My Genealogy Hound

MRS. ELMIRA (VANDERHOOF) POST. There are in Buchanan few ladies who enjoy the regard of the people of the village to so large an extent as the estimable lady whose name introduces these paragraphs. She is one of the pioneers of Michigan, where the greater part of her useful life has been passed. Steuben County, N. Y., is her birthplace, and March 5, 1832, the date of her birth. Her father, David Vanderhoof, was born and reared in New Jersey and after his marriage settled in Steuben County, N. Y., where he was engaged as a tiller of the soil. Thence he came to Michigan, residing first in Cass County and later establishing his home in Berrien County. His was the first white family to establish a home in the county and he built the first frame house in Bertrand Township. He was a pioneer farmer of the township, where he remained until his death, at the age of eighty- three.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Phoebe Titsworth and was born in New Jersey, being of English descent. Her death occurred at the age of fifty years. She was the mother of four daughters and four sons, all of whom grew to maturity. After her death, Mr. Vanderhoof was again married, choosing as his wife Lavonia Wells, and they became the parents of eight children. Mrs. Post is the youngest child born of her father’s first marriage and is the only one now living. When about ten years of age she accompanied her parents to Michigan, and for a time was a pupil in the school at Edwardsburgh, Cass County. In her childhood she had few of the advantages so common to the little girls of this generation, for she was obliged to aid in the work of sewing, cooking and mending at a time when most girls are playing with their dolls. However, those childish experiences developed in her traits of self-reliance and nobility of character that made every acquaintance a warm friend.

Miss Elmira Vanderhoof was first married to John Groves, a native of Augusta, Me., and a prominent and successful attorney-at-law. For a time he practiced law in the South and came to Michigan in 1843, being the first lawyer to locate in Buchanan. A Democrat in politics, he served as Representative to the State Legislature for two years, and also held many high official positions in the county. His death occurred in 1852. Of this union two sons were born: John D., who is engaged in business at Kalamazoo, Mich.; and Charles W., who is at home, and is clerking in the store of John Morris.

In 1857 occurred the marriage of Mrs. Elmira Groves to John N. Post, who was born near Amsterdam, N. Y., and for some time was engaged in traveling for a large Eastern house. After his marriage he entered into business at Buchanan, and for several years was prominently connected with this place, contributing effectively to the various movements originated in its behalf. He died in Minneapolis, Minn., February 2, 1869. The two children, born of his union, Nellie A. and Anna, are also deceased. Mrs. Post is so unassuming and modest that to speak prominently of her goodness and the many kindnesses with which she has brightened the lives of others would not be appropriate. Long after she shall have passed hence, her memory will be treasured by her hosts of friends, and as the perfume lingers, even though the flower is crushed, so will her good deeds, the fragrance of her beautiful and useful life, linger long: after she will have entered into her final rest.