Tenvoorde, Cyril (1905-1995)

https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/gen_oh/42/ [15547]

Biographical Information: Cyril Tenvoorde was born on September 25, 1905, in St Cloud Minnesota, to a family of German and Dutch immigrants. From an early age, Tenvoorde spent much of his time working in the automobile industry, helping his father and brothers Lloyd and Wally assemble Model Ts at the age of twelve. He became bookkeeper for their business at the age of sixteen. Aside from his work, Tenvoorde enjoyed spending time hunting and fishing and married his wife Beatrice in 1937. They raised three children named John, David, and Paul. Tenvoorde passed away on September 20, 1995 at the age of 89.

Transcript Summary: In an interview conducted on June 30, 1977, Cy Tenvoorde discussed his life in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and his role in the local automobile industry. Tenvoorde was born in St. Cloud to a family of German and Dutch immigrants in 1905, and that from a young age, he was actively working alongside his father and brothers in their family’s automobile business. Tenvoorde assembled Ford Model Ts when he was twelve. By the age of sixteen, he helped manage the business as a bookkeeper, a position that he continued to do at the time of the interview). Additionally, Tenvoorde worked at the dealership during the Great Depression and World War II. The work proved to be challenging but lucrative work all the same. Aside from his career, Tenvoorde also discussed his family life. He married his wife Beatrice on June 8, 1937 and had had three sons and eight grandchildren. Beatrice passed away in 1974.

Interview conducted by James Robak

Includes 2 newspaper clippings. Audio recording is on the same reel-to-reel tape as J. Leonard Carroll from Church Oral Histories.