United States Governor Directory

Samuel Harrison Elrod

Samuel Harrison Elrod served as Governor of South Dakota.

  • Republican
  • South Dakota
  • Former
Portrait of Samuel Harrison ElrodSouth Dakota
Role Governor

Current assignment referenced in the congressional directory.

State South Dakota

Representing constituents across the South Dakota delegation.

Service period 1905-1907

Years of public service formally recorded.

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Biography

SAMUEL HARRISON ELROD was born in Coatesville, Indiana. He attended public school in Coatesville and graduated from DePauw University (Indiana) in 1882, becoming an attorney and land broker. After moving west, he served as a member of the Sioux Falls Constitutional Convention in 1883, as Clark County (Dakota Territory) Attorney in 1884, as Clark Postmaster from 1885 to 1887, as State Attorney from 1887 to 1897, and as U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs Disbursing Agent from 1892 until 1900. Elected governor four years later, he continued the policies of his predecessor-Charles Herreid-controlling political party machinery in South Dakota. Elrod did not seek reelection.

More Governors from South Dakota