Farming Skills Helped Mold a President

By John W. McDonald
Former editor of The Examiner
Independence Examiner Truman Centennial Edition May 1984

Martha Truman, Harry's mother
Martha Truman, Harry's mother

"It was on the farm that Harry got his common sense. He didn't get it in town."

Thus did Martha Truman describe the experience of her son who for 11 years operated the family farm at Grandview, 20 miles southwest of Independence. She added that he would "plant the straightest row of corn in the whole country."

His proud mother put her finger on a trait that stood out in the public service career of Harry S. Truman - from his days as county judge to those of world leadership in the critical period following World War II. "Common sense" was a factor in the decisions he was called on to make.


Next page

The Harry S. Truman Library and Museum is one of twelve Presidential Libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration.

500 W. US Hwy. 24. Independence MO 64050
truman.library@nara.gov
;
Phone: 816-268-8200 or 1-800-833-1225;
Fax: 816-268-8295.