Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the Harkrader & Sarver Account Books must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Harkrader & Sarver Account Books, Ms1940-029, Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

The Harkrader & Sarver Account Books were acquired by Newman Library prior to 1941.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Harkrader & Sarver Account Books commenced and was completed in September, 2011. Given the dates covered, it seems likely that the second volume in this collection, covering 1930, originated with the Harkrader Produce Company. Because these two volumes were accessioned separately from the Harkrader Produce Company Account Books (Ms1940-014), however, they have been retained in this separate collection.

Historical Note

Various rubber stamp impressions in the 1921-1922 ledger (see page 295, for example) within this collection indicate that these account books originated with a Christiansburg, Virginia business operating under the name Harkrader & Sarver. The transactions in each ledger suggest that the business was a wholesale produce enterprise, selling seed, feed, fertilizer, poultry, eggs, and other agricultural products. The 1920 census for Montgomery County, Virginia lists only one person named Sarver: Ellis C. Sarver, 20, a produce buyer boarding in the Christiansburg home of John Ellis. Other boarders in the home included Robert R. and Stuart "Hargrader," also described as produce buyers. No information could be found on Harkrader & Sarver. It seems likely that the company was a forerunner of Harkrader Produce Company, established in Christiansburg by Robert R. and Paul D. Hardrader in the 1920s. Harkrader Produce Company closed in 1973. Ledgers from this business may be found in Ms1940-014.

Scope and Content Note

This collection consists of two daybooks from Harkrader & Sarver, a Christiansburg, Virginia wholesaler of feed, seed and other agricultural products. (The company was probably a forerunner of Harkrader Produce Company, also a Christiansburg produce wholesaler.) Each volume contains entries detailing transaction dates, names of purchasers, goods purchased, and prices. Given the dates covered, it seems likely that the second volume (covering 1930) originated with the Harkrader Produce Company.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically.

Related Material

Finding aid for Harkrader Produce Company Account Books (Ms1940-014).

Index Terms

Local Subjects:

• Local/Regional History
• Montgomery County (Va.)

Adjunct Descriptive Data

Finding aid for Harkrader Produce Company Account Books (Ms1940-014).