Harkrader & Sarver Account Books,

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.