Truman

Chapter 2 describes Truman’s childhood living on a farm. The property comprised a 600-acre farm and another 1,000-acre farm that belonged to Truman’s grandfather. The Trumans owned many domestic animals, and their children engaged in outdoor activities.

The core family included Truman and his parents along with his younger brother and sister, John Vivian and Mary Jane. Truman was also surrounded by extended family members growing up: Aunts Ada, Laura, and Sallie, Cousin Sol Chiles, Uncle Harry, as well as Grandma and Grandpa Young. Some of the family members, such as Aunt Laura, lived in Kansas City. Growing up, Grandma Young was lenient giving, McCullough says, “every youngster free rein,” while Mama taught the children responsibility and “taught that punishment followed transgression” (38). Harry’s father preferred his sister and his mother to him. However, Harry and his father got along well “in the sociability and excitement of politics” (59).

In 1890, the family relocated to Independence to facilitate Harry’s schooling. His father was doing well financially, so they could afford servants. Harry also began wearing eyeglasses because his eyesight was poor from a young age. The boy liked school. The author describes him as “an exceptionally alert, good little boy of sunny disposition” (39). In his free time, Harry enjoyed reading at home and the library. His favorite subject was historical personalities, especially famous military leaders like Hannibal, Andrew Jackson, and Robert E. Lee. In addition to literature, the boy grew to appreciate music, and his hobby was fencing.

At school, Truman was not particularly popular, but the other boys respected him. He met Elizabeth Wallace, Bessie, his future wife at Sunday school. As Truman started high school, he got a job getting J. H. Clinton’s drugstore ready for customers early in the morning. He excelled at most subjects, like Latin and math, but was a poor speller. Toward the end of high school, Truman wanted to apply to West Point.

The author also describes the overall atmosphere and developments in the area. Many of the older Black residents were born into slavery. Blacks were also, McCullough says, “unwelcome at most stores and were denied use of the town library” (50). He adds that lynching took place and the media typically blamed the victims. Further, racial slurs “were used as a matter of course in so-called ‘polite society’” (50).