ELROD REUNION MINUTES 1919-1923

MINUTES 1919

 On the 18th of August 1919, 175 relatives and 80 friends of the Elrod family met at the home of Mr. Elias Franklin Elrod and spent a very pleasant day together.  The morning was spent in greetings and social affairs.  A picnic dinner was served on the grounds.  After dinner, speeches were heard from the following men: C.H. Carpenter, Rev. Joe Singleton, Rev. J.E. Strickland, and Rev. G.G. Harley.

 An organization was then affected with Mr. Richard Isadore Elrod as president, and Miss. Maud Cely as secretary-treasurer.  A historical committee, consisting of J.A. Cely, W.C. Elrod, and Miss Loche Elrod, was elected to assist the secretary in getting up a history, and a roll of the family to be read at the next reunion.

 It was decided to hold a meeting annually on Thursday before the fourth Sunday in August at the home of Mr. Frank Elrod.

 After another social hour, the crowd dispersed to meet again August 19, 1920.

MINUTES 1920

 Much to the disappointment of many relatives and friends, Thursday before the fourth Sunday in August 1920, the day set for the Elrod Reunion was a very rainy day.  News had been spread abroad that Ex-Gov. Sam Elrod of South Dakota was coming and would be the principal speaker. From far and near relatives and friends had signified their intention of coming until a veritable gathering of the clans of the Elrod tribe was expected.

 During the morning of the 19th, a heavy rain fell, but by one o'clock the clouds had passed and the sun shone during the afternoon. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, 96 relatives and 29 visitors registered at the home of Mr. E.F. Elrod.

 After greetings, a picnic dinner was served under the trees in the grove.  People then grouped themselves on or near the porch where the president, Mr. R.I. Elrod, leaning on a crutch as a result of an injured foot, called the assemblage to order.  Mr. G.S. Goodson, County Superintendent of Education, conducted the opening exercise.

The minutes of the 1919 meeting were read and approved.  The secretary, Miss Maud Cely, also read a brief history of the family and presented a leather bound ledger containing a roll of the family.  The money to buy the book was contributed the year before.

 Ex-Gov. Elrod of South Dakota was then introduced.  He talked of things of common interest-education and the development of our country.  He told us something of the history of his branch of the family--how they had migrated from North Carolina into Indiana, and how he himself when a young man just after graduating had gone to South Dakota when that state was being formed.  He modestly gave us an insight into the part he had had in the making of that state.  He advised us to study our soils and grow some crops for money besides cotton and to raise more stock.  He introduced his daughter, Miss Barbara, who was also a guest of honor.

 Mr. C.H. Carpenter then announced a picnic to be had at Clemson the following Saturday which would really be a continuation of the reunion.

 Mr. R.I. Elrod was re-elected president and Miss. Maud Cely, secretary.

 After a couple of hours spent in a social way, good-byes were said and the people wended? their way home hoping to meet again Thursday before the fourth Sunday in August 1921.

 During the year, the following members of the family have gone on to the great beyond: Uncle Jimmie Elrod in Dec., Wade Elrod in Apr., Mrs. Jim Jules in March, Lois Muliers in Sep., Mr. John Stone in Feb.

 The following have married: Thomas Cely to Miss Lena Herritt in Feb., Grace ELrod to Mr. Bruce Wilson in March 11, 1921, Velma Cely to Mr. Carl Chiles in March, Eugene Ashmore to Miss Lillian Cooper in Aug.

 Nine births have been recorded: Guy Childers, grandson of Mrs. Fannie Cely Childers; Waco Childers, grandson of Mrs. Lizzie Cely Childers; Martha Smith, granddaughter of Mrs. Belle Mauldin Smith; Maud and Elizabeth Garrison, twin granddaughters of J.A. Cely; Louisa Merritt, granddaughter of Mrs. Nan Cely Merritt; Frank Cely, grandson of H.D. Cely; Lula Helen McNeily, granddaughter of Mrs. Nan Cely Merritt; Graham Elrod, grandson of R.I. Elrod.

MINUTES 1921

 The Elrod reunion in 1921 was held Thursday, August 25, at the home of Mr. E.F. Elrod. 257 relatives and friends registered.

 At 11 o'clock the devotional exercises were conducted by Rev. J.C. Harmon.  Mr. R.I. Elrod, president of the organization, then took charge. The minutes of the 1920 meeting were read and approved.  The secretary reported for the year August 1920 to August 1921 five deaths, nine births, and five marriages.

 A letter from Ex-Gov. Elrod of South Dakota was read to which the secretary was authorized to send a reply.

 A tree of the family which Mr. C.H. Carpenter had made was presented by him and accepted with much appreciation.

 The children and young people then gave a program.  Those who took part in these exercises were Mary Howard, and Marjorie Merritt, Charles and Estelle Elrod, Varina Garrison and Miss Mary Mears.

 Dr. Mann, Supt. of the city schools in Greenville, made an interesting and practical address on "Some Every Day Characteristics Of A Good Citizen."  He emphasized poise, the getting of a good vocabulary, and being informed about current events.

 Our county agent, Mr. Byars, talked to us about how to meet the boll weevil which was then making his first appearance among us.

 Mr. R.I. Elrod was re-elected president and Miss Maud Cely, secretary.

 After a song the benediction was pronounced by Rev. J.C. Harmon.

 We then gathered around the long table under the trees and feasted upon the good things found on it until the inner man became satisfied.  The afternoon was spent in a social way.  As the sun sank toward the western horizon, lingering good-byes were said, car wheels began to move, and soon all was still and the 1921 reunion had passed into history.

 Since August 1921, another group of five members of the family has crossed to the other shore:  Mrs. Mabel Tripp Elrod in Sept. 1921; Mrs. Anna Elrod in Oct. 1921; Miss Vina Elrod in March 1922; J.D. Huff in May 1922; S.D. Childers in Jul 1922/

Births: C.O. Glass Jr., grandson of R.I. Elrod

Herbert Wallace Cely, grandson of J.A. Cely

Brocks Gwinn Ellison and Claud Merritt Cely, grandsons of J.M. Cely

Gladys Batson, great-granddaughter of Mrs. Fannie Cely Childers

Evelyn Childers and Margaret Elizabeth Childers, Mabel Childers, granddaughters of Mrs. Lizzie Cely Childers

Cecil Ballenger Chiles and James Bradley Chiles, grandsons of Mrs. E. Elrod Chiles

Emily Lou Richey, great-granddaughter of Mrs. E. Elrod Chiles

H.F. Smith, great-grandson of Mrs. Martha Elrod Mauldin

Sara Isabel Stone, granddaughter of Mrs. Belle Elrod Stone

Helen Huff, granddaughter of Mrs. Addie Mears Huff

Eugenia Ashmore, granddaughter of Mrs. Lou Elrod Ashmore

J.H. Cely Jr., grandson of H.D. Cely

Sara Dorris Elrod, granddaughter of L.G. Elrod

Marriage: Miss Louree Elrod to Mr. Phillip Anderson

MINUTES 1922

 On the 24 of August, 1922, 280 relatives and friends of the Elrod family gathered at the home of Mr. E.F. Elrod for their annual reunion.

 After the handshakes and familiar greetings were said, a song led by Mr. Loney of Illinois, who was singing in a revival meeting in the community at the time, called the people together around the porch.  Prayer was offered by Rev. A.P. Smith.

 The minutes of the 1921 meeting were read and approved.  Five deaths, fifteen births, and one marriage were reported in the family during the year from August 1921 to August 1922.  The children and young peoples' program was enjoyed.  Those taking part in it were Charles and Jim Cely, Walker and Varina Garrison, Evelyn Elrod, Mary Howard, and Lucia Merritt, and Blanche Chiles.

 The speakers of the day were Mr. C.H. Carpenter and Mr. E.P. McCravey.

 Mr. R.I. Elrod was again elected president and Miss Maud Cely,secretary.

 The benediction was then pronounced by Rev. A.P. Smith after which everybody moved over to the long table under the trees, and everybody took part in the entertainment found there.

 The afternoon was spent in a social way.

 Since last August, 8 births have been reported:

Marie Batson, G.Granddaughter of Mrs. F. Childers

Frances and Helen Childers, granddaughters of Mrs. Lizzie Childers

Beverly Freeman, grandson of Mr. Lafayette Elrod

Betty Elrod, granddaughter of Mr. H.F. Cely

Janie Bernice Merritt, granddaughter of Mr. James R. Elrod

Ruth Cely, granddaughter of Mr. H.D. Cely

Sarah Isabelle, granddaughter of Mrs. Belle Elrod Stone

Two marriages have been reported:

Truman Elrod, son of Mr. R.I. Elrod, married Miss Willie Brown

Byron Stone married Miss Ruth Agnew.

(This is the first time in five years that no deaths have been reported.)

Four members of the family graduated from college last June:

Sarah Elrod, daughter of Mr. L.G. Elrod, at Anderson College

Emilee Cely, daughter of Mr. N.D. Elrod, at Lander College

Fred and Jim Mauldin, grandsons of Mrs. Martha E. Mauldin, at Furman

 Several boys and girls finished the high school course in various places.

 School bells have been ringing in the family more than wedding bells.

MINUTES 1923

 On August 23, 1923, the relatives and friends of the Elrod family gathered at Bethesda Church for the annual reunion.  170 registered.

 After a time spent in talking, the people gathered in the church and joined in the opening song.  The devotional exercises were conducted by Dr. Truesdale.

 The minutes of the 1922 reunion were read and approved.  Eight births and two marriages were reported from August 1922 to August 1923.

 After some remarks made by the President, Mr. R.I. Elrod, Dr. Truesdale was introduced.  He gave us a splendid address and this was followed by the election of officers for the following year.  Mr. John Cely was elected president and Mrs. Howard Elrod, secretary.

 The benediction was pronounced by Dr. Truesdale, after which everybody gathered around the table to enjoy the bountiful feast, but no sooner had the good time begun than there came a downpour of rain and such a scramble as this caused!  Some went running to the church, some to cars, and some crawled under the table.  Dinner was never finished by the majority, and this was one reunion when no one was sick from over-eating.

 After everyone was made comfortable we then enjoyed a number of jokes given by James Garrison and a recitation by Varina Garrison.

Births: Juanita Elrod, granddaughter of Mr. L.G. Elrod

Marion Cely, granddaughter of Mr. J.A. Cely

Eleanor Ruth Cely, granddaughter of Mr. J.A. Cely

Marguerite Elrod, granddaughter of Mr. R.I. Elrod

Helen Rose Elrod, granddaughter of Mrs. Lou Elrod

Frances Ellison Cely, granddaughter of Mr. J.M. Cely

Mary Emily Chiles, granddaughter of Mr. J.M. Cely and Mrs. Emily Chiles

Carl Merritt, grandson of Mr. E.F. Elrod

_______ Childers, grandson of Mrs. Fannie Childers

Edith Bailey, great-granddaughter of Mrs. A.A. Merritt

 During the year, four members of the family have gone to the Great Beyond:

Mr. Nathaniel Elrod died in October, 1923

Mrs. Bertha Elrod Glass died in October, 1923

Dr. Strickland died in March, 1924

Mrs. Emma Elrod died in July, 1924

Six marriages have been reported since last August:

Miss Iola Elrod to Mr. Crawford

Miss Minnie Elrod to Mr. Timmons

Miss Rose Elrod to Dr. Crout

Mr. Ralph Chiles to Miss Rich

Mr. Fred Blakely to Miss Mitchell (or Maxwell)

Mr. Bob Cely to Miss Murphy

Charlotte Curlee Ramsey
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~cramsey/index.html