Signed Photograph of Presidents Herbert Hoover & Harry S. Truman.

President Harry Truman said of Herbert Hoover, "I feel that I am one of his closest friends and he is one of my closest friends." After the power of the presidency was turned over to President Eisenhower, former President Truman headed home to Independence, Missouri. As Truman left the inaugural events, he greeted former President Herbert Hoover. Hoover said, "I think we ought to organize a former Presidents' club". At this point, Hoover was the only person alive who could understand what it was like to be the President of the United States. This bond helped to fuel a friendship that lasted over twenty years. While both men disagreed on many political issues, their commonalties in life experience were the basis of their friendship. Both men were brought up in humble beginnings in the Midwest. Hoover was an orphan by the age of 10 and Truman grew up on a farm. As adults, both men did quite well. Hoover became wealthy as an engineer in China, and Truman became a judge in Independence, Missouri.