Neuhauser: J. U. Neuhauser & Sons Records, 1891-1960

Call number:  MG-21

2 boxes     12 folders     2 cubic ft.

Repository:  LancasterHistory.org (Lancaster, Pa.)

Shelving Location:  Archives South, Side 1

Description:  Collection contains records of the hardware and farm machinery business of J. U. Neuhauser & Sons, Bird-in-Hand, Pa. There are lists of product inventories, records of sales and customers, territory lists and salesmen, financial records, and tax records.           

Creators:  Neuhauser Brothers (Bird-in-Hand, Pa.); J. U. Neuhauser and Sons (Bird-in-Hand, Pa.); Neuhauser, B. F. (Frank); Neuhauser, Homer G.; Neuhauser, Robert G.; Neuhauser, J. S.

Conditions for Access:  No restrictions.

Conditions Governing Reproductions:  Collection may not be photocopied. Please contact Research Staff or Archives Staff with questions.

Language:  English

Source of Acquisition:  Bulk of collection: donor unknown. Record book of automobiles, farm machinery, and major appliances, 1922-1959: Gift of Robert G. Neuhauser, December 2006.

Administrative/Biographical History:  Neuhauser Brothers was established in 1891. In 1901, brothers Isaac U. Neuhauser and Jonas U. Neuhauser bought land from Levi Rhoads at 2701 Old Philadelphia Pike in Bird-in-Hand. The transaction included buildings that the Neuhausers had been using since 1890. Jonas bought out Isaac’s share in 1921 and the business name was later changed to J. U. Neuhauser & Sons. Jonas’ sons sold the store to Abram E. Keener in 1958 who continued the hardware business, but did not deal in farm machinery. 

The business was located on property  formerly owned by the Bird-in-Hand Hotel, was The Old Village Store for many years, and is presently the Bird-in-Hand Village Antique Market (2008).

Employees in 1958 were Irvin Denlinger (shop), Aaron L. Hershey (store clerk), Miriam G. Neuhauser (bookkeeper), Aaron P. Miller (store clerk), Henry K. Blank (shop), Michael L. Fisher (shop).

Reference: Bird-in-Hand, 1734-1984: A History of Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania. 1984.

 

Box 1

Folder 1  Neuhauser Brothers

Territory Book. Shows names of salesmen and their territories in Lancaster County and other central Pennsylvania counties. 1893-1894.

Inventory Book. Shows inventory with product, quantity, and value. 1897-1904.

 

Folder 2  Samuel S. Lapp’s Account

Insert 1  Lease for a new John Deere disc harrow, model JBA 6-18 (24 discs) with seat and skid. J. U. Neuhauser & Sons, lessor. Samuel S. Lapp, lessee. 10 April 1958.

Notice from J. U. Neuhauser & Sons that they have sold their business and wish to settle accounts by 1 November 1958.

Carbon copy of invoice to Samuel S. Lapp, Christiana with reply. 6 November 1958.

Carbon copy of letter to Samuel S. Lapp regarding his account and payment. 13 November 1958.

Insert 2  Carbon copy of letter to Samuel S. Lapp requesting balance of account. 9 October 1959.

Letter to Samuel S. Lapp regarding the balance due on his account and threat of repossession. Response at bottom of page regarding an agreement for payment based on the sale of his tobacco crop. Letterhead of J. U. Neuhauser & Sons. 19 November 1959.

Carbon copy of 19 November 1959 letter.

Insert 3  Carbon copy of letter to Samuel S. Lapp regarding balance due on his account. 18 January 1960.

Letter from Samuel S. Lapp stating that he intends to pay balance by 1 February [1960].

Carbon copy of letter to Samuel S. Lapp regarding the balance on his account and the end of his lease on 10 April 1960. 29 January 1960.

Carbon copy of payments to date. 29 January 1960.

Letter to Samuel S. Lapp regarding the balance due on his account. Was apparently returned with a check and annotation by Samuel S. Lapp. 24 March 1960.

Carbon copy of 24 March 1960 letter.

 

Folder 3  Income Tax Returns and Related Papers

Insert 1  U.S. Partnership Return of Income form 1065. 1958.

U.S. Partnership Return of Income form 1065. 1959.

Insert 2  Sale list for [public] sale held 21 February 1959. Shows items, purchase price, and name of purchaser. Form printed and sold by L. B. Herr & Son, Lancaster.

Insert 3  Trial balance, 31 December 1959, and separate list of expenses. Billheads of J. U. Neuhauser & Sons.

Insert 4  List of items sold for others. Shows items, purchase price, and name of purchaser. Form printed and sold by L. B. Herr & Son, Lancaster. No date.

Insert 5  Journal and ledger. Each is one page showing debits and credits with Abram E. Keener. Billheads of J. U. Neuhauser & Sons. No date.

Insert 6  [Inventory] marked “outside.” Shows items, quantity, and value. No date.

Insert 7  Invoice and receipt to Frank L. Weaver, Bird-in-Hand for barn scoops, push broom, and handle. 11 October 1958.

Invoice and receipt to High Welding for bolts. 19 February 1959.

Invoice to Henry Erb for items purchased at public sale. With carbon copy. 21 February 1959.

Billheads of J. U. Neuhauser & Sons.

Insert 8  Handwritten copy of promissory note to B. F. Neuhauser and H. G. Neuhauser from Abram E. Keener and Claribel A. Keener. 16 January 1959.

Insurance cancellation notice for building and contents of Abram E. Keener and Claribel Keener. Hardware Dealers Mutual Fire Insurance Company. 13 November 1959.

Insurance cancellation notice for building of Abram E. Keener and Claribel Keener. Hardware Dealers Mutual Fire Insurance Company. 16 November 1959.

Handwritten statement of payments for mortgage, real estate, and interest. One page is letterhead of The Old Village Store, Bird-in-Hand. 1958-1959.

Insert 9  Memorandum of credit to J. U. Neuhauser & Sons for freight overcharge on rakes. John Deere Plow Company, Baltimore. 13 August 1959.

Carbon copy of letter to John Deere Plow Company requesting a reimbursement check. 9 October 1959.

Check stub for payment of credit issued by John Deere Plow Company. 15 October 1959.

Insert 10  Deposit slip for H. G. Neuhauser. The First National Bank of Intercourse. 1 August 1959.

Deposit slip for account of H. G. Neuhauser. The First National Bank of Intercourse. 5 September 1959.

Cancelled checks from J. U. Neuhauser & Sons. The First National Bank of Intercourse. Abram E. Keener, 23 February 1959; Robert Neuhauser, 23 February 1959; Leon Hess, 23 February 1959; NRFEA Insurance Service, Inc., 4 March 1959; Wiley & Rutt Agency, 11 March 1959; Richard A. Snyder, 21 March 1959; C. S. Mylin, 2 May 1959; B. F. Neuhauser, 4 May 1959;           H. G. Neuhauser, 4 May 1959; B. F. Neuhauser, 3 October 1959; H. G. Neuhauser, 3 October 1959.

Bank statement for J. U. Neuhauser & Sons for 2 March 1959 to 10 October 1959. The First National Bank, Intercourse. 7 November 1959.

Insert 11  Letter from Levi J. Fisher to H. G. Neuhauser requesting a statement of the amount owed on a note. With envelope. Bird-in-Hand. 22 December 1959.

Check stub regarding refund with notation of Fisher’s note and balance due. The National Farm Loan Association of Lancaster. 12 March 1959.

Handwritten copy of letter to Levi J. Fisher regarding balance due on note. 28 December 1959.

Insert 12  Letter to Homer regarding vacation, payment from Abe, and their father’s life insurance policy. Letterhead of B. F. Neuhauser. Lancaster. 26 April 1959.

Insert 13  Blank two-part statement of account for J. U. Neuhauser & Sons, hardware and farm machinery. Bird-in-Hand. No date.

Blank form for bill for annual dues. Eastern Pennsylvania Farm Equipment Dealers’ Association, member of the Eastern Federation of Farm Equipment Dealers’ Associations. Homer G. Neuhauser, secretary-treasurer, Bird-in-Hand. December 1936 to December 1937. On reverse: calculations, including calculations for Levi J. Fisher’s balance.

Envelope of J. U. Neuhauser & Sons.

 

Folder 4  Journal. Financial record for the business showing expenses and credits for customers, creditors, general ledger, cash, Lancaster County Bank, Intercourse Bank, merchandise, and Pennsylvania sales tax. January-March 1958.

Folder 5  Journal. Financial record for the business showing expenses and credits for customers, creditors, general ledger, cash, Lancaster County Bank, Intercourse Bank, merchandise, and Pennsylvania sales tax. April-June 1958.

Folder 6  Journal. Financial record for the business showing expenses and credits for customers, creditors, general ledger, cash, Lancaster County Bank, Intercourse Bank, merchandise, and Pennsylvania sales tax. July-September 1958.

Folder 7  Journal. Financial record for the business showing expenses and credits for customers, creditors, general ledger, cash, Lancaster County Bank, Intercourse Bank, merchandise, and Pennsylvania sales tax. October-December 1958.

Folder 8  Ledger. Shows debits and credits for each account. 1891-1897.

 

Box 2

Folder 9  Ledger. Shows debits and credits for each account. 1897-1901.

Folder 10  Ledger. Shows debits and credits for each account. 1920-1921.

Folder 11  Ledger. Shows debits and credits for each account. 1923-1959.

 

Folder 12  Record book of automobiles, farm machinery, and major appliance sales. Shows customers’ names and place of residence, salesman, dates of sale and delivery, product, and model number. 1921-1958. Gift of Robert G. Neuhauser, December 2006.

Insert 1  Heatrola sales, 1924-1958.

Insert 2  Majestic Heatrola sales, 1954.

Payments to Mercantile Credit Association, 1921.

Oil heaters, 1946-1958.

Card recording sale information for a Coleman oil heater, model no. 555A, with instructions for use. 15 December 1948.

Estate range sales, 1930-1935.

Heatrola range sales, 1935-1942.

Columbia Cool Range sales, 1944-1951.

Wincroft range sales, 1930-1955.

Wincroft circulators, 1936-1943.

Bottled gas stove sales, 1939-1957.

Card recording sale information for Perfection, model no. M600, with dealer instructions for guarantee protection. 24 April 1953.

Electric range sales, 1940-1958.

Servel gas refrigerators, 1947-1949.

Cards with Coleman Master and Super Performance gas water heater guarantees for model no. 279L, issued to J. U. Neuhauser & Sons.

22 March 1952.

Gas water heaters, 1948-1956.

Washer sales, 1938-1958.

Wisconsin engines, 1952-1955.

Herco or Roto-cultivator, 1949-1953.

Insert 3  Power lawn mowers, 1956-1957.

Some users of Cockshutt disc plows. No date.

Silver King tractor sales, 1936-1950.

Farm equipment sales records, no dates.

Postcard to Mr. J. S. Neuhauser from Mrs. Christ High requesting to have someone sent over to make sure her Heatrola is safe for use. 1 October 1951.

Tappan range sales, 1939-1940.

Kitchen Kook sales, 1927-1939.

List of Kitchen Kook users. No date.

Coleman gas range sales, 1934-1932.

Gibson refrigerator sales, 1932-1946.

General Electric refrigerator sales, 1940-1942.

Kerosene refrigerator sales, 1939-1942.

List of Atwater Kent users, 1925-1937.

Insert 4  Maxwell automobile sales, 1923-1924.

Chalmers automobile sales, no date of sale.

Studebaker automobile sales, 1921-1923.

Star automobile sales, 1923-1925.

Balers, 1953-1958.

Combines, 1952-1956.

Corn binders, 1952-1954.

Blowers, 1956.

Corn pickers, 1952-1953.

Corn planters, 1952-1958.

Cultipacker, 1953-1957.

Cultivators, 1953-1958.

Disc harrows, 1951-1958.

Drills, 1952-1958.

Disc plows, 1951.

Elevators, 1954-1958.

Engines, no dates.

Insert 5  Harvesters, 1955.

Hay conditioners, 1956-1958.

Manure loaders, 1956.

Mowers, 1951-1958.

Potato diggers, 1952-1954.

Plows, 1953-1958.

Side delivery rake, 1952-1958.

Spike harrows, 1954-1957.

Spring harrows, 1952-1958.

Spreaders, 1952-1958.

Subsoilers, 1953-1955.

Tobacco planters, 1956.

Trailers, 1958.

Miscellaneous, 1953-1955.

Wagons, 1951-1958.

Tractors, 1952-1958.

John Deere tractor sales, 1927-1958.

John Deere combines, 1949-1954.

John Deere balers, 1950-1953.

John Deere spreaders, 1951-1956.

Insert 6  Letter from Sloane H. Hoopes to J. U. Neuhauser & Sons regarding a Trade Area Survey. Letterhead of John Deere Plow Company, Baltimore. 13 February 1956.

Dealer Sales to Customer forms. Three forms list customers of J. U. Neuhauser & Sons and the farm equipment they purchased. One is a blank form. 28 February 1956.

Handwritten notes of information used to complete the forms. Note paper of P. A. & S. Small Co., Inc., wholesale distributors, York. No date.