168 —Supplement to Lancaster Farming, Saturday, January 28,1984 Original building still in use at Melvin J. Sheffer The original frame building is still in use today, where in 1893 John H. Sheffer and David M. Frey struck a partnership in the im plement business. Located in downtown Hanover on what was then known as the Borough Commons, the concern of Sheffer & Frey was turned over to Sheffer’s son, Melvin J. Sheffer, in 1912. With the death of Melvin Sheffer in 1943, the firm continued operation as'the Melvin J. Sheffer Estate until the death of Melvin’s wife Daisy C. Sheffer on 1946, when 4" Tj/T c "N ' : ':W m - e „ MEIVINTsHEFFe« iI|B v ■* * 1 ■»**». The original headquarters of Sheffer & Frey in 1893, this building remains an integral part of Melvin J. Sheffer, Inc., located in Hanover, PA. LjV**/ r/*- *$ * Swope and Bashore, Inc.’s floor space doubled with the erection of their new facility in 1978. Swope and Bashore cites Incorporated in 1967, Swope & Bashore, Inc., traces its beginning to 1890 when the original store was founded by Jonathan Swope in Frystown. Acquiring a McCormick-Deering franchise in 1898, Jonathan Swope took his son, D. Augustus Swope, as a partner in 1917, a relationship that lasted until 1921 when the younger Swope assumed full ownership. A popular general store handling farm equipment, plumbing and electrical supplies, and hardware, Swope’s Store once again became a partnership in 1949, and was the business was incorporated and taken over by Melvin’s sons Robert S., and John M. Sheffer. Beginning his relationship with International Harvester m 1916, the colorful Melvin Sheffer con tinued trading mules for shiny new International tractors well into the 1930’s and 40’s. To alleviate its growing pains, the firm purchased an adjacent display lot in 1927, and continued a tradition of growth with the addition of a store in nearby Littlestown in 1945. Plans to consolidate operations The purchase of this former auto dealership in 1982 permitted much needed expansion of Sheffer's showroom, service, and warehousing facilities. long-time IH tie-in incorporated eight years later in 1957. Maintaining a continuous relationship with International Harvester until 1965, the company discontinued its contract, renewing it two years later when Swope’s Store, Inc., became Swope and Bashore, Inc., under the leadership of Curtis C. Swope, and Curtis R. Bashore. With Curtis Swope’s retirement in 1977, and his partner’s retirement five years later, the store is currently owned by (Turn to Page 30) at their Hanover location promp ted brothers Robert and John to sell their Littlestown location in 1981, and purchase the facilities of a then-vacant automobile dealership in May of 1982. With ample showroom, service, and warehousing areas, the Melvin J. Sheffer, Inc., facilities now occupy nearly 2% city blocks at their downtown Hanover location. A full-line I.H. dealership, the firm maintains 15 employees in cluding Robert’s son, R. Vance Sheffer, the company’s Vice President and Manager of ap pliances and garden equipment, representing the fourth generation Versatile field tractors with IH reliability and economy 584—52.5 PTO hp* 784—67.4 PTO hp* Hydro 84—58.7 PTO hp» 884—72.9 PTO hp* 684—62.5 PTO hp* International has a complete line of row crop tractors that are ready to work whenever and wherever you are Choose the tractor thats just right (or your operation AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT JANUARY SPECIAL IH “ or $17,885.00 USED TRACTORS 'J' I •IH 806,3 pt. Hitch, Canopy, Very Good $B5OO | ’ •IH 560, Fast Hitch, Good Cond . $4500 , A * IH Farmall 300, Ex. Cond., New Paint $2lOO /, 'j • • Farmall A, New Paint & Rubber $1095 ~ & • Farmall C, Nice $1450 x ■' ' % • 1977 IH 674 D, 2450 Hrs , Very Good McCorm.ck-Deer.ng “}°" f^OO No 7 Two-Horse Mower * 656 D Hydro.. .$6750 of Sheffers to join the firm. With Robert Sheffer as President, and John the Secretary and Treasurer, other personnel include Harold D. Smith, Manager of farm equipment and the shop, and Philip W. Moul, the company’s Parts Manager with over 40 years of service. • Economical IH-built water-cooled diesel engines • 16F/8R standard on 884 optional on 784 and 684 BF/4R standard on all other models Hydro model also available • Hydraulic disc brakes differential lock, power steering, 3-point draft sensing hitch independent 540 RPM PTO and more all standard equipment Finance plans available ’Official test
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