George K. Harnsberger Ledger

Access and use

Location of collection:
James Madison University
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
Restrictions:

Collection is open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], George K. Harnsberger Ledger, 1939-1957, SC 0312, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Summary

Extent:
0.08 cubic feet 1 folder
Creator:
Tim Abbott Americana
Abstract:
The George K. Harnsberger Ledger, 1939-1957, documents Harnsberger's personal and farm related financial activities. The ledger primarily records expenses, but payments received for sales of grain and other crops, livestock, and poultry are also documented.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], George K. Harnsberger Ledger, 1939-1957, SC 0312, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

The George K. Harnsberger Ledger, 1939-1957, documents Harnsberger's personal and farm related financial activities. The ledger primarily records expenses, but payments received for sales of grain and other crops, livestock, and poultry are also documented.

The ledger documents Harnsberger's personal financial activities including the amount spent during a given time period on food, allowance, church, housekeeping service, liquor, clothing, medical and dental expenses, and life insurance. The ledger also records amounts paid to individuals and local businesses. Businesses listed include Harrisonburg Telephone Company, Rocco Feed, Augusta Farm Bureau, Rockingham Farm Bureau, Whitesel Brothers, Shenandoah Equipment, Wetsel Seed, and VEPCO. The ledger also documents farm activities including a handwritten table of "Cow Breeding Dates."

A loose document titled River Bend Farm, 1939 details financial information (farm receipts, farm disbursements, new equipment, new stock, and repairs/improvements). Harnsberger's aunt and uncle, Janet and Charles G. Harnsberger, owned a farm by the name of River Bend near Elkton on the Shenandoah River. It's likely that this document is in reference to the family's farm. Other loose items removed from the ledger include financial documents and receipts from Rockingham Co-operative Farm Bureau, and Harrisonburg Telephone Company.

Biographical / historical:

George Kemper Harnsberger (1899-1984) was born in Port Republic, Virginia to John Isaac and Adelaide Kemper Harnsberger. After graduating from Virginia Tech and serving in WWI, Harnsberger was employed as a land surveyor for Rockingham County. He was actively involved in the Virginia Association of Surveyors, American Legion Post 27, and Rockingham Union Lodge 27 AF & AM. He married Sarah Hering in 1938. The ledger suggests that Harnsberger lived on or had access to a farm where he raised and sold cattle, sheep, and poultry and grew crops.

Acquisition information:
Acquired from Tim Abbott Americana's Virginiana Catalog #4, April 2020.
Processing information:

All loose documents laid in the ledger were removed and foldered separately.

Arrangement:

The ledger and loose documents are housed in separate folders.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard