Ralph F. Howell
Cite this Page
"Ralph F. Howell," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/825.
- Positions
- Gardener
- Florist
- Years in President's House
- circa 1929 – 1932
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- White
- Presidency
- Herbert Hoover
- Biography
- Ralph F. Howell was born in Virginia around 1900. (1) Howell worked as a gardener/florist for the Office of Public Buildings and Parks, and from at least 1929-1932, he was assigned to the White House greenhouses near the Bureau of Engraving and Printing on the National Mall. (2) He would have worked under the supervision of Head Gardener Charles Henlock. It is possible that Howell was assigned to the White House prior to or following the Hoover years, but documentation is scarce.
- (1) Ralph Howell in the 1930 United States Federal Census, Year: 1930; Census Place: Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 0072; FHL microfilm: 2340029. Ancestry.com.
(2) Employees on Duty at the Executive Office, 1929, Lou Henry Hoover Papers, Subject Files, White House Christmas 1929, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library; Xmas List 1931, Lou Henry Hoover Papers, Subject Files, White House Christmas 1931, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library; White House Employees, 1932, Lou Henry Hoover Papers, Subject Files, White House Christmas 1932, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library; "Driver Acquitted Of Drunkenness: Second Offense Charge Fails Against Gardener for White House,” Washington Post, February 7, 1931, pg. 4. - Birthplace
- Virginia, USA