Harry S. Truman was a farmer, store owner, and a judge before he became president. After graduating from Independence High School in 1901, Truman worked as a timekeeper on the Santa Fe Railroad, sleeping in "hobo camps" near the rail lines; he then worked at a series of clerical jobs. He returned to the Grandview farm in 1906 and stayed there until 1917 when he went into military service.Truman worked at odd jobs after graduating from high school to help his family make ends meet. He helped on his father's farm from 1906 until he joined the military to fight in World War I. After the war he opened a hat shop which failed in 1922. Truman was made a "judge" of Jackson Co., Missouri, which was an administrative post. From 1926-34, he was the head judge of the county. From 1935-45, he served as a Democratic Senator representing Missouri. Then in 1945, he assumed the vice presidency.