James A. Marshall
Cite this Page
"James A. Marshall," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/877.
- Position
- Gardener
- Years in President's House
- circa 1929
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- Black or African American
- Presidency
- Herbert Hoover
- Biography
- James Agustus Marshall was born in Prince George’s County, Maryland on June 11, 1900. (1) He worked as a gardener/laborer for the Office of Public Buildings and Parks, and as early as 1929, he was assigned to the White House under the supervision of Head Gardener Charles Henlock. (2) Marshall may have worked on the White House Grounds or at the White House greenhouses near the Bureau of Engraving and Printing on the National Mall. It is unclear how long he was assigned to the White House, but he continued to work for the National Park Service as a gardener in the years that followed. (3) James Marshall died in 1990. (4)
- (1) James Agustus Marshall 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: 148, Ancestry.com.
(2) Employees on Duty at the Executive Office, 1929, Lou Henry Hoover Papers, Subject Files, White House Christmas 1929, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library; Boyd’s District of Columbia Directory (R. L. Polk and Co., 1931), pg. 1071; Boyd’s District of Columbia Directory (R. L. Polk and Co., 1933), pg. 1031.
(3) James Marshall in the 1930 United States Federal Census, Year: 1930; Census Place: Washington, District of Columbia; Page: 40A; Enumeration District: 0143; FHL microfilm: 2340031, Ancestry.com; James Agustus Marshall 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: 148, Ancestry.com.
(4) James Marshall in the U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014, Social Security Administration; Washington D.C., USA; Social Security Death Index, Master File, Ancestry.com. - Birthplace
- Prince George's County, Maryland, USA