Simon E. Coates
Cite this Page
"Simon E. Coates," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/944.
- Positions
- Butler
- Houseman
- Years in President's House
- circa 1933 – 1946
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- Black or African American
- Biography
- Simon Edward Coates was born in the Deanwood neighborhood of Washington, D.C., on January 3, 1906. (1) Before arriving at the White House, Coates held several positions including butcher shop employee and doctor’s assistant. (2) At some point during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency, Simon Coates began working at the White House as a butler and houseman– perhaps in a part-time role, as he was listed as a doctor’s assistant in the 1940 Census, while his 1940 World War II draft card lists his place of employment as the White House. (3) He is included on a 1944 White House staff roster, and his obituary stated that he worked at the White House somewhere between 14-18 years during the presidencies of both Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman. (4) Around 1946, Coates transferred to the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia, perhaps resuming his previous duties as a doctor’s assistant, and later worked as a clerk. (4) Simon Coates died on April 21, 1959, and was buried at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in Portsmouth. (5)
- (1) Simon Edward Coates 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: 44, Ancestry.com; “Simon E. Coates Worked at the White House for 14 Years,” New Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Virginia), May 2, 1959, pg. 3.
(2) Edward Coats in the 1930 United States Federal Census, Year: 1930; Census Place: Washington, District of Columbia; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 0077; FHL microfilm: 2340029, Ancestry.com; Simon E Coates in the 1940 United States Federal Census, Year: 1940; Census Place: Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia; Roll: m-t0627-00572; Page: 62B; Enumeration District: 1-556, Ancestry.com.
(3) ibid; Simon Edward Coates 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: 44, Ancestry.com; "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; "The Executive Mansion,” Undated, Folder: Christmas Subject File, Grace Tully Papers, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, New York.
(4) "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; “Simon Edward Coates,” Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/137738309/simon-edward-coates; “Simon E. Coates Worked at the White House for 14 Years,” New Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Virginia), May 2, 1959, pg. 3.
(5) Simon E Coates in the Virginia, U.S., Death Records, 1912-2014, Virginia Department of Health; Richmond, VA, USA; Virginia, Deaths, 1912-2014, Ancestry.com; “Simon Edward Coates,” Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/137738309/simon-edward-coates. - Birthplace
- Washington, D.C., USA