Summary
Howell Gardner Crim (October 2, 1898 – May 11, 1959) was an American civil servant best known for being the Chief Usher of the White House in Washington, D.C., from 1938 to 1957.
Howell G. Crim | |
|---|---|
 Crim at his desk in the Chief Usher's office at the White House | |
| 5th White House Chief Usher | |
| In office 1938–1957 | |
| President | Franklin D. Roosevelt Harry S. Truman Dwight D. Eisenhower |
| Preceded by | Raymond Muir |
| Succeeded by | James B. West |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 2, 1898 Sharpsburg, Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | May 11, 1959 (aged 60) Bethesda, Maryland, U.S. |
Early life edit
Howell Gardner Crim[1] was born October 2, 1898, in Sharpsburg, Maryland, to William and Mary (née Hoffmaster) Crim.[2] His maternal grandmother was Margaret "Maggie" (née Grice) Hoffmaster, who, as a child, famously hid in a cave with her family while the Battle of Antietam raged around them on September 17, 1862. His maternal grandfather, Benjamin Franklin Hoffmaster, was one of the first rural mail carriers in Washington County, Maryland.[3]
Little is known about Crim's upbringing or education, although the National Park Service asserts he was an attorney.[4] The Hagerstown Daily Mail, Crim's hometown newspaper, reported that he left the United States in his late teens and traveled and worked abroad for some years until joining the United States Navy during World War I.[5]
Crim joined the staff of the Veterans' Bureau (the forerunner to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs) in 1919.[6][7] While working there during the Calvin Coolidge administration, he was asked to join the White House staff.[6] About to be married, Crim declined due to the long hours required.[6] Crim married Catherine Long (also spelled Katherine Long), and the couple had two children: Howell Gardner Crim, Jr. and Catherine Isabelle Crim.[8] The couple divorced some time before 1946.
White House years edit
Crim left the Veteran's Bureau in the fall of 1930 to join the White House staff. The White House had asked for two people with military experience to become ushers. One would take a newly created position as Assistant Chief Usher to Chief Usher Irwin "Ike" H. Hoover, while the other would be hired into an existing position as assistant usher. Raymond Muir was named to the former position, while Crim took the assistant usher job.[9]
Ike Hoover died suddenly of a heart attack on September 14, 1933,[10] and Muir was named his successor on September 18.[11] Crim was promoted to Assistant Chief Usher. But unlike Hoover, who spent 24 years as Chief Usher, Muir's tenure in the position was not a long one. Muir left the White House in April 1938 to join the State Department,[12] and Howell Crim was named Chief Usher on April 4, 1938.[13] As Chief Usher, Crim oversaw the operation of the White House and its staff. He had intimate daily contact with the President and First Family, oversaw all White House social affairs (formal and informal), and oversaw the reception and housing of heads of state, heads of government, diplomats, and other guests (important and not) at the White House. He was portrayed by actor Richard Roat in the 1979 NBC mini-series Backstairs at the White House.[14]
Death edit
Crim's health began to deteriorate in the 1950s. He was hospitalized in April and May 1953 for four weeks,[15] probably due to a heart attack. His health continued to worsen over the next few years. Crim finally retired in June 1957,[16] and J. B. West was named his successor. Crim retired to his farm in Fairfax County, Virginia, where he grew roses.[6]
Howell Crim died at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, on May 11, 1959.[1] The cause of death was reported to be blood and heart problems.[17] He was survived by his wife, Sadie,[a][18] and children Catherine Isabelle Crim Hall and Howell G. Crim, Jr. He was interred at Pohick Episcopal Church Cemetery in Lorton, Virginia.[1]
References edit
- Notes
- ^ The couple married on November 14, 1946. She was the sister of a White House policeman, B. Beltran Bradley.
- Citations
- ^ a b c "Deaths". The Evening Star. May 13, 1959. p. 86.
- ^ "Deaths". Hagerstown Morning Herald. May 25, 1955. p. 24.
- ^ "Mrs. B.F. Hoffmaster Dies at 90; Hid During Battle of Antietam". The Evening Star. July 19, 1949. p. 10.
- ^ National Park Service (2001). The White House & President's Park: Administrative History, 1791-1983 and Epilogue, 1983-1997. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior. p. 241.
- ^ "Howell Crim, County Native and White House Chief Usher, Dies". Hagerstown Daily Mail. May 12, 1959. p. 2.
- ^ a b c d Thayer, Mary V.R. (June 2, 1957). "Retirement Won't Crimp Crim, Presidential Usher". The Washington Post. p. F3.
- ^ "Howell G. Crim Dies; Served 4 Presidents". The Evening Star. May 11, 1959. p. 12.
- ^ "Crim-Seehorn". The Sunday Star. July 14, 1963. p. 39; "Miss Crim To Be Wed". The Sunday Star. January 14, 1951. p. 72; "Miss Catherine Crim Betrothed". The Washington Post. January 14, 1951. p. 44.
- ^ "Raymond D. Muir Is Appointed Chief Usher at White House". The Evening Star. September 19, 1933. p. 5.
- ^ "'Ike' Hoover, Usher At White House, Dead". The Washington Post. September 15, 1933. p. 1.
- ^ "Raymond D. Muir Appointed White House Chief Usher". The Washington Post. September 19, 1933. p. 2.
- ^ "Muir Appointed Southgate Aide". The Evening Star. April 4, 1938. p. 2.
- ^ "White House Changes". The Washington Post. April 5, 1938. p. X3.
- ^ Fox, Stephen. “This Actor’s Biggest Role Is A Financial Advisor.” Santa Cruz Sentinel. September 15, 1980. p. 14.
- ^ "Chief Usher Missed Fun". Mt. Vernon Register-News. May 15, 1953. p. 9.
- ^ "White House Chief Usher Retires". The Evening Star. May 24, 1957. p. 5; Beale, Betty (June 2, 1957). "Exclusively Yours". The Sunday Star. p. 78.
- ^ "Howell G. Crim Dead; White House Chief Usher". The Washington Post. May 12, 1959. p. B2.
- ^ "B.B. Bradley, Ex-Policeman, Is Dead at 56". The Washington Post. June 21, 1951. p. B2.