All the presidents wives 30

Lou Henry Hoover

Born:

March 29, 1874 in Waterloo, Iowa

Died:

January 7, 1944 in New York City

Father:

Charles Delano Henry

Mother:

Frances Ida Ward Henry

Ancestry:

English

Siblings:

One sister

Physical Description:

5’8" tall with brown hair that turned silver by 1920, and blue gray eyes. She appears to have been a large framed woman, which made her appear heavy. She had a gap between her two front teeth that marred her smile. She looked magnificent in evening clothes, but somewhat frumpy in her day clothes. She was always an advocate of physical fitness, which is indicated by her strong support of the Girl Scouts.

Religion:

Episcopalian, later Quaker

Education and Childhood:

Lou’s early childhood was spent in Iowa. She was very athletic, playing baseball, skating, basketball and archery. She was went camping with her father and enjoyed fishing. Lou attended Waterloo Grade School. She was always a good student, but the emphasis in her life at that time was the outdoors. After Lou’s mother developed some breathing problems, the family moved first to Whittier, California, then later to Monterey, California. She attended State Normal School in Los Angeles, San Jose Normal School from which she graduated with a teaching degree in 1894 and Stanford University from which she graduated with a B.A. in geology in 1898. Lou Henry was the first woman in America to receive a degree in geology.

Husband:

Herbert Clark Hoover (1874 – 1964)

Courtship and Marriage:

Lou’s professor of geology introduced her to Herbert Clark Hoover, who was then a senior at Stanford. They began dating. "Bert" could often be found in front of Lou’s dorm. When Herbert left to mine for gold in Australia after he graduation, he and Lou were unofficially engaged. Not long after Lou’s graduation from Stanford, Hoover got a position as chief engineer for the Chinese Engineering and Mining Company. His proposal to Lou came via telegram; she accepted by cablegram. Because there was no Episcopalian or Quaker minister in Monterey, the couple were married by Father Ramon Mestres, a Roman Catholic priest. They had a one-day honeymoon in San Francisco, then boarded a ship to China.

Marriage:

February 10, 1899

Age at Marriage:

24 years, 318 days

Personality:

Extremely intelligent, Lou Hoover could speak five languages, including Chinese. She was extremely health conscience. In adulthood, she learned to ride horseback and to swim. Mrs. Hoover had common sense and a good sense of humor. She was an extremely private person who resented intrusions into her personal life. Later in life, Lou Hoover became in involved in many charities including Friends of the Poor, the Lyceum Club and the Red Cross. She always felt that women should get involved in any work they found to their liking, even if it was male dominated. She had a sense of tradition, but was modern as well. The White House staff found her somewhat forbidding and cold, even though she often showed great concern for their well being.

Children:

Herbert Clark Hoover, Jr. (1903 – 1969)
Allan Henry Hoover (1907 – 1993)

Years Before the White House:

The Hoovers were in China during the Boxer Rebellion, which prompted Lou to learn to use a pistol. While in China, she also developed a love of Chinese porcelain. She acquired pieces throughout her life, and had a large and valuable collection. She learned Chinese, and would translate materials for her husband and give commands for him to his staff.

In 1902 the Hoovers moved to London, England where both of their sons were born. London would be their home base for thirteen years. They traveled extensively during this time, and by the time their first son was a year old, he had crossed the globe twice.

In 1912, Lou worked with Herbert to translate a very important but little known work: Agricola’s "De Re Metallic". The 1556 work on mining was written in old Latin, then translated into German by George Beura. The Hoovers used both the old Latin and translated German versions to create their English translation. Lou earned the Mining Metallurgical Award for her work.

By 1908, Herbert Hoover was a junior partner for the Berwick Mining Company When a senior partner embezzled funds, Herbert drew up plans for the man to repay the debt. Lou Hoover helped the man’s wife and children by giving them an allowance. When the debt was paid off, Hoover left and formed his own company.

In 1914 Lou sailed with her sons to America on the SS Lusitania (eight months before it sank). After the boys were placed in school, Lou returned to England to join Bert in his war relief efforts. While in London, Lou served as president of the American Women’s War Relief Fund and Hospital, and the California Chapter of the Committee for Mercy. Her home was open to American servicemen. She established the Women’s Hospital in Belgium.

By 1918, Lou Hoover was back in America. She was actively involved in the Girl Scouts, serving as leader of Troup 7. She later became National President. In 1922 she became the only woman officer of the National Amateur Athletic Federation.

Herbert Hoover served as Secretary of Commerce for eight years under Warren Harding and then Calvin Coolidge. During this time Lou Hoover had an opportunity to study both Washington politics and social etiquette.

First Lady:

March 4, 1929 – March 4, 1933:

When Lou Hoover entered the White House, she had educational, cultural and civic experience that could be very helpful in her role as First Lady. Unfortunately, the depression kept her from utilizing many of her skills.

Part of the public’s perception of Mrs. Hoover was based on their perception of Herbert Hoover, with his unsmiling square face and starched collars. As the depression deepened and the public’s dissatisfaction with Hoover grew, so did their coolness toward Lou Henry Hoover.

From the start Mrs. Hoover created controversy. She eliminated social customs that she considered outdated such as the New Year’s Day reception and the refusal to receive pregnant women. She appeared aloof at times. Lou Hoover rarely wore jewelry, never wore high heels and drove herself around Washington. She held elegant affairs and invited a variety of guests chosen for their wit, style, interest and intelligence. As a means of attempting to help the failing economy, she tried (but failed) to make cotton popular for eveningwear. In contrast, she often served large, seven-course meals at her affairs, which did not help the Hoovers image during the Depression.

Mrs. Hoover created further controversy by inviting all Congressional wives, even the wife of African-American Congressman Oscar DePriest from Chicago, to the White House. Lou Hoover was highly criticized for receiving an African-American in the White House. She was hurt by the criticism but never regretted her decision.

While First Lady, Lou Hoover continued her involvement in the Girl Scouts. She wanted to see the girls trained to the utmost physically and academically. She spoke often on the benefits of volunteerism.

Lou Hoover continued Grace Coolidge’s inventory of the White House items. She started searches for original pieces of White House artifacts. She set up the Rose Room as a setting for pieces from the Monroe period.

Mrs. Hoover produced a series of radio broadcasts, speaking on a variety of topics from her husband’s policies, the Girl Scouts and the growing role of women in everyday life. Mrs. Hoover had a strained relationship with the press. She never granted interviews, because she viewed reporters’ growing disregard for reporting the truth as the press’ biggest fault.

The White House staff found her exacting and often difficult to work for. On the other hand, she gave staff members financial aid when needed and made sure they were cared for if they were ill. Many people wrote to Lou Hoover, often asking for money. She always responded positively. When some tried to repay her by sending a check, she didn’t cash them.

Lou Hoover was bitter about her husband’s defeat in the election of 1932, but she graciously showed Eleanor Roosevelt through the buildings. After leaving Washington on March 4, 1933, they accepted the invitation of Edith Roosevelt (Eleanor’s aunt) to stay at Sagamore Hills.

Last Years:

Lou Hoover’s last years were busy with her interests in charities and her grandchildren. The Hoovers retired to Palo Alto, near Stanford University, to a home designed by Lou. She remained active in the Girl Scouts. She was also active in the League of Women Voters, the Visiting Nurses’ Association and others. The Hoovers also had an apartment in New York City. They spent Christmas 1943 there, and Lou Hoover died there on January 7, 1944.

Death:

January 7, 1944

Age at Death:

69 years, 284 days

Burial:

Alta Mesa Cemetery, Palo Alto, California, then re-interred in 1964 to West Branch, Iowa
Legacy: Lou Henry Hoover found her own niche in the world. She used her speeches, her radio addresses and her visible support of her husband’s policies to reach out to the women of America. A great believer of physical exercise, Mrs. Hoover encouraged girls to join the Girl Scouts to strengthen their bodies and their minds. She was a traditionalist in many ways, but she also believed that women could do any job a man could do, oftentimes better.

http://www.firstladies.org/default.aspx