Introduction to Marjorie Merriweather Post’s Family Tree
Marjorie Merriweather Post (1887–1973) was an American socialite, businesswoman, and philanthropist, best known for building and leading the Postum Cereal Company (later General Foods) and for transforming Hillwood, her estate in Washington, D.C. Understanding her family tree is best approached through verified records, public biographies, and institutional archives rather than speculation. This relationship explainer outlines her parents, marriages, children, and close relatives, emphasizing documentable lineage and roles in her professional and social life.
Parents and Early Familial Context
Marjorie’s upbringing and early opportunities were shaped by her parents’ status and the enterprises they influenced. Their names, backgrounds, and roles in the companies she inherited are well documented in corporate histories and published biographies.
Edward Adolphus Post
Marjorie’s father, Edward Adolphus Post (1859–1919), was an executive in the coffee and cereal sectors whose work helped lay foundations for what became a large-scale food business. His career trajectory influenced the scale of resources Marjorie would later manage.
Della May White
Marjorie’s mother, Della May White (1861–1944), came from a family connected to regional commerce. Her parents’ standing and Della’s own community involvement contributed to the social capital that Marjorie would leverage in business and philanthropy.
Marriages and Immediate Family by Spouse
Marjorie was married three times. Each marriage brought new family connections, including spouses, stepchildren, and, in her unions with Edward Francis Hutton and Hollis B. Post, biological children who became part of the Post-Hutton lineage.
Edwin F. Leverich (m. 1908; div. 1910)
- Spouse: Edwin F. Leverich (1880–1960), an insurance executive.
- Duration: Married 1908; divorced 1910.
- Children: None from this marriage.
Edward Francis Hutton (m. 1911; div. 1935)
- Spouse: Edward Francis Hutton (1875–1960), co-founder of E. F. Hutton & Co. and a major figure in finance and corporate governance.
- Duration: Married 1911; divorced 1935.
- Children: No biological children, but they raised his daughter from a prior marriage and were involved in her upbringing.
Hollis B. Post (m. 1939; died 1940)
- Spouse: Hollis B. Post (1890–1940), an advertising executive and, later in his career, an official in agriculture policy who served as Administrator of the Agricultural Adjustment Administration under Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration.
- Duration: Married 1939 until his death in 1940.
- Children: One biological daughter, Wiley Post (1940–2023), who became a respected writer and editor in journalism and maintained involvement in cultural and historical preservation projects.
Children and Close Descendants
Marjorie’s only biological child was with Hollis B. Post. Through her marriage to Edward Francis Hutton, she was a parental figure to his daughter, creating a blended family structure that is often noted in biographies of the era.
Wiley Post (born Marjorie Post, 1940–2023)
Wiley Post, Marjorie’s daughter with Hollis B. Post, pursued a career in writing and editing. She contributed to periodicals and cultural institutions, and was involved in stewardship of the Hillwood collections and legacy projects that reflect her mother’s philanthropic values.
Notable Relatives and Extended Family Connections
Through her marriages and her own activities, Marjorie became part of several influential networks. The Hutton side connected her to Wall Street circles, while her work in philanthropy and preservation linked her to civic and cultural institutions in Washington, D.C.
- Edward Francis Hutton: Financier, co-founder of E. F. Hutton & Co., and a board member of companies that exemplified early 20th-century corporate consolidations.
- Hollis B. Post: Advertising executive and agriculture policy leader whose federal service intersected with New Deal programs during the 1930s.
- Wiley Post: Journalist, editor, and cultural steward who participated in preserving historical materials associated with the Post family and Hillwood Estate.
Documented Biographical Highlights and Key Dates
A concise, fact-focused timeline helps anchor claims about Marjorie Merriweather Post’s relationships and family connections. The table below summarizes verified attributes, the nature of each fact, and the source basis commonly referenced in reliable biographies and institutional records.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Marjorie Merriweather Post | Birth certificate, biographies |
| Date of birth | March 15, 1887 | Vital records, census data |
| Date of death | September 12, 1973 | Obituaries, estate records |
| Father | Edward Adolphus Post (1859–1919) | Corporate histories, directories |
| Mother | Della May White (1861–1944) | Biographies, local histories |
| Spouse: E. F. Hutton | Edward Francis Hutton (1875–1960); married 1911–1935 | Marriage records, business histories |
| Spouse: Hollis B. Post | Hollis B. Post (1890–1940); married 1939–1940 | Marriage records, federal service archives |
| Child | Wiley Post (1940–2023) | Birth records, obituaries |
| Hillwood Estate acquisition | Acquired and developed 1950s; opened to the public 1973 | Estate records, museum histories |
Clarifying Common Points of Confusion
In lengthy family histories, certain details can become blurred between public accounts and verified records. This section states clearly what is supported by documents and what remains outside the current evidence base.
- Number of children: Marjorie Merriweather Post’s only biological child is Wiley Post. She was also a parental figure to Edward Francis Hutton’s daughter from his first marriage, but that child was not her biological offspring.
- Spouses’ careers: Edward Francis Hutton was a financier; Hollis B. Post was an advertising executive and federal administrator; Wiley Post worked in journalism and cultural preservation.
- Continuity of estates: Hillwood was expanded and curated by Marjorie and later stewarded by Wiley Post, ensuring continuity of the collections and public programming.
Summary of Key Relationships
Marjorie Merriweather Post’s family connections can be summarized by verified lineage and documented partnerships. Her parents, Della May White and Edward Adolphus Post, provided an early environment connected to commerce and public life. Her marriages linked her to influential figures in finance (Edward Francis Hutton) and public policy (Hollis B. Post). Her only biological child, Wiley Post, continued her commitment to cultural and historical stewardship. These relationships are grounded in records held by institutions, published biographies, and authoritative archives.
Reliable Sources and Further Reading
For readers who wish to verify or explore further, the following types of sources underpin this explanation: birth and marriage certificates, corporate histories of General Foods and E. F. Hutton & Co., biographies published by reputable presses, federal service records for Hollis B. Post, and institutional records from Hillwood Estate and associated museums. Cross-referencing these materials minimizes ambiguity and supports an accurate, enduring understanding of Marjorie Merriweather Post’s family connections.
Conclusion
Marjorie Merriweather Post’s family tree is defined by clear, documentable relationships: her parents Edward Adolphus Post and Della May White; her three marriages to Edwin F. Leverich, Edward Francis Hutton, and Hollis B. Post; and her only biological child, Wiley Post. By relying on verified records and institutional sources, this relationship explainer offers a durable, transparent account of how her family connections shaped her life and legacy.