Harold C. Thomson
Cite this Page
"Harold C. Thomson," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/838.
- Positions
- Grounds Laborer
- Engineer
- Years in President's House
- circa 1932 – 1961
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- White
- Biography
- Harold Charles Thomson was born in Viroqua, Wisconsin on November 5, 1902. (1) He worked as a poultry farmer in Iowa before moving to Washington, D.C. with his wife, Freeda. (2) Thomson first appears on White House staff lists in 1932 as a worker on the grounds, but in subsequent years, he is listed among the engineers– specifically as an air conditioning engineer, caring for the heating and cooling systems throughout the house. (3) He remained on staff for decades, eventually becoming chief engineer. (4) He is listed there through 1961, though he may have worked beyond that time; despite his long tenure, information is limited. Thomson died on January 20, 1985, and was buried at Columbia Gardens Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. (5)
- (1) Harold Charles Thomson in the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; Wwii Draft Registration Cards For District of Columbia, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 228, Ancestry.com.
(2) Harold C Thomson in the 1930 United States Federal Census, Year: 1930; Census Place: Franklin, Linn, Iowa; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 0013; FHL microfilm: 2340399, Ancestry.com.
(3) Harold C Tomson in the 1940 United States Federal Census, Year: 1940; Census Place: Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia; Roll: m-t0627-00564; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 1-338C, Ancestry.com; White House Employees, 1932, Lou Henry Hoover Papers, Subject Files, White House Christmas 1932, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library.
(4) Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis Personal Papers. Textual Materials. Letitia Baldrige Files. Christmas: 1961 (2 of 2 folders). JBKOPP-SF037-009. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
(5) His death certificate lists chief engineer at the White House as his “Usual or Last Occupation,” though he likely did not work up to his death date. See Harold C Thomson in the Virginia, U.S., Death Records, 1912-2014, Virginia Department of Health; Richmond, VA, USA; Virginia, Deaths, 1912-2014; “Harold C. Thomson,” Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/81748380/harold-c.-thomson; “Thomson, Harold C.,” Washington Post, January 21, 1985, pg. B10. - Birthplace
- Viroqua, Wisconsin, USA