John Archibald “Archie” Magruder, known as Archie, was born in Washington, D.C. in 1872.¹ He began his long career as a waterboy at the President’s House in 1888. In this role, Magruder watered plants onsite. Magruder, technically an employee in the Office of Public Buildings and Parks, went on to serve “10 presidents, catering to the selection of favorite flowers.”² Initially, his work took place in the greenhouses on the White House Grounds; after these buildings were razed in 1902 to make way for today’s West Wing, the greenhouses moved to the National Mall near the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. There, Magruder eventually became foreman of the greenhouses, supervising the propagation and transport of flowers, shrubs, and other greenery for use at White House events.³ His particular focus was on the growth of carnations, “which were a continual presidential favorite,” according to the Times Herald.⁴ Magruder retired from service in 1942; that year, the greenhouses were demolished to make way for a new highway extension, which may have driven this decision. He passed away on October 5, 1943, and was buried at Glenwood Cemetery in Washington, D.C.⁵

“John A. Magruder,” Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/122511041/john-a-magruderzEkdDE3NjM3NDQwNjckajI4JGwwJGgw; John A Magruder in the 1930 United States Federal Census, Year: 1930; Census Place: Washington, District of Columbia; Page: 19A; Enumeration District: 0353; FHL microfilm: 2340037, Ancestry.com.
Magruder celebrated his 50th work anniversary in 1938, placing his start date in 1888. His obituary states that he began working at the White House during Grover Cleveland’s first term, further confirming this date. Another article about his 50th anniversary states that he officially transitioned to White House service in 1899, but based on all of this information, it is likely that his unofficial work began there the previous decade. “John A. Magruder,” Times Herald (Washington, D.C.), October 6, 1943, pg. 21; Untitled, Washington Herald, November 13, 1938, pg. 62; “Observes Fifty Years in Federal Service,” Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), November 7, 1938, pg. 2.
Ibid; A. G. West, “President and First Lady Remember Their Friends With Flowers on Eastertide,” Washington Post, March 28, 1937, pg. F5.
“John A. Magruder,” Times Herald (Washington, D.C.), October 6, 1943, pg. 21.
Ibid; “Magruder, John A.,” Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), October 6, 1943, pg. 12; “John A. Magruder,” Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/122511041/john-a-magruderzEkdDE3NjM3NDQwNjckajI4JGwwJGgw; “Fewer Posies at White House,” Times Herald, March 15, 1942, pg. 10.

Birthplace

Washington, D.C., USA

Glenwood Cemetery