Antique 1916 Masonic Freemason Medal 14k MoonStone Jewel Enameled South Dakota
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:534782 | Year: 1916 |
This beautiful Past Masters' Jewel was presented to Worshipful, C. E. Prentis, of Temple Lodge No. 2 in South Dakota in 1916
The 14kt gold marked and tested. It is hand hammered to fit around a gold figural pattern with the compasses and quadrant containing the bursting sun in the center , a carved Moonstone Sun. The Letter "G" and All-Seeing Eye, Star are enameled in blue. It is a marvelous piece of craftsmanship and I'm sure a ...proud possession of the Master who dedicated himself to serving his Lodge.
The back is engraved and marked WC 14K, " 1916, Incense No. 2 S.D."
The pin's crossbar is in great condition marked 14K and Jewel Pin measures - 2 7/16" long and 1 3/8" wide.
It weighs 14.5 grams and comes with its original black leather protective case. It is in wonderful antique condition with no damage.
This was presented to Charles E. Prentis, one of the pioneer merchants of Dakota Territory, actively identified with the business interests and Mayor of Vermilion, SD. was born September 30, 1847. He was among the earlier of the merchants, arriving in 1869. He was business partners with Andrew E. Lee, the third governor of South Dakota. Charles Prentis was one of the men that is mentioned in the "History of the Dakota Territory" book.
We have listed other Masonic items from this estate here on ebay. They were his son in laws, Judge Robert Munger, a 33rd Degree Mason from 1911.
If you would like to know more about C.E. Prentis. link below
http://files.usgwarchives.net/sd/biography/kingsbury/v4/prentis.txt
Payment is due at close of auction. If you have any questions feel free to email.
Good Luck and Good Bidding!!
On Jun-27-19 at 07:08:45 PDT, seller added the following information: CHARLES E. PRENTIS. "C. E. Prentis, one of the pioneer merchants of South Dakota, actively identified with the business interests of Vermilion, was born September 30, 1847, in Dane county, Wisconsin, a son of John and Catherine P. (Williams) Prentis, who were natives of Massachusetts and Vermont respectively and descendants of early New England families. The father was a farmer by occupation and about 1830 made the overland trip to Wisconsin, where he engaged in general agricultural pursuits until his death. C. E. Prentis attended the public schools of his native county to the age of eighteen years and then went east to Poughkeepsie, New York, where he pursued a course in Eastman's Commercial College. Later he returned to Madison, Wisconsin, where he secured a position as bookkeeper, acting in that capacity for about one and a half years. Consideration of the opportunities offered in the west led him to the belief that he would find it profitable to try his fortune in Dakota and in company with a friend and associate, A. E. Lee, he determined to engage in general merchandising at Vermilion. It was about the middle of the year 1869 that Mr. Lee reached that place and selected a site in what is now known as the bottoms. A small building was erected and a few months later Mr. Prentis removed to Vermilion, arriving in September, 1869. Both then went to Chicago, where they purchased a stock of general merchandise and the firm of Lee & Prentis was thus formed and launched into business. From the beginning their enterprise prospered, reliable business methods, unfaltering energy and perseverance winning for them a growing trade. Later a two story brick building was erected, which they occupied until 1881, the year of the big flood. The little village grew apace and with the increase in its population their trade became larger and larger, for straightforward business methods commended them to public support. With the growth of Vermillion the business center of the city was removed from the bottoms to the present site of the town and in 1881 Lee & Prentis erected their present building, in which they have continued successfully to the present time. Their house is not only widely known throughout Clay county but also over the greater part of South Dakota and is the largest establishment of its kind in the county. Moreover, in point of continuous existence theirs is the oldest business house in North or South Dakota and has become one of the most important. It meant much in pioneer times when trade facilities were few in their section of the state and it has ever kept abreast with modern progress. Mr. Prentis, however, has not confined his activities to merchandising alone. He recognized the future value of farm lands throughout the west and began making investments, being at one time the owner of over seven thousand acres in Clay county. In 1914, when prices had greatly advanced he sold practically all his holdings in Clay county, although he still has property in other sections of the state. He and his partner, Mr. Lee, own and operate a fine ranch of sixteen thousand acres in Nebraska and Mr. Prentis is a stockholder in and vice president of the Citizens Bank & Trust Company of Vermilion. On the 7th of November, 1872, Mr. Prentis was united in marriage to Miss Mary F. Stanley, who died September 14, 1906, leaving a daughter, Kathryn, the wife of Robert Howe Munger, of Sioux City. On the 2d of September, 1909, Mr. Prentis wedded Mrs. Belle (Stanley) Bell, a sister of his first wife. In his political views Mr. Prentis has long been a stalwart republican and has filled a number of local offices, to which he has been called by the vote of his fellow townsmen, serving at the present time as mayor of Vermilion. He also became the first charter member of the Congregational church, in the work of which he has ever taken an active and helpful interest. He is likewise a member and vice president of the Vermilion Commercial Club and he is a Mason, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter and commandery of Vermilion, and to El Riad Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Sioux Falls. He is a lover of outdoor life and enjoys traveling. In nature he is quiet and unassuming but is most kind hearted and public spirited. His business life has not been void of the trials and tribulations that constitute the struggle of pioneer days and many residents of this part of the state are grateful for the credit and favors extended them in the period of financial depression caused by the grasshopper scourge and other incidents of pioneer life. The record of Mr. Prentis is a most creditable one. There have been no esoteric chapters in his life history but a manifestation of indefatigable industry and unswerving integrity in all his business dealings."
Charles E. Prentis Biography This biography appears on pages 46-49 in "History of Dakota Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, This file is part of the SDGENWEB Archives.
