Title: Louis Lorman Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1913-1979

Creator:

• Lorman, Louis, 1895-1972

Call Number: Whitewater Micro 10; Micro 756; PH 5050

Quantity: 1 reel of microfilm (35 mm) and 4 photographs (1 folder)

Repository:

Housed at the University Archives & Area Research Center, Harold Andersen Library, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater; owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

UW-Whitewater Library / Whitewater Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

Abstract:

Papers of Louis Lorman, a Russian Jewish immigrant who started a scrap metal business in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, in the early twentieth century. Included are newspaper clippings, correspondence, photographs, and advertisements focusing on the creation of Lorman Iron and Metal Company in 1913 and its growth into a recycler of scrap iron, metal, synthetic fiber, and paper. The collection also documents Lorman's participation in community affairs through the Tripoli Shrine, the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Boy Scouts, and his active participation in the Jewish faith through Temple Beth El in Madison. Newspaper articles concern too the business and political activities of Lorman's son, Milton. Much of the correspondence is written in Russian.

Note:

Forms part of the Wisconsin Jewish Archives.

Language: English, Russian

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-micr0756

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Louis Lorman, founder of the Lorman Iron and Metal Co. Inc., immigrated from Russia to Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. In 1913 he borrowed 28 dollars from his cousin to purchase a horse and wagon with which to begin work. Lorman conducted his business originally from a barn on South Main Street, but in 1947 he moved the operations to 115 Lorman Street. The company has expanded from a one-man operation to one with more than seventy employees, and for its operations it has more than nine acres. The employees process industrial, agricultural, automotive scrap iron, metal (non-ferrous), synthetic fibers, and waste paper. A modern laboratory on the premises permits scientific analysis of all the metals to determine their purity.

Long active in community affairs, Lorman was a supporter of the Boy Scouts and a member of the Temple Beth El, Madison; the Wisconsin Consistory and Tripoli Shrine, Milwaukee; the Billings Masonic Lodge, the Royal Arch Masons, the Order of Eastern Star, and the Knights of Pythias, all of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. He died on August 17, 1972 at the age of 77.

The papers relate primarily to the development and expansion of the Lorman Iron and Metal Co. Inc. They include articles, correspondence, clippings, photographs, and advertisements. Of particular interest are the clippings of advertisements and the information regarding Louis Lorman's business beginnings. Much of the correspondence is in Russian, and the articles concern Lorman's interest in Jews and Judaism.

The black and white photographs, 1913-1940, depict three exterior views and one interior view of buildings housing businesses operated by Louis Lorman.

Acquisition Information

Originals loaned for microfilming by Milton Lorman, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, 1979. Accession Number: M76-175, M79-318

Processing Information

Processed by Gregor Trinkaus-Randall and Max J. Evans, 1979.

Whitewater Micro 10 / Micro 756 Reel   1 Frame   1-57	Correspondence, 1924-1979
Reel   1 Frame   58-68	Lorman family certificates, 1928-1960
	Lorman Iron and Metal Co. Inc.
Reel   1 Frame   69-95	Clippings, 1926-1976
Reel   1 Frame   96-140	History of Advertising, 1960s-1970s
	Scrapbooks
Reel   1 Frame   141-291	Volume 1, 1921-1975
Reel   1 Frame   292-329	Volume 2, 1975-1976
Reel   1 Frame   330-419	Articles on Jews and Judaism, 1932-1970
PH 5050	Photographs of businesses, 1913-1940