Carl W. Ferguson
Cite this Page
"Carl W. Ferguson," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/945.
- Positions
- Doorkeeper
- Houseman
- Years in President's House
- 1939 – 1956
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- Black or African American
- Biography
- Carl Wendell Ferguson was born on April 3, 1906, in Washington, D.C. (1) He worked as a houseman (or cleaner) at a local hotel prior to joining the White House staff in 1939. (2) There, he worked as both a houseman and doorman, providing general cleaning services and welcoming guests into the White House. He briefly departed to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II. (3) His wife, Pauline Ferguson, worked at the White House as a laundress during the Eisenhower and Kennedy years; meanwhile, Carl Ferguson departed from the White House in 1956. (4) Outside of work, Carl and Pauline Ferguson served as president and corresponding secretary, respectively, of the Arlington, Virginia branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). (5) Carl died on July 10, 1988, and was buried at National Memorial Park in Idylwood, Virginia. (6)
- (1) Carl Wendell Ferguson 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 Virginia, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 242, Ancestry.com.
(2) Carl W Ferguson in the 1930 United States Federal Census, Year: 1930; Census Place: Washington, District of Columbia; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 0221; FHL microfilm: 2340033, Ancestry.com; Carl W Ferguson in the 1940 United States Federal Census, Year: 1940; Census Place: Arlington, Virginia; Roll: m-t0627-04246; Page: 73B; Enumeration District: 7-35, Ancestry.com; “Harry S. Truman’s Beer Stein,” RR Auction, https://www.rrauction.com/auctions/lot-detail/33233930437165-harry-s-trumans-oak-beer-stein/.
(3) According to his service records, Ferguson served from 1943-1945. Carl W Ferguson in the U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2020, U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs; United States; U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs Birls Death File, 1850-2022; URL: https://www.va.gov/, Ancestry.com; “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) Lillian Rogers Parks, My Thirty Years Backstairs at the White House (Fleet Publishing Co., 1961), pg. 323; Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis Personal Papers. Textual Materials. Letitia Baldrige Files. Christmas: 1961 (2 of 2 folders). JBKOPP-SF037-009. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum; “Harry S. Truman’s Beer Stein,” RR Auction, https://www.rrauction.com/auctions/lot-detail/33233930437165-harry-s-trumans-oak-beer-stein/.
(5) “Arlington NAACP Honors Mrs. Taylor,” Washington Afro-American (Washington, D.C.), January 25, 1958, pg. 19.
(6) “Carl W. Ferguson,” Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/216486996/carl-w.-ferguson. - Birthplace
- Washington, D.C., USA