Charles F. Merson
Cite this Page
"Charles F. Merson," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/829.
- Position
- Gardener
- Years in President's House
- circa 1929 – 1942
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- White
- Biography
- Charles Frank Merson was born on July 3, 1881, in Burtonsville, Maryland. (1) The son of a farmer, Merson worked as a farm laborer early in his career. (2) He later relocated to Washington, D.C. and worked for the Office of Public Buildings and Parks. As early as 1929, he was assigned to the White House greenhouses located on the National Mall near the Bureau of Engraving and Printing; he may have been detailed there prior to that time, but information is limited. He worked there with his son, Carroll F. Merson. The greenhouses provided florals and greenery for White House events. (3) Charles Merson’s 1942 World War II draft card listed his place of employment as National Capital Parks; the address listed was home to the White House greenhouse complex, suggesting that he was still working on White House projects by that point. (4) Further information about his career is scarce, but the greenhouse complex was demolished in 1942 to make way for a local highway expansion which may have impacted his position. Merson died on February 6, 1951, and was buried in Burtonsville, Maryland at Union Cemetery. (5)
- (1) Charles Frank Merson in the U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, National Archives at St. Louis; St Louis, MO, USA; 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: 047, Ancestry.com. His draft card lists 1880 as his date of birth, while his gravestone lists 1881. See Charles F. Merson, Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/90771885/charles-f.-merson?_gl=1*874rrd*_gcl_au*MTM1NjUzOTk5My4xNzU2Mzg4MjI5#view-photo=60632047.
(2) Charles Merson in the 1900 United States Federal Census, Year: 1900; Census Place: Colesville, Montgomery, Maryland; Roll: 625; Page: 10; Enumeration District: 0056, Ancestry.com.
(3) Employees on Duty at the Executive Office, 1929, Lou Henry Hoover Papers, Subject Files, White House Christmas 1929, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library.
(4) Charles Frank Merson in the U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, National Archives at St. Louis; St Louis, MO, USA; 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: 047, Ancestry.com.
(5) “Merson, Charles F.,” Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), February 6, 1951, pg. 10; “Fewer Posies at White House,” Times Herald, March 15, 1942, pg. 10. - Birthplace
- Burtonsville, Maryland, USA