1889-1895 Incredible Diary of Husband and Wife Iowa Pioneers with Details on the Workings of their Farm, Move to the City, Connections to Neighbours and Life in Central Iowa

On offer is a remarkable diary kept daily for over six years by the heads of one Grundy County, Iowa’s pioneering landowning farming families. 

The authors of this expansive diary are John Cutts (1847-1905) and Elizabeth (Libbie) Sperry Cutts (1852-1912). When their diary begins, the Cutts family live and farm in Fairfield Township, Grundy County. In Libbie’s obituary, she is called “one of the pioneers of the northern part of [Grundy] County” [Evening Times-Republican, 1912]. In late 1891, the Cutts move to the city of Grundy Center for John’s work at Libbie’s brother’s creamery. [FOR MORE ON JOHN & ELIZABETH CUTTS SEE BIO NOTES AT END OF LISTING].

The diary, which covers October 1, 1889 through December 31, 1895, is kept for the first 18 months by John, before Libbie takes over on April 20, 1891. John’s entries focus on his daily tasks, his farmhands, their work and movements, and his business dealings in and around Grundy County. He also comments on his wife and children’s activities. Libbie’s entries also provide details on the farmwork, woman’s work of the day, news on the children and extended family, John's trips for work, as well as connections within the community. This combination of perspectives provides a broad longitudinal view of the life of a central Iowa family at the turn of the century. 

The Cutts land was bordered by the Hammerlings, Thayers, Wynegars, Thompsons, Krogs, and Elliotts. Throughout the diary the camaraderie and reliance on these neighbours and others is highlighted through frequent mentions of business and personal interactions. The family travels regularly for work and social engagements. Some of the many Iowa locations they discuss include New Hartford Iowa, the NH Mill, Grundy Center, Cedar Falls, Parkersburg and Egan. Some excerpts give a sense of the flow of the diary:

“I ploughed all day. Lewis tinkering fixing hogs we pulled some apples had one big sow die think it cholera had 4 pigs die. SPW [Wynegar] took his 2 colts out of pasture” [Oct 5, 1889].

“Had hard wind thunder and lightning and rain in night…Louis here. I hired him from January 1st to Nov 30, 1890 to pay him $168. Henry gone off with his sister he home about 4PM cold…” [Dec 29, 1889]. 

“Nice day. Pearl and I went to N. Hartford. I eat dinner at J. Paulger. Pearl at Fred’s. I got milk cheque of F. Wells for $70. Home abt 5PM quiet windy. [Mr.] Converse came out late at night here all night” [Dec 31, 1889]. 

“Henry took Pearl to school. Snowing. Henry choring he took Libbie to F. Hemmerling to Sociable then to Danville…Laid all day. Libbie rode home with H.B.Elliott” [Nov 4, 1890].

“...I drove Bell to G.Center and commenced to work for J.H. Sperry this afternoon. I went and hired Jap to work for me. I to pay him 14 per month. Henry went to N. Hartford got 200 feet of lumber for fencing. Henry brought Bet home from Dr. Wicks” [April 13, 1891].

“Had our sale today Cloudy and raining cleared off about 11 o’clock and by noon quite a crowd was here. HL Lam and Will Mu got here about 10 o’clock sold all the loose stuff before dinner Sold the horses the first thing after dinner they sold as follows…” [Oct 8, 1891; preceding a full page entry on the sales of horses and cows including prices and who they sold to]

Note: The rest of October, 1891 is dedicated to meeting with potential renters for their farm, selling off their possessions and animals before they finally moved to Grundy Center on November 6. The month they sell off their possessions is chock full of names of Iowa citizens and prices of goods and animals.

“A nice bright day. This is Joe’s birthday. He is 7 years old. He had a little party his teacher Mrs Granmeyer was here. Mary and Gilly here” [Feb 25, 1892]

“I was over to Linda’s all night. They have another girl born about 1o’clock. Mrs. Keen takes care of Linda” [March 8, 1892; this entry refers to the birth of her brother James Herbert and his wife Melinda’s fourth child, Alice's]. 

“...Got telegram that Uncle [John] Paulger died yesterday. Fred Hemmerling here for dinner and supper staid all night - John to Lodge” [March 19, 1895]. 

This diary is a goldmine of information for any researcher interested in late 19th century farming, business, family life, land ownership, or any other aspect of life in central Iowa. Following this family for over six years through their diary entries is a treat for anyone interested in human development, gender roles, and community connection. 

BIO NOTES:

John Cutts (1847-1905) was born to parents Joseph Cutts and Mary Hobson in East Retford, Nottinghamshire, England. He immigrated to the USA at age 22, initially farming and boarding with another British immigrant, John Paulger (1825-1895), and his family in Lincoln County. He soon bought land in Fairfield Township, Grundy County, Iowa and farmed the land. In 1873, he married Elizabert L. Sperry. They raised their two children, Mary Pearle (1874-1945) and Joseph Ray (1885-1914) in Fairfield Township until moving to Grundy Center in 1891 so John could work for his brother-in-law, James Herbert Sperry (1858-1942) in the creamery business. John was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Methodist Church. 

Elizabeth (Libbie) Sperry Cutts (1852-1912) was born in Jackson, Wisconsin to parents Lewis Sperry and Celestine Fuller. She was the eldest of four children and remained close to her siblings, as she discusses them and their families throughout the diary. Libbie was a member of the Eastern Star order and the Methodist Church. 

[Note: the 1880 census indicates Cutts had an adopted a son named Charles from Canada, but this name does not appear anywhere else]. 

The diary measures 12.5x8 inches. It is actually a large ledger-type book with 201 numbered pages. While a few pages have been torn out, the remaining pages are all filled with entries, for over 190 pages of content. The Cutts have indicated the date on the left margin of the pages. The book itself shows signs of age. The pages are held together by twine and have completely detached from the spine. The spine and hardcover are otherwise in fair condition. The writing is legible cursive. Overall Fair.