University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Archives Department.

Spott, Barney F. (Bronislaw Francis), 1898-1975.

Papers, 1906-1975.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 41 and Milwaukee Micro Collection 34

.8 cubic ft. (2 archives boxes) + 1 microfilm reel (35 mm)

ABSTRACT: Papers of a Milwaukee businessperson and former State Assemblyperson, who was also very active in veterans' and civic organizations. Spott served in the Polish Army during World War I, acting as an aide to General Josef Haller and other Polish officers, prior to his organizing a real estate firm in Milwaukee. He represented the Thirteenth District, Milwaukee County, in the Wisconsin State Assembly for one term, 1927-1929. In private life, he organized Post #3 of the Polish Army Veteran Association, and served as an officer in several other veterans' groups. The collection includes personal and family biographies and papers; photographs of Spott and other veterans; a World War I journal kept by Spott; personal and business tax records; and copies of speeches, drafts, and notes prepared by Spott for presentation to various civic groups. Spott's records of his involvement with veterans' and civic groups consist of correspondence, jubilee and commemorative programs, tax returns, and newsclippings. Among the groups represented are the Americanization League of America, Polish Army Veteran Association, Polish Legion of American Veterans, and the American Legion. In addition, there is a folder of affidavits, correspondence, and legal documents prepared or secured by Spott from the Polish Consulate for members of the Milwaukee Polish community. Also included is a microfilmed scrapbook of newsclippings about veterans' affairs.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law. However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

SCOPE AND CONTENT: 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 at a later date; 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 newsclippings 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 newsclippings, 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 newsclippings, and scattered correspondence, photographs, and financial documents regarding veterans and veterans' affairs.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Barney (Bronislaw) Francis Spott was born in Milwaukee 14 January 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 No. 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.

COLLECTION CITATION: This collection should be cited as:

Spott, Barney F. (Bronislaw Francis), 1898-1975. Papers, 1906-1975. Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 41 and Milwaukee Micro Collection 34. Wisconsin Historical Society. Milwaukee Area Research Center. Golda Meir Library. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

RELATED COLLECTION:

Polish Army Veterans Association of America. Post 3 (Milwaukee, Wis.). Records, 1920-1974. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 45 and Milwaukee Micro Collection 27)

ACQUISITION: Presented by Barney F. Spott, Jr. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1981 (accession number M81-366).

PROCESSING: Processed by Menzi Behrnd-Klodt in September 1981.

MARC RECORD SEARCH TERMS: The following terms were used in the online bibliographic MARC record to this collection:

Americanization League of America.
Haller, Jozef.
Legislators--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Milwaukee (Wis.)--History--Sources.
Polish Americans--Wisconsin--Milwaukee--History.
Stowarzyszenie Weteranow Armii Polskiej w Ameryce. Post No. 3 (Milwaukee, Wis.).
Veterans--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
World War, 1914-1918--Personal narratives, American.

MILWAUKEE MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 41 MILWAUKEE MICRO COLLECTION 34	BOX	FOLDER
Personal Papers, Biography, Obituary of Barney Spott, Sr., Miscellaneous, 1919-1975	1	1
Personal Papers, Family Records and Holy Cards, c. 1906-1975	1	2
Personal Papers, Photographs and Postcards, 1916-1920, undated	1	3
Personal Papers, Speeches, Eulogies, and Notes, Veterans, 1960-1966, undated	1	4
Personal Papers, Speeches and Notes, Clergy, 1965-1966	1	5
Personal Papers, Tax Returns, Personal Property, Milwaukee, 1967-1974	1	6
Personal Papers, Tax Returns, United States and Wisconsin, 1950-1952, 1958-1972	1	7
Personal Papers, World War I Journal, 1917-1920	1	8
Records of Veterans' and Civic Groups, Affidavits and Correspondence with Polish Consulate, 1921-1974	1	9
Records of Veterans' and Civic Groups, American Legion, General William G. Haan Post #234, History, 1947	2	7
Records of Veterans' and Civic Groups, Americanization League of America, 1954-1962	1	10
Records of Veterans' and Civic Groups, Correspondence, 1928-1973, undated	1	11
Records of Veterans' and Civic Groups, General Josef Haller, 1934-1960	2	5
Records of Veterans' and Civic Groups, Miscellaneous, 1924-1966	2	8
Records of Veterans' and Civic Groups, Polish Army Veteran Association of America, Clippings, 1956, undated	2	3
Records of Veterans' and Civic Groups, Polish Army Veteran Association of America, Correspondence, Constitution, Other Papers, 1932-1971, undated	1	12
Records of Veterans' and Civic Groups, Polish Army Veteran Association of America, Programs, 1951-1970	2	1
Records of Veterans' and Civic Groups, Polish Army Veteran Association of America, Tax Returns, 1967-1969	2	2
Records of Veterans' and Civic Groups, Polish Legion of American Veterans, Woodrow Wilson Post No. 11, 1953-1972	2	6
Records of Veterans' and Civic Groups, Polish Veterans and General Haller, Clippings, 1948-1971	2	4
Scrapbook, 1924-1933 [Milwaukee Micro Collection 34, reel 1, frames 76-100]
Scrapbook, 1927-1933 [Milwaukee Micro Collection 34, reel 1,frames 26-50]
Scrapbook, 1932 [Milwaukee Micro Collection 34, reel 1, frames 1-25]
Scrapbook, 1932-1933 [Milwaukee Micro Collection 34, reel 1, frames 51-75]
Scrapbook, 1933-1945 [Milwaukee Micro Collection 34, reel 1, frames 101-125]
Scrapbook, 1934-1947 [Milwaukee Micro Collection 34, reel 1, frames 126-150]
Scrapbook, 1947-1953 [Milwaukee Micro Collection 34, reel 1, frames 151-175]
Scrapbook, 1953-1970, undated [Milwaukee Micro Collection 34, reel 1, frames 176-200]
Scrapbook, undated [Milwaukee Micro Collection 34, reel 1, frames 207-225]