White House Historical Association

George L. Johnson

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"George L. Johnson," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/1045.
Position
Cook
Years in President's House
circa 1950 – 1951
Legal Status
Free Person
Gender
Male
Race/Ethnicity
Black or African American
Presidency
Harry S. Truman
Biography
George Lincoln Johnson was born on December 19, 1913, in Bedford County, Virginia. (1) Johnson worked in several Virginia cafes and hotels prior to relocating to Washington, D.C. (2) As early as 1950, he is documented on the White House staff as a cook; at that time, the White House was under renovation, so Johnson would have cooked across the street at Blair House where President Harry S. Truman and his family stayed. (3) The following year, Johnson earned a salary increase for his service. (4) Further information about his career is scarce. George L. Johnson died in April 1989. (5)
(1) George Lincoln Johnson, Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014, Virginia Department of Health; Richmond, Virginia; Virginia, Marriages, 1936-2014; Roll: 101167976, Ancestry.com; George Lincoln Johnson, Virginia, U.S., Birth Records, 1912-2015, Delayed Birth Records, 1721-1924, Ancestry.com. Virginia, U.S., Birth Records, 1912-2015, Delayed Birth Records, 1721-1924 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.
(2) George L Johnson, 1930 United States Federal Census, Year: 1930; Census Place: Bedford, Bedford, Virginia; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 0009; FHL microfilm: 2342170, Ancestry.com; George Lincoln Johnson, U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards For Virginia, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 392, Ancestry.com.
(3) George L Johnson, 1950 United States Federal Census, National Archives at Washington, DC; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Year: 1950; Census Place: Washington, Washington, District of Columbia; Roll: 5907; Page: 73; Enumeration District: 1-286, Ancestry.com.
(4) “Memorandum to President Harry S. Truman re Salary Increases for White House Employees,” November 1, 1951, White House Files: President's Secretary's Files, Harry S. Truman Library, https://catalog.archives.gov/id/354584155.
(5) George Johnson, U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014, Social Security Administration; Washington D.C., USA; Social Security Death Index, Master File, Ancestry.com.
Birthplace
Bedford County, Virginia, USA