My grandparents on my mother's side lived thru a similar story of electrification in the Dakotas. They were farmers who, even in the 1960s, still had not fully adapted to the full power of electricity (limited indoor plumbing, cooking on a biomass stove, etc.) In my view that was mostly due to their limited view of the world. Their nearest neighbor was about one-half mile away and going to the 'city' to experience another view of the world just didn't happen. On the other hand, their lifestyle did encourage their children to seek a better life elsewhere. Which is why the great grandparents left the old county to begin with.
My grandparents on my mother's side lived thru a similar story of electrification in the Dakotas. They were farmers who, even in the 1960s, still had not fully adapted to the full power of electricity (limited indoor plumbing, cooking on a biomass stove, etc.) In my view that was mostly due to their limited view of the world. Their nearest neighbor was about one-half mile away and going to the 'city' to experience another view of the world just didn't happen. On the other hand, their lifestyle did encourage their children to seek a better life elsewhere. Which is why the great grandparents left the old county to begin with.