A horse pulling an open buggy, such as the Byingtons and other local families used for commuting from their farm to town, waits
outside Iowa City storefronts. Patterson Block on Dubuque St., current location of Prairie Lights, Mickey’s, and Masala. Courtesy of the State Historical Society of Iowa – Iowa City.
Robert “Rob” Byington (1854-1884) was a younger brother of Iowa Byington. He both farmed and practiced as an attorney at the firm of Byington Brothers at 105 East Washington Street in Iowa City. Their brother Otto also practiced as an attorney and went on to become a judge and an Iowa State Senator. Robert’s one-volume diary complements his sister’s from April 1883 to August 1884 (the last year and a half of his life) with more detail about the family’s farming and business operations. For the farm to town commute, Robert writes of hitching up Charlie, Jack, Jim, and John D, and riding Jim and Nell. He also writes of working in the field with two teams of draft horses. Robert passed away at age thirty from an illness.
In the case:
Each object in the cases is marked with a corresponding number unless otherwise noted.
11. Cabinet Card of Young Boy with Horse Prop Marshalltown, Iowa, 1884
Reproduction
State Historical Society of Iowa – Iowa City
12. Medi-Vet Travelling Salesman in Buggy for Bickmore’s Gall Cure for Horses, ca. 1900,
Graham Township, near Iowa City
Reproduction
State Historical Society of Iowa – Iowa City
13. Robert “Rob” Byington diary
Iowa Byington Reed papers, Iowa Women’s Archives
Excerpts from Robert’s diary:
Friday, April 13th, 1883
A fine spring day, Summer heat this afternoon. Did milking and helped Father hitch up the colt “Jim”. Came over to the office and spent forenoon at work. After dinner made loan of $60 for Hattie on 40 acres of land. Lee executed mortgage to Auntie Walker for land in Kansas today. Spent bal. of afternoon in office and at Recorder’s office- Bought new buggy which- After supper, Lee, Geo Day and I hitched up colt “Jack” and drove him around awhile. Did the milking and spent pleasant eve at home reading…
Monday, April 16th, 1883
A beautiful spring day, with, however, a strong wind in the West. Lee did the milking this morning, and I came directly to the office. Swept and cleaned up a little, then did morning writing, and made a trip to the Court House—
came over after dinner, and completed the collection of Mollie’s note from Lucy [Huie]. Went home at 3 o’clock and Lee and I hitched “Charlie” and our colt “Jack” to the buck-board [utility wagon] and drove out to the West farm. Found everything in good shape, and the stock looking well. Home by the lower road. After supper, did the milking and spent the evening pleasantly at home- A beautiful night…
Friday, June 22nd, 1883
Today is the 7th anniversary of my graduation from the Academic Dept. of the University. Did the milking this morning and spent the forenoon on the garden, cleaning up our early potatoes. Auntie Walker and Sallie Hart here to dinner. Ott and I rode over to town in the Phaeton [fancier carriage], after dinner driving “John D”. Did some running around. Spent balance of the afternoon in the office conversing with Mr Pryse. Allis Holson and [Amia?] Nelson took tea with us. I did some measuring in the yard. Then saddled “Jim” horse—first time—and rode him over to town to have horse doctor see him.
Thursday, August 23d, 1883
A hot day, the sun very bright and dust deep. Helped with mowing work. Got a late start and went out to the West Farm with load of rock. The boys went out with both teams this afternoon. Ott broke his wagon and rode horses
home. I worked about home all afternoon. The carpenters are fixing the old smoke house for an out door wood-house. Frank Wilson setting posts 1/2 day. Did chores and doctored sick colt. A fine cool evening. To bed in good season…
Sunday, October 28th, 1883
Up late and looked after the chores. Found the colts out and in mischief—one of them badly cut on wire fence. Got them into the pasture and fixed up fence. Indoors reading “Scarlet Letter” most of day. Geo Pinney over this afternoon to sew up cuts in colt. Dressed before supper, but did not attend Church. Washed and read “Scarlet Letter” till bed time—Finished same—A gloomy eve…
Friday. Dec[embe]r 7th, [18]83
Weather cloudy & cold, raw wind from W. Flurry of snow at noon. Rode “Nell” to Coralville, paid Mrs John Davis $11.25 in full for Walnut Lumber. On to W. Farm. Brought 7 steers & 2 heifers home… Sat. June 7th [1884] A hot day. At home this forenoon. After rode over in Phaeton. Got Hair & beard trimmed. Bought new hammock. Doc Moore examined me.