Harvey R. Utz
Cite this Page
"Harvey R. Utz," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/875.
- Position
- Gardener
- Years in President's House
- circa 1929
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- White
- Presidency
- Herbert Hoover
- Biography
- Harvey R. Utz was born in Maryland on February 7, 1889. (1) As a young man, Utz served prominent guests as a waiter at the Willard and Mayflower hotels in Washington, D.C. For nearly three decades, Utz worked as a gardener in the Office of National Capital Parks, and for at least a portion of that tenure, he was assigned on duty at the White House. (2) The exact years of his service at the White House are unclear, but in 1929, First Lady Lou Hoover included Utz on her staff Christmas list with “Employees under the Supervision of Mr. Charles Henlock, Chief of the Horticulture Division.” (2) His 1948 obituary also states: “Mr. Utz was a gardener at the White House about 20 years ago. He specialized in growing lilies and roses and had grown flowers for the White House in the National Capital Parks green houses here.” (3) Utz died on January 4, 1948, and was buried at Washington National Cemetery. (4)
- (1) U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 for Harvey Richard Utz, The National Archives At St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; 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: 070, Ancestry.com; “Harvey Richard Utz,” Find A Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/193803493/harvey-richard-utz.
(2) “H.R. Utz to be Buried Tomorrow; Parks Gardener for 28 Years,” Evening Star, January 6, 1948, pg. 5; Employees on Duty at the Executive Office, 1929, Lou Henry Hoover Papers, Subject Files, White House Christmas 1929, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library.
(3) Ibid.
(4) “Utz, Harvey Richard,” Evening Star, January 7, 1948, pg. 10, Chronicling America, https://www.loc.gov/item/sn83045462/1948-01-07/ed-1/. - Birthplace
- Maryland, USA