White House Historical Association

Edward F. Gallagher

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"Edward F. Gallagher," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/942.
Position
Gardener
Years in President's House
circa 1940 – 1951
Legal Status
Free Person
Gender
Male
Race/Ethnicity
White
Presidencies
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Harry S. Truman
Biography
Edward Francis Gallagher was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts on September 18, 1906. (1) As early as 1940, Gallagher began working as a gardener and horticulturist at the White House as an employee of the National Park Service. (2) From 1944-1945 he left his position to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II, but returned to his role as a gardener during Harry S. Truman’s presidency, as he is listed among staff receiving pay raises in 1951. (3) It is unclear when he left White House service, but he later relocated to Florida. Outside of his career, Gallagher was an active member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Melbourne, Florida. He died on March 29, 1990, and was buried at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. (4)
(1) Edward Francis Gallagher 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: 81, Ancestry.com.
(2) Ibid; "White Regular Employees of the White House Christmas, 1940," Folder: Christmas Subject File, Grace Tully Papers, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, New York; “Edward F. Gallagher,” The Orlando Sentinel, March 31, 1990, pg. 30.
(3) “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; Edward F Gallagher in the U.S., Veterans' Gravesites, ca. 1775-2019, National Cemetery Administration. U.S., Veterans' Gravesites, ca. 1775-2019 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006; “Edward F. Gallagher,” The Orlando Sentinel, March 31, 1990, pg. 30.
(4) “Edward F. Gallagher,” The Orlando Sentinel, March 31, 1990, pg. 30; “Edward F. Gallagher,” Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/678272/edward-f-gallagher.
Birthplace
Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA