Lyman Hoover, born on August 5, 1901 in Minerva, Ohio, was educated at Butler University, Yale Divinity School and Yale University. He was a missionary in China under the auspices of the YMCA (1930-1949) and a consultant and representative of the Asia Foundation (formerly known as Committee for a Free Asia) in New York and Taiwan.
From the description of Lyman Hoover papers, 1900-1977 (inclusive). (Yale University). WorldCat record id: 7021652001901 Aug 5Born in Minerva, Ohio, son of Virginia D. and Rev. Guy l.
Hoover.1922Graduated
from Butler University.19221923Traveling secretary for the Student Volunteer Movement.19231928Attended Yale Divinity
School.1924 Aug 5Ordained at the Downey Avenue Christian Church, Indianapolis.19241928Served as pastor of the
Congregational Church in Northford, Ct.1925 Feb 7Married Helen L. Kroenke.19281930Associate regional secretary of Rocky Mountain Field of National Student
Division of YMCA's based in Denver.1930 AugAppointed to staff of International Committee of YMCA's for service in
China.19301932Studied
at the College of Chinese Studies, Peiping.19311936University Secretary of Peiping YMCA.1932 Nov 19Daughter, Carol Virginia, born.19331936Special lecturer at the College of Chinese Studies, Peiping in the field
of Chinese Islam.19361937Furlough; one semester of study at Yale University. Returned to China
without family.1937 Jun 30Son,
Lyman MacNicholl, born (known as "Mac").1938 Feb1938 JulFive month, 5,000 mile tour of war-torn China. Assisted in organization
of National Student Relief Committee.1938Appointed Associate Executives Student Division, National Committee,
YMCA's of China.1939 AprReturned
to China with family, based in Shanghai.19391942Associate Executive Secretary, National Student Relief
Committee.19391941Member,
Board of Managers, Shanghai American School.1941 JanReturned to U.S. with family LH returned to China 1941 Mar.1941
JunYMCA headquarters in China transferred from
Shanghai to Chungking,Szechuan because of war disturbances. LH worked from that
base until 1945 Oct., his work including many long trips among the universities
in exile in western China.19421943Administrative Secretary, National Student Relief Committee.1943
AprFurlough in U.S.1943Elected Associate General Secretary, National Committee, YMCA's of
China. LH had been offered the position of Executive Secretary of American
Student YMCA but declined the position in order to continue his work in
China.1943 Dec1944Returned to China by sailing vessel, visiting YMCA work in South
America, Africa, and India. While in China LH was a member of the Business and
Educational Committees of United China Relief, the China Nutritional Aid
Council and the Chinese American Institute of Cultural Relations.1945
OctReturned from Chungking to Shanghai; helped
reestablish National YMCA headquarters there. Supervised YMCA work for Japanese
and Korean civilian internees and repatriates. Visited various cities
and;univer sities in central and northern China, investigating rehabilitation
problems. Member, Advisory Council, Chinese National Relief and Rehabilitation
Administration.1946 Jul1948 AugFurlough in U.S. First year spent largely in traveling and speaking
engagements for YMCA.19471948School
year spent in study for M.A. degree at Yale University, including major paper
on issues of missionary preparation for overseas work.1948 Aug1948 1947
JanReturned to Shanghai with family. Forced to return
to U.S. because of health problems of HKH and unsettled conditions in
China.19491952World
Services Director for New York City YMCA.1951Appointed Trustee of United Board for Christian Higher Education in
Asia.1951Consultant to
Committee for a Free Asia.1952 JunAppointed
New York Representative of Committee for a Free Asia, which changed its name to
the Asia Foundation in 1954.19541958Visited
Taiwan as Representative of Asia Foundation.1964 OctHelen K. Hoover died of heart failure.1965 Mar"Mac" Hoover died of leukemia.1965 Aug1967 NovRepresentative of Asia Foundation in Republic of China
(Taiwan).1968 Mar 16Married Jane Hunter.1969 Aug 9Son,
Giles, born.1977 JunRetired
from Asia Foundation, having served as a consultant for his last ten years of
association with the Foundation.From the guide to the Lyman Hoover Papers, 1900-1977, (Yale University Divinity School Library)