John A. Hauser facts for kids
John A. Hauser (born October 4, 1907 – died April 14, 1983) was an American businessman and a kind helper of communities. He was the president of a big apple company called C. H. Musselman Company. He led the company from 1944 until he retired in 1972. When Musselman Company joined with another food company, Pet Incorporated, in 1961, he also became a vice president there.
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John Hauser's Career
Leading a Big Apple Company
The Musselman Company started in 1907. By 1944, it was known as the largest apple processing company in the United States. When John Hauser became president, he helped Musselman products become famous all across the country.
Musselman was one of the first companies to put apple sauce in cans. This made apple sauce one of the first "convenience foods." That means it was easy for people to buy and use. The company was based in Biglerville, Pennsylvania. It owned more than 800 acres of land, mostly for growing apples. By 1938, Musselman had two more factories. One was in Gardeners, Pennsylvania, and another was in Inwood, West Virginia.
Hauser's Journey to President
John Hauser grew up in York, Pennsylvania. He joined Musselman in August 1934. Before that, he studied at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Temple University. He worked hard for ten years, learning all about the company. In March 1944, after the founder Christian H. Musselman passed away, John Hauser became the company's second president.
Growing the Company
During John Hauser's 28 years as president, the company grew a lot. Musselman's land for growing apples expanded to over 6,000 acres. This included buying more apple orchards in West Virginia.
In 1958, the company bought Wolff Farm Supply Company in Biglerville. This company sold farm machines and trucks. Soon after, they bought Dwan's Home Canning Company. This company had two factories in Michigan. This helped Musselman meet the growing demand for its products in the middle of the country.
Joining Forces with Pet Inc.
In 1961, Musselman joined with Pet Milk Company. This company later became known as Pet Inc. It was based in St. Louis, Missouri. John Hauser continued to be the president of the Musselman part of the company. He also became a vice president and a board member for Pet Inc.
Later, Musselman joined more closely with Pet's Winebrenner Division. This helped them create new foods. They made ready-mix pie fillings, spiced apple rings, and chunky apple sauces. They also started making other fruit products like cherries, berries, prunes, and even fruit juice drinks.
John Hauser's Giving Back
John Hauser also helped manage two special groups called Musselman foundations. These foundations gave more than eight million dollars to help the areas where the Musselman factories were located. Even after he retired, he stayed in charge of the Musselman Foundation. He also led the advisory committee for the Emma G. Musselman Foundation.
What the Foundations Did
The Musselman Foundation started in 1941. It helped students go to college and high school. It also supported local charities. Emma Musselman, the founder's wife, started her own foundation in 1955. The Emma G. Musselman Foundation focused on helping local hospitals, building new facilities, supporting higher education, and helping with mental health.
John Hauser helped decide where these funds would go. Here are some examples of what they helped build:
- A new high school in Inwood.
- A fully equipped industrial arts building, athletic field, and gym at Biglerville High School.
- A Pennsylvania State University fruit research center in Biglerville.
- Two new wings for the Warner Hospital in Gettysburg.
- Help for the Martinsburg (West Virginia) City Hospital and Brook Lane Psychiatric Center in Hagerstown, Maryland.
- A warehouse for the Adams County Rescue Mission.
- A building for the Adams County YWCA.
Helping Gettysburg College
Many large gifts also went to Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This money helped build a football stadium, a dormitory (a place for students to live), and a library. It also provided money for scholarships and grants for students.
The Hauser family also created a scholarship in John Hauser's name. This scholarship is still given every year to a student studying business. They also fund a "Businessperson-in-Residence" program. This program brings a business leader to the college to give a lecture about business ethics. John Hauser believed strongly in good values in business.
John Hauser was a trustee at Gettysburg College from 1967 to 1979. A trustee helps guide the college. Later, he was named an "honorary life trustee" because of his great service. In 1963, the college also gave him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. In November 1973, a new building on campus was named after him. The John A. Hauser Field House has an indoor track, tennis and basketball courts, and practice areas for other sports like baseball, golf, soccer, football, and lacrosse.
Community Leader
John Hauser was also a leader in his community. He served on the boards of Warner Hospital, Gettysburg National Bank, Adams County Library, and Gettysburg College. He also held important positions on national boards. He was president of the International Apple Association, the Pennsylvania Canners Association, and the Processed Apples Institute. In 1978, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Assoc. named him "Man of the Year."
John Hauser's Family Life
John A. Hauser was the son of John S. and Bertha C. Hauser. In December 1934, he married Helen B. Skinner (1910-2012). She was also a student at Temple University and was from Arendtsville, Pennsylvania. They had three daughters: Melinda, Jane, and Hannah. They also had a son, John Samuel, who was born in 1940 but sadly passed away at age six.
John Hauser owned a 300-acre fruit farm near Biglerville. He enjoyed growing fruits, fixing machines, and making cider for his friends and family.
Images for kids
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John A. Hauser. Image courtesy of Hauser family.
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1965 dedication of Musselman Stadium at Gettysburg College. Image courtesy of Gettysburg College, Musselman Library, Special Collections & College Archives.
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Hauser family. Photo taken October 20, 1965 at John Hauser's retirement dinner hosted by company associates in Abbottstown, Pennsylvania.
