Use Restrictions

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).

Access 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.

Preferred Citation

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

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.

Bio/Historical Note

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.

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.

Arrangement

The ledger and loose documents are housed in separate folders.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Account books -- Virginia -- Rockingham County
• Agriculture -- Virginia -- Rockingham County -- 20th century
• Farmers -- Virginia -- Rockingham County -- 20th century
• Financial Records
• Ledgers (account books)
• Merchants -- Virginia -- Rockingham County -- Records and correspondence
• Receipts (financial records)
• Rockingham County (Va.) -- History