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