Edward Kieffer Post

Other Events:

• _UID: FF9E5F1AB8A64343B4B4684D452C58C1A1F7

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: K87C-6RB
• _UID: C244C3354DF644E2809D1B5E3E7CA7A2005E

Notes:

Excerpts from the October 30, 1971 Times Leader (Chardon Ohio) newspaper column titled "Posts' 60 years together a 'good life'":

Most of the large bridges in the county built since 1940 were constructed under his supervision while he was an engineer with the State of Ohio.

The first graduate of Chester High School in 1900, he was born in the Post family homestead, a beautiful century home, on Sperry Road in Chesterland.

After graduation he taught in the district school for awhile before obtaining an engineering degree at Valparaiso University. Then back to teaching a bit before moving to Cleveland to work for the city's engineering department.

The marriage bond of James and Emma Post was 60 years strong Thursday as the quietly celebrated their anniversary at their home in Chesterland.

Mr. Post was a widower with four children when they met in Cleveland. A year later they were married and "Emma raised the children as though they were her own" he said.

At 90, Mr. Post is Chester Township's oldest native born resident.

"Sixty years ago today," Mr. Post recalled, "there was snow on the ground. It was a dreary day. Today it's the complete opposite."

"My father was a veteran of the Civil War. He voted for Lincoln in his second term." The family has been Republican in its politics ever since, he explained.

"If you have a difference of opinion, keep it to yourself" Mr. Post advised young marrieds.

The Posts life has had its sorrows. They were wiped out in the depression and Jean, the only child born to them, died at the age of nineteen. The loss is still keenly felt.

"I never thought we'd live to see our 60th anniversary," Mrs. Post said wonderingly. "Sixty years, woman." Mr. Post teased. "That's a long time."

James married Ethel M. Kieffer on 19 Aug 1903 in Geauga County, Ohio. Ethel (daughter of Edward H. Kieffer and Mary Knapp, daughter of Charles W. Labau and Lillie Minnie (nee Unknown) Labau) was born on 14 Sep 1883 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio; died on 25 Feb 1911 in Ohio. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: MLFH-ZQG
• _UID: 5CFEC480E4214858AF70492CB99995BF7D8F
• Adopted: 1883, Ohio

Notes:

Family history from at least the 1960s asserts that her biological parents were French, who had come to the U.S. before her birth. Later, they returned home, and five month old Ethel was adopted by the Kieffer family. Family history states the biological father as Charles W. Labau and mother as Lillie Minnie (nee unknown), but outside of family history the author has found no documentary evidence to support the adoption claim, until more recently.

The original book Record of Births of Cuyahoga County* clearly shows Edward and Mary as the parents. However, this ledger book contains entries that are not in chronological order. For example, the 1884 and 1883 entries are mixed on the page, and the first 1883 entry in the "1883 continued" block is from December. Further, the entry immediately preceding Ethel's is from November, though Ethel was born in August. The author's conclusion is that this ledger entry was made after Ethel's adoption, possibly even the following year.

Eventually a scanned image of the original birth record** was found that identifies Ethel's biological parents. Even this, though, has the failing that it doesn't identify the child's name, only the date, place, and parent information. However, all of the information contained on this card, including the date of birth and identification of the parents (Charles/Lillie Labau), match family legend.

* Pg. 306, Record of Births, Cuyahoga County, Ohio: record #133, name: Eithel Kieffer, birthdate: 13 Aug 1883, birthplace: Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio, sex: F, color: W, father's name: Edward, mother's name: Mary, parents' residence: 12 Schilling St." https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-23089-34439-29?cc=1932106

** Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003, Cuyahoga Birth returns 1883, scanned image 4309.

Birth:
Family history states she was born 14 Sep 1883.

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: KLCR-LKG
• _UID: 4C35DBF82DDE454FBA08D1B2260D8462511D
• Military: Nov 1861; Army, as a musician in the OVI band; discharged Oct. 1862; Address:
  41st Regiment

Notes:

According to the "Geauga Republican-Record" newspaper, 7 May 1913 edition, the funeral was one of the largest ever held in Chester.

According to "Ohio Deaths 1908-1953 (LDS), his occupation was listed as "farmer".

Walter married Orsa Jane Lander on 26 Oct 1864 in Cuyahoga, OH. Orsa (daughter of William Lander and Eliza Ann Litch) was born on 22 Sep 1845 in Orange Twp; died on 4 Nov 1923; was buried in Chester Twp Cem, Sec. A, Lot 38. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: 9W1Q-62B
• _UID: 5D571BB66D864BBE9CFC7FBE0CD051F679C7

Notes:

No vital records have been found substantiating her birth or parents, though records of her marriage and death exist.

Notes:

Married:
Alternate records show a marriage date of 3 December 1864.

Other Events:

• _UID: 1327E27231BD414CAC110925F06A49DC7372

Edward married Mary Knapp. Mary died in in Ohio. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: F6101982F16141FCAE6525FAD5810E1DE328

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: M2F8-SNS
• _UID: 583B9DE460204067BEBE424C8652A184421C

Jabez married Mary Ann Mcgillis on 15 Sep 1835 in Norwich, New London, CT. Mary was born in 1812 in Massachusetts, United States; died on 11 Oct 1884; was buried in Old Settlement, Chester Twp, OH. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: LTNT-PHB
• _UID: 3FF34DB220E74D5094039E833DADC2EC250F

Notes:

No documentation has yet been found establishing her maiden name as McGillis, though that is Post family history. There are several census which put her as the wife of Jabez, in Ohio, with a birth year approximating 1812. The 1880 US Census (Geauga, Ohio) shows her father's birthplace as Canada and mother's birthplace as Massachusetts. She is listed as a widow and homemaker.

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: 9KDP-QSJ
• _UID: A83A8881412E4CF8B5A4B013AB6DFD6C3B95

Notes:

||||

It should be mentioned that two Lander brothers, probably cousins of William, were somewhat famous explorers. Richard Lemon Lander (1804-1834) and John Lander (1807-1839) were natives ofCornwall, England and sons of an inn keeper at Truro. On behalf of the British government, the brothers determined the course, and source, of the Niger River in Africa in the year 1825.

William married Eliza Ann Litch. Eliza was born on 24 Dec 1819; died on 24 Jan 1887. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _FSFTID: LCJH-FJG
• _UID: 394C97DC607A470FBA312341F3BD8B904264