Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-03-04
PEOPLE WHO
KNEW HOOVER
Early Home Training And
The Latter Encourage
ment OF ssGrandnia Min
thorn" We're Hoover's
School Aids.

Before this outline of Hoover's
campaign for knowledge is undertak-
en-. mention should be made of the
circumstances leading to the coming
of the three Hoover children, Theo-
dore. Bert and May to Oregon in
1888.
The home at Westbranch, Iowa,
the birthplace Of the three children is
portrayed as being a genuine Quaker
home, the pleasant happy environ
ment Of which is re-echoed in the
latter efforts of the young Hoovers
in building homes of their own. In
1928 both parents died and after
few months, the children came to
Oregon to live with their relatives at
Newburg. At this time May, Bert and
Theodore (Tad) were seven, nine and
eleven years of age, respectively. In
1888, the children came to salem
where they became members OF the
family of DR.. ]. H. Minthorn, an
uncle.
1t is said that Hoover owes much
Of the instilled desire for a thorough
schooling, to DIR. Minthorn ana to his
grandmother, Mrs. Mary Minthorn.
Grandma" Minthorn, who died in
1905. was graduate of an EASTERN
university and had been school
teacher She is credited with having
given Bert all possible aid and en-
couragement to make good" In the
world, and with this end In view help
ed the young student in his work.
Herbert was naturally an apt pupil
and made exceptional progress, school
records at Newberg and Salem show
ing that he had completed the gram
mar grades with SOME higher branch
es at the age of IL.
In order to make his own way,
Bert, while attending various local
schools worked at various tasks As
has been previously stated he worked
for DR.. Minthorn while the latter was
associated with the Oregon Land
company. AT other times he was en-
ployed as printers devil" on the
Statesman, Salem newspaper, drove
the Salem horse car and engaged In
any other small enterprise.
In, 1S90-91. Hoover attended the
Capital Business college. and acquir-
ed several preparatory courses that
could later be depended upon to aid
in college work About this time Bert
had q wind fall' his participation Ia
a school qualifications contest netted
him scholarship at Stanford uni.
versity.
But, as usual with all strokes of
good fortune, the recipient himself
had to undertake a large RESPONSE
bility In order to enjoy the free tut
ton offer Bert had his school ex-
penses to make and the available
funds were low. Just when disaster
was threatening, so far as taking i'm
mediate advantage Of the scholarship
was concerned, young Hoover enter.
ed into one Of his first big business
propositions. One of Bert's chums
was the son of a banker and well
provided with funds but lacking In
definite determination to attend a
higher institution Of learning. Upon
hearing Of Hoover's predicament, he
offered to pay Bert's expenscs during
the first year at Stanford. If Hoover
would tutor him In branches in which
he was desirous OF acquiring credits.
Upon learning Of the plan. the par
ents of this chum heartily agreed
and in this manner. Bert made his
freshman year at the California
school.
During the first summer vacation
Hoover went to mining locality and
added to his purse and the same time
put the technical knowledge acquired
by his engineering course into prac-
tical use.