From Slavery to the White House, the Ficklin Family Served Presidents for Nearly 8 Decades

The Ficklin family, descendants of a Virginia slave born around 1854, maintained a remarkable White House presence spanning nearly eight decades and 13 presidential administrations. John Woodson Ficklin and his brother Charles worked their way up from dishwashers to the highest butler positions, with Woodson ultimately serving 44 years and becoming responsible for planning all White House social events. His son, John Wrory Ficklin, spent 40 years on the National Security Council staff, eventually becoming a special assistant to the president.