James F. Kelly
Cite this Page
"James F. Kelly," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/827.
- Position
- Gardener
- Years in President's House
- circa 1929 – 1932
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- White
- Presidency
- Herbert Hoover
- Biography
- James F. Kelly was born in August 1884 in Washington, D.C. (1) Kelly worked as a gardener/laborer for the Office of Public Buildings and Parks, and from about 1929-1932, he was detailed to the White House. There, under the supervision of Head Gardener Charles Henlock, he assisted with the maintenance of the gardens and grounds. (2) He may have worked at the White House before or after the Hoover years, but further information about his life and career is limited.
- (1) James Kelly in the 1900 United States Federal Census, Year: 1900; Census Place: Washington, Washington, District of Columbia; Roll: 162; Page: 19; Enumeration District: 0105, 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. - Birthplace
- Washington, D.C., USA