February 10: Marriage of Lou Henry and Herbert Hoover (1899)
Prayer Idea
Pray for husbands and wives to work together for the good of their families and communities.
History Note
Lou Henry was born in Waterloo, Iowa, on March 29, 1874. Herbert Hoover was born about 90 miles away in West Branch, Iowa, on August 10, 1874.
However, they would not meet until the 1890s. They both attended Stanford University in California. Lou and Herbert both studied geology. Lou was the only female geology major at that time, and the pair began courting.
Herbert Hoover became a mining engineer and worked in Australia after graduation. He sent a telegram to Lou asking her to marry him. She replied with a telegram that she would. They married at her parents’ home in Monterey, California, on February 10, 1899.
The next day they left for China, where Herbert was employed by the Chinese government as a mining consultant. Lou learned to speak Mandarin while they were there. They were trapped with others in the town of Tientsin, surrounded by violence, during the Boxer Uprising in 1900.
The Hoovers traveled around the world together as Herbert continued his work in the mining industry. Their sons Herbert Jr. and Allan were born in 1903 and 1907. They worked together to translate De Re Metallica, a 1556 book on mining, from Latin to English.
Herbert moved into a career in public service, helping lead humanitarian relief during World War I, serving as Secretary of Commerce, and eventually becoming President of the United States.
Among many pursuits and interests, Lou was active in the Girl Scouts, leading a local troop and becoming involved in the national organization. During her second term as president of the Girl Scouts, the organization began using commercial bakers to expand its cookie program. Lou also promoted physical fitness and access to sports for girls and women.
Lou Hoover died in 1944 during World War II. Herbert Hoover remained a prominent figure until his death in 1964. They are buried side by side at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch, Iowa.
This photo shows Lou (lower left) and Herbert Hoover (center) on their wedding day in 1899. Lou’s parents, Charles and Florence, are on the right, and her sister, Jean, is behind Herbert. Photo courtesy the National Archives.
Learn More
Lou Hoover was fascinated by technology. She may have taken the first color home videos of the White House.
Learn more about Herbert and Lou Hoover at Homeschool History.
