Legislator Details
Vital Records Information:
Marital Information:
married Aleida Engelberta Hartgerink, May 1850; children: John, Hendrika, Everdina, Johanna, Hermina and Dirk
Number of Children: 0
Background
Education:
Biographical Sketch:
Son of Aart and Everdina Roost. He
emigrated to this country in 1847, locating in Ottawa County, then a part of
Kent. By trade he was a wheelwright, which he followed at Holland and Grand Rapids for 2 years, then carried on the wagon making and blacksmith business at Grandville till 1854, when he settled permanently in Holland. He was Supervisor in 1858-59-60 and was elected County Treasurer in 1861. The "Holland Colony" in 1859 appointed Mr. Roost financial agent to negotiate a loan of $30,000 to open a harbor, connecting Black River and Lake Michigan, which he accomplished in the East, Gerrit Smith being the first one to invest in the bonds. Soon after he secured 11,000 acres of swamp land from the State for the same purpose. In
1860 he established "De Grondwet," a Holland Republican paper, which had
great influence in politics. In 1861 he became Postmaster but was removed by
Pres. Johnson. In 1862, he was US Enrolling Officer and Assistant Assessor.
Notable Facts:
Committees: Roads & Bridges (chair); Canal, River & Harbor Improvements; Immigration; Fisheries; Reform School for Girls; & Labor.
He was a Republican until 1876, then a Democrat.