Dublin Core
Title
Bushrod Michie and Harry Michie
Subject
Early postal carrier in Poindexter
Description
Bushrod Michie was born into slavery and, after the war, lived near Poindexter. He was appointed to carry the mail to the area from Trevilians Depot around the turn of the century (1900).
Bushrod's son, Harry, became a member of the White House staff and served President McKinley when he was assassinated.
Harry Lee Michie, born in 1871 (See second photo) was the first to leave Louisa County. Harry, and his wife Amanda, left Virginia and moved to Canton, Ohio about 1895-1896. In Canton, Harry was employed as a steward in the home of then Ohio Governor and Presidential candidate William McKinley.
In 1897, William McKinley was elected as the 25th President of the United States. Over the next 3 years, Harry’ worked at the McKinley home in Ohio as a laborer and a servant to both the President and the Presidential personal secretary George B. Cortelyou. In September 1901, only six months into his second term, President McKinley was assassinated in Buffalo NY. According to the Michie family's oral history, Harry, as his valet, witnessed the assassination and was one of the aides who assisted the President during and after the shooting.
After the death of President McKinley, Harry accompanied Secretary Cortelyou to Washington DC and is soon listed as an employee of the US Department of the Treasury as “skilled laborerâ€. Beginning about 1910, Harry worked between the Treasury and the White House holding numerous positions including porter, messenger, laborer, clerk, White House custodian, and valet. His government career spanned over 45 years, serving 9 administrations from President Theodore Roosevelt to President Harry Truman. At a ceremony held within the White House, Truman personally retired Harry from service on June 30,1949.
Bushrod's son, Harry, became a member of the White House staff and served President McKinley when he was assassinated.
Harry Lee Michie, born in 1871 (See second photo) was the first to leave Louisa County. Harry, and his wife Amanda, left Virginia and moved to Canton, Ohio about 1895-1896. In Canton, Harry was employed as a steward in the home of then Ohio Governor and Presidential candidate William McKinley.
In 1897, William McKinley was elected as the 25th President of the United States. Over the next 3 years, Harry’ worked at the McKinley home in Ohio as a laborer and a servant to both the President and the Presidential personal secretary George B. Cortelyou. In September 1901, only six months into his second term, President McKinley was assassinated in Buffalo NY. According to the Michie family's oral history, Harry, as his valet, witnessed the assassination and was one of the aides who assisted the President during and after the shooting.
After the death of President McKinley, Harry accompanied Secretary Cortelyou to Washington DC and is soon listed as an employee of the US Department of the Treasury as “skilled laborerâ€. Beginning about 1910, Harry worked between the Treasury and the White House holding numerous positions including porter, messenger, laborer, clerk, White House custodian, and valet. His government career spanned over 45 years, serving 9 administrations from President Theodore Roosevelt to President Harry Truman. At a ceremony held within the White House, Truman personally retired Harry from service on June 30,1949.
Source
Louisa County Historical Society and the family of Harry Michie.