Thomas F. Pendel

Thomas F. Pendel was born in Washington, D.C., on May 29, 1824.¹ He later enlisted in the Marine Corps and served in the Mexican-American War. In the early 1860s, Pendel joined the Metropolitan Police. On November 3, 1864, he was assigned to the White House security detail, which included escorting President Abraham Lincoln and assisting visitors inside the Executive Mansion.² 

Pendel worked there during President Lincoln, President James Garfield, and President William McKinley’s assassinations.³ He once recalled stopping an attempted attack on President Chester A. Arthur shortly after President Garfield’s death. A man twice came to the White House requesting to see the president, and on the second visit, his behavior raised suspicion. When redirected, he panicked and reached for a loaded six-chamber revolver. Pendel disarmed him and turned him over to the police, likely preventing another tragedy.⁴ 

In 1902, Pendel published his memoir Thirty-Six Years in the White House, which reflected on the presidents he served and recounted notable events from his long tenure.⁵ He passed away on March 10, 1909, while still employed at the White House after forty-five years of service.⁶ His son, Thomas F. Pendel, also worked as a bookbinder for the government at this time in the Government Printing Office.⁷ Pendel is buried at Glenwood Cemetery in Washington, D.C.⁸