White House Historical Association

Frank E. Thomas

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"Frank E. Thomas," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/941.
Positions
Gardener
Florist
Years in President's House
circa 1940 – 1944
Legal Status
Free Person
Gender
Male
Race/Ethnicity
White
Presidency
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Biography
Frank Elmore Thomas was born on October 2, 1898, in Cheltenham, Maryland. (1) He worked as a farmer in Virginia prior to joining the White House staff. (2) He was first listed there in 1940, and through 1944 Thomas appears as an employee in the Bouquet Room and on the White House Grounds, suggesting that he was a gardener and/or florist. (3) It is unclear when Thomas left White House service. He passed away on May 20, 1968, and was buried at Riverview Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. (4)
(1) Frank Elmore Thomas 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 Maryland, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 520, Ancestry.com.
(2) Frank E Thomas in the 1920 United States Federal Census, Year: 1920; Census Place: Port Royal, Caroline, Virginia; Roll: T625_1884; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 25, Ancestry.com; Frank E Thomas in the 1930 United States Federal Census, Year: 1930; Census Place: Port Royal, Caroline, Virginia; Page: 7B; Enumeration District: 0010; FHL microfilm: 2342172, Ancestry.com.
(3) "White Regular Employees of the White House Christmas, 1940," Folder: Christmas Subject File, Grace Tully Papers, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, New York; "Roster of White House Employees, Revised, April 1, 1944," Folder: Investigative Case Files, 1934-1945, Records of the United States Secret Service, 1933-1945, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, New York..pdf ; "Christmas List for December 25, 1943 for the Men and & Wife & Children Up to 14 Years of Age," 1943, Folder: Christmas Lists; Topical File, 1933-1945, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt Papers, Part 1, 1884-1964, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, New York.
(4) “Frank Elmore Thomas,” Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68437524/frank-elmore-thomas.
Birthplace
Cheltenham, Maryland, USA