In 1917, Ellis A. Mangelsdorf received this stock certificate of The Mangelsdorf Seed Company. At this time, the president of the company was August Mangelsdorf and the secretary, F. W. Mangelsdorf. As you can see it was a true family affair. We know from letters that Celeste Ellis Mangelsdorf, worked diligently in an administrative and advisory position. As we delve further through the archives, we hope to learn if she had a title and pay.

The company was founded in 1875 as Homewood Seed Company, and was also known for some time as The Mangelsdorf Brother’s Seed Company. In 1917, it was located in Atchison, Kansas.

Our archive contains thousands of letters written on company letterhead. They discuss sales and other business matters with other companies and individuals around the U.S. and the world.

We’ve learned their focus was on agricultural crop seeds, such as turnips, onions, and feed for cattle, but they also produced smaller seed packages (the few remaining in the collection still have seeds in them!) of ornamental flowers and vegetables for the home gardener. These were sold to stores along with a display holder, rather than directly to the consumer.

For over fifty years, the seed company participated in the growth of Kansas agriculture. Sadly, as is the case with so many businesses world-wide, the Great Depression forced the company to close in 1929.