Edward F. Marks
Cite this Page
"Edward F. Marks," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/883.
- Position
- Grounds Laborer
- Years in President's House
- circa 1929 – 1940
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- Black or African American
- Biography
- Edward Francis Marks was born in Washington, D.C. on October 24, 1905. (1) Marks worked 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) According to his 1940 draft card, Marks worked at the White House greenhouses near the Bureau of Engraving and Printing on the National Mall. These gardens provided florals and greenery for White House events. (3) Two years later, the greenhouses were demolished to make room for a local highway expansion; it is unclear how this affected Marks’ role. The 1950 Census listed his occupation as janitor at “Public Parks.” (4) Further information about his life is limited.
- (1) Edward Francis Marks 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: 147, Ancestry.com.
(2) Boyd’s District of Columbia Directory (R. L. Polk and Co., 1930), pg. 1018; Employees on Duty at the Executive Office, 1929, Lou Henry Hoover Papers, Subject Files, White House Christmas 1929, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library.
(3) Edward Francis Marks 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: 147, Ancestry.com.
(4) Edward Marks in the 1950 United States Federal Census, National Archives at Washington, DC; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Year: 1950; Census Place: Washington, Washington, District of Columbia; Roll: 5908; Page: 16; Enumeration District: 1-303, Ancestry.com. - Birthplace
- Washington, D.C., USA