1915 Business Ephemera Archive Exploring the Process of Opening a Business in Copartnership in Scranton, Pennsylvania

On offer is a small archive of ephemera that relates to a business deal between Mr. Henry F. Adams and Mr. Paul Kudak, both of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 

Henry F. Adams was the owner of a wholesale grocery business called Henry F. Adams & Co. In 1915, he entered into a partnership with Kudak. Together, Adams and Kudak ran a wholesale business, specializing in “tea, coffee, spices and general groceries” [Form of Articles of Copartnership, 1915]. 

This archive includes documents related to this copartnership, most importantly, the Copartnership Agreement. The agreement, titled Form of Articles of Copartnership was handwritten and signed on June 15, 1915. This two page agreement (one page, front and back) describes many commitments each man is required to make to solidify the partnership. One such commitment is the capital investment that each party would contribute, being $10,229.39 per person [equal to approximately $304,694.00 in 2023]. Adams is contributing the funds of his previously owned company of the same name, while Kadak is contributing cash. The agreement provides for a $125 per month salary for Adams and a $100 monthly salary for Kadak. The contract is signed by Kadak and Adams, witnessed by Mr. James Cannon.

Accompanying the agreement is the official bill of sale (typed with blanks filled in by hand) signed by Adams, two receipts for bulk orders of flours, teas and vegetables placed by customers of Henry F. Adams & Co., and an insurance certificate for the company from The Equitable Fire & Marine Insurance Company of Providence, Rhode Island. [Note: The insurance certificate appears to be a copy]. 

This is a fascinating archive including all the documents that demonstrate how a business partnership is formed and nurtured…and paid for. The sales and insurance  receipts provide insight into the cost of wholesale goods and insurance at the time. 

Included in this archive are five separate pieces of paper, all in good condition. Normal age toning is present but there are no rips or tears noted. The copartnership agreement shows signs of having been folded in an envelope so there are creases present, but the document is intact. Overall G+. 

BIO NOTES: Paul Kadak (1870-1934) born in Rovne, Czechoslovakia and immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1889 at the age of 19. He worked, at different times, in book publishing and sales. Henry F. Adams (1860-?) was born in New York City, New York. He married a lady named Lucy and together they lived in Scranton, Pennsylvania.