Frank Waterman Palmer

Frank Waterman Palmer`

Frank was born Dec. 6, 1901 in Kankakee, Illinois to Charles Washington and Clara Dell (Waterman) Palmer.  He moved to Eustis, Lake, Florida in 1906 after the death of his father.  His mother was a teacher and had a school, Wisdom Hall, in Eustis which he attended.  
 
After his graduation from a three year course at Florida Military Academy in 1919, he attended Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida where he enjoyed being on the rowing team. Rollins College rowing

He graduated from there in 1923.  He also spent a year at the University of Mexico. Summers were spent working for his  uncle's business, The Waterman Pen Company.   After graduation he traveled for the Waterman Pen Company maintaining an apartment in New York.

His personality did not match his appearance.  He had red hair and bore the nickname "Red".  He was mild mannered and it took an awful lot to get him riled.  But ! if ever you did, you better watch out.  He was a very caring man.  Many times he rented to people who did not have the money to move in.  After his death for a long time we had free milk  because of the money he had loaned to the milkman and that was how he paid off his debt.  Margaret never knew when someone would pay off a debt she didn't even know about.
After a few years on the road he  was not inclined to travel anymore.  He moved to Eustis permanently and married Margaret Austin McMillan in Eustis  October 18, 1941.  They had 2 children, Margaret Frances and Ruth.  

He sold insurance with Smith and Harrison Insurance Company of Eustis.  When the fire whistle would blow, we would take off and follow to see where the fire was.  He was right there on the spot to help his insurance customers if the need arose.  It didn't matter the time of day or night.  He was there.

 He seemed to have a knack for buying promising parcels of land.  He and "Soup" Campbell had a dream of an RV park in Eustis.  They purchased 8 blocks of city property a block from Hwy 19.  Unfortuantely, he died before the RV park was begun.  The property became just lots for houses instead.  Not only did he sell real estate but he also assisted people with fnding rental homes as well.  He owned a six apartment house and several of rental homes from time to time.  He would go to the tax sale which at that time was under the Murphy Act.  The day of the sale the property was yours.  

He at one time drove a dark red Volkswagon.  That must have been a sight to see with all those boxy black cars other people drove.  He also had a 2 door with a rumble seat maybe it was a Chevy and 1937 Dodge 4 door both black.

He served in the Florida National Guard, was an Episcopalian and a member of the Eustis Kiwanis club.
From the pictures he left, I am sure he was interested in photography.  He even took the Christmas tree into
the back yard and redecorated it so he could get pictures when the light was not enough in the house for a good picture.
`
Eustis pictures
Bay Street looking North -BayPharmacy, State Theatre


Magnolia Avenue looking East 


Store front in the Hotel



Fountain Inn Hotel


Bay Street looking south from McDonald
 

Fountain Inn Hotel


Magnolia 2nd block. looking east


Store front on Magnolia


City Hall on Grove St.



Frank  was also active with the Boy Scouts of America.  He was the Scout Master for Troop 8 in Eustis from 1926-1947 which met at the Boy Scout House on Exeter St from 1926-1947. He formed the first black troop in Eustis.  While his scouts were earning their Eagle Scout badge, he worked along with them earning the scoutmaster equivalent - the Silver Beaver.

Frank Palmer Silver Beaver Award

His badge sash was almost completely full of patches from different places he went with his boys and his own badge  This was donated to the Eustis Historical Society at the Lottie Taylor House Museum.


Boy Scout Troop 8, Eustis, Fl 25th Anniversary One outing was a camping trip to Camp LaNoche near the south end of the Ocala National Forest.  He came home covered with red bug bites.  Margaret knew that putting fingernail polish on them would stop the itch since the air could not get to the bites.  He really looked funny with red fingernail polish blobs all over his body.  She was unable to find any clear polish and the stores were all closed.  

Troop 8 Eustis, Fl Boy Scouts around 1944
The  text under the picture on the right :  EUSTIS SCOUTS OBSERVE ANNIVERSARY:  A. H. Ashford, left, Lake county scout executive, congratulates Scoutmaster Frank Palmer \and members of Troop eight, Eustis, on their fortcoming 25th birthday which will be celebrated Tuesday as part of the Lake District Court of Honor at the Eustis City Auditorium.          Scouts are, left to right, Robert Fallin, Ralph Rosser, Richard Andrews, Harley McLendon, Skippy Bleton, Russell McKinney, Billy Palm, Billy Myers, Billy Pearce, Hippy Hippler, Robert Craycraft, Hugh Campbell, Robert Lamoreaux, and Jack Wright.  


He produced a map of Eustis which he copyrighted  in 1947.  It is interesting to note the airport in the lower right hand corner  was used in World War II.  The Army Air Forces Tactical Center was located there.
Map of Eustis, Florida 1947
In 1947 the doctor's thought he had contracted TB and he was in the TB Sanitarium in Orlando for a month.  They determined it was not the case but was Lung Cancer. He smoked about 4 packs of filtered Kools a day.  A great reason to avoid smoking.   He was moved to Waterman Memorial Hospital in Eustis for 2 weeks where he died on Dec. 21, 1947.
Frank Palmer Obit

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