Ida Stover Eisenhower

Ida Stover Eisenhower

Ida Stover Eisenhower (1862–1946) was an American woman best known as the mother of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States. Her life story is a testament to the challenges and achievements of women in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in America.

Early Life

Ida Elizabeth Stover was born on May 1, 1862, in Mount Sidney, Virginia, to a family of modest means. The details of her early education are sparse, but she was known to have a strong desire for learning and self-improvement. In pursuit of higher education, which was uncommon for women of her time, Stover worked her way through college.

Education and Marriage

She attended Lane University in Lecompton, Kansas, where she met David Jacob Eisenhower, a fellow student. The couple married on September 23, 1885. They moved several times throughout Kansas, following David's various job opportunities, before settling in Abilene.

Family Life

Ida and David Eisenhower had seven sons, two of whom died in infancy. The surviving sons were Arthur, Edgar, Dwight, Roy, and Earl. Ida was a strong influence on her children, instilling in them values of hard work, religion, and education. Despite the family's financial difficulties, she ensured that her sons had access to books and education. Dwight D. Eisenhower, her third son, would go on to become a five-star general in the United States Army and the 34th President of the United States.

Later Years and Death

Ida Stover Eisenhower was known for her piety, wisdom, and stoicism throughout her life. She lived to see her son Dwight become Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe during World War II. She passed away on November 11, 1946, in Abilene, Kansas, at the age of 84.

Legacy

Ida Stover Eisenhower's legacy is often seen through the accomplishments of her son Dwight, but her own life story reflects the challenges and opportunities faced by women of her era. Her dedication to her family and her belief in the importance of education had a lasting impact on her children and, by extension, on American history.