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Marhoefer Packing Company records

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-184

Scope and Contents

This collection includes papers, publications, newspaper clippings, by-laws, and constitutions from the Marhoefer Packing Company, the Amalgamated Meatcutters and Butcher Workers, and the United Packinghouse Workers of America in Muncie, Indiana ranging from 1950 to 1980 regarding the Marhoefer Packing Company and its employees.

Dates

  • Creation: 1950-1980

Language of Materials

Materials entirely in English.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Copyright Notice

Literary rights, including copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their legal heirs and assigns. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Archives and Special Collections. The publisher must also obtain permission of the copyright holder.

Administrative History

Muncie`s Marhoefer Packing Company, once considered one of the 12 largest meat packing companies in the nation, started as the Kuhner Packing Co. by Gottlieg Kuhner in 1901. It was incorporated in 1911 and in 1945 was acquired by the Marhoefer family. For eight years it was known as The Marhoefer Division of Kuhner Packing Company, until a 1952 merger with other Marhoefer interests that prompted the drop of the Kuhner name.

Run by John Marhoefer and family, inhabiting 45 acres, consisting of 12 building complexes and 380,000 feet of floor space, Marhoefer`s was considered an important part of the local economy during its 33 years of business. In early 1978, financial issues arose due to decreased profitability in pork production, as well as a year long battle with a Chicago investment and factoring firm that withdrew from its 7.5 million loan arrangement with Marhoefer. On March 15, 1978, Marhoefer began the process of phasing out its 800 employees. After unsuccessful attempts to find a buyer, on June 2, 1978, Marhoefer Packing Company filed bankruptcy.

In 1978, Jerry Jones took over as president of the Amalgamated Meatcutters and Butchers Local P-105 Union, after working for Marhoefer's for many years. This collection reflects correspondence, his fight for union members, and newspaper clippings during the tumultuous year for him and Marhoefer's.

Extent

0.4 Cubic Feet (1 box)

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by subject.

Custodial History

The Marhoefer Packing Company records were received by Archives and Special Collections as a donation from C. Warren Vander Hill on behalf of Jerry Jones on 2006/02/23. A donation was added to the collection on 2010/12/02 on behalf of Carl R. Ross.

Accruals

No additions expected.

Related Materials

Materials relating to this collection may be found in the following collections in Archives and Special Collections, Ball State University Libraries, Muncie IN:

SC 189: Marhoefer Packing Company promotional hat

Processing Information

Collection processing completed 2006/04/04 by Rachel Miller. Finding aid created 2006/04/04 by Rachel Miller. EAD finding aid completed 2009/04/17 by Maren L. Read. EAD finding aid completed 2009/07/30 by Maren L. Read. EAD finding aid completed 2010/12/02 by Bethany Fiechter.

Status
Completed
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Stoeckel Archives of Local History Repository

Contact:
Alexander M. Bracken Library
2000 W. University Avenue
Muncie Indiana 47306 USA