Thomas H. Johns
Cite this Page
"Thomas H. Johns," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/837.
- Positions
- Grounds Laborer
- Electrician
- Years in President's House
- circa 1931 – 1944
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- White
- Biography
- Thomas Henry Johns was born on October 25, 1879, in Manteo, Virginia. (1) He first appears on White House staff lists in 1931 as a yardman on the grounds; city directories from the 1930s suggest he worked there on assignment from the Office of Public Buildings and Parks. (2) In this role, he performed manual labor for the gardens and grounds. However, it seems that he later transitioned to the role of electrician during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency. (3) Johns continued to be listed among the electrical staff through 1943, and he passed away on March 11, 1944; thus, he may have worked there until his death. (4) Thomas H. Johns was buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Charlottesville, Virginia. (5)
- (1) “Thomas H. Johns,” Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/43680665/thomas-h-johns; Thomas Henry Johns 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: 035, Ancestry.com.
(2) Xmas List 1931, Lou Henry Hoover Papers, Subject Files, White House Christmas 1931, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library; Boyd’s District of Columbia Directory (R. L Polk and Co., 1934), 859.
(3) Thomas H Johns in the 1940 United States Federal Census, Year: 1940; Census Place: Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia; Roll: m-t0627-00553; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 1-31; "White Regular Employees of the White House Christmas, 1940" from FDR Library, Grace Tully Papers ; "Christmas List for December 25, 1943 for the Men and & Wife & Children Up to 14 Years of Age," 1943, Folder: Christmas Lists; Topical File, 1933-1945, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt Papers, Part 1, 1884-1964, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, New York.
(4) Ibid; “Johns, Thomas Henry,” Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), March 12, 1944, pg. 12.
(5) Ibid, “Thomas H. Johns,” Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/43680665/thomas-h-johns. - Birthplace
- Manteo, Virginia, USA