Arnold W. Dixon

Arnold Whitted Dixon was born on September 18, 1889, in Fulton, Arkansas.¹ By 1900, Dixon’s family moved to Washington, D.C.² In June 1910, he married a woman named Edith M. Sharper in Washington, D.C. and they had one child.³  Prior to his time at the White House, Dixon worked as a butler for a private family.⁴

Dixon’s first appearance in White House records was in 1911 on an organizational chart of the Residence Staff under President William Taft; Dixon worked under Housekeeper Elizabeth A. Jaffray and earned $50.00 per month.⁵ City directories indicate that Dixon worked at the White House as a pantryman and butler, washing dishes and serving guests. According to fellow employee Lillian Rogers Parks, Dixon worked as the “third butler,” while Adough Byrd worked as second butler and James Coats worked as first butler. Dixon’s last known appearance in records related to the White House is the 1920 Census, where he was listed as a waiter.⁶

After departing the White House, Dixon continued to work as a butler, likely in private homes in Washington.⁷ He died on February 28, 1961 and was buried at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in McLean, Virginia.⁸