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Marcus, Louis, 1880-1936

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1880 - 1936

Biographical History

Louis Marcus (1880-1936) was a Salt Lake City mayor and businessman in the motion picture industry.

Louis Marcus was born on January 9, 1880 in Brooklyn, New York to Eleazor Albert and Diana Gumpel Marcus. He moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1907, where he married Gertrude Levin on January 16, 1912. Together they had one child, Louis Howard Marcus in 1919.

In Salt Lake City, Marcus became involveed in the motion picture business as an operator, exchange manager, and owner of film exchange and theatres. He established a theatre chain in Utah, as well as other mountain states. The companies he was involved in include Louis Marcus Enterprises, Publix-Marcus, Inc., Gem State Theatres, Victory Amusement Company, Notable Feature Films Company and others. In 1927 he purchased the Orpheum Theatre, to which he increased the seating capacity, added a Wurlitzer organ, changed its name to Capitol Theatre Building, and in 1929 showed the first talking picture in Salt Lake City.

Marcus's business ventures extended into real estate and was the president of the United Realty Co., and served as the director of Tracy Loan & Trust Co., as well as Walker Bank & Trust Co. He was also very active in his community and civic service. He was a member of the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce, was a York and Scottish Rite Mason, and member of the B'nai B'rith.

In 1931 he ran for and was elected as mayor of Salt Lake City, and served from 1932-1935. He was the first Jew to be elected to this position. Louis was also a member of several clubs, including Alta, Rotary, Ft. Douglas, and the country clubs in both Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah.

Marcus died on July 27, 1936 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Citation:
UPB files, July 3, 2013 (born January 9, 1880 in Brooklyn, New York; father Eleazor Albert Marcus; mother Diana Gumpel Marcuas; moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1907; married Gertrude Levin on January 16, 1912; one child, Louis Howard Marcus born in 1919; involved in the motion picture business; motion picture operator, exchange manager, and owner of film exchange and theaters; established a theatre chain in Utah and other mountain states; Louis Marcus Enterprises; Publix-Marcus, Inc.; Gem State Theatres; Victory Amusement Company; Notable Feature Films Company; purchased Orpheum Theatre in 1927 and increased seating capacity; added a Wurlitzer organ to theatre; changed theatre name to Capitol Theatre Building; showed first talking picture in Salt Lake City in 1929; extended ventures into real estate; president of United Realty Co.; director of Tracy Loan and Trust Co.; director of Walker Bank and Trust Co.; active in community and civic service; member of the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce; York and Scottish Rite Mason; member of B'nai B'rith; ran for and was elected Salt Lake City mayor in 1931 and served from 1932-1935; first Jew to be elected mayor; member of several clubs such as Alta, Rotary, Ft. Douglas, and Salt Lake City and Ogden Country clubs; died July 27, 1936 in Salt Lake City, Utah)

Found in 24 Collections and/or Records:

Collected materials, 1912-1984

 Series
Identifier: MSS 3775 Series 4
Scope and Contents

Materials include newspaper clippings, theatre programs, and pamphlets collected by various family members. Newspaper clippings include news about the family weddings, and articles on Louis, Gertrude, and L. Howard Marcus. Contains materials in Danish. Dated 1912-1984.

Dates: 1912-1984

Gertrude L. Marcus books, 1913-1955

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 3775 Series 2 Sub-Series 5
Scope and Contents

Materials include books belonging to Gertrude L. Marcus, including a telephone directory from the Winter of 1954-1955 for Salt Lake City and essays on raising children. One book is signed by the author. Dated 1913-1955.

Dates: 1913-1955

Gertrude L. Marcus letters, daybooks, and other papers, 1907-1953

 Sub-Series — Box 4: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197225543310]
Identifier: MSS 3775 Series 2 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Materials include personal and business letters received by and written by Gertrude L. Marcus, letters sent to her from soldiers during World War II, and daybooks which include excerpts from her own mother's diary. Dated 1907-1953.

Dates: 1907-1953

Gertrude L. Marcus papers, 1907-1955

 Series
Identifier: MSS 3775 Series 2
Scope and Contents

Materials include the personal and business letters, and collected papers of Gertrude L. Marcus. Included are her papers concerning her involvement with the Women's National Aeronautical Association (W.N.A.A.), incoming letters concerning familial news, and various daybooks. Dated 1907-1955.

Dates: 1907-1955

Gertrude L. Marcus Women's National Aeronautical Association papers, 1932-1938

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 3775 Series 2 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Materials include letters, papers, and collected items, including newspaper clippings, magazines, and photographs, pertaining to the W.N.A.A. and other things aeronautical. Dated 1932-1938.

Dates: 1932-1938

L. Howard Marcus books, approximately 1930-1976

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 3775 Series 3 Sub-Series 5
Scope and Contents

Materials include books belonging to L. Howard Marcus. Some books are inscribe to Howard, and/or signed by the author. Dated approximately 1930-1976.

Dates: approximately 1930-1976

L. Howard Marcus business papers, 1940-1979

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 3775 Series 3 Sub-Series 3
Scope and Contents

Papers relating to L. Howard Marcus's employment and business interests, including various resumes, and his employment application to work for the government during World War II. Dated 1940-1979.

Dates: 1940-1979

L. Howard Marcus letters, approximately 1930-1959

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 3775 Series 3 Sub-Series 3
Scope and Contents

Personal letters kept by L. Howard Marcus, including letters written to his mother. Contains material in French. Dated approximately 1930-1959.

Dates: approximately 1930-1959

L. Howard Marcus papers, approximately 1930-1982

 Series
Identifier: MSS 3775 Series 3
Scope and Contents

Materials include letters, business papers, Stanford papers, and receipts of L. Howard Marcus. Dated approximately 1930-1982.

Dates: approximately 1930-1982

L. Howard Marcus receipts, 1935-1982

 Sub-Series — Box 8: Series 3 [Barcode: 31197225543351], Folder: 13-15
Identifier: MSS 3775 Series 3 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

Materials include receipts collected throughout L. Howard Marcus' lifetime, including laundry, car maintenance, activities and rent from his time spent at Stanford, phone bills, and involvement with the National Skeet Shooting Association. Dated 1935-1982.

Dates: 1935-1982

Filtered By

  • Subject: Mayors -- Utah X

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 23
Collection 1
 
Subject
Aeronautics -- Utah -- History 23
Jews -- Utah -- History 23
Salt Lake City (Utah) -- Politics and government -- 20th century 23
Women -- Utah -- Salt Lake City -- Societies and clubs -- History 23
World War, 1939-1945 -- Jews -- Utah 23