John Ellsworth Boardley was born in Howard County, Maryland on March 20, 1886.¹ Boardley worked as a department store shipping clerk in Baltimore, Maryland prior to joining the White House staff in 1908. Initially, he worked as a janitor, but later transitioned to the role of messenger, delivering presidential mail from the White House and handling confidential correspondence with care and discretion. His brother, Joseph, also worked at the White House as a messenger for a time.² John often traveled with presidents, and during Harry Truman’s presidency, he was “in charge of mimeographing and distributing his speeches to members of the press.”³ In addition to these important duties, Boardley also took part in lighthearted moments. During the holidays, he often set up a “an evergreen tree festooned with peanuts” on the lawn for the enjoyment of the White House squirrels.⁴ He was also an officer in the Chandelier Club, a social group made up of Black men on the domestic staff at the White House.⁵ His daughter, Idamaye C. Boardley worked for President Truman’s Committee on Civil Rights.⁶ John E. Boardley died on July 11, 1950. By that time, he had risen to the role of chief messenger and chief of supply room. He was buried at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in Maryland. The Trumans sent floral tributes to his funeral, as did members of the White House staff.⁷

John Ellsworth Boardley in the U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, The National Archives At St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; World War II Draft Cards (Fourth Registration) For the District of Columbia; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147; Box or Roll Number: 006, Ancestry.com.
“Boardley,” Evening Star, July 11, 1950, pg. 6; “Presidential Mail Messenger,” Pittsburgh Press, August 3, 1925, pg. 24; Joseph L. Boardley in the 1910 Federal Census, Year: 1910; Census Place: Precinct 8, Washington, District of Columbia; Roll: T624_153; Page: 6b; Enumeration District: 0149; FHL microfilm: 1374166, Ancestry.com.
“Vet White House Employe Dies Driving to Mansion,” Atlanta Daily World, July 16, 1950, pg. 2.
“Squirrels’ Friend Cheers Their Xmas,” New Journal and Guide, December 31, 1949, pg. 6; J. Russell Young, “White House Squirrels to Get Nut Bedecked Christmas Tree,” Evening Star, December 24, 1937, pg. 1, Chronicling America, https://www.loc.gov/item/sn83045462/1937-12-24/ed-1/.
“The Chandelier Club’s Reception,” The Washington Sun, February 19, 1915, pg. 4. (6) “To Secure These Rights: The Report of the President's Committee on Civil Rights,” Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/to-secure-these-rights. (7) “Boardley, John E.” Evening Star, July 13, 1950, pg. 26, Chronicling America, https://www.loc.gov/item/sn83045462/1950-07-13/ed-1/.; “Card of Thanks,” Evening Star, August 22, 1950, pg. 12, Chronicling America, https://www.loc.gov/item/sn83045462/1950-08-22/ed-1/; “President Harry S. Truman’s White House Staff,” Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/white-house-staff.

Birthplace

Howard County, Maryland, USA

Lincoln Memorial Cemetery

Related Worker: Carroll
circa 1911