University of Virginia Library

ARMISTEAD NEAL PITZER

Armistead Neal Pitzer, son of George Madison and
Maggie (Neal) Pitzer was born in Roanoke County,
Virginia, October 24th, 1867, and when a boy attended
the schools of Big Lick.
Jeremiah K. Pitzer, the
paternal great grandfather
of the subject of
this sketch, was one of
the first Deputy Sheriffs
of Roanoke County,
Virginia, serving under
Elijah McClanahan, the
first County Sheriff. He
was afterwards elected
to the office of Sheriff
and served from June
21st, 1852, until July
1st, 1858. His maternal
grandfather,
Armistead Neal, for
whom he was named,
was the first Commissioner
of the Revenue
of Roanoke County.

Armistead Neal Pitzer's first business experience was
gained in the driving of a grocery wagon as delivery
boy. In 1893 he began driving a team for himself.
After three years he had saved up enough money to
buy two more teams, when he got down off his wagon
and took the management of the business, which was
organized as the Pitzer Transfer Company, his brother
Walter Curley Pitzer, being associated with him. As
the years went by the business grew, until to-day the
Pitzer Brothers are operating twenty-five teams, comprising
many of the best draft horses in the city. Beside
the operation of the transfer business the firm
does a general storage business. Their storage warehouses
are located at the corner of Commerce Street
and Franklin Road and are immense structures built
of brick. Their large transfer stables and wagon lot
are located on Commerce Street.

It is due to the close personal attention to business
by the Pitzer Brothers that they have met with almost
phenomenal success in their line of business.

On June 29th, 1893, Armistead Neal Pitzer married
Julia Franklin Griggs, daughter of Franklin and Dollie
Griggs, of Henry County, Virginia.