Hoover, Lyman, 1901-

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: 702165200

• 1901 Aug 5: Born in Minerva, Ohio, son of Virginia D. and Rev. Guy l. Hoover.
• 1922: Graduated from Butler University.
• 1922 - 1923 : Traveling secretary for the Student Volunteer Movement.
• 1923 - 1928 : Attended Yale Divinity School.
• 1924 Aug 5: Ordained at the Downey Avenue Christian Church, Indianapolis.
• 1924 - 1928 : Served as pastor of the Congregational Church in Northford, Ct.
• 1925 Feb 7: Married Helen L. Kroenke.
• 1928 - 1930 : Associate regional secretary of Rocky Mountain Field of National Student Division of YMCA's based in Denver.
• 1930 Aug: Appointed to staff of International Committee of YMCA's for service in China.
• 1930 - 1932 : Studied at the College of Chinese Studies, Peiping.
• 1931 - 1936 : University Secretary of Peiping YMCA.
• 1932 Nov 19: Daughter, Carol Virginia, born.
• 1933 - 1936 : Special lecturer at the College of Chinese Studies, Peiping in the field of Chinese Islam.
• 1936 - 1937 : Furlough; one semester of study at Yale University. Returned to China without family.
• 1937 Jun 30: Son, Lyman MacNicholl, born (known as "Mac").
• 1938 Feb - 1938 Jul : Five month, 5,000 mile tour of war-torn China. Assisted in organization of National Student Relief Committee.
• 1938: Appointed Associate Executives Student Division, National Committee, YMCA's of China.
• 1939 Apr: Returned to China with family, based in Shanghai.
• 1939 - 1942 : Associate Executive Secretary, National Student Relief Committee.
• 1939 - 1941 : Member, Board of Managers, Shanghai American School.
• 1941 Jan: Returned to U.S. with family LH returned to China 1941 Mar.
• 1941 Jun: YMCA 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.
• 1942 - 1943 : Administrative Secretary, National Student Relief Committee.
• 1943 Apr: Furlough in U.S.
• 1943: Elected 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 Dec - 1944 : Returned 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 Oct: Returned 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 Jul - 1948 Aug : Furlough in U.S. First year spent largely in traveling and speaking engagements for YMCA.
• 1947 - 1948 : School year spent in study for M.A. degree at Yale University, including major paper on issues of missionary preparation for overseas work.
• 1948 Aug - 1948 1947 Jan : Returned to Shanghai with family. Forced to return to U.S. because of health problems of HKH and unsettled conditions in China.
• 1949 - 1952 : World Services Director for New York City YMCA.
• 1951: Appointed Trustee of United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia.
• 1951: Consultant to Committee for a Free Asia.
• 1952 Jun: Appointed New York Representative of Committee for a Free Asia, which changed its name to the Asia Foundation in 1954.
• 1954: 1958: Visited Taiwan as Representative of Asia Foundation.
• 1964 Oct: Helen K. Hoover died of heart failure.
• 1965 Mar: "Mac" Hoover died of leukemia.
• 1965 Aug - 1967 Nov : Representative of Asia Foundation in Republic of China (Taiwan).
• 1968 Mar 16: Married Jane Hunter.
• 1969 Aug 9: Son, Giles, born.
• 1977 Jun: Retired 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)