Truman S Harry Essays - Presidency Of Harry S. Truman,

Truman S Harry Truman was a simple honest man. His impact on world history however was much more than simple. In his life he would take part in both world wars and serve two terms in office as president. Truman was born in Lamar, Missouri, on May 8, 1884. His full name was Harry S. Truman. The S did not stand for anything but was put there to appease his two relatives who's names started with s. He was the eldest of three children with a younger brother Vivian, and a younger sister Mary Jane. His parents were not rich but his mother, Martha Ellen Young Truman, always found that money was there for piano lessons or books. Truman moved to Independence when he was six. He went to the Presbyterian Church and attended Sunday school (he met his future wife Elizabeth Wallace here). Truman began school at eight years of age. His two passions, reading and music, helped him gain a strong education and high grades. His large glasses and vast knowledge also alienated himself from other children. After graduating in 1901, his future was unclear. His poor eyesight barred him from military service and his families financial situation would not allow him to go on to college. Truman worked as a time keeper for thirty five dollars per month at Sante Fe Railroad. He still read up on histories and encyclopedias when he could find the time. He moved to Kansas City and worked as a clerk for the Kansas City Star, he then began work at the National Bank of Commerce and finally the Union National Bank's book keeper. He returned home in 1906 after his grandfathers death. The family had inherited a farm in Grandview Missouri and for ten years Truman worked and became quite a successful farmer. He had his first small taste of politics when he joined the local democratic party organization, run by Mike Penergast. He was made Grandview Postmaster. Truman invested some money in Lead mines and then oil fields. He sold his stocks and enlisted in the United states army in 1917. Truman trained in Oklahoma, at a military base called Fort Sill. He became a recruiter in Missouri and the Missouri Second Field Artillery elected him first lieutenant. He sailed for France in march 30, 1918. He was made captain of Battery D (nick named Dizzy D), tamed their rowdy ways and lead them to glory in the battles of Saint-Miheal and Argonne. Truman finished the war a Major and returned home in April of 1919. Truman married Elizabeth Wallace on June 28, 1919. Truman opened a clothing store for men with his friend Eddie Jacobson in Kansas City. The store was quite successful and many of the veterans of the Dizzy D's were repeat customers. The store lost money when farm prices dropped in 1920 and finally shut down in the winter of 1922. Truman however paid his debts and never declared bankruptcy. Truman looked for help in his old acquaintance Pendergast. He was entered in a four way democratic primary for a judgeship in eastern Jackson County. One of his opponents was backed by the kkk. Truman was asked to join, however, he rejected their racial attitudes towards blacks, and religious hatreds to the Jews and Catholics. Pendergast withdrew the entrance money. Truman did however run, his war record and previous work and Missouri were the basis of his campaign. He was successful in the primary and was sworn in on January 1923. This was his first public office position. His duties as county judge left him with a one million dollar debt and roads and buildings to be maintained. In his two year term he lowered the debt by 600,000 dollars and helped to improve the roads. In 1926 Truman was made court judge. He quickly exposed and fired many of Pendergast's corrupt members and cleaning the corrupt political machine. He appointed independent commissions to look into roads and buildings, secured low interest loans, hand picked the architect to rebuild the court house and hired respectable workers. He received a second term as the county judge. The son of the now late Mike Pendergast, Tom, asked Truman to run for the senate in 1935. Truman came to power playing on the popular New Deal. He was sworn in as Junior senator of Missouri on January 3, 1935. In the Senate, Truman was not trusted for his dealings with Tom Pendergast. The white house was uncovering the Pendergast