Eiseman, Mayer

Submitted by Mike Miller

Meyer Eiseman. In recent years there has been no more conspicuous leader and constructive factor in real estate organizations, and the business itself at New Orleans, than Meyer Eiseman, a well known authority on commercial real estate values, mortgage loans and farm lands and farming conditions generally.

He was born at Fayette, Mississippi, September 20, 1882, son of Cassius W. and Cecilia (Joseph) Eiseman, his father a native of Mississippi and his mother of New Orleans. His father was a sugar planter.

Meyer Eiseman, one of three children, was educated in the public schools and the boys' school at New Orleans, and began his business career as office boy in the wholesale grocery firm of Albert Mackie. For four years he was a traveling salesman, one year of that time traveling out of St. Louis. Returning to New Orleans in May, 1905, he entered the real-estate business under the firm of Eiseman & Lazarus, subsequently as Eiseman & Sillard. In 1910 he acquired the interest of his partner and continued the business under his own name. In 1923, he formed a partnership, taking into his firm three other active younger men; E. Lvsle Aschaffenhurg and Eugene Aschaffenburg, sons of Albert Aschaffenburg, a late prominent real estate figure in New Orleans, and A. C. Pritchard, a native of England. The firm has a complete organization, specializing in commercial and industrial property; subdivisions and mortgage loans. One of the outstanding subdivisions handled by Mr. Eiseman is known as the Ames Farm Land Company tract comprising a tract of 8,030 acres which was subdivided most successfully into small farms, town-sites, and industrial sites for factories. Upon one of these industrial sites is located the Celotex Company, manufacturers of "Celotex," insulating lumber, one of the largest manufacturing plants in the South.

The activities are now centered in Lake Ponchartrain suburban developments and property on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. Recently an office was opened in Biloxi, Mississippi, in charge of one of the executives who had been active in handling other subdivisions in and around New Orleans.

Mr. Eiseman married October 14, 1909, Miss Lottye Winner of Meridian, Mississippi. They have two children, Celeste and Marks Winner, both attending Newman Manual Training School. Although their early training was in the Henry W. Allen School. The family are members of the Jewish Church. Mr. Eiseman belongs to the Masonic Order, Scottish Rite, the Shrine and the B'nai B'rith. He is also a member of the Elks, the West End Country Club, and many other social organizations.

He has always been active in civic work, being a .member for a great many years of the Association of Commerce. He organized the New Orleans Real Estate Board which was created by an act of the legislature, formed for the purpose of licensing real estate men. He was appointed by Governor Parker on that board and elected its first President. He served as vice president of the National Association of Real Estate Board, is a member of its Educational Committee and Farm Lands Committee and has served on practically all of its committees, having attended all the big conventions since 1916. He is an affiliated life member of the Chicago Real Estate Board and also a member of the Kansas City Real Estate Board. He organized the Multiple Listing System of the New Orleans Real Estate Board and was its first Chairman. He is a member of the New Orleans Auction Exchange. Mr. Eiseman also organized many real estate corporations operating locally and nationally, objects always having been constructive developments. Most of these companies are headed by Mr. Eiseman.

Matters pertaining to ethical culture-he has always held membership in the Philharmonic Society, the Little Theatre and organizations of this type which have always held a particular interest for him.

A History of Louisiana, (vol. 2), pp. 7-8, by Henry E. Chambers. Published by The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, 1925.