Charles D. A. Loeffler

Charles David Adam Loeffler was born in 1837 in Germany, and immigrated to the United States around 1852.¹ In 1858, he enlisted in the United States Army and served in the lead up to and during the Civil War. He climbed the ranks from private to sergeant, and later captain to major, serving in the 2nd and 5th U.S. Cavalry.² 

Loeffler first appears as a messenger at the Executive Mansion in 1870, though some newspaper articles state that he served as the doorkeeper to every president since Ulysses S. Grant.³ While he did become the doorkeeper to the president, Loeffler worked in several positions throughout his long career at the White House, many of which involved protection of the house and its occupants. By 1873, Loeffler was designated a policeman at the President’s House.⁴ Several years later, he was listed as a “day usher.”⁵ His title was shortened to “usher” by 1879.⁶ In 1883, he was recorded as a “clerk.”⁷ By 1885, he was serving as the doorkeeper to the president, earning a salary of $1,600.⁸ In 1899, Captain Loeffler was listed in the Quartermaster’s Department as a military storekeeper.⁹ He continued to be listed as an Army captain but may have been put on special assignment to continue working at the White House. Around 1906, Major Loeffler received his last military promotion. 

In 1909, newspapers reported a shuffling of staff to other positions. Chief Usher Thomas E. Stone replaced Loeffler as doorkeeper to the president, and Irwin “Ike” Hoover was promoted to chief usher. According to one report, Loeffler was retiring but President Taft ordered that he “remain on full pay in the army and held in reserves for important White House events.”¹⁰ According to the 1910 Federal census, Loeffler was retired but listed “special duty White House” as the nature of his work.¹¹ He died on January 5, 1926, and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.¹²