Lennox, S. D., July 2. - As Independence day draws nearer this year many early-day experiences are recalled by Mrs. Ezra Elcock, 81-year-old Lennox resident who witnessed the first 4th of July celebration held in this territory, 67 years ago. The affair was held at Swan [L]ake. Mr. and Mrs. Elcock celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary at their home here today.
"The fourth of July in 1876," recalls Mrs. Elcock, "was attended by everyone in this territory. Swan Lake was the closest town between Yankton and Vermillion, with Sioux Falls only a fort then."
"During the celebration it began to rain, raining the hardest and most that I have ever seen. Upon returning to our sod house we found that the roof was dripping with mud on the inside and only the frame top remained. Our furniture and household goods were ruined."
Mrs. Elcock was born on July 12, 1862 in Huron [C]ounty, O. Her father [Almond C. Dailey] served under General U. S. Grant. In 1869, the family emigrated westward, leaving Toledo, O., May 1 and in covered-wagon style stopped first at Clinton, Ia. They passed through Wheatland, Ia., traveling three miles in water, with the horses swimming in places and the water being up to the horses' knee-caps the larger share of the way.
"We passed through Des Moines, where no trees or 'signs of life,' except mosquitoes, were apparent."
There many pioneers drowned due to the high waters and many freighters froze to death in the blizzards of 1870-71-72.
In May, 1876, her father and other family members filed on a homestead in Dakota territory moving in a covered wagon. Four horses, 12 head of cattle and furniture were among their possessions. It required six days to travel 125 miles. They moved into a deserted sod house on the Vermillion river bottom. In 1877-78 the grasshoppers destroyed the entire grain crop and Indian scares drove many people across the Vermillion river.
There was no school or church. Donations permitted the building of a house for summer schooling. When but 16 she taught the second school term, gathering most of her education in the evenings at home. Classes were held in sheds and the teachers salary amounted to only $20 a month.
During the next six years she was instructor at the same school and the following years taught in other schools. In the meantime she attended the first normal school at Springfield, S. D., and during 1885-86 attended the university at Vermillion.
Mr. Elcock, born on November 16, 1856, at Spencerville, Ontario, Canada, came to Minnesota in 1864 with other family members. Mr. Elcock came to Dakota territory in 1880, the trip overland being made in a lumberwagon.
Mr. and Mrs. Elcock were married on July 2, 1889, and began farming five miles south of Lennox. In December, 1924, they retired and took up their present residence in Lennox.
Despite the early pioneer couple's advanced ages, they are active and do all of their own household chores and duties.
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