Summary Information
Barney F. Spott Papers
1906-1975
- Spott, Barney F. (Bronislaw Francis), 1898-1975
Milwaukee Mss 41; Milwaukee Micro 34; Micro 907
0.8 c.f. (2 archives boxes) and 1 reel of microfilm (35mm)
UW-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives / Milwaukee Area Research Ctr. (Map)Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)
Papers of Spott, a Milwaukee real estate man and State Assemblyman from the 13th District (1927-29) who served in the Polish Army in World War I and was active in various veterans and civic organizations. Included are personal and family biographies and papers, photographs of Spott and other veterans, his World War I journal, financial records, and drafts of his speeches to various civic groups. Also present are legal materials prepared or secured by Spott from the Polish consulate for members of the Milwaukee Polish community, and a microfilmed scrapbook about veterans' affairs.
English
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-mil00041 ↑ Bookmark this ↑
Biography/History
Barney (Bronislaw) Francis Spott was born in Milwaukee, January 14, 1898, the son of Albert and Veronica (or Verna) Spott. He attended local parochial schools prior to joining the Polish Army during World War I. Following his enlistment in November 1917, Spott left Milwaukee for the Polish Army camp at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario; from there he was sent to France, where he served as secretary and interpreter to General Archibald at the French-Polish mission in Paris. While attached to the mission, Spott became acquainted with General Charles de Gaulle. After the war's end, Spott traveled to Italy, Austria, and Poland, where he met the famed pianist Ignace Jan Paderewski and served as secretary to General Josef Haller in Krakow. In March 1920 Spott was discharged from the Army and returned to Milwaukee. His first job in Milwaukee was with the Mitchell Street State Bank, where he worked until 1922 when he opened a real estate office on the city's northeast side. Spott operated the business until his retirement shortly before his death in 1975.
Barney Spott was elected in 1927 to represent the Thirteenth District, Milwaukee County, in the State Assembly. He served one term in the Legislature, where much of his work was concerned with securing veterans' benefits for Americans who had served in the Polish Army during World War I. In private life, Spott was extremely active in veterans' affairs. He was a member of the American Legion and post commander of the Legion's General William G. Haan Post #234. In 1920 Spott organized Post #3 of the Polish Army Veteran Association; he later served as post commander and was awarded the title of Honorable State Commander for life. He was also a member and officer of the Polish Legion of American Veterans, Woodrow Wilson Post #11, the Americanization League of America, and other organizations. Throughout his lifetime, Spott was in great demand as a speaker and toastmaster at many civic and veterans' gatherings. In addition he did much to aid Milwaukee Polish Americans and Polish groups, by translating their letters, showing recording secretaries how to keep minutes of meetings (and apparently, occasionally composing the minutes himself), and preparing tax returns for the groups.
Albert Spott, father of Barney, Sr., was born in Prussian Poland, and became a citizen of the United States in 1906. Barney Spott's mother, Veronica Zajdowicz was born in the United States. Following Albert's death, she married Peter Kucharzak (1896-1944) in 1931. Vernonica Kucharzak died in 1953. Barney Spott married Olga Grochowski (d. 1963) in 1924; they had one son, Barney Spott, Jr.
Scope and Content Note
The collection reveals a great deal about Barney Spott's involvement with veterans' organizations and veterans' affairs. There are some personal papers, but few professional or business documents. PERSONAL PAPERS consist of a file including biographical sketches; an obituary; military papers and passes; newsclippings, a campaign card, and copies of legislative bills introduced by Spott while in the Legislature; and Spott's typewritten memoirs of his meeting with Paderewski. Family records include a small book in which were recorded the birth dates of Spott and his brothers and sisters, with death dates and other information added later; a more recent list of family birthdates; a copy of Albert Spott's certificate of naturalization, Albert (i.e. Wojciech) and Veronica (Weronika) Spott's record of church contributions, and holy cards from the funeral services of several relatives. There are numerous photographs present in the collection, some of which picture Spott during World War I, and others which portray his military comrades and associates, relatives, and friends. Most of the photographs illustrate veterans' activities, such as parades and reunions, but there are several photographs of Barney and Olga Spott throughout their lives. Some of the photos are identified and dated.
While serving with the Polish Army Barney Spott kept a journal of his activities and duties, thereby providing an interesting description of his work as secretary and military aide and of the European cities and countries which he visited. In addition, there is a file of postcards written, but not mailed, by Spott while in Europe.
Other personal papers include Spott's personal and business tax returns from the 1950s until the time of his death, and two folders of draft notes and reference material used in preparing speeches, eulogies, and introductory remarks presented by Spott at veterans' and other civic gatherings. According to his son, Spott always carefully prepared his remarks prior to the event, but learned to deliver them in an impromptu manner. He was able to speak both English and Polish.
Spott's RECORDS OF VETERANS' AND CIVIC GROUPS consist of files, 1932-1971, of general correspondence, primarily concerning veterans' affairs; and correspondence, administrative records, jubilee and anniversary programs, tax returns, and news clippings illustrating his involvement with the Polish Army Veteran Association, Post #3. There are similar, although smaller, files concerning the Polish Legion of American Veterans Post #11, General Haan Post #234 of the American Legion, and the Americanization League of America. Spott kept sizable files of news clippings, in English and in Polish, concerning Milwaukee and general veterans' groups, activities, and interests; the most significant of these have been retained. There are several clippings concerning the post-World War I activities of General Haller, and his visits to the United States. Also of interest are the affidavits and correspondence prepared or secured by Barney Spott from the Polish Consulate for Milwaukee Polish Americans. This file not only reveals Spott's active role in assisting members of the Polish community, but provides information concerning those who wished to secure citizenship papers, passports, and other legal documents.
A microfilmed Scrapbook, 1924-1970, compiled by Barney Spott, includes news clippings, and scattered correspondence, photographs, and financial documents regarding veterans and veterans' affairs.
Related Material
Polish Army Veterans Association of America, Post 3 (Milwaukee, Wis.) Records, 1920-1974 (Milwaukee Mss 45).
Administrative/Restriction Information
Presented by Barney F. Spott, Jr., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1981. Accession Number: M81-366
Processed by Menzi Behrnd-Klodt, September 1981.
Contents List
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Milwaukee Mss 41
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Series: Personal Papers
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Box
1
Folder
1
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Biography, Obituary of Barney Spott, Sr.; Miscellaneous Personal Papers, 1919-1975
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Box
1
Folder
2
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Family Records and Holy Cards, circa 1906-1975
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Box
1
Folder
3
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Photographs
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Box
1
Folder
4
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Postcards
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Box
1
Folder
5
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Speeches, Eulogies, and Notes re: Veterans
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Box
1
Folder
6
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Speeches and Notes re: Clergy
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Box
1
Folder
7
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Tax Returns - Personal Property (Milwaukee), 1967-1974
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Box
1
Folder
8
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Tax Returns - U.S. and Wisconsin, 1950-1952, 1958-1972
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Box
1
Folder
9
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World War I Journal, 1917-1920
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Series: Records of Veterans' and Civic Groups
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Box
1
Folder
10
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Affidavits and Correspondence with Polish Consulate, 1921-1974
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Box
1
Folder
11
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Americanization League of America - Records, 1954-1962
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Box
1
Folder
12
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Correspondence, 1928-1973, undated
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Polish Army Veteran Association of America
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Box
1
Folder
13
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Correspondence, Constitution, Other Papers, 1932-1971, undated
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Box
2
Folder
1
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Programs, 1951-1970
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Box
2
Folder
2
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Tax Returns, 1967-1969
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Box
2
Folder
3
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Clippings, 1956, undated
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Box
2
Folder
4
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Clippings re: Polish Veterans and General Haller, 1948-1971
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Box
2
Folder
5
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Papers re: General Josef Haller, 1934-1960
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Box
2
Folder
6
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Polish Legion of American Veterans, Woodrow Wilson Post #11, 1953-1972
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Box
2
Folder
7
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General William G. Haan Post #234, American Legion - History, 1947
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Box
2
Folder
8
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Miscellany
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Milwaukee Micro 34/Micro 907
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Scrapbook
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Reel
1
Frame
1-25
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1932
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Reel
1
Frame
26-50
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1927-1933
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Reel
1
Frame
51-75
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1932-1933
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Reel
1
Frame
76-100
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1924-1933
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Reel
1
Frame
101-125
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1933-1945
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Reel
1
Frame
126-150
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1934-1947
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Reel
1
Frame
151-175
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1947-1953
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Reel
1
Frame
176-200
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1953-1970, undated
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Reel
1
Frame
207-225
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undated
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