Samuel H. Elrod

Samuel Harrison Elrod ( born May 1, 1856 in Coatesville, Hendricks County, Indiana, † July 13, 1935 in Clark, South Dakota ) was an American politician ( Republican) and from 1905 to 1907, the fifth Governor of the State of South Dakota.

Early years and political rise

Samuel Elrod attended the public schools of his home. Then he studied until 1882 at DePauw University in Greencastle and became a lawyer and land brokers. In 1883 he moved to the Dakota Territory and took part in the first Constituent Assembly for the future state of South Dakota. In 1884, he served as a prosecutor in Clark County. From 1885 to 1887, he was head of the post office in this district. Between 1887 and 1897 he was a senior prosecutor ( state 's attorney ); 1892 to 1900 he was also employed at the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Governor of South Dakota

In 1904, Elrod was elected Governor of South Dakota. He joined his two-year tenure at January 3, 1905. In the two years of his tenure, he has continued the policy of his predecessor Charles N. Herreid substantially. Between 1906 and 1907 the railroad expansion took place west of the Missouri progressing rapidly. Also In 1906 started the construction of an entirely South Dakota by crossing the railway line, which was built up in 1909 to the West Coast. Since this line is no longer touched the previous trading hub Evarts, this city was soon abandoned and deserted. Otherwise Elrods tenure was uneventful. In 1908, he opted not to run again. Therefore, he left in January 1909 from the Office of the Governor.

After the end of his term Samuel Elrod was near the town of Clark Farmer and practiced there as a lawyer. In Clark he is in 1935 also died. The ex-governor was married to Mary Ellen masts, with whom he had two children.