Nancy Brown’s 1874 Diary

1874 DIARY OF NANCY C. BROWN

Jan 1 – Pleasant, thawed some this afternoon. Ethan[1] came down after us to go to Lois.[2] Hank,[3] Hannah,[4] Louese[5] and I went. We stoped to Fathers[6] to night. I cut out my wraper. Ethan sewed it up on Lois machine. Uncle Ed Armes[7] & Mrs Sherman were at Fathers to day. Hank and Ethan went to the Burg[8] this morning. Stayed with Willie[9] last night.

Jan 2 – Warm, thaws, it is quite muddy. Rained a very little. Father, Hank and I went to the Burg. I got Hannah a hat frame. I stoped with Ida B[10] a little while. Mrs Staining[?] gave birth to a little boy Sunday eve, it died Tuesday eve, burried to day. Ed Wolcott and Family[11] stayed to Pas[12] last night. We came back to Fathers. Arthur[13] is here.

Jan 3 – Warm ____ pleasant. Had to sit with the door open most all day. Went down to Pas with Arthur this morn. Made Hannah a hat. Ma washed. I went back down to Fathers with Ethan. Mr Streetors, Mrs S–, __uin[14] and Ethan were here this eve. Dell[15] got back to night.

Jan 4 – Warm till about nine thirty, commenced storming, stormed till night. Hank and I went up to Pas this afternoon. Hank went back and I stayed. Hannah went to Battle Creek to night. Ethan took her to the cars.[16] Ida went too.

Jan 5 – Cold and very rough. Hank and Father went to the Burg this morning. Hank got me a pair of gaiters,[17] price $2.50. Hank concluded to send our goods on the cars. He and Father took them over to day. Mother came up with the last load. I went back with them and stayed all night.

Jan 6 – A little warmer. Hank and I went down to Pas this morn. Hank and Father went to the Burg to help load our goods. Libbie Allen[18] stayes here to night.

Jan 7 – Cold. We left Pas fifteen minutes after seven. Ethan took us to the cars. We got to Lawton,[19] got the stove up and had luncheon before twelve. We feel pretty tired to night. George Moffitt called and asked us to go to his house and stay all night but we did not go. Just a little bit home sick to night.

Jan 8 – Pleasant. Mr Merritt commenced to work here on the sky light. I have not done any thing toward settling yet.

Jan 9 – Stormy. Men are to work in the other room. They make an awful racket. I am making over my curant jelley. Two ladies called here to get their pictures taken. I guess they dident get them. Mr Moffitt and an other gentleman helped this afternoon so they got the sky light puttied in.

Jan 10 – Snowed a little last night. I finished my dress this afternoon. Did not feel very well, was lonesome.

Jan 11 – Very cold. Hank and I wrote to our folks. Hank got up and got breakfast. Hank wrote a letter to C. H. Stephens, Chicago for six dollars worth of photograph goods. Mary Gray and Isaac VanAntwerp[20] both of Lyons were married to day.

Jan 12 – Warm and pleasant. I finished one of Hanks chinchilla gloves and commenced a pair of mittens for myself. Father killed the bull, old Bob and some other sheep.

Jan 13 – Commenced snowing about nine this forenoon. Snows real hard. I made _____ to day, the first I ever made. I am sewing dress. Hank got some potatoes, they are ten shillings a bushel. We got a letter from Father and Mother. Galigan suit was decided in her favor. Helen Carltons baby died to day. It was a month old.

Jan 14 – Very good sleighing with a light load. Snows a little to day. The side light is in. I have cut out my under clothes and sewed some on my chemise. Hank got his photograph goods he sent for. I baked two mince pies. Hank got 4 pounds sugar (.50).

Jan 15 – Very cold this after forenoon, snow this afternoon. Mr Merritt finished here. George got some paper. We got a bag of apples & some beef from Father. Father went to town Tuesday, he traded Fred. Cape[21] went with him & did not come back. I finished my chemise and wrote to Fathers folks this evening.

Jan 16 – Very cold. ______ ______ fruit and some other things froze last night. It was the coldest night yet this winter. We got about a quarter of the front room papered and one cote of paint in the operating room.

Jan 17 – Another cold night last night. Warmer this afternoon. _____ _____. Finished papering about three. Got a letter from Ina & Mother. Hannah came home Thursday. Mrs Chapin is sick. Cape got back that night he went away. Hank bought a _____ of ice box to night No. 169.

Jan 18 – Rainy. I baked two apple pies and some tarts and crullers. Hank finished painting in the operating room and tore off the paper. I wrote to our folks this evening. I am sick to day X.

Jan 19 – Snow this morning, rain this afternoon and Pleasant the rest of the day. Hank got paper for the operating room and dark room. We painted one cote on the front room and then commenced papering the other room. Got about a quarter done. Sent a letter to Pa.

Jan 20 – Rainy. We papered the dark room this afternoon. Hank opened the boxes, things were all right, but the small looking glass that was broken all to pieces. Ethan is twenty three (23) years old to day.

Jan 21 – Pleasant. Hank opened the big box, found things all right in them. We moped all the rooms. Was pretty tired when we got through.

Jan 22 – Rainy. Put down the carpet this forenoon. Picked up and got things partly straightened around in the operating room.

Jan 23 – Warm and pleasant. A young lady called to see about getting some pictures. Hank fixed the backgrounds. I made the curtains between the operating room and kitchen.

Jan 24 – Rainy. We hung the pictures this afternoon and evening.

Jan 25 – Rainy. We papered all we could in the operating room and bed room but did not have paper enough to finish.

Jan 26 – Pleasant. Hung out the sign. Should taken some pictures but it _____ so bad that Hank couldent. He took two gems[22] of me.

Jan 27 – Rainy. Had eight feet of sheet iron put on the chimney[?] this morning, does not smoke quite so bad. Rained so we could not do any thing. Got a letter from Ma.[23] She said Ethan had been up to Mr Earls. She said Helen Van Jonsens[?] baby was dead.[24] Hank got a cup bord of G. Moffitt, paid two dollars.

Jan 28 – Pleasant. Hank took 4 fifty cent gems for twelve shillings. He agreed to take some pictures for wood he bought, 4 pounds sugar (.50), (.12) worth of ______ and (.15) worth of kerosene oil. I wrote a letter to “The Domestic”, the first busines letter I ever wrote.

Jan 29 – Pleasant this forenoon, cloudy this afternoon. I took a picture of a little boy, got (.50). Got a letter and the clothes from home, also a letter from Harry Streetor[25] of Carston Ohio. Mother[26] sent a chicken, some corned beef, a loaf of bread and twenty six eggs.

Jan 30 – Very stormy and blustering. Mr Cole brought an old picture here to be copied. I was sick all night, feel a little better to day. About five inches of snow fell to day. I wrote a letter to Ida Barber.[27]

Jan 31 – Pleasant. Do not feel very well. Hank took in five dollars ($5.00). He has taken in $7.00 this week. He took his first negative in Lawton to day. He paid out $1.00 for wood.

Feb 1 – Pleasant. Nancy is not very well. We wrote a letter home to day “to Pas”. Had a call for some pictures but could not take them. “Henry”[28]

Feb 2 – Cloudy but pleasant. Nancy is better this morning but gets worse about noon and I got Dr M^cKinney. He comes twice to day, says her kidneys are affected. “Henry”

Feb 3 – Pleasant. I am a little better. The Doctor called here again this morning.

Feb 4 – Pleasant. About the same as yester day. Dr was here again. The mans funeral was to day, the one that got killed with oxen. Hank wrote to Ma to let her know I was sick. We got a postal C– from Will.[29] Father sent us a parlor stove to day.

Feb 5 – Pleasant. Set up some to day. Hank tried to take Mrs Dr Thomas[30] picture. She could not sit still long enough, is going to try again.

Feb 6 – Blustering. I was up most all day. Got a letter from Ma. She said she would be here tomorrow if I was no better but Hank wrote that I was so guess she wont come. Sent the dirty clothes home to night.

Feb 7 – Very Pleasant. Had an awful rush for tin types. There was fifteen waiting at one time. Had to turn off seven. Took in $6.75 for tin types.

Feb 8 – Did not do any thing of account.

Feb 9 – (no entry)

Feb 10 – Pleasant. Hank sent a postal card to Will and got a letter from Fathers folks. They said Will would be Saturday.

Feb 11 – Pleasant. Mr Robinson had this building raised and it craked the wall and paper all up. Hank feels pretty blue over it.

Feb 12 – Pleasant. Hank fixed the wall as well as he could. I baked bread and fixed my balmoral[31] this eve. Hank got me a pair of kid gloves and 12 cakes of soap and two lead pencils & some shaving sope.

Feb 13 – Pleasant. I made some cookies and crullers. There was a man preached in the street this afternoon.

Feb 14 – Warm and Pleasant. The same man preached this morning at nine. We have been crowded for tin types all day. Took in nine dollars $9.00. Will came this afternoon. A band from Battle Creek played here this afternoon and evening for the Auction. Happy Charley showed here this eve.

Feb 15 – Very pleasant. I do not feel very well. Hank and Will went to the foundry to day. Will went home this evening on the accomadation train.

Feb 16 – Pleasant. We took in $1.25. Hank bought four pounds sugar, a lamp chimney and burner and some plaster pins. I made my night dress sleves this evening.

Feb 17 – Pleasant. Hank took a negative of Mattie Abbott and quite a number of gems of other people. Dr M^cKinney and wife were here to see about getting some large pictures. Got a letter from Ma, Ethan and Louesa.

Feb 18 – Pleasant. Hanks Photographs goods came on mail. He got him a pair of pants and a vest at the auction store, paid $6.50. A man plastered here again to night. Hank got twenty five cents worth of beans. He painted the front room again. I am sick X.

Feb 19 – Fine rain. I am about sick with the head ache. Hank moped the operating room and kitchen. There was a dance at the hotel to night. Had the Paw Paw band to serenade the town.

Feb 20 – Pleasant, cloudy. I have not done any thing to day. There is to be an other dance to night. Got a letter from Mother. She sent the clothes and three _____ and some dried beef and other things.

Feb 21 – Stormy. We took in $7.00 to day. Took some pictures of two new couples just married.

Feb 22 – Pleasant. Hank went down to the Foundry. I made some crullers and an apple pie and wrote home. I expect Hannah and Ida go back to the Creek to night.

Feb 23 – Stormy. Hank did not take any pictures to day. The dentist called here a little while. Hank got a quart of milk, the first we have seen or had since we have been in Lawton.

Feb 24 – Pleasant. Did not take any pictures. Hank coppied and enlarged two. He went down to Mr Stearns to see some things. I took a couple of gems of him.

Feb 25 – Some stormy. I wrote a letter to Alice. Hank paid Mr Robison $1.50 for rent. They opened their saloon to day.

Feb 26 – Pleasant but cold. Roads dreadful rough. I finished my night dress. Hank got some kerosene oil. He has taken in $1.50 to day and has taken a negative of Mr M^cKinney, also copied one from the Days Doings.

Feb 27 – Warm and Pleasan. Alice Moffet & sister came here to get some babys pictures. Hank done $7.85 of work. He got four pounds of sugar and we melted it and made syrup. We got butter from Ma. Hank printed.

Feb 28 – Very Pleasant. Was buisy all day. Took in $7.40. I went down town for the first time. I got 2 yds. of rose colored ribbon. We called on Mrs M^cKinney at the store. The dentist tried to pull Hanks tooth this morning but broke it off three times.

Mar 1 – Pleasant. I have baked and done some other work getting ready to go home, expect to go Monday. Hank has fixed a picture to put on the back of prints.

Mar 2 – Pleasant. I left home this morning a little after ten, got to the Burg and found Dell so rode over to Pas with him. Got there about half past twelve. Caroline Earl[32] came to Pas this afternoon. I paid Amos Rogers $2.50 and Father $6.00. Harley Nichols Father died this morning.

Mar 3 – Rained. Ma washed. Carl went to the Burg this morning. Pa got my trunk. I am most sick. Mart Milham[33] came after Ethan yesterday to go down there and stay while he went to Schoolcraft for the “Grangers.”

Mar 4 – Pleasant. Ma, Aunt A[34] & I went down to Fathers. I am going to stay all night. Mart took Ethan home to night. I feel some better to day.

Mar 5 – Pleasant. I wrote to Hank this morning. Frank Chase was here a visiting. Father drew wood with Bill[35] & the new horse. Lois and Willie came home from Brady. I went out to our babys “grave.”[36] I wove some hair for Aunt Jule.[37]

Mar 6 – Rained some last night and a little this morning. Ethan and I went down to Aunt Kates.[38] Henry[39] came there about noon and rode as far as Dells with us. We called there a few minutes. I went up to Pas.

Mar 7 – Snowed a little, blustering this afternoon. Hank came on mail this noon. We stayed to Pas.

Mar 8 – Blustering, worse day we have had this winter. Ethan took us down to Fathers. He stayed till night. Henry was here a little while this afternoon. Dell came down this evening. George Moffitt died this morning, had been sick about a week, had inflamation of the lungs.[40]

Mar 9 – Pleasant but cold. I washed some. Will C– was here a little while this morning. Father took us to the cars. We stopped at Pas a few minutes. Mrs Hawver and Mary went to Lawton in the same car with us.

Mar 10 – Pleasant. Printed. George was buried to day, funrel at the M E Church at eleven oclock A.M. He was burried in Masonic order. I baked some to day.

Mar 11 – Cloudy and cold. I wrote to Hannah. Andrew Mofitt had three gems taken to day. We got a letter from Mother. She sent Mr & Mrs Dickensons pictures and their letter.

Mar 12 – Cold and windy. We moped this morning. Hank took two gems of me with Mr Churchills lense. Mrs M^cKinney called here. We sent Hannahs letter.

Mar 13 – Cold, snowed a very little. Hank took in three dollars $3.00. He wrote to Pa and sent him a stick he had been varnishing for him. Mrs Dr Thomas died to day.[41]

Mar 14 – Warm and Pleasant. Been buisy all day. Hank has taken in nine dollars & twenty cents $9.20. This has been our best week in Lawton. We have taken in $18.45.

Mar 15 – Warm and pleasant. I wrote to Aunt Jule. Mrs Dewey and Mrs Thomas funeral was to day. Mrs Thomas was buried at Paw Paw.

Mar 16 – Very pleasant. We printed. I did the most of it & Hank took pictures. We went down to M^cKinneys drug store this eve and Mrs M^cKinney[42] wanted we should go down to her house and we went.

Mar 17 – Warmer than yesterday, had a thunder storm to night. I commenced making me an over skirt & waist out of the calico Mother let me have.

Mar 18 – Very warm, had to keep the doors & windows open all day. We got a letter from Mother. We have taken in over $13.00 so far this week.

Mar 19 – Rained last night, cold to day. We intended to print but could not on account of it being so cloudy. I finished my dress.

Mar 20 – Pleasant. We printed one hundred and forty small prints and three large ones. Hank took a large negative of Mr Dr M^cKinney and Mrs M^cKinney.

Mar 21 – Cloudy but pleasant. I wrote to Fathers folks. We sent the clothes home. We sent Aunt Jule $15.00 fifteen dollars. We have taken in over $7.00 seven dollars to day and twenty dollars and nineteen cents this week ($20.29 right).

Mar 22 – Windy. I washed the Pillow shams and sheet & the stand cloth. Hank made some cream candy. It was real good. The Foundry stoped work last night. Hank brought some a pack of cards last night, paid sixty cents for them.

Mar 23 – Pleasant but cold. Hank has had all he could do retouching negatives and taking pictures. I helped all I could.

Mar 24 – Warmer “and” Pleasant. We printed. I had a dizy spell. Hank got some brandy for me. We got a letter from Hannah and Ida. Hannah said Wesley[43] had traded his farm for a farm in Kansas and was going to move in about four weeks.

Mar 25 – Rainy. We have been buisy taking pictures all day. Hank sent Aunt Jule fifteen dollars $15.00.

Mar 26 – Rainy. We got a letter from Mother and the clothes also a letter from Ma. She has got the Eyresspelas[44] on her nose.

Mar 27 – Rained a little. Mrs Dr M^cKinney and three other ladys called here. I sent a letter to Ma. Hank got us a rocking chair, is to take two dollars and a halfs worth of pictures for it.

Mar 28 – Pleasant but cold. Took in over eight dollars. Took six negatives, the rest were tin types.

Mar 29 – Pleasant. We expected the “Merry Ten” to come and have their pictures taken but they did not come.

Mar 30 – Cloudy. We took in $3.50 to day. Rose M^cK[45] called here. Hank went to see if we could get Mrs Tapin to do our washing. She called here this eve and said she would. Mrs N B M^cKinney[46] and the Dr and Wife[47] were here this eve but Dr was called away.

Mar 31 – Pleasant. We went over to the Dr this evening. There is a temprance lecture here this eve. The lecturer Mr ________ called here.

Apr 1 – Pleasant. Rose M^cKinney set for a negative. We took in $3.20. Mrs Tapin brought our washing home to night.

Apr 2 – Pleasant. I had a Sterecope view[48] taken. Hank says it is the best picture he ever took. Dr and wife, M. B. & wife were here this evening. I wrote a letter home. Hank got a new pair of new boots paid $5.00. I was weighed to night, weight 1.15.

Apr 3 – Wet snow most all day. Hank got a _____[49] to look at my picture. It looks real nice. There is to be a dance at Stewarts Hall to night. We intend to go a little while. Hank has gone to take the new show case down to Mr Stearnes.

Apr 4 – Pleasant. Has been the poorest Saturday since we have been here. I went over to Dr M^cKinney a little while this evening. Hank came after me. Mrs Geo Moffitt[50] called there this afternoon for the first time.

Apr 5 – Stormed all day, about six inches of snow fell. We sugared off to day. It is the first warm sugar we have had.

Apr 6 – Pleasant but cold. It has been awful exciting times in town to day on account of lection. Mrs Dr M^cKinney called here a little while this evening.

Apr 7 – Very pleasant. We printed this forenoon. Our goods came from Lovejoy and Foster this noon. I went to the P.O. for the first time. Mrs Moffitt called and left Georgs picture.

Apr 8 – Pleasant. Hank retouched negatives all day. We got a letter from Mother, she said Arthur Armes was coming here tomorrow.

Apr 9 – Very Pleasant. We printed. I baked some this forenoon. Arthur came on the three oclock mail. We have been pretty buisy to day. I sent a letter to Lois.

Apr 10 – Pleasant but windy. Did not do much to day. I ironed this afternoon.

Apr 11 – Pleasant this afternoon, snow and rain this forenoon. Took in over $7.00 to day. Arthur is here yet.

Apr 12 – Cold. Hank moped this forenoon. Arthur went away from here on the Accomadation train this evening.

Apr 13 – Stormy this morning, pleasant the rest of the day. Mrs Smith brought some wreaths here this evening to have Hank fix. Mrs Tappin and daughter brought the clothes home.

Apr 14 – Pleasant. I took Mrs S– frames home and got me a hat frame & flowers. We got a letter from Ma.

Apr 15 – Pleasant but cold. I made my hat to day. We put down the old carpet in the kitchen. Hank got the new show case ready to hang up tomorow.

Apr 16 – Cold. I went over to Dr M^cK a little while this afternoon. Mrs Hawver, Mrs Moffitt and an other lady called here. We had out rooms white washed. It cost $2.00.

Apr 17 – Some pleasanter. I went down to Mrs Moffitts this afternoon. Hank, Dr M^cK and wife came a little while in evening.

Apr 18 – Pleasant. Have been pretty buisy to day. Hank ordered some goods.

Apr 19 – Rainy this afternoon. I am sick. Hank took a negative for a young man got $2.50. I wrote a letter to Ma and one to Hannah. Sent Hannah our pictures.

Apr 20 – Rainy. Hank took large negative for Mr Humphrey. I sent a letter to Ma and Hannah got one from Lois.

Apr 21 – Pleasant. I got some feathers ready to make feather flowers. L. Lays baby was buried to day, it was a bout twenty months old.[51]

Apr 22 – Pleasant. I comenced making some flowers. We went to the temprance meeting to night. Mr Watkins spoke.

Apr 23 – Pleasant. I worked some on flowers. We got our box of good yesterday. Cost us over twenty dollars.

Apr 24 – Pleasant. Cemicals would not work at all. I ironed and worked some at my flowers. Mr & Mrs Pattingill spent the evening here.

Apr 25 – Pleasant. I have been sick most all day had a weak spell this morning. Dr M^cK and wife called here a little while this afternoon.

Apr 26 – Pleasant but a cold wind. Hank wrote to Loyd. We went down to Mrs Moffitts a little while this afternoon.

Apr 27 – Rained a little toward night. I expect Wesleys folks started for Kansas to night. I baked some to day. There was quite a good deal of snow on the ground this morning.

Apr 28 – Pleasant. We have taken in $8.00 to day. Got a letter from Father. I wrote to them. I went over to the Dr a little while.

Apr 29 – Pleasant. I went down to Mrs Moffitts this afternoon, found her cleaning house. We went up to Mrs Smiths this evening.

Apr 30 – Pleasant. I have not felt well today. Got a letter from Ma & Ethan telling about the machine. We went to Mr Smiths and got some views.

May 1 – Pleasant through the day, rained a little this evening. I did not sit up much till toward night. We went over to the May Party a little while but did not join the dance but we got some Ice Cream.

May 2 – Pleasant. I am some better. Hank got some Medicine for me. Mrs Dr M^cK was up here a little while, invited us to come over there tomorow. We have taken in $22.55 this week.

May 3 – Rained a little toward night. I baked some this forenoon. We went over to the Drs this afternoon a little while.

May 4 – Pleasant. I came home to day on mail. Ethan was at the Depo. I went down to Aunt Celinas and stayed this afternoon to visit with Wesleys folks. They start to night for Kansas. I have got the tooth ache.

May 5 – Pleasant. Tooth aches to day. Ma has got some greens for dinner the first I have had.

May 6 – Pleasant. My tooth ached fearfully all day. Ma & I went over to Mr Barbers[52] this afternoon. Ida is at home, going back tomorow.

May 7 – Pleasant. Intended to went down to Fathers this morning but was sick. Did not go till this evening. They have got the house all cleaned except the cellar.

May 8 – Pleasant. Toothache again. Have not done much sewing. I went out to our babys grave and fixed it up as well as I could with my hands.

May 9 – Pleasant. Went up to Pas this forenoon. Hank came this evening. My tooth uclerated and broke. Hannah came home this afternoon.

May 10 – Warm. Hannah, Hank and I went down to Fathers. Ethan was not well enough to go. Hank & Hannah went up to see Lois a little while.

May 11 – Pleasant. Hank, Aunt Jule and I went a boat riding this afternoon. Delia Berge died to night.[53]

May 12 – Pleasant. Father took Hank to Kalamazoo this morning. He is going home to day. Father took me up to Pas after he got home.

May 13 – Pleasant. Had the tooth ache all day so did not do much work. Delia Berge was buried to day.

May 14 – Pleasant. Ma & I went to Loises this afternoon. I did not go home with her.

May 15 – Rained hard this afternoon. Have had the tooth ache all night and all day.

May 16 – Pleasant. Dell, Sate[54] and Lois went to the Burg this morning. I went down to Pas with them.

May 17 – Pleasant. Had an awful time with my tooth.

May 18 – Pleasant. Ma was up all night with me. My tooth was so bad I could not sleep any. Pa took me down to Fathers to night.

May 19 – Pleasant. Father and I went to the Burg this morning. I had Miller Pull my tooth, one prong broke off.

May 20 – Pleasant. Do not feel very well. Hank came to night to attend the law suite.[55] Is most sick.

May 21 – Pleasant. When the men went to town I went down as far as Aunt Kates. Aunt K– is out to Hellens.[56]

May 22 – Pleasant. We stayed to Aunt K– all night. Hank is all broke out with the scarlet rash so he cant go to town to day. Will have to use his old testamony.

May 23 – Pleasant. Hank is some better. Father beat Allerton, got twenty six dollars judgement.

May 24 – Pleasant. Will took Hank and I up to Pas this forenoon. Father, Mother and Aunt Jule came up a little while this afternoon.

May 25 – Pleasant. Ida Barber came home sick Saturday. We came home to day.

 

No more entries for the rest of the year.

Cash Account January:                        Rec’d.              Paid

1                                                                  .65
5    One pair gaiters                                                       2.50
12                                                                .4
14                                                                .13
15   Let Hank have                                                        2.00
21   Hank gave me                                 2.50

 

Cash Account February:                     Rec’d.              Paid

4    One lemon                                           .8
4    Candy                                                   .5

 

Week Ending February (29)              10.75
Week Ending March (6)                     11.95
Week Ending March (14)                  18.45
Week Ending March 21                     20.29
Week Ending March 28                     20.09
Week Ending April 4                          11.90
Week Ending April 11                       16.43
Week Ending April 18                       14.12
Week Ending April 25                       17.80
Week Ending May 2                           22.55

March 20 Work for Dr McKinney    5.35
March 23 Work for Beach                 2.00
March 28 Work for wood                  1.00
Mrs Robinson                                      2.50

(The next page with the heading Cash Account, July, is illegible except for the words Rail Road.)

Miss Alice Crawford
Patch Grove, Wisconsin

Miss Nellie Tomlinson
Perry, Wyoming Co., New York

Miss Ida E. Barber
Battle Creek, Michigan

Miss H. M. Keith
Battle Creek, Michigan

Mrs. H. A. Brown
Lawton, Box 169, Michigan

——-

[1] Her brother, Ethan Keith

[2] Her half-sister, Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner

[3] Her husband, Henry Brown

[4] Her sister, Hannah Keith

[5] Her youngest sister, Louese Keith

[6] Her father-in-law, Ambrose Brown. Nancy refers to her parents, Sarah (Crawford) & Charles Luke Keith Jr., as Ma and Pa, and to Hank’s parents, Matilda (Allen) & Ambrose Brown, as Mother and Father

[7] Believe she is referring to her husband Henry’s Uncle William E. Arms

[8] Galesburg, Michigan

[9] William Byron Clark, the son of Nancy’s half-sister, Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner

[10] Neighbor, daughter of Richard & Mary (Knowles) Barber

[11] Edward G. Wolcott and his wife, Sarah (Bliss), and their son, Henry Orton Wolcott

[12] Charles Luke Keith Jr.

[13] Arthur Arms, the son of William E. & Cynthia (Brown) Arms

[14] Believe she is referring to Marius O. Streator, his wife, Laura (Rawson) Streator, and possibly their son, John Quincy Streator

[15] Adelbert Skinner, the husband of Nancy’s half-sister, Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner

[16] The train

[17] Gaiters (or spats) were worn over shoes or boots to protect the lower legs and ankles from pebbles, dirt, thorns and such

[18] One of the daughters of neighbors John S. & Amanda Louise (Worden) Allen

[19] Lawton, Michigan

[20] Michigan Marriage Records at Ancestry.com reveal that Isaac Van Antwerp, age 28, married Mary Gray, age 17, in Muir, Michigan, on January 11, 1874

[21] Believe that was the Brown’s dog

[22] Small tintype photographs. Tintypes were printed on iron, but called tintype because the metal resembled tin

[23] Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[24] See January 3^rd entry; believe that both entries are referring to Helen (Carlton) Vanhousen’s baby

[25] Neighbor, Henry “Harry” D. Streator, the son of Marius O. & Laura (Rawson) Streator

[26] Her mother-in-law, Matilda (Allen) Brown

[27] Her friend from back home

[28] Henry wrote the entries for both February 1^st and 2^nd

[29] Most likely Henry’s brother, Willis Brown

[30] Sallie (Cole) Thomas, the wife of Dr. Oscar Thomas

[31] A colored woolen petticoat worn under a skirt and draped so that portions of it could be seen

[32] Her cousin, Caroline (Wolcott) Earl, the sister of Edward Wolcott

[33] Martin Milham, husband of Aunt Kate’s daughter (by her second husband), Lucy (Lee) Milham

[34] Alfleda (Starr) Keith, widow of Harvey Keith (Charles Luke Keith Jr.’s brother), who was living with Luke & Sarah

[35] Her father’s horse

[36] Nancy delivered twins on May 30, 1873. One was born dead and the other lived only two hours. They were buried at the foot of a tree near the horse trough on Ambrose & Matilda Brown’s land

[37] Julia Allen, Matilda (Allen) Brown’s sister, who lived with Ambrose & Matilda

[38] Catharine (Keith) Bradley Lee, her father’s sister

[39] Her half-brother, Henry Keith, the son of Charles Luke Keith Jr. by his first wife Minerva (Payson) Keith

[40] Michigan Death Records at Ancestry.com show that George Maffit, age 38, died from pneumonia on March 9, 1874 in Lawton, Michigan, and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Lawton, Michigan

[41] Michigan Death Records at Ancestry.com show that Sallie Cole, age 23, wife of Dr. Oscar Thomas, died of consumption in Lawton, Michigan on March 13, 1874

[42] Believe this refers to Napoleon & Lois (Walldorff) McKinney. The 1880 Census lists Napoleon McKinney as a “drug clerk”

[43] John Wesley Keith, her father’s adopted brother

[44] Erysipelas is a bacterial infection of the skin, very similar to the “flesh eating bacteria” infection noted in recent years. It was one of the major causes of death in wars among wounded soldiers and hospitalized civilians in the days before disinfectants and hand washing

[45] Rose McKinney, the daughter of Napoleon & Lois (Walldorff) McKinney

[46] Lois (Walldorff) McKinney

[47] Have been unable to find any information regarding a Dr. McKinney; investigation continues. Update of 8-23-2018: Census records for 1870 & 1880 show Martin VanBuren McKinney (a physician) & Mary Elizabeth (Stephenson) McKinney living in Lawton, Michigan

[48] Two photographs of the same object taken at slightly different angles mounted on a single background which when viewed through a stereoscope creates a 3D effect

[49] The word was barely legible, but I believe it referred to a stereoscope

[50] Addie (Hanover) Maffit

[51] Michigan Death Records at Ancestry.com reveal that Edward S. Lay, the son of Alexis & Anna Lay, died of spasms in Comstock, Michigan on April 19, 1874

[52] Neighbor, Richard Barber

[53] A search at FindAGrave.com reveals that Fidelia (Bronson) Birge, age 43, died May 11, 1874 and is buried in McKain Cemetery, Pavilion, Michigan

[54] Sarah Skinner, the sister of Adelbert Skinner, the husband of Nancy’s half-sister Lois

[55] Luke Keith and Nancy & Hank Brown all wrote in their 1873 diaries of the Brown and Allerton lawsuit. There was a judgment entered on March 6, 1873 awarding Ambrose Brown $22.00 plus costs. It is unknown whether this was a new lawsuit or if John Allerton had requested a retrial

[56] Helen (Bradley) York, Aunt Kate’s daughter by her first husband, Ethan Bradley

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Luke Keith’s 1874 Diary

1874 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.[1]

The entries from January 1 through June 10 were first written in the back of his 1873 diary. He copied the entries of January 1 through February 5 into his 1874 diary and they are basically identical to what he originally wrote in his 1873 diary. Anything from 1874 that clarifies or adds to the 1873 entries is noted in brackets. He then had entries in his 1874 diary on August 30 and September 1 and finally daily entries from September 22 through December 31.

Jan 1 – At home. Ethan[2] and girls[3] went down to Lois.[4] Ed Wilcut and wife[5] came here, stayed all night.

Jan 2 – Eds folks went home. No snow [but very] muddy.

Jan 3 – Quite warm 60 Abz.[6] [Not much done but chores.]

Jan 4 – At home. 60 Abz in morning, cool at night 30 Abz. Hannah[7] went to Battlecreek to learn Dress Makers trade. [All well.]

Jan 5 – Cool, no snow, 20 Abz in morning. [Choring round.]

Jan 6 – At home. Not much work [but chores].

Jan 7 – Hank and Nancy[8] moved to Lawton.[9] Fine day.

Jan 8 – Pleasant morning, 30 Abz. Went over to burg.[10] Bot Lock for schoolhouse 30 cts.

Jan 9 – Filed saw for [N. A.] Randal 10¢.

Jan 10 – At home. Mrs [Hat] Hawleys[11] Father and Brother came [here in afternoon, stayed all night].

Jan 11 – At home. Cold, no snow. Henry Semer paid me Nine Dollars.

Jan 12 – Mr Abbot and son[12] left. Went over to burg. Paid my tax 16.87 cts.

Jan 13 – Cool, no snow. At home. Catharine,[13] [Mrs] Gaffing and Jo Lee[14] here.

Jan 14 – Cold. Hannah came home. Snowed [some].

Jan 15 – Ethan and Hannah went down to Catharines. Cool and blustering, snow 2¼.

Jan 16 – Cold, 7 Abz in morning. At home [no work] not very well.

Jan 17 – At home. Worked in shop some.

Jan 18 – Not very cold. Ethan & Hannah [went down to Streators] went over to Barbers[15] in Evening.

Jan 19 – At home. Went down to Streators[16] in morning.

Jan 20 – Went down to Catharines, stayed all night. Thrashers came to [____] thrash clover [seed]. Mart and Lucy[17] went to town. Rainy night.

Jan 21 – Rained in afternoon. Came home in Evening. Rainy. Lois here.

Jan 22 – Rainy morning. [No work but chores.]

Jan 23 – Worked on bob rods and neap. Paid D. S. Bronson fifteen Dollars. Ethan & Hannah went up to S[am] Whites to a Dance. [Hiram Lovelands wife Died to day.][18]

Jan 24 – Snows some. At home. All well.

Jan 25 – At home. Ethan & Hannah went up to Wesleys.[19]

Jan 26 – Finished Bobs. Went down to A. Browns[20] in Evening. Cold, no snow.

Jan 27 – Rainy morning. [Not much work.]

Jan 28 – At home. Worked in shop some.

Jan 29 – Went down to M O Streators, got five 5 bushels wheat. Mrs Semer paid one Dollar.

Jan 30 – 28 cold and snowy. No work. Very blustring.

Jan 31 – Pleasant morning 2 below zero. Went over to burg got Louesas[21] shoes mended 60. Alfleda[22] came back.

Feb 1 – 11 Abz, pleasant morning. Traded harness for sleigh.

Feb 2 – At home. Not much work.

Feb 3 – Went to Comstock[23] to mill. Fine day.

Feb 4 – Made saw frame for Mrs Semer.

Feb 5 – Went over to burg at noon. Carried hams down to A. Browns. J. R. Towsley Buried. Mart and toot[24] came here. Posted up to here.[25]

Feb 6 – Snows this morning. At home.

Feb 7 – At home. Worked round shop and home.

Feb 8 – At home for day.

Feb 9 – Went down to Lois in Evening. All right.

Feb 10 – Went down to Catharines. Catharine came home with me. Went over to burg in Evening. Streator came up in Evening. Wes and Harriet[26] here. Alfleda _____

Feb 11 – Fine day. Went up in woods, got load wood. Carried Catharine home. Streator and T Ford here in Evening.

Feb 12 – At home. Not very well. Rainy night.

Feb 13 – Repaired hand slead. Snow all gone.

Feb 14 – At home. Worked round house and shop some. No snow.

Feb 15 – At home. All Well.

Feb 16 – At home. Cut some wood.

Feb 17 – Sawed some wood. Cold, no snow.

Feb 18 – Went to Kalamazoo. $4.00 paid four Dollars on Sewing machine note.[27]

Feb 19 – Sarah[28] and Alfleda went down to Streators. Stormy.

Feb 20 – At home. Work in barn. Husked corn.

Feb 21 – Sarah went over to burg. Hannah went up to Battlecreek. Oscar[29] called here in morning. Had been to Lansing. No snow.

Feb 22 – Fine day. 29 Abz in morning. At home all day. Hawleys folks went up to Ridlers.[30] Alfleda and Oscar came back just at night. Oscar went home.

Feb 23 – Put top on my new violin. Very blustring day.

Feb 24 – Went down to Skinners, got some apples. Hawley[31] got a fart crosswise and blowed a perfect gale.

Feb 25 – Cold, not much wind in morning. At home. Cut some wood.

Feb 26 – At home. Choring round. All well. Sarah went up to Jesse Earls.[32] Turned balance wheel for Ethans Engine.

Feb 27 – Turned balance wheel for Ethans Engine.[33] Sarah went up to Jesse Earls.

Feb 28 – Cut wood. Pleasant day. Eugene[34] came up in Evening.

Mar 1 – Cloudy, no snow.

Mar 2 – At home. Finished husking corn. Caroline Earl[35] came here. Ethan went down to Marts.[36] Nancy came home.

Mar 3 – Carried Caroline over to burg. Rained some.

Mar 4 – Round home, fine day.

Mar 5 – Sawed wood, got quite a pile.

Mar 6 – Went over to burg. Ethan and Nancy went down to Catharines. M. O. Streator and wife[37] here. Sold the bobs to Streator. He paid $.00 ten Dollars.

Mar 7 – Some wind in morning. Rough day, blustrous.

Mar 8 – Hank and Nancy here. They went down to Browns. George Maffit Died.[38]

Mar 9 – Cold. At home. Hank and Nancy went home. Not much work.

Mar 10 – Maffit buried. Went to Comstock to mill. Very cold. Stopt to Catharines. Got letter from Carry Plank.[39]

Mar 11 – Cold morning, no snow.

Mar 12 – At home. No work out doors.

Mar 13 – Went over to burg twice. Went up to Durkees. Received 88 Dollars of Township Treasurer. Paid Miss Davis 88 Dollars. Aunt Linda Hobbs Died.

Mar 14 – Went to Kalamazoo with Dell.[40] Paid A. B. Sumner thirteen Dollars 13.00. Nice day. Sarah went to ARS.

Mar 15 – Catharine here.

Mar 16 – Went over to burg. Went down to Skinners. Got his wagon.

Mar 17 – Went to Kalamazoo. Sold Ira Carlton twenty and half bushels corn fifteen Dollars and 37½ cts. Rained in Evening, Thundered. First thunder storm. Paid Doc Finch ten Dollars. Sarah and Catharine went up to Wesleys.

Mar 18 – At home. Worked round. Got some wood, got Peacock.

Mar 19 – Worked round some in shop some.

Mar 20 – Went down to Kalamazoo with Wesley. Traded my watch with Wes for his Buggy and Harness. Martin Turner[41] stayed here all night. Theodore, Elva and Hurb Earl[42] here in Evening.

Mar 21 – Went over to burg with A. Brown. Tild and Jule[43] here in afternoon. Went over to burg in Evening after Azros and wife. They stayed all night.

Mar 22 – Pleasant. Azros folks went up to Wesleys.

Mar 23 – Went over to burg. Received of Town Treasurer forty Nine and Ninety nine/100 Dollars 49.99. Cold wind.

Mar 24 – Painted wheelbarrow. Ethan went down to Catharines.

Mar 25 – Lois, Sate and Mrs Skinner[44] came down here. Rained some. Jim[45] went up to Mr Flanders, got Pea hen. Henry[46] came brot Boiler.

Mar 26 – Trimed some appletrees and choped some. Cut one tree up in woods.

Mar 27 – Jo Lee and Catharine came up here. Jim and Harvey went down to Catharines.

Mar 28 – Cold and windy. At home.

Mar 29 – Went down to Catharines. Orson Starr and wife came up there. Had some new shugar.

Mar 30 – Helped A. Brown clean up wheat. Sarah came home with him.

Mar 31 – Cold wind. Major commenced to set. She had 14 Eggs.

Apr 1 – Split some logs for wood. Henry came down. They fired up Engine. Martin Turner here to dinner. Hannah came home.

Apr 2 – Wesleys Auction to day. Went up to Wes Auction. Cold, snowed some.

Apr 3 – Went up to Wesleys, got bedstead. Went up agan, got buggy. Ethan, Hannah and sis[47] went up in afternoon. Henry came down. He went up to Wesleys. Snowed like fun.[48]

Apr 4 – Cold morning, 9 Abz in morning. District No. 7 paid C. L. Keith[49] one Dollar $1.00.

Apr 5 – At home.

Apr 6 – Went to town meeting.

Apr 7 – At home. All well.

Apr 8 – Sarah went over to Hoags,[50] Lois Barbers. I went over to Dicks in Evening. Cut wood. Ethan drawed some.

Apr 9 – Tinkered in shop some and round house.

Apr 10 – Went up to Wesleys. Helped him pack his things. He took them to the burg. Harvey and Ellis[51] stayed all night. Ethans Engine went the first time.

Apr 11 – Ellis and Harvey here.

Apr 12 – Mart and Lucy came, Lucy stayed.

Apr 13 – Put in crosbar in M O 50 Streators buggy thills.[52] Made pole for Hawley 1.00 one Dollar. Rained in Evening. Ethan Drawed wood.

Apr 14 – Cloudy. At home. Made Evener for Hawley 25¢.

Apr 15 – At home. Toot here _____. Chored round, cleaned door, yard, piled wood.

Apr 16 – Fixed up kettle for making soap. Toot went up to Jims.[53]

Apr 17 – Cloudy. Hawley took load stalks. Made soap.

Apr 18 – At home. Not very well. No work.

Apr 19 – At home. Fine day, cold wind.

Apr 20 – Worked round in garden and yard.

Apr 21 – Went to Kalamazoo to probate Court.

Apr 22 – Went to Comstock to mill. Got three bushels wheat of M. O. Streator. Harriet stayed here.

Apr 23 – Went over to burg, carried Harriet and children over. Mr Murphy died.[54]

Apr 24 – Drawed manure, put round appletrees. Setled up with Hawley.

Apr 25 – Lame, no work to day. Fine day.

Apr 26 – At home all day. Fine weather.

Apr 27 – Finished trimming currant brush. Catharine here. Ethan packed over Engine.

Apr 28 – Snow 1 inch and ¼ deep this morning.

Apr 29 – Hawley left this morning, he was very sick. Soing machine miller here. Catharine went home. Bely Right paid over first payment on the land.

Apr 30 – Drawed manure from Hogpen. Henry came down here.

May 1 – Fine morning. At home all day. Went down to Skinners just at night.

May 2 – Went to Kalamazoo. Borrowed twenty five Dollars of Jule Allen. Paid miller for machine 30 Dollars.

May 3 – At home. Mart and Lucy came up. Wes and family here.

May 4 – Worked round yard and garden. Went over to burg in Evening. Wesley and family left for Kansas on the Eleven fifty Eight run. Nancy came home.

May 5 – At home, fine day. Alfleda went up to A. Browns. Henry came down.

May 6 – Moved fence south of orchard and west side of lane. Will Plank[55] came in Evening.

May 7 – Pleasant morning. Ridler commenced plowing in south lot.

May 8 – Repaired A. Browns Roller in morning. Ridler plowing. Heard the first Whipporwill.

May 9 – Put handles in Ridlers plow. Ethan got Bill Brown to plow garden. Hank came home.

May 10 – Fine warm day. At home.

May 11 – Plowed gardens. Will Plank went home. Burnt brushheap. Mrs Delia Birge died.[56]

May 12 – Worked round garden. Drawed some roots and brush of plowed ground. Hank went home. Ethan planted for A. Brown.

May 13 – Put cover in Browns churn. Hot day. Will Barber[57] commenced plowing in East lot. Mrs Birge buried to day.

May 14 – Sarah and Nancy went down to Skinners. Ethan planted corn for Dell. Ridler planting in South lot.

May 15 – Went down to M. O. Streators got some potatoes. Rained in afternoon and night. Finished planting South lot.

May 16 – Rainy morning. Worked round garden and and shop.

May 17 – At home. All right. No one here.

May 18 – Planted potatoes. Ed Childs stayed Marked potatoe ground. Ethan went to Kalamazoo. Barber and Dell plowed.

May 19 – Planted potatoes. Ed Childs stayed here all night. Rained.

May 20 – Went down to Charles Lees.[58] Sarah Stayed.

May 21 – Went to Kalamazoo to attend Browns & Allertons lawsuit.[59]

May 22 – Went to Kalamazoo. Was sworn on suit.

May 23 – Went to Kalamazoo. Browns Suit Ended. Brown got judgment of 26 Dollars. Ida Barber[60] came home sick.

May 24 – At home. All right.

May 25 – Chored round. Went over to burg. Got Wheel for hank. Hank and Nancy went home. Went down to Skinners just at night.

May 26 – Worked round garden and shop.

May 27 – Worked in shop and chored round.

May 28 – Made Hogyard. Put hogs in. One of them sick.

May 29 – Jo Lee here all day. Altered hog, put rings in his nose. I went down to Catharines, carried Lucy home. Alfleda went with Jo Lee.

May 30 – Went to Kalamazoo as witness on uncle Isaac Pierce Estate.[61] Giddings baby[62] buried to day.

May 31 – Went over to Mrs Wilson in Evening to Spiritual circle.[63]

Jun 1 – Worked on Hanks wheel. Went over to burg in Evening.

Jun 2 – Finished Hanks wheel.

Jun 3 – Not very well. At home. Barber brot thills over to be made.

Jun 4 – Worked in shop some on thills.

Jun 5 – Hued out thills. Barber and Ridler cultivating. Had a fine shower in afternoon

Jun 6 – Cut out rockers for chair. Went over to burg, sent Hanks wheel to him. Ethan and Henry turned mallets and balls for Ed flanders.[64] Had a heavy rain in Evening. Went down to Lois just at night.

Jun 7 – At home. Alvin and Ida Lee[65] came up here.

Jun 8 – Went over to burg in forenoon. Had a heavy shower. Went over to burg in afternoon. Saw Doc. Johnson.

Jun 9 – Hot morning. Took felloes[66] of Wightmans wheels.

Jun 10 – Went over to burg to see show come in.

[End of 1874 entries in his 1873 diary, then two entries in 1874 diary on August 30 and September 1]

Aug 30 – Judge Bazel Harrison[67] Died to day Ae 100 & 3 years.

Sep 1 – Judge Bazel Harrison Buried to day.

[No entries for September 2-21]

Sep 22 – Husked corn in East lot. Nancy came home. Ethan came home in Evening.

Sep 23 – Carried Sarah down to Catharines. Received twenty four Dollars of Town Treasurer $20, primary $4 Library. Husked pop corn, had one bushel of Ears.

Sep 24 – Husked corn, put in the barn. Warm day.

Sep 25 – Husked corn. Finished husking Barbers corn, had 37 thirty seven bushels of Ears. Drawed in seven shock of Ridlers, had seven and half bushels. Hot and dry.

Sep 26 – Rainy forenoon. Drawed in some corn in afternoon. Went down to Catharines after Sarah, stayed all night. Had a heavy shower in Evening. Charley Harris[68] Died this morning.

Sep 27 – At Catharines. Came home in Evening. All right.

Sep 28 – Pleasant morning. Went down to Skinners, got some peaches. Went over to burg in Evening. Paid Emma Sumner[69] forty three Dollars $43.

Sep 29 – Husked corn. Pleasant day. Carried 2½ wheat over to mill. Nancy put on her quilt.

Sep 30 – Pleasant morning, no frost yet. Husked corn. Hannah came home. Mrs Brown and Jule here quilting.

Oct 1 – Husked corn. Ethan and Jim went to Fair at Kalamazoo.

Oct 2 – Husking corn. Finished South lot. Fine day.

Oct 3 – Carried up corn into Cornhouse, 38 bushels. Browns folks here in afternoon quilting. Hank came in Evening. Lois came down in afternoon, helped Nancy quilt.

Oct 4 – Cool, first frost, 31 Abz, pleasant day. Ethan and Hannah, Hank and Nancy, Sis and Jim all gone down to Browns. Mr Spires Died this Evening.

Oct 5 – Drawed corn in forenoon, husked in afternoon. Had a shower. Henry and Sate came in the rain. They were going up to Battle Creek to get Dol doctered.

Oct 6 – Cloudy but warm. Jim and I husked corn. Ethan and Hank went over to Mr Arms.[70] Mrs Brown and Jule up here, got quilt of. Lucy called here, she went to burg. Henry and Sate came back. Mr Spires buried to day.

Oct 7 – Husked corn, drawed in some. Hank and Nancy went home. Had some squirels for dinner. Cullin Town married to night.[71]

Oct 8 – Finished drawing in corn in forenoon. Finished husking my corn. Got hard cold.

Oct 9 – Sick with cold. Jim husking corn for A. Brown. Ethan picking apples. Fine day.

Oct 10 – Fixed Hog pen so I could put hogs in. Ethan and Sarah went down to Orsons. High wind part of the day.

Oct 11 – Rainy morning. Put Hogs in pen this morning. Stormy day. Frank Lee Shot himself to day.[72] He was hunting in Jacksons woods.

Oct 12 – Durkee called and got report for supervisor to Assess on District No. 7 for incidental Expences.

Oct 13 – Shelled two bushels new corn to take to mill. Chored around house and barn. Ethan and Sarah went down to Charles Lees[73] to Franks funeral. Fine day. Ambrose Fields[74] brot in on cars[75] to night. He Died in Ohio.

Oct 14 – Put box on stove boot. Got some apples up to the corner. Brot some wood of the hill.

Oct 15 – Went to mill to Comstock. Carried two bushels new corn, got one ground into _____, the other fine meal. Joel James[76] came here, Stayed all night. Nice day. He was selling washing machines Territory.

Oct 16 – Carried Joel over to burg. Came back and picked some tomatoes and carried them over to Barbers. Sarah went over. Ethan picking apples down to Browns. Jim went down to Catharines. Carried petition over to An Eliza Deckers.

Oct 17 – Dug potatoes. Fine day. Ethan and Jim husking for Brown. Received letter from Oscar.

Oct 18 – Fine morning, very little frost. Charley and Will[77] here. Sarah and I went up to Flanders,[78] went round by Brick School house.

Oct 19 – Dug potatoes. Ridler husked corn in South lot. Ethan and Jim husked corn for Brown. Brot Apples up at night.

Oct 20 – Dug some potatoes. Carried sis down to Catharines.

Oct 21 – Dug potatoes. Fine day. Ethan and Jim husking for Brown. Went down to Browns in Evening. Repaired Blinds for Mr. Ralph.

Oct 22 – Dug potatoes. Boys husking to Browns. Mr Ralph got his Blinds. House Warming to Shimdts. Warmed up the Big House. Ridler and Will husking, finished the South lot. Fine day.

Oct 23 – Sarah went up to Mr Ralphs. Jo Lee came up here. Finished diging my potatoes. Alfleda came home. They had a concert at Methodist Church in Evening. Brownell got the Jack Knife.

Oct 24 – Carried potatoes down cellar. Warm day. Went over to Burg, bot Beef bone, got Alfledas watch cleaned[?]. Rained in the night.

Oct 25 – Warm day. Went down to Catharines after Louesa.

Oct 26 – Took wagon to pieces. Made steps to East Door. Ridler finished drawing his cornfodder, cleared both lots. George Tomlinson[79] called here in afternoon bout a our. Rained some.

Oct 27 – Repaired Em Ralphs chair. Drawed pumpkins. Jesse Earl, Martin turner, and Mr Latta called here in afternoon. A. Brown finished husking corn to day.

Oct 28 – Rainy. Ethan and Jim went down to Browns to work. No work to day, sick, head, back and belly ache.

Oct 29 – Sick, no work. Ethan and Jim to Browns drawing cornfodder. Cold, high wind.

Oct 30 – Cold, some snow flying. Ethan down to Browns. Filed saw for A. Caywood. Snowed some, stormy night.

Oct 31 – Snow two inches deep this morning. Dillenbecks Auction to day. Cold raw day. Not well. Went over to burg in afternoon. Snowed and rained, cold, bad storm.

Nov 1 – Cold wind. Jim gone down to Catharines. Sis over to Allens.[80] Jim & Stella Milham[81] here in afternoon. Jim came down to see the binder. Jim went down to Catharines.

Nov 2 – Pleasant, but cold wind. Not very well.

Nov 3 – Went over to burg to Election. Not very weell.

Nov 4 – Carried Sarah over to Hoags. Went up to Schrams[82] to get horse and wagon.

Nov 5 – Got Schrams Horse and wagon. Went down to Marts. Made some cider 34 galons. Fine day. Jo Lee sick.

Nov 6 – Took Horse and wagon home. Cleaned up some wheat got of Mart, took it over to mill. Sarah went home. Ethan and Jim went up to Flanders after Walnuts.

Nov 7 – Mary Ann and Nettie, Glen and Hobert[83] came here. Jim Went to Lawton.

Nov 8 – Not very cold, 59 Abz, rains some. Went down to Catharines. Jo sick there.

Nov 9 – Went down to Catharines. Hannah went with me. Carried stool to Jo. Libby Clark[84] stayed with Sis. Went over to burg, bot shoes for Hannah and odder dings &c.[85]

Nov 10 – Carried Sarah over to Hoags. Carried one pair shoes back to Shroeder and Olins.

Nov 11 – Worked round house and shop. Went after Sarah in Evening. Net came back.

Nov 12 – Cut maple tree by the west stoop. Went down to Catharines in afternoon. Cold, snowed some. Jo no better. Libby Allen[86] came here, stayed all night.

Nov 13 – Cold, pleasant morning. Mary Ann and youngones came down. Stayed all night. Sarah and Mary Ann went over to Evys.

Nov 14 – Cold wind. Mary Ann Started for home. Cold wind. Jim came home from Lawton.

Nov 15 – Went down to Catharines to see Jo. He was no better. Pleasant day, no snow yet. Charles Lee sick.

Nov 16 – At home, not much done, not very well. Went over to burg, got ax fixed, 50. Rainy.

Nov 17 – Chored round. Not very well to day.

Nov 18 – Cut down two trees in woods, drawed two loads wood.

Nov 19 – Went up to Henry Clintons. Carried some things to send Mrs Wiseman.[87] Went to burg when we came back. Bot some red paint and blue vitrol.

Nov 20 – Moved bench in to South room. Snowey day. Cut holes in seat for Skinners privy. Henry came down here, stayed all night. Snow 3½ inches.

Nov 21 – Put thill in Sleigh. Drawed load wood on Sleigh. First snow. Henry went home. A. Brown brot quarter Beef, 90 lbs. Henry and I went over to burg.

Nov 22 – Not very cold, looks some like rain in morning. Went down to Catharines in afternoon. Rained hard when we came home.

Nov 23 – Rainy and cold. Carried Sis to school. Not much work to day. Snowed and blowed like the old nick, afternoon and Evening. Ethan went after Sis at night.

Nov 24 – Cold, snows some. Worked in shop some. Put batten on crack in well room. Cold blustrous day. Not very well.

Nov 25 – Lois came down, stayed all night. Worked in shop some.

Nov 26 – Went down to A. Browns to turkey dinner. Mr Hubbard and boy was there. Lois went home. Stormed some in Evening.

Nov 27 – Worked on portable partition. Snowed some. Sarah colored Sis and Alfledas Dresses.

Nov 28 – Snowes like fun this morning.

Nov 29 – Ethan and I went down to Catharines with Sleigh. Cold day.

Nov 30 – Shelled and carried three bushels corn over to burg mill. Went down to Mrs Simmons to see about stove.

Dec 1 – Cold. Very good sleighing. Made Shovel and tongs box.

Dec 2 – Worked on gearing some. Went over to burg with sleigh. Not much sleighing now, snow about all gone. Made Lois lap board.

Dec 3 – Worked on gearing some. Went over to burg, got grist. Went with buggy. Henry here. Dick Barber and Mr Allen called here.

Dec 4 – Pleasant, no snow, fine October weather. Worked on gearing.

Dec 5 – Worked on gearing some. Went over to burg in Evening. Sarah went to Jane Hoags.[88] Ethan up to Flanders. Pleasant day. Got first Rilegio[?].

Dec 6 – At home, fine day, Mercury 40 Abz. Pleasant as spring almost. Cut Will Browns hair.

Dec 7 – Worked in shop some. Went over to burg. Got pattern of Mary Mason. Sarah went to Lawton on night train.

Dec 8 – Went up to Jo Flanders. Got three bushels wheat, took it over to mill. Fine day, no snow. 13 bushels wheat $1.5¢ pr bushel.

Dec 9 – Went over to burg, got my grist. Cold but pleasant. Worked on gearing some.

Dec 10 – Very pleasant but cool. Went over to burg after Sarah but she no come. Worked in shop some. Staring got ten bushels corn 40 lbs $.4.00.

Dec 11 – Very pleasant day. Roads dusty. Worked in shop. Went down to Browns got ____tting for sand board. Ethan worked for Brown. Will Clark stayed here all night.

Dec 12 – Pleasant morning. Drawed pole to hang hogs on. One load wood. Edwin Flanders brot boards to make tool chest of Mr Flanders. Got Hay Knife. Pleasant and dusty.

Dec 13 – Went down to Catharines. Rainy day. Jo some better. Came home in Evening, got wet. Jim went with me.

Dec 14 – Cold, some snow on ground. Worked in shop. Received letter from Hiram.[89]

Dec 15 – Went up in woods, cut down tree. Ethan drawed two loads wood. Finished waggon gearing. Plasant day.

Dec 16 – Went over to burg at noon. Sarah came home from Lawton. Rainy night.

Dec 17 – Worked in shop on cross head for Theodore Earl. Fine weather.

Dec 18 – Worked on cross head. Pleasant and cold. Put up stove in shop. Henry, Mr. Ives and George Ives called here in afternoon to see my new violin.

Dec 19 – Killed hogs. A. Brown helped. Pleasant day. Theodore got crosshead. Killed two hogs. Lois went to Mary Jane Birges[90] funeral, left Inez[91] here. Mr Flanders called here in Evening.

Dec 20 – At home all day, not very well. Cool day.

Dec 21 – Chored round house and barn &c. Went down to Catharines in Evening. Snowed like fun when we came home. Went up to Mr Flanders to pick out boards for wagon box.

Dec 22 – Snow 2 inches deep this morning. Cut up hogs and salted them. Mart, Catharine and Lucy called here in Evening. They went over to burg. Sarah went with them.

Dec 23 – Not very cold. Work on A. Browns wringer. Ethan drawed some wood.

Dec 24 – Worked on wringer. Made Lapboard for Mrs Flanders,[92] one for Mary Mason.

Dec 25 – Worked on wringer some in forenoon. Dick Barber and wife here to dinner. Fine day, not much snow.

Dec 26 – Pleasant morning. Worked on wringer and chored round. Charles and Julia Lee[93] came up here. Went over to burg with Charles.

Dec 27 – Went down to Catharines. Rainy. Ethan went up to Mr Flanders, stayed all night.

Dec 28 – Worked in shop some. Henry came down, stayed all night.

Dec 29 – Cold morning, 15 Abz, fine snow.

Dec 30 – Worked in shop on wagon box some. Got out cleats. Henry here making stool.

Dec 31 – Henry came down, finished stool. I dressed out some stuff for box cleats under box. Hannah came home.

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[1] Known better, and referred to, as Luke

[2] His son, Ethan Keith

[3] His daughters, Nancy, Hannah and Louese

[4] Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner, his daughter by his first wife, Minerva (Payson) Keith

[5] His maternal first cousin and cousin’s wife, Edward G. & Sarah (Bliss) Wolcott

[6] Above zero

[7] His daughter, Hannah Keith

[8] His son-in-law and daughter, Henry & Nancy (Keith) Brown

[9] Lawton, Michigan

[10] Galesburg, Michigan

[11] Neighbor, Harriet (Abbott) Hawley

[12] Harriet Hawley’s father and brother

[13] His sister, Catharine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[14] His first cousin, Joseph Lee (son of Rhoda (Keith) and Charles Lee)

[15] Neighbors, Richard & Mary (Knowles) Barber

[16] Neighbors, Marius O. & Laura (Rawson) Streator

[17] His niece and her husband, Lucy (Lee) & Martin Milham

[18] FindAGrave.com confirms that Elizabeth Loveland died January 23, 1874; she was buried in the Mountain Home Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Michigan Marriage Records show that her maiden name was Russell

[19] John Wesley Keith, his adopted brother

[20] Ambrose Brown, neighbor and father-in-law of his daughter, Nancy (Keith) Brown

[21] His youngest daughter, Louese Keith

[22] Alfleda (Starr) Keith, the widow of his brother Harvey Keith

[23] Comstock was the town he lived in

[24] Nickname for Lucy (Lee) Milham, daughter of Luke’s sister, Catharine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[25] The entries up to this date had been copied over to his 1874 diary

[26] Wesley Keith’s wife, Harriet (Blakslee) Keith

[27] He made the following entry in his 1873 diary: Jun 5 – Bot Sewing Machine $60. Paid twenty, gave note for forty payable in Eight Months

[28] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[29] His nephew, James “Oscar” Keith, son of Harvey & Alfleda (Starr) Keith

[30] Neighbors, James & Mary (Croak) Ridler

[31] His neighbor, Byron Hawley

[32] Neighbor and “shirttail relative”

[33] Ethan was an inventor; this was one of the projects he was working on

[34] Sarah’s nephew; Eugene was the son of her late brother, Edwin Crawford, and his first wife, Louisa Hall

[35] His cousin, Caroline (Wolcott) Earl, the sister of Edward Wolcott

[36] Martin Milham, husband of Lucy (Lee) Milham. Lucy was daughter of his sister Catharine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[37] Marius & Laura (Rawson) Streator

[38] Michigan Death Records at Ancestry.com show that George Maffit, age 38, died from pneumonia on March 9, 1874 in Lawton, Michigan, and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Lawton, Michigan

[39] Caroline Plank, the daughter of William & Harriet (Groat) Plank. The Plank family had been neighbors, but on April 3, 1873, Luke noted in his diary that they had left for Grand Rapids, Michigan

[40] His son-in-law, Adelbert Skinner, who was married to his daughter Lois

[41] His cousin

[42] Neighbors, the sons and daughter of Jesse & Mary (Clapp) Earl

[43] Ambrose Brown’s wife and sister-in-law, Matilda and Julia Ann Allen

[44] His daughter Lois, and her sister- and mother-in-law, Sarah Skinner and Sarah (Knight) Skinner

[45] His youngest son, James Clinton Keith

[46] Henry Keith, his son by his first wife, Minerva (Payson) Keith

[47] Nickname for his daughter, Louese

[48] Luke uses this phrase quite often. The Oxford Dictionary gives its meaning as “vigorously or quickly”

[49] He’s referring to himself

[50] Neighbors, Abel & Sarah Jane (Mason) Hoag

[51] Wesley’s sons, Ellis and James Harvey Keith

[52] Two poles between which a horse is hitched to a wagon

[53] Not sure who this is; his son, Jim, was only 12 at the time

[54] A search at FindAGrave.com shows that Levi T. Murphy died in Kalamazoo on April 23, 1873 and is buried in Mountain Home Cemetery in Kalamazoo. Michigan Death Records also show that he died in 1873, so it is unclear why Luke added this in 1874

[55] The son of William & Harriet (Groat) Plank

[56] A search at FindAGrave.com reveals that Fidelia (Bronson) Birge, age 43, died May 11, 1874 and is buried in McKain Cemetery, Pavilion, Michigan

[57] Neighbor, the son of Richard & Mary (Knowles) Barber

[58] His paternal first cousin. Charles Lee (1797-1878) was the son of Charles & Rhoda (Keith) Lee

[59] Luke and Nancy & Hank Brown all wrote in their 1873 diaries of the Brown and Allerton lawsuit. There was a judgment entered on March 6, 1873 awarding Ambrose Brown $22.00 plus costs. It is unknown whether this was a new lawsuit or if John Allerton had requested a retrial

[60] Neighbor, the daughter of Richard & Mary (Knowles) Barber

[61] Michigan Death Records show that Isaac Pierce died in Climax, Michigan, on July 12, 1873

[62] Michigan Death Records show that Adelia Giddings, age 1, died of spinal meningitis on April 29, 1874

[63] A seance

[64] Neighbor, Edwin Flanders

[65] His paternal first cousin, Alvan Lee, the son of Charles & Juliana (Davis) Lee. Ida Lee’s father, Joseph Warren Lee (Alvan’s brother), died April 4, 1864 in an Army hospital from wounds received in battle in Tennessee during the Civil War. Her mother, Nancy E. Taylor, remarried July 29, 1864 to William Count, but died three months later on October 1, 1864. The step-father relinquished his rights to the children and they went to live with their grandparents, Charles & Juliana Lee, in Comstock

[66] Felloe or felly – rim, or segment of the rim, of a spoked wheel

[67] From the Kalamazoo County Sesquicentennial Committee marker: Bazel and Martha Harrison are buried in the Harrison cemetery south of this marker. He led a party of 21 who were the first permanent settlers on Prairie Ronde, Kalamazoo County, where they arrived on November 5, 1828. One thousand people attended his funeral on September 1, 1874 because he was admired, esteemed, respected and loved by all who knew him.

[68] Michigan Death Records reveal that Charles Harris, age 28, died of Typhoid Fever on September 26, 1874; FindAGrave.com shows that he was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[69] Neighbor; the 1880 Census shows that she was a school teacher so perhaps she was teaching in 1874 and that was her payment for services rendered

[70] Believe he is referring to Hank’s uncle, William Arms, Cynthia Brown’s husband

[71] Michigan Marriage Records show that Cullen Towne married Sarah Antoinette Adams in Comstock, Michigan on October 7, 1874

[72] The Michigan Death Records reveal that Francis Lee died October 11, 1874 from accidental discharge of gun

[73] Charles Lee (1797-1878), Francis Lee’s grandfather

[74] FindAGrave.com shows that Ambrose Field died October 10, 1874 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[75] The train

[76] His maternal first cousin

[77] His grandsons, Charles and William Clark

[78] Neighbors, Joseph & Amanda (Hobbs) Flanders. After Luke’s first wife, Minerva (Payson) Keith, died, Joseph & Amanda took in their children, Henry and Lois Keith. From letters from that time, it would appear that Lois was then sent to Minerva’s parents while Henry lived with the Flanders family. According to Carol (Boyer) Stafford, the Flanders raised Henry even after Luke married his third wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith. They wanted to adopt Henry but Luke said no; however, it looks like he lived with them throughout his youth. This seems to be corroborated by the 1860 census showing “Henry L Flanders,” who I believe was actually Henry L. Keith, age 16, living with Joseph & Amanda

[79] The husband of Luke’s niece, Marion Sprague

[80] Neighbor, John S. Allen

[81] Believe he is referring to neighbors, James Milham and his daughter, Stella. James was Martin Milham’s half brother

[82] Neighbors, Isaac & Olive Ellen (Atkinson) Schram

[83] James “Oscar” Keith’s wife and children, Mary Ann (Batey), Glen and John Herbert Keith; Oscar and Mary Ann had two daughters, Jessie and Catherine, but it is unclear if either one of them went by that nickname

[84] The daughter of Loren & Amanda (Taylor) Clark. Loren was the brother of Lois (Keith) Clark Skinners’ first husband, Byron Clark

[85] Other things, etc.

[86] The daughter of neighbors, John S. & Amanda Louise (Worden) Allen

[87] Former neighbor, Caroline (Williams) Wiseman. An October 11 entry in Luke’s 1871 diary reported that “Mr Wiseman (Joseph) and wife left,” and a December 28, 1871 letter from Mrs. Wiseman shows they were living in Utica, Kansas. Another letter dated January 16, 1876 shows they were living in Spring Side, Kansas

[88] Sarah Jane (Mason) Hoag

[89] Most likely his brother-in-law, Hiram Crawford Jr.

[90] A search at FindAGrave.com shows that Mary Jane (Bronson) Birge, age 38, died December 17, 1874 in Brady, Michigan, and was buried in McKain Cemetery, Pavilion, Michigan

[91] His granddaughter, Ina Mary Skinner, who was born June 13, 1874

[92] Neighbor, Amanda (Hobbs) Flanders

[93] Charles (see footnote for May 20) & Juliana (Davis) Lee