1914 Diary of the Eldest Son of the Politically Influential Dawes Family of Ohio Who Would Later Make a Splash in Ohio Business and Culture

On offer is the college diary of a young man from a very influential Ohio family, who would go on to become Chairman of the Dawes Arboretum, owner of Eureka Fire and Marine Insurance Company and a Lieutenant Colonel in WWII. 

The author of the diary is Beman Gates (B.G.) Dawes Jr. (called Gates by his contemporaries) (1895-1968). Gates was the eldest son of Beman Sr. and Bertie Dawes. Beman Sr. was the founding president of the Ohio Cities Gas Company (later Pure Oil Company) and an Ohio Congressman from 1905-1909. Gates’ uncle, Charles G. Dawes, was Vice President of the United States under Coolidge (1925-1929). Beman Sr. and Bertie founded the Dawes Arboretum. 

Gates was himself a prominent figure in Ohio. Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, Gates graduated from Marietta College (where there was once a Dawes Memorial Library named for his family). Gates married Janet Newton in 1919, and they had three daughters. During the First World War, he enlisted in 1917 and served with the Army Engineers. He was an Air Force Major during WWII. A devoted Republican, Gates was an active member of the Charter Committee in Cincinnati. He spent 20 years on the Board of Trustees at his alma matter, including a decade as Chairman of the Board at Marietta College. When his father died in 1953, Gates. became Chairman of the Board of Directors at his family’s Dawes Arboretum. 

Gates kept this diary in 1914, when he was 19 years old and attending Marietta College. His entries are detailed and offer a picture of a young man and his life in these early days of 20th century America. His entries focus around school, sports and his social life with no references to events outside his own life.

The following excerpts will give a sense of his life and times:

“Down to school and had a little Math test which I flunked with the greatest ease. Over to gym in afternoon and monkeyed around a little. Tried to pole vault but was exceedingly rotten. Aunt Betty called me over in the evening and I went over there to call on Miss Knight of N.E. who goes to Oberlin and stayed there for 1 hour & ½ then over to gym to dancing class for a very short time. Too muddy for any baseball practice so got a couple of ads only a few more to get. In evening took E Sweeney to Junior Prom. Not exactly the same kind of affair as last year ... Wrights has a good program danced til about 2:15 and got in bed about 3 AM tired but happy” [May 13]. 

“Most other peoples diaries serve as a repository of what they think of other people. Such is twaddle. A fine line of comment on current events may be written without personal observations on the character of the innocent bystander. Remember Rusty Van [Punt’s?] book which he kept under lock and key. With these as notes later when time is offered I can return and make enlargements. This is Vol. 4” [July 10].

“Chemistry is now becoming a little more intricate and not so easy. Watched football practice and played a little tennis with Syd but didn’t get along well. Took Ethel to movie after a little encounter with Freshmen. Pasted them with flour as they left chapel this morning. Was pretty well done but not as well as expected” [Sept 23].

Gates has used the back of the dairy as both an address book and to record his monthly expenditures. 

This diary gives an excellent look into the life of a college student born to a significant family, before he makes his mark on his state and country. A terrific piece to add to the collection of those interested in the Dawes Family, Marietta College and the great state of Ohio as a whole. 

Diary measures 5.5x3.5 inches. It contains 365 pages and is 80% complete. The leather cover shows signs of wear due to age. The cover and spine have completely separated from the book and a couple pages have also come loose. The handwriting is legible. Overall Fair to Good.