Sarah Simpson Elrod

Sarah Simpson Elrod

Quick Facts

Significance:

First cousin of Ulysses S. Grant and caretaker of White Haven during Grant's presidency

Place of Birth:

Clermont County, Ohio

Date of Birth:

June 13, 1831

Place of Death:

Centralia, Illinois

Date of Death:

April 8, 1917

Place of Burial:

Centralia, Illinois

Cemetery Name:

Elmwood Cemetery

Sarah E. Simpson (1831-1917) was a first-cousin of Ulysses S. Grant who lived with her husband William Elrod at White Haven during his presidency. Sarah was the eldest child of Samuel Simpson, the brother of Hannah Simpson Grant, mother of Ulysses S. Grant. 

Sarah Simpson married William Elrod (1827-1881) on May 17, 1854 and the couple lived in Ohio until 1867, when they moved to St. Louis to take over management of White Haven, under Grant’s direction. The Elrods served as caretakers of White Haven for six years while Grant was president, overseeing the horse breeding operation on the property. The Elrods had seven children, three of their children, were born on the White Haven property during the years that they worked for Grant. Their second son Samuel was born while they resided in Hardscrabble. Third son, William and youngest daughter Sadie were both born in White Haven. Grant developed long-term objectives for the farm when he wrote to Elrod on March 31, 1867:  

“I do not want to put more than $5000 00 more money in the place... All income from the place for the next ten years however I expect to spend on it.”  

In the summer of 1868, William and Sarah Elrod moved their family to the Main House after spending a year living in Hardscrabble, where their son Samuel was born. In 1871, Elrod, and Grant showed horses and cattle and placed at the St. Louis Fair. Three of Grant's horses won awards, but he expected them to do better.  

Despite having hired William Elrod for his expertise in horse breeding, Grant carefully scrutinized Elrod’s decisions. In the spring or summer of 1873, Grant informed Elrod that he would not need him after the fall. While Elrod's handling of the Pacific railroad construction through the property and the loss of Wish-ton-wish were part of the reason for Grant to not renew his contract, Elrod’s lack of response to Grant’s correspondence was likely the primary cause for his dismissal. In October 1873, Grant hired a new tenant, Nat Carlin, and ordered Elrod to remove himself from White Haven.  

After leaving Grant’s employ, the Elrods moved to Odin, Illinois, a small farming community about seventy miles east of St. Louis, where they resided for three years before settling in Centralia, Illinois.  

William Elrod died on November 29, 1881, and was survived by Sarah for 36 years. Sarah Simpson Elrod passed away on April 8, 1917. Both are interred in Elmwood Cemetery in Centralia, Illinois.