Robert and Agnes Miksch papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MS-0699

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains detailed farming and family financial record books. The records include receipts, notes, and documents pertaining to purchases of farm supplies and equipment, clothing, and everyday items for family life. The Miksch's used a variety of accounting books to record the farm finances issued by Iowa State College Press, Iowa State College, Iowa State University Extension Service John Deere, and National Farm and Loan Association.

Dates

1938-1981

Creator

Miksch, Agnes (Person)
Miksch, Robert (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Open for research; unprocessed collection. Materials have not been arranged or reviewed, and additional restrictions may apply.

Conditions Governing Use

Consult Special Collections and University Archives.

Biographical / Historical

Robert Edward Miksch was born May 30, 1906 in Mexico, Missouri to Ira L. and Mary Jones Miksch. A few years later the family moved to Washington, Iowa where members of the the Miksch family had settled in 1854, establishing the Gracehill settlement and a Moravian Church in 1866. The Miksch family were farmers who came to the United States from Moravia. Robert graduated from West Chester High School and studied technical drafting at a technical school in Chicago. Unable to find work, he returned to the Washington area where he farmed, mostly as a hired hand or renter.

Agnes Richardson Miksch was born on May 11, 1910. Agnes and Robert met in September 1937 when Agnes came to Wellston country school in Washington County. The Washington Button Factory was employing young women and as salaries were good, there was a shortage of teachers in Washington County rural schools. Agnes and Robert married on May 21, 1938 and had their first child, Edward, in July 1939. They had three additional children: James, Gretchen, and George.

Robert and Agnes bought an 84-acre farm near Ainsworth, Iowa, restoring the house built in the late 1800s. They were participants in the Agricultural Extension Service (such as the Iowa Poultry Demonstration Flocks) of Iowa and the Ainsworth School Board. In the late 1940s Robert was offered a 240-acre farm west of Washington, Iowa by his father, Ira. There they raised cattle, hogs, and chickens and grew hay, corn, and oats. After World War II, the Miksch's participated in a hybrid chicken and egg production program with Iowa State College.

In 1972 their second son, James, and his wife, Lynda, took up the farming operation. Robert and Agnes moved to Washington, Iowa, and continued to assist in planting and harvesting.

In his later years, Robert was a member of the Lion's Club and the United Methodist Church. He served on boards of the Farm Service, Farm Bureau, the Beef Producers, and the Red Cross in Washington County. In their later years Robert and Agnes traveled, visiting their grandchildren and taking extensive tours of the United States. Robert died on December 19, 1982. His wife Agnes died May 8, 2010.

Information for the biographical note courtesy of Gretchen Denton and Lynda Miksch.