Penn Hardware Company in Reading, PA

Here's what I could find out about the Penn Hardware Company, makers of our art deco doorknobs.
Penn Hardware was founded on Spruce St. in Reading, PA in 1877 by Charles Raymond Heizmann, who became the president of Penn Hardware, and his brother Albert Aloyeuis Heizmann, who became treasurer. Out of their plant, which covered a few acres, they began manufacturing builders' and specialty hardware of all kinds. The Penn Hardware company became known worldwide as quality manufacturers of door knobs and locks, exporting their products to Europe. The Penn Hardware Company purchased the Bright Lerch & Co. in 1883 on the Schuylkill Canal near Spruce St. and converted it into a factory and warehouse.

In 1896, the business was officially incorporated under the name of Penn Hardware Company and they started adding other metal productions, including larger industrial materials such as railroad wheels that weighed 350 to 700 pounds each. A nail department was added in 1898. And in the late 19th century the Penn Hardware Company was known as a leading key manufacturer, especially for hotels.

The company stayed within the Heizmann family for as far as I can find information on it. I can't find exactly when the Penn Hardware Company went out of business. In fact, there's little information that I can find past the late 1800s. My Penn Hardware Company door knobs are said to be from the early 1920s, but besides the art deco design and an internet consensus, I haven't seen actual proof of that. I've seen products, mainly door knobs, that people date into the 1930s and the sales receipt above is dated 1945, so the company at least lasted into the '40s.