William R. Allen
Cite this Page
"William R. Allen," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/935.
- Position
- Carpenter
- Years in President's House
- circa 1934 – 1952
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- White
- Biography
- William Roger Allen was born on December 24, 1882, in South Dayton, New York. (1) Allen later relocated to Washington, D.C., where he worked in the heating and plumbing industries. (2) Around 1934, he joined the White House staff, serving as a carpenter for the next eighteen years until he retired in 1952. (3) Outside of work, Allen was an active member of his Baptist church and a Mason. He died on January 18, 1969, and was buried at Portland Evergreen Cemetery in Chautauqua County, New York. (4)
- (1) William Roger Allen 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: 001, Ancestry.com.
(2) “William R. Allen,” The Buffalo News (Buffalo, New York), January 30, 1969, pg. 28.
(3) “William R. Allen,” The Buffalo News (Buffalo, New York), January 30, 1969, pg. 28; "White Regular Employees of the White House Christmas, 1940," Folder: Christmas Subject File, Grace Tully Papers, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, New York; “Memorandum to President Harry S. Truman re Salary Increases for White House Employees,” November 1, 1951, White House Files: President's Secretary's Files, Harry S. Truman Library, https://catalog.archives.gov/id/354584155.
(4) “William R. Allen,” The Buffalo News (Buffalo, New York), January 30, 1969, pg. 28; “William Roger Allen,” Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/76993489/william-roger-allen. - Birthplace
- South Dayton, New York, USA