Charles T. Goodall
Cite this Page
"Charles T. Goodall," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/823.
- Position
- Gardener
- Years in President's House
- circa 1929 – 1932
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- White
- Presidency
- Herbert Hoover
- Biography
- Charles T. Goodall was born on July 12, 1876, in Washington, D.C. (1) As a young man, Goodall was hired as a waterboy for the Office of Public Buildings and Parks; he would spend the rest of his career working for the capital’s parks. (2) For at least part of his career (ca. 1929-ca. 1932), he worked as a horticulturist in the propagating gardens– an offsite green space on the National Mall that provided flowers and plants for White House dinners, receptions, and other events. (3) According to his obituary: “He was regarded by his associates as an expert on ferns and orchids.” (4) Further information about his work as it relates to the White House is scarce, but by the time of his passing on October 31, 1935, he was foreman gardener of the Office of National Capital Parks. Goodall was buried at Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C. (5)
- (1) “Charles T. Goodall Funeral Set Today,” Washington Post, November 2, 1935, pg. 15; Charles T Goodall in the 1910 United States Federal Census, Year: 1910; Census Place: Precinct 5, Washington, District of Columbia; Roll: T624_152; Page: 1a; Enumeration District: 0104; FHL microfilm: 1374165, Ancestry.com.
(2) Ibid; “Charles T. Goodal, Parks Worker, Dies,” Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), November 2, 1935, pg. 5.
(3) Charles Goodall in the 1930 United States Federal Census, Year: 1930; Census Place: Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 0285; FHL microfilm: 2340035, Ancestry.com; Employees on Duty at the Executive Office, 1929, Lou Henry Hoover Papers, Subject Files, White House Christmas 1929, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library; White House Employees, 1932, Lou Henry Hoover Papers, Subject Files, White House Christmas 1932, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library; Xmas List 1931, Lou Henry Hoover Papers, Subject Files, White House Christmas 1931, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library.
(4) “Charles T. Goodal, Parks Worker, Dies,” Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), November 2, 1935, pg. 5.
(5) “Charles T. Goodall Funeral Set Today,” Washington Post, November 2, 1935, pg. 15; “Goodall, Charles T.,” Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), November 1, 1935, pg. 11. - Birthplace
- Washington, D.C., USA