Clifford E. Farr
Cite this Page
"Clifford E. Farr," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/849.
- Position
- Gardener
- Years in President's House
- circa 1929 – 1942
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- White
- Biography
- Clifford Edgar Farr Sr. was born on March 7, 1895, in Washington, D.C. (1) During World War I, Farr served in the U.S. Army’s 310th Machine Gun Battalion. (2) For many years, he worked as a gardener for the Office of Public Buildings and Parks. As early as 1929, he was assigned to White House work under the supervision of Head Gardener Charles Henlock, though he may have started there earlier. (3) He worked in the White House greenhouses near the Bureau of Engraving and Printing on the National Mall, which provided all of the florals and greenery for White House events. In 1936, a fire broke out onsite and Farr, working the night shift, discovered the fire and sounded the alarm. (4)
By 1940, his title was assistant gardener. (5) Further information about his career is scarce, but the greenhouses were demolished later that year to make room for a local highway expansion, which would have impacted his role. Farr passed away on September 24, 1958, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. (6) - (1) Clifford Edgar Farr 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: 021, Ancestry.com.
(2) “Farr, Clifford E.,” Army Cemeteries Explorer, https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/index.html#/arlington-national/search/results/1/CgRGYXJyEghDbGlmZm9yZA--/.
(3) Employees on Duty at the Executive Office, 1929, Lou Henry Hoover Papers, Subject Files, White House Christmas 1929, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library.
(4) Clifford Edgar Farr 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: 021, Ancestry.com; “Hothouse Fire Brings out Trucks of 4 Companies,” Washington Daily News, November 17, 1936, pg. 3. This article incorrectly identifies him as “night fireman” at the gardens; instead, he was a gardener.
(5) Clifford E Farr in the 1940 United States Federal Census, Year: 1940; Census Place: Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia; Roll: m-t0627-00557; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 1-146, Ancestry.com.
(5) “Farr, Clifford E.,” Army Cemeteries Explorer, https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/index.html#/arlington-national/search/results/1/CgRGYXJyEghDbGlmZm9yZA--/; “Farr, Clifford Edgar Jr.” Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), September 25, 1958, pg. 60. - Birthplace
- Washington, D.C., USA