Companion I. Allen Cornwall, Royal Arch Captain.

Companion H. D. Chamberlain, Grand Master Third Veil.

Companion F. A. Seaman, Grand Master Second Veil.

Companion David Bryden, Grand Master First Veil.

Companion Geo. A. Morse, Treasurer,

Companion C. A. Morse, Secretary,

Companion J, A. Pickler, Guard.



    The passing years have brought no unusual changes. Some of its valued

members have been called to the Supreme Lodge and if found worthy, to enter into

the Sanctum Sanctorum above. Others have removed to other jurisdictions. From

the surrounding community good men and true have been found to take their places.



    The opening year of 1909 finds a membership of seventy Companion Royal Arch

Masons, with the following elected and appointed officers, viz:



Companion A. M. Moore, High Priest.

Companion I. Allen Cownwell, King.

Companion A. D. Griffee, Scribe.

Companion Thomas Picton, Treasurer.

Companion C. E. Haskins, Secretary.

Companion A. J. McDowell, Captain of the Host.

Companion A. W. Morse, Royal Arch Captain.

Companion A. A. Garrick, Grand Master Third Veil.

Companion A. W. Phelps, Grand Master Second Veil.

Companion John Dignan, Grand Master First Veil.

Companion N. J. Frayn, Guard.





Additional Comments:
From:



HISTORY OF

FAULK COUNTY

SOUTH DAKOTA

CAPTAIN C. H. ELLIS



TOGETHER WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PIONEERS AND PROMINENT CITIZENS



ILLUSTRATED

19O9

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