John Littleton
- Positions
- Gardener
- Laborer
- Painter
- Years in President's House
- circa 1920 – 1932
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- White
- Biography
- John Littleton was born on July 6, 1871, in Washington, D.C. (1) He worked as a laborer/gardener for the Office of Public Buildings and Parks, and as early as 1920, he was assigned to the White House. (2) There are few details about his work there; however, a 1925 newspaper article about his brother Edwin C. Littleton noted that both John and Edwin were painters on staff. First Lady Lou Hoover later listed John in her annual White House staff Christmas lists from 1929 to 1932 as a yardman and laborer. (3) Littleton continued to work for the Office of Public Buildings and Parks, but it is unclear if he remained on detail at the White House. (4) John Littleton died on October 23, 1944, and was buried at Glenwood Cemetery in Washington, D.C. (5)
(1) John R Littleton in the 1900 United States Federal Census, Year: 1900; Census Place: Washington, Washington, District of Columbia; Roll: 164; Page: 4; Enumeration District: 0133, Ancestry.com; “John Littleton,” Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/139526280/john-littleton.
(2) John Littleton in the 1920 United States Federal Census, Year: 1920; Census Place: Washington, Washington, District of Columbia; Roll: T625_209; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 131, Ancestry.com.
(3) “Latest News and Notes of Activities in the Realm of Local Society,” Portland Press Herald (Portland, ME), December 20, 1925, pg. 38; Christmas 1930, Lou Henry Hoover Papers, Subject Files, White House Christmas 1930, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library; 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) Boyd’s District of Columbia City Directory (R. L. Polk and Co., 1933), 984.
(5) “Littleton, John,” Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), October 24, 1944, pg. 6; “John Littleton,” Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/139526280/john-littleton.
- Birthplace
- Washington, D.C., USA
- Related Worker
- Edwin C. LittletonTrades, circa 1903 – 1940