Carlos E. Dexter

Carlos Everett Dexter, sometimes known as Charles, was born in Allegan, Michigan in 1842.¹ During the Civil War, he served in the 6th Michigan Heavy Artillery Regiment of the Union Army.² After the war, he held a variety of jobs including lumber salesman, police sheriff, and postal railway inspector.³ While working in the latter role, he worked for Donald M. Dickinson, postmaster general during Grover Cleveland’s first term as president. 

Upon Cleveland’s re-election in 1893, Dickinson recommended Carlos Dexter for the vacant chief doorkeeper position at the White House. In this role, which was also sometimes called chief usher in the media, Dexter oversaw a team of ushers, doorkeepers, watchmen, and guards at the White House, ensuring the security of the first family and the premises.⁴ Dexter resigned in December 1895 and was later replaced by William Dubois.⁵ After his resignation, Dexter worked as a post-office inspector in the District. He passed away on May 7, 1919, and was buried at Riverside Cemetery in Three Rivers, Michigan.⁶