Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140
RS 357
Robert E. Besch
Papers, 1890-1948, undated
Descriptive summary
| creator: | Besch, Robert E. |
| title: | Papers |
| dates: | 1890-1948, undated |
| extent: | 0.42 linear feet (1 document box) |
| collection number: | MS 357 |
| repository: | Special Collections Department, Iowa State University. |
Administrative information
| access: | Open for research |
| publication rights: | Consult Head, Special Collections Department |
| preferred citation: | Robert E. Besch Papers, MS 357, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library. |
Historical note
Robert E. Besch was the owner of R.E. Besch's Horseshoeing and General Blacksmithing, a firm in Milledgeville, Fayette County, Ohio. Most of Besch's business was in the line of horseshoeing and repairs to wagons and farm equipment. However, he also did general repair work and jobs such as sharpening plowshares and repairs to harness, ladders, pitchforks, post hole diggers, and washing machines are listed in the account books. There are a few references to repairs on automobiles, and on at least one occasion he mended an anchor. |
Collection description
This collection (1890-1948, undated) consists of two account books for R.E. Besch Horseshoeing and General Blacksmithing, a firm located in Milledgeville, Fayette County, Ohio. Each book has a listing of customer names in front, with a notation of the page in the book where the account is listed. The account pages list the name of the individual customer, followed by the date work was done, the type of work done, amount charged, and payments received. A number of loose items, laid in the account book covering the years 1912-1920, have been sorted by category and placed at the end of the collection. |
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
1 |
1 |
Account book |
1906-1913 |
1 |
2 |
Account book. Includes newspaper clipping "Snake Bite Remedy" glued to the inside front cover, and a recipe for white mash is written on the inside back cover |
1912-1920 |
1 |
3 |
Accounts paid. Listings of accounts paid on R.E. Besch letterhead. Also includes a sheet of practice handwriting by Cleo Besch, written 28 December 1906 on Besch letterhead |
1906-1948, undated |
1 |
4 |
Accounts and bills of sale from various merchants. Includes a phone bill from the Central Union Telephone Company for the month of April 1912 |
1890-1921, undated |
1 |
5 |
Correspondence--business. Includes arrangements made in 1912 with The Merchants Collection Agency Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, to collect on two delinquent accounts |
1912-1923, undated |
1 |
6 |
Correspondence--personal. Letter from Robert E. Besch's brother, Hoadly, to his mother, stating that if she needs money, she should contact Robert or himself |
1921 |
1 |
7 |
Calculations |
undated |
1 |
8 |
Cancelled checks. Checks written by Robert E. Besch on the Milledgeville Bank, Milledgeville, Ohio, and the Farmers and Traders Bank, Jamestown, Ohio |
1917-1923 |
1 |
9 |
Photograph of an unidentified middle aged man holding a straw hat (1- 3x3.5" b/w photograph) |
undated |