1886 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH, JR.[1]
Luke wrote his entries for 1886 in three different diaries: it appears that he first wrote the January 1-30 entries in the back of his 1885 diary, then January 31 to March 31 in the back of his 1881 diary. On March 4th he bought an 1886 diary and started to copy all those entries, but only copied January 1-9, left the following pages blank and then started entering daily on April 1 through the end of the year. As the January 1-9 entries in his 1886 diary are shortened versions, I have used the 1885 version.
Jan 1 – Mercury 36. Very nice day no snow. Went over to Lois[2] to a New Years dinner me self and Sarah,[3] Hannah,[4] Lou,[5] Mrs Brown,[6] Jim,[7] Ethan,[8] Will Clark.[9]
Jan 2 – Mercury 41. Filed saw for Jim. Cut and drew two loads wood and one load corn. Rainy day.
Jan 3 – Mercury 43 no snow, rainy morning. At home all day.
Jan 4 – Mercury 38. No work but chores. Ethan went over to Foundry to work.
Jan 5 – Mercury 30 snowey. Ethan went to Kalamazoo. D.[10] came home with him.
Jan 6 – Mercury 11 Abz.[11] Lou and D. went home. Mr Lanfor Burdick Died Six Oclock this morning.[12] Went down to Mr Randals got Butter. Cold wind. Fanny Town[13] called in.
Jan 7 – Mercury __4. Took Hannah over to the burg[14] in morning. Choring around. Took saw up to Theodores[15] to be gumed[?]. Filed saw for Skinner[16] 25 cts.
Jan 8 – Mercury 16. Not much done. Very windy day. Mr Burdick buried to day.
Jan 9 – Mercury 18. Snowey and Blustring day. Drew two loads wood one corn. Theodore came down here.
Jan 10 – Mercury 14 in morning. At home. Cold snowey day about 4 inches snow. Husked some corn. Mercury 4 four below in Evening.
Jan 11 – Mercury 3 below in morning cold and blustring. Jim and Will Clark posting bills for H. A. Brown.[17]
Jan 12 – Mercury 6 Abz. At home doing chores.
Jan 13 – Choring, no work to amount to much. Cutting some wood. Went down to Randalls.
Jan 14 – Mercury 10 Abz. Cut and drawed three loads wood.
Jan 15 – Rainy. Drawed two loads corn.
Jan 16 – Mercury. Went over to burg in morning got glass for schoolhouse. Went and set them. 4 lights 40 cts. Got 3½ lbs Butter of Fanny Town.
Jan 17 – At home all day. No one here till just at night George and Evva Blake[18] called here.
Jan 18 – Mercury 32. Went up to mill. Ground my ax. Herb Earl and wife[19] stayed in their new House for the first time.
Jan 19 – Mercury 14 Abz. Husked some corn cut some wood. Went over to burg got some nails.
Jan 20 – 9 Abz. Went down to Katharines[20] and M. O. Streators.[21] Very stormy day snow all day.
Jan 21 – Made door to Egg cupboard.
Jan 22 – Mercury 1 below. Stormy. Painted cupboard.
Jan 23 – Mercury 15 below. Took Sarah down to Marts.[22] She went to Kalamazoo to see Ed Allen.[23] Very cold. Plenty snow but not very good sleighing.
Jan 24 – At home all day.
Jan 25 – Mercury 29. Went to Kalamazoo after Sarah. Stoped to Marts saw the mill run. Charley and Clara[24] stayed here.
Jan 26 – Mercury 26 Abz. Jim drawed 3 loads wood one corn. Hank, Lelah and Bes[25] came over they came to Lois.
Jan 27 – 30 Abz. Went over to burg. Took Clara up to Hats.[26] Charley went home. I shelled some corn. Filed saw for N L Randall.[27] Hank to work in galery at the Burg.
Jan 28 – Mercury 22 Abz. Went down to Marts to mill. Got six bushels corn and oats ground. Louese came home.
Jan 29 – Mercury 23 Abz. Took Lou over to burg to get pictures taken. Lou, Clara, Lelah and Bessey here stayed all night.
Jan 30 – At home all day. Lou here she went over and got negatives of the children. D came at night. Cold day.
Jan 31 – Lou went over to burg. Got pictures of the children. D came at night. Cold day.
Feb 1 – Cold good sleighing. No work but chores. Mr Albert Carletons House burned to day.
Feb 2 – Cold day. Took Hannah over to Mrs Sumners. D went up to Scotts.[28] Cold.
Feb 3 – Mercury 32 below zero in morning. Hank went to Kalamazoo. Theodore & Dick Barber[29] came down here. D. & Lou, Ethan and Hannah went down to Mrs Browns.
Feb 4 – Mercury 17 below. D. & Lou went home. Clear and cold. No work but chores.
Feb 5 – Cold day at home. Choring. Old Mr Bennet[30] killd at the burg by the cars.[31]
Feb 6 – At home, cold, bad getting around. Hank left for Galesburg Ill. on Evening Express.
Feb 7 – Mercury. At home. Will Aldrich here. Ethan and Hannah went down to Katharines. Mrs Joh Schrader called here.
Feb 8 – Mercury 40 Abz. Went over to Mr Towns[32] got 2¾ lbs butter paid $1.20 cts. Went over to burg in Evening after Hannah.
Feb 9 – Mercury 54. Drawed two loads corn. Jim drawed one Load wood. Hank and Nancy[33] came on noon Train.
Feb 10 – Mercury 44. Took sarah over to Mrs Watts[34] Funeral. Husked in fore noon. Went over in Evening got Nancys trunks.
Feb 11 – Mercury 45. Took Nancy down to Mrs Browns in morning. Took Sarah up to Mr Rogers in afternoon. I drew two loads corn in afternoon. Sprinkled some just at night.
Feb 12 – Mercury 35. Husked corn some. Worked round house and shop.
Feb 13 – Mercury 33. Choring, not much work. Hannah came home from Austin Peases place. Hank came home in Evening.
Feb 14 – Mercury 35. Hank, Nancy an children[35] here. Hank and Nancy went down to Mrs Browns.
Feb 15 – Mercury 27. Hank and Nancy went to Kalamazoo. Snows some. Edna Allen came to day.
Feb 16 – Mercury 5 Abz. At home. Took Nancy over to burg she went to Kalamazoo. Georde [sic] Tomlinson[36] came on noon train. Went down to Katharines.
Feb 17 – Mercury 23 Abz. Went over to Burg. George left for home on noon train.
Feb 18 – Mercury 38. At home. Worke in barn fixed stall for fan.[37] Ed and Madge[38] here.
Feb 19 – Mercury 23. Cut and drawed some wood. Cold wind.
Feb 20 – Mercury 12 Abz. Cut some wood. Hannah came home from Caywoods.
Feb 21 – At home. Ed and Mage here. Lelah and Bes here.
Feb 22 – Mercury 23. Took Hannah and girls over to cars. Lelah and Bes went home. Hannah went to Lous. I cut some wood.
Feb 23 – Mercury 21. O. M. Allen[39] came up to see Ed. Fan had a calf to day it droped 12 noon.
Feb 24 – Drawed load wood. Made pen for calf.
Feb 25 – Mercury 15 Abz. Cleaned up some wheat. Cold and snowey, high wind, very blustring.
Feb 26 – At work round Barn. Sawed some wood. Went over to burg went to mill.
Feb 27 – Drawed some wood. Not much snow. Very rough roads.
Feb 28 – At home. No one here Except the Allen family. O. M. came up in afternoon.
Mar 1 – Choring round as usual. Went over to Burg at noon. Got some medicin for Edna. Got Harness oil of Semour Miner.
Mar 2 – At home. Jim had Bill[40] to draw straw.
Mar 3 – Mercury 26. Cut some wood drawed some wood.
Mar 4 – Went to Kalamazoo. Went to Hanks. Bot Diary 75 cts.
Mar 5 – Mercury. Mended Kettle. Chored round. Very pleasant day.
Mar 6 – Cut and Drew two loads wood. Very nice day.
Mar 7 – Nice day. O. M. came up. Doc McBeth came over to see Edna. I went over in Evening after McBeth.
Mar 8 – Snows like fun. Doc came over in morning. Ethan sick.
Mar 9 – Mercury 32. A. R. Skinner cut wood part of the day. Fine day snowed some not very cold.
Mar 10 – Mercury 38. Went over after Lois in morning. Put clasp on Mrs Bradshaws album. Cow sick.
Mar 11 – Went over to burg bot medicine for cow. Drawed some wood and some corn. Cow sick.
Mar 12 – Mercury 38. Ben Smith Died shelby ville.[41] Snowed like Blazez. Went over after Del he came over to see cow. Charley Corey taking down the old Brick on corner.
Mar 13 – 30 Abz. Not very well. Went over to Burg got oil. Cow some better not much.
Mar 14 – At home all day. Mrs Hubberd Lewis marred to day.[42] Mr Benj Smith of Shelby Ville Buried to day.
Mar 15 – Went up to Mr Ridlers to by some wood. He Brot one cord wood $1.75.
Mar 16 – Cow sick. Went over to burg after Hanks things at Galery. Put handle in Spade.
Mar 17 – Went up to Jesse Earls[43] got vice of Theodore. Went to burg got some medicine for cow of Munger $1.00.
Mar 18 – Went down to Mrs Brown & got some potatoes. Glued Mrs Rogers chair. Mrs Bradshaw got her Album 25 cts.
Mar 19 – Mercury 70. Cut some wood. Filed saw for A. Kaywood. Put up iron vice. Clara Milham[44] here.
Mar 20 – At home. Cut some wood.
Mar 21 – At home. Filed saw for Dell Skinner.
Mar 22 – Went down to Mrs Browns got some potatoes. Snowed some cold March wind. Hannah came home from Shelby Ville.[45]
Mar 23 – Went over to burg after Cora Meridith.[46] She came stayed all night.
Mar 24 – Worked on Hat & Libs[47] cupboard. Cora went up to Jim Milhams.[48] Ethan took Hannah down to Smith Carletons.[49] Very nice day.
Mar 25 – Worked on cupboard. Fine day. Ina[50] came over stayed all night.
Mar 26 – Went over to burd [burg] in morning after Lumber to finish cupboard.
Mar 27 – Mercury 32. Worked on cupboard. Very nice day. Charley Town[51] finished fence on north side road. Hannah came home from Carletons.
Mar 28 – Went to Katharines. Cold East wind.
Mar 29 – Changed corn with Wm Rogers. They moved three Loads goods.
Mar 30 – Rainy day. Finished the cupboard. Mended spade for Jim. Jim bot Horse of Taylor Girls.[52]
Mar 31 – Mercury 41. Rainy fore noon. Davis Stafford and Mr Brown came down to see the Binder. I took the girls cupboard up to them. Mr Wm Rogers took the last load goods to day.
Apr 1 – Mercury 34 stormy snowey bad day. Shelled some corn. Doc McBeth[53] here morning and Evening.
Apr 2 – Mercury 24 some snow ground well covered. Filed saw for Jim. Went over to burg after Doc McBeth at noon Ed Allen Blowed out this evening.[54]
Apr 3 – Mercury 20 very pleasant morning. Cut and drew some wood one load corn. Lois came over.
Apr 4 – At home. Ethan took Hannah up to Scotts to Jon Powers.
Apr 5 – Nice pleasant day. Went to town meeting. Ed some better. Doc comes twice a day.
Apr 6 – Mercury 32 the wors Bluster of the season, snowed and blowed a perfect gale all day.
Apr 7 – Went over to burg in morning. Bot some maple shugar 48 cts.
Apr 8 – Mercury 25. Ethan and Lois went to Kalamazoo. Nancy gone up to Lous. Very nice day. I cut some wood. Bot can Honey of Mr Rainy[?].
Apr 9 – Drew two loads straw two loads corn one wood. Very pleasant day.
Apr 10 – Worked in woods and in shop. Ed not much better.
Apr 11 – Nice day. I husked corn all day. O. M. Allen came up. Rainy day.
Apr 12 – Nice warm day. Laid up fence on hill south of orchard. Went over to Lois just at night.
Apr 13 – Went to Kalamazoo. Lois went to see Nancy. Bot Hat $1.50. Paid for the Telegraph[55] one year $1.50. Nicholas Chilson Died to day Ae 80y.[56]
Apr 14 – Mercury 85 Abz very nice day. Drawed stone in forenoon. Took down some fence up by the woods in afternoon. Hannah came home from Scots.
Apr 15 – Moved some fence. Nice day. Drew some corn.
Apr 16 – Took down fence. Drew one load old rails.
Apr 17 – Husked corn in forenoon. Hot day had a thunder shower just at night. Hannah came from Em Ralphs.[57]
Apr 18 – At home. Ed some better. Bessie here. O. M. no come up to day. Theodore and Hannah went to Wm Rogerses.
Apr 19 – Very warm day. Went over to burg got groceries. Ed Rouland paid two Dollars for Repairing violin.
Apr 20 – Mercury 80 Abz. Drew 3 loads corn one load old rails. Jim commenced plowing on the hill for oats. Nice warm day.
Apr 21 – Mercury 84. Took Lois trunk to the Depo. She went to shelbyville. Husked some corn. Jim plowing. Bot 1½ bushel clover seed $10.50.
Apr 22 – Mercury 84. Husked some corn. Very nice day.
Apr 23 – Mercury 87. Ethan went to Kalamazoo after Nancy. The children came.
Apr 24 – Mercury 84. Jim finished plowing the oat ground drew in the corn all in. I dug out some stumps.
Apr 25 – At home. Nancy and children came up stayed all night. Very pleasant day. O. M. came up in afternoon.
Apr 26 – Nancy went home on 11 oclock run. Jim ploting oat ground. Wm Blake called in to see Jim. Rainy afternoon.
Apr 27 – Went up to M. O. Streators bot six bushels wheat 85 cts pr bushel. Took it over to mill in afternoon.
Apr 28 – Drew some stumps of south lot one load stone. Jim commenced Drilling oats.
Apr 29 – Jim finished drilling oats he plowed the garden.
Apr 30 – Went over to Burg in morning. Draged the garden and potatoe ground.
May 1 – Not mutch work to day. Rainy some. Went over to burg in afternoon.
May 2 – Nice day. Jim, Mrs Brown and Hannah went down to Nancys.
May 3 – Took Edna Allens trunk over to the Depo at noon. Got a draft cashed for her $50.22 cts. She went on the 9.20 train Evening.
May 4 – Went up to Mr Flanders[58] got ½ bushel potatoes 25 cts. Rained quite hard. Sarah went down to Mr Randals a dance to Mike Maloneys new barn.
May 5 – Went up to mill. Turned rooler for Mr Beals of Climax. Went over to Burg got Sarahs Dress and ticking.
May 6 – Husked corn in afternoon. Nice day.
May 7 – Finished husking corn. Mrs Brown and Bessie came up here. Bes stayed all night. Show at the burg I went saw murmaid.
May 8 – At home. Mended wire fence on East road spliced one wire. Rainy night. Hannah over to Nells.
May 9 – Went down to Katharines. Rained some not vey cold.
May 10 – At home. Worked round house and garden.
May 11 – Went over to burg in afternoon to the Band Torniment. Received postal from George.[59]
May 12 – Worked round choring. Went over to burg. Shelled corn in afternoon. Nancy and Mrs Wagner came up in afternoon.
May 13 – Mercury 81 warm day. Sarah went over to Hoags.[60] Ina went to Shelby Ville. I went to Milhams to mill.
May 14 – Mercury. Worked in garden some. Went over to burg. Bes here.
May 15 – Went over to Forbush in afternoon. Rainy.
May 16 – At home all day. Nice day.
May 17 – Went over got the Buggy thill[61] iron mended 85 cts. Lois came home from Shelby.
May 18 – Took Sarah over to Lois. I cut and drew one load wood plowed out corn in the garden went after Sara.
May 19 – Pleasant morning. At home working round house and garden. Jim plowed the corn ground.
May 20 – Went down to Mrs Browns got drag. Draged corn ground and floated it. Very warm day. Lois came over.
May 21 – Very warm day. Marked my corn ground. Went down to M. O. Streators got seed corn.
May 22 – Hot as blazes. Planted corn. Mr & Mrs Streato[62] and Mrs Brown here in Evening. Expected Forbush & Blakes folks here dey no came.
May 23 – Mercury 90 in shade. At home all day. No one here. Ethan took Lois and Ina home in morning.
May 24 – Planted potatoes covered them with straw. Nice day.
May 25 – Planted potatoes. Cool day north wind. Set hen to night in Bills west feed box.
May 26 – Not mutch done. Went over to burg. Nancy and girls came up this morning.
May 27 – Went over to burg in morning. Jesse Earls gray Horse died this morning. Ob Evens and Maty Carson married this Evening.[63]
May 28 – Went over to burg in morn sold 1400 & 60 lbs Hay to Met Thomas 50 cts pr 100. Took some things up to Wm Ralphs to go to Lous. Mr Williams of Berry died.
May 29 – Went over to burg twice. Worked in garden some cultivated corn and potatoes.
May 30 – Went up to Mr Levi woods. Syrus and Moridz Streator went had a good time. Nice day. Very dry.
May 31 – Worked in garden planted beans hoed corn plastered corn.
Jun 1 – Sarah went over to Mr Austins to a crazy quilt party.
Jun 2 – Went to Kalamazoo to get Sarahs teeth Extracted. Bot coat. Nice day very dry.
Jun 3 – Plastered corn. Hot day no rain.
Jun 4 – Painted Jims Buggy. Mr Wood and wife of Shelby here stayed all night. Charles Anderson came he went over to Mr Fords stayed all night.
Jun 5 – Charles came over in morning left on noon train for Battle Creek. Mr Woods folks left for home.
Jun 6 – At home. Very dry. Jesse Earl came down here. Walter Thresher and his uncle came over to see the binder.
Jun 7 – Very warm and dry. Made corn drag. Painted Jims Buggy boddy one coat.
Jun 8 – Mercury 84. Cultivated corn. Very hot and dry. Hannah went up to Mr Deweys at Scotts.
Jun 9 – Worked on buggy. Put last coat on boddy. Very hot and dry.
Jun 10 – Put leathers on thills. Cleaned the dash. Finished the buggy. Went down to Mrs Browns got my buggy.
Jun 11 – Mercury 90 in shade very hot. Cultivated corn. Went over to burg twice.
Jun 12 – Mercury 99 in shade. Cultivated corn in fore noon. Took Sarah down to Mrs Browns.
Jun 13 – Mercury 84. Sprinkle some in forenoon.
Jun 14 – Mercury 104 in shade. Got one tire set on carriage 35. Got Bridle mended 20¢. Charley cut Mrs Wrights grass. Cameron & George Barber[64] here.
Jun 15 – Mercury 90 very hot. Jim commenced cutting the grass in East lot. Had a nice shower just at night.
Jun 16 – Mercury 84. Ethan went to burg to pay Thresher for Enterprise.[65] Jim got cabbage plant.
Jun 17 – Mercury 83 pleasant nice day. Chored round in forenoon. Went down to Katharines in afternoon to see Mart. He is sick had his wens[66] cut out.
Jun 18 – Worked in garden and hay field. Went up to Herbs got cabbage plants.
Jun 19 – Jim finished cutting hay. Tip and Quin called in Evening to see Binder.
Jun 20 – At home. Nancy and Lelah & Bes here. Lois came over.
Jun 21 – Mercury 96. Worked in hay field all day finished. Ethan went to Kalamazoo took Nancy home. Took ook[?] his Knotter down to West.
Jun 22 – Mercury 84. Drew in some hay finished up. Had a nice rain.
Jun 23 – Worked in garden some. Mr Town and Fanny went to Kalamazoo. Hannah went up to Hat & Libs to sew. I cultivated corn some.
Jun 24 – Took Sarah over to Lois had a big rain. Mary Flanders[67] an her cousin Mrs Jackson came in stayed through the shower.
Jun 25 – Hoed in garden some. Plowed corn in afternoon.
Jun 26 – Took Sarah to Kalamazoo she went to Shelbyville. Claud[68] came home with me.
Jun 27 – At home. Lois and Ina came over. I finished plowing corn plowed out the potatoes up by the woods.
Jun 28 – I finished plowing corn plowed out the potatoes up by the woods.
Jun 29 – Hannah to Hats sewing. Hoed in garden some. Set out cabbage plants 77.
Jun 30 – Mercury 80. Hoed cabbage, chore round. Hannah went to Streators. Mr Erastus Stuart Died this afternoon.[69]
Jul 1 – Mercury 8 [sic]. Mr Streator came and got sewing machine.
Jul 2 – Hoed corn some cultivated potatoes up by the woods. Sarah came home from shelbyville. Maria Flanders buried to day.[70] Erastus Stuart buried to day.
Jul 3 – Went over to burg to celebration. Took dinner to Lois. Went over in Evening to the dance in Corey Block and at the rink.
Jul 4 – At home all day. Clara and Lee came up. Hanah went down to M. O. Streators. H. N. Tubbs buried to day.[71]
Jul 5 – Hot morning. Working in garden and choring round.
Jul 6 – Went over to burg. Hoed some. Went to M. O. Streators in morning and afternoon. Mr Streator sick.
Jul 7 – Went over to burg in morning. Sold Eggs 9 Doz. Took zinc back.
Jul 8 – Went to Kalamazoo after Hannah. Mr M. O. Streator Died 15 minutes past twelve noon.[72]
Jul 9 – Mercury 104. Hoed in garden some, chored around, set up wheat.
Jul 10 – Mercury 94. Plowed corn in forenoon and some afternoon. Very hot. Mr Burdick and Mr Wilson called here to show some violins.
Jul 11 – Mercury 90 very hot and dry. Mr M. O. Streator Buried to day.
Jul 12 – Mercury 84. Hoed in garden and chored round. Jim Drew in wheat. Fine day not so hot.
Jul 13 – Jim raked the wheat and
Jul 14 – Jim raked the wheat scatterings and drew them in. The Whiting family at the burg to day. I went over in Evening. Oliver Young died.
Jul 15 – Ethan, Hannah, Jim and Claud went to Kalamazoo to see Barnums show. Nice day Mercury 84.
Jul 16 – Plowed corn. Fine day. Went over to Burg in morning. Cyrus and Quincy Streator[73] called here.
Jul 17 – Hoed corn some in forenoon. Went over to burg at noon. Syrus & Quin called here jus at night. Some cooler.
Jul 18 – Mercury 74 some cooler. Katharine and Lee came up here.
Jul 19 – Lelah and Bess came on noon train. I went over and got them. Lois came over with me.
Jul 20 – Mr. Harry and Ed Rowland called here. Lelah and Bes here. Very smoky.
Jul 21 – Mercury 91. I went up to Levi woods with Cyrus Streator. Mrs M. O. Streator and Quin and Cyrus here to tea. Very dry.
Jul 22 – Mercury 94. Hoed corn and done the chores. Went up to Cullin Towns[74] afternoon.
Jul 23 – Mercury 93 very hot, dry and smoky. Hoed garden.
Jul 24 – Mercury 94. Hoed some corn and cabbage. Very hot day. Nancy came up.
Jul 25 – Mercury 104 in shade. At home all day. Ethan, Hannah and Hanks folk, Lizzie and Will[75] came to Mrs Browns.
Jul 26 – Mercury 69 rainy morning, rainy day. Nancy and girls went home.
Jul 27 – Took Sarah over to Lois. I worked in shop on axhelves.
Jul 28 – Made helve for G. A. Lockhart. Ethan took crank pattern over to Foundry. Rained some this morning.
Jul 29 – Mr Randal cut the oats. Mrs Ed Hoges Buried to day.[76] I worked in shop to day.
Jul 30 – Jim drawed oats. Fine hot day rained just at night.
Jul 31 – Mercury 94. Mr Johnson thrashed the wheat and oats 129 oats 46 wheat. Rained one ledl mite just at night. Very hot.
Aug 1 – Mercury 104. Hannah came home from Howlands Burg. I went down to Katharines. All well.
Aug 2 – Worked in garden some. Chored round most of the day.
Aug 3 – Went over to burg. Worked round house and garden.
Aug 4 – Cut weeds and grubs along the fence up the hill. Hot day. Allerton[77] thrashed. Ethan and Hannah went to Kalamazoo.
Aug 5 – Went down to Mrs Browns. Helped Jim clean up wheat. Rainy forenoon. Cut weed on hill.
Aug 6 – Went up to Mr Flanders in afternoon. Sarah went. Ed took pig down to Rial French.
Aug 7 – Took Fan up to Mr Flanders to get Jersey calf.[78] Went down to Katharines in afternoon after Hannah. Sarah went down to see Minnie Randal.
Aug 8 – Nice day. Jim and Hannah went to Kalamazoo to see Lou.
Aug 9 – At home choring. Not much work to day.
Aug 10 – Took Hannah down to Mate Fords.[79]
Aug 11 – Mercury 96. Mr Joseph Whitford buried.[80] Henry Crawford[81] came here this morning. He went home on the Eleven Oclock train.
Aug 12 – Ethan and Jim went to Kalamazoo after Lou. Robert Crawford[82] came to day. George Turner Buried to day.[83]
Aug 13 – Robert here. Went over to Burg after Lous trunk. Robert and I went around the squair. Rained in Evening.
Aug 14 – Cloudy some mist. At home. Robert here. Very warm.
Aug 15 – At home. Hot day. Robert and Sarah went over to cemetry.[84] Mary Ellen Allerton[85] and Carrie Plank[86] called here in Evening.
Aug 16 – Took Robert over to the train. Rainy morning. Robert left for Canada.
Aug 17 – Sarah and Lou went down to Mrs Browns. I helped Jim repair the grainry.
Aug 18 – Cut and drawed some wood. Ethan and Jim went to Kalamazoo to see the Sham Battle. Cord Beach got hurt.
Aug 19 – Took Sarah and Lou up to Em Ralphs. I Repaired chair for Em.
Aug 20 – At home. Went down to Mr Browns in morning.
Aug 21 – Harry Crawford[87] came on 7 Oclock train. Carrie Plank and Mary Allerton here in afternoon. Lois came over. D came. Went over to burg in Evening. Ha[d] a heavy shower rained in night.
Aug 22 – Cloudy looks like rain. Harry Crawford here. All well.
Aug 23 – Not much work to day. Jim commenced plowing East lot. George Hubbards baby died this morning.[88] Carry Plank here.
Aug 24 – Hannah and Carey went down to Mr Allertons. Lou and children went over to Lois. Oat Hills mother Died to day.[89]
Aug 25 – Took Lou over to Mr Ralph. Robert came back from Canada. Glen Keith[90] came on noon train. Mrs Hill buried.
Aug 26 – Ethan went to Kalamazoo. Harry went with him. Robert went up to Nelt Blass.
Aug 27 – Mercury 102. Took Robert over to burg he went to Chicago. Carrie Plank came here stayed all night.
Aug 28 – Mercury 99. Carrie went up to Gull Lake to attend the Grange Picknic. Jim plowing. Lou here.
Aug 29 – Had a heavy shower. Went down to Katharines.
Aug 30 – Let Jim have six bags full of corn. Mr Hampton here to dinner tin pedler. Hannah took Carrie Plank to Kalamazoo.
Aug 31 – Lou and children here. Jim plowing. Very warm.
Sep 1 – Jim plowing. Nice day. Lou here. I not very well. I commenced my last years work for H Cruttenden[91] 40 years ago to day.
Sep 2 – Took Lou to Kalamazoo. She stayed to Nancys all night. Very nice day.
Sep 3 – Jim plowing. Warm. Working round as usual. Some hot weather.
Sep 4 – Jim plowing. I cut load wood drew it down. Just at night had a heavy thunder storm. Lightning struck Cole Durkees hors Barn burnt it and straw stac.
Sep 5 – Mercury 80. At home. No one here but our own folks. Hannah came home this morning from Streators. She is making Mary Fishers wedding dress.[92]
Sep 6 – Mercury 93. Cut some corn. Jim floted wheat ground. Very hot day.
Sep 7 – Mercury 90. Cutting corn. Jim working for M. Caywood[93] cutting corn spec so.[94]
Sep 8 – Mercury 86. Cleaned wheat. Took 4 bushels to mill. Hot day. Rained in night.
Sep 9 – Mercury 69 some rainy this morning. Went down to Mrs Browns. Jim went to Kalamazoo. Cate Crawford[95] came home with him.
Sep 10 – Chored around house and shop. Not much done. Warm day.
Sep 11 – Worked in shop some. Went over to burg in afternoon. Cate went over with me. Rained in night.
Sep 12 – Nice morning. At home all day. Kate here.
Sep 13 – Work in shop some. Kate here. Ethan working on Knapps canal power. Got the sewing machine 60 cts Freight.
Sep 14 – Choring around. Cut some corn. Hannah & Nancy went to Jackson. Lelah & Bes came here.
Sep 15 – Took Ethan over to Burg. He went to Jackson to State Fair. Jim took Kate to Kalamazoo. Sarah went over to Mr Ralphs.
Sep 16 – Cut corn some. Fine day some wind. Blowed uncle Isaac Clarks[96] Barn down.
Sep 17 – Cut corn. Choring round.
Sep 18 – Finished cutting corn. Ethan came home.
Sep 19 – At home all day. Nancy came home to day.
Sep 20 – Fine morning. Jim dragging. I cut some wood and d[r]ew it down.
Sep 21 – Mercury 56 some lidle rany. At home. Jim dont be dragging to day some. Mr Franklin brot machine home.
Sep 22 – Mercury 67. Jim draging with spring tooth.[97]
Sep 23 – Went over to Burg in morning. Bot ½ bushel Timothy seed 1.13¢. Rainy lots Lightning & thunder.
Sep 24 – At home. Hannah came home sick from Mr Ogdens.
Sep 25 – Choring around. Put Beens in Barn and done various things. Mr Levy Woods folks came over. Stayed to Mrs Browns all night.
Sep 26 – All hands went up to Mrs Streators. Had a good time. Hannah some better. Rainy night.
Sep 27 – Rainy morning. Helped Jim. I went down to Katharines in afternoon.
Sep 28 – Helped Jim clean up wheat. Mr D. L. Tuttle buried at Galesburg to day.[98]
Sep 29 – Mrs Skinner Died.[99] Mrs Forbush and Eva Blake here in afternoon. Mrs Browns Jersey cow Died.
Sep 30 – Went down to Mrs Browns. Helped bury the cow.
Oct 1 – Cut some wood dug some potatoes. Lumis Robinson came here. He went home on nine oclock run.
Oct 2 – Went to Kalamazoo stayed all night. Went to the Accadamy of music** in Evening. Hank and Nancy went with us.
Oct 3 – Nice weather. At Browns. I went up to the Asylum in forenoon and then Hank and I went over to the water works. We came home at night. Old Mrs Daniels Died to day.
Oct 4 – Mercury 76 in shade. Fine day. Drawing rails for fence south of Barn next to the wheat.
Oct 5 – Laid bottom rails for fence. Fixed two saws for Allan Simmons. Jim and Charley Ford moved Rial French.
Oct 6 – Finished filing Simmons saws and turned driver for Bench Screw. Very nice day. Mercury up in the 70 & 80.
Oct 7 – Went over to burg in morning and down to C. Fords. Ethan picking apples down to Mrs Browns. Very nice weather.
Oct 8 – Mercury 80. Went up in woods cut some steaks. Went over to burg got band for sewing machine. Bot box Buggy greace. Lois came home. Nice weather.
Oct 9 – Mercury 84. Took Sarah over to Lois. I chored a round house and barn.
Oct 10 – At home all day. Lois and Ina came over. George Yeomans and Burt Burrell here.
Oct 11 – Jim came home from Shelby Ville. Jay[100] came home with him. Ethan went to Kalamazoo.
Oct 12 – Husked some corn. Very nice day very dry. Lum Robinson and wife here in afternoon.
Oct 13 – Built fence south of barn. Very nice day. Mrs Gilfus died to day. Jay here all right.
Oct 14 – Rainy day. No work. Rained and blowed hard all day. Blowed my corn most all down.
Oct 15 – Nice day. Finished my fence. No frost yet of any account. Dell and Sate[101] got home. 73 years old to day.
Oct 16 – Went over to burg. Bess and Jay went over to Lois. Nice day. Not much done. Rather lame. Old Pionere here to dinner.
Oct 17 – Mercury 69 pleasant some wind. Ethan, Hannah, Bes and Jay gone to Kalamazoo. George Yeomans and Burt Burrell here to day.
Oct 18 – Mercury 54 very nice day warm and dry. Husked corn. Jay here. Mr Knap here. Work on propeller.
Oct 19 – Mercury 57 very pleasant and dry. Husked corn. Mr Knap here to day working on propeller.
Oct 20 – Kalamazoo House Burned to day. Drew in my cornfodder in the morning. Went down to Mrs Browns got apples. Rainy. Went over to burg in afternoon. Not cold.
Oct 21 – Warm day. Choped some wood. Aunt Hannah Wilmarth[102] here to dinner stayed the afternoon.
Oct 22 – Nice day. Put apples in cellar. Drawed some wood in afternoon. W. H. Knap & Agent came over in afternoon.
Oct 23 – Fine day. Went to Kalamazoo with Jay. He went home. Claud went with him.
Oct 24 – Picked up Hickory nuts. Nice warm day. Jim went down to Hanks after Hannah. Lois went with him.
Oct 25 – Took the W. H. Knap Propeller up to Butterfield to try the Boats. Husked corn in afternoon. Cold day.
Oct 26 – Cool wind. Husked corn. Ethan dug potatoes. Hannah work for Fanny Town. Jim went to Kalamazoo with wheat.
Oct 27 – Husked corn. Cool day. Put potatoes in cellar. Jim went to Kalamazoo with wheat.
Oct 28 – Went to Mr Isaac Clarks funeral to day. Cool wind.
Oct 29 – Went up to Levy Woods. Mrs Streator and Mrs Green and Cyrus went.
Oct 30 – Husked some. Chored round. Put lights in windows to school House.
Oct 31 – At home. Picked up some Hickory nuts and cut some sage.
Nov 1 – Mercury 54. Finished husking to day. Sate worked for Hannah. Charley Smith came over after Sate.
Nov 2 – Mercury 55 nice warm day. Went over to Election. Levy Wood and wife here, Fanny Town and Mrs Pease.
Nov 3 – Drawed my cornfodder. Very nice day. Went over to burg at noon. Mr Knap an Ethan tried the Boat.
Nov 4 – Ethan and Jim Conky went to Kalamazoo. I dug some roots for Sarah. Cyrus and Mrs Streator. called. Tip Town[103] called.
Nov 5 – Worked round. Lelah and Bes here. Nancy came up. Sarah went down to Mrs Browns.
Nov 6 – Went over to burg. Took Nells dress over. Went to Lois. Saw Mary Hall. Nancy and girls went down to Mrs Browns. Snowed in night the first of the season.
Nov 7 – About ½ inch snow on the ground this morning. Jim Konky came got his camery. Hank came up here.
Nov 8 – Cut some wood. Nancy and girls went down to Mrs Browns.
Nov 9 – Drawed one load wood. Rained then snowed like fun.[104] Made stall for Peter. Not very cold. Will Brown moved to day.
Nov 10 – Doing chores. Made ladder or apart of one. Cold.
Nov 11 – Took Sarah over to Lois. Cut out rounds for ladder. Cleaned up some wheat.
Nov 12 – Went over to mill. Made cloths stick for Nancy.
Nov 13 – Nancy went home. Lou came home. She came up with Jim. I went over to Comstock. Sarah went down to Katharines.
Nov 14 – Pleasant day cool wind. Herb Earls Boy born this morning.[105]
Nov 15 – Put plank down at the west door at barn.
Nov 16 – Took Lou over to Lois and Mr Ralphs. Mr Knap and Ethan tried the Boat. Cold wind.
Nov 17 – Rainy day. Got pig of Jim. Went over to burg at night. Got oil. Lou went up to Jim Milhams.
Nov 18 – Mercury 25 cold and blustrous, snowey, cold. I worked in barn some.
Nov 19 – Lou and children[106] here. Cold wind. Ethan cut some wood. I drew two loads.
Nov 20 – Ethan choped some wood. I jointed boards for East side of barn. Doc Martin and wife called in Evening to see Hannah.
Nov 21 – At home all day. Pleasant. Lou went to Kalamazoo. Levy Wood and wife and Mrs Streator here.
Nov 22 – Boarded up East side barn. Nice day.
Nov 23 – Mercury 58. Repaired pump and well in barn.
Nov 24 – Mercury. Went over to burg got shugar and oder dings,[107] cinnamon and Raisins, oil &c.[108]
Nov 25 – Went over after Lois. Snows. Del came over got Horse and wagon. Took load stone over. Hannah came home.
Nov 26 – Ethan took Hannah down to Mrs Howlets. I got thirty Dozen Eggs of Fanny Town to send to Chicago. Cold day.
Nov 27 – Sent Eggs and Butter to Chicago to Hiram Crawford.[109]
Nov 28 – At home. Hannah went up to Herb Gilsons.
Nov 29 – Mercury 2 Abz. Not much done. Ed Schram called here. I hired him to cut some wood.
Nov 30 – Ethan went over got Lois in morning. She came over to wash. I went over to burg in Evening to get stove for Hanks folks.
Dec 1 – Mercury 8 Abz. Went to Kalamazoo took Hanks stove down to them. Mrs Brown went. Very Blustring. Jim and Bell Starr came up with me. Lum Robinson started for home. Saw Dob Zinsky[?].
Dec 2 – Cut some wood. Put ladder together in Evening. Cold and blustring he snow very hard some.
Dec 3 – Drawed two loads of wood on sleigh. Jim called here said he had sold his team to Will Brown. Ed chopping. Dr Babcock buried to day.[110]
Dec 4 – Ed chopping. Cold day. I drawed wood.
Dec 5 – Mercury 16 Below zero. Went over to burg in morning. Jim shingling for Dell. Ed Schram chopping.
Dec 6 – Mercury 2 blow zero. Went over to burg in morn. Jim shingling for Dell. Ed chopping.
Dec 7 – Drawed wood in forenoon. Went down to Marts in afternoon. Nice day.
Dec 8 – Fine day. Drawed wood. Ed no chop some. Fanny Town came over in afternoon.
Dec 9 – Drawing wood. Not much snow. Very nice weather.
Dec 10 – Drawed wood in forenoon. Got all down that was cut. Snow about gone. Leon[111] here stayed all night.
Dec 11 – Leon went up to Batey.[112] Glen came down with willow[?] in morning. Leon came back stayed all night. Dell put some shingles on Barn.
Dec 12 – Leon and Glen lef for home.[113] Rained some.
Dec 13 – Not much done but chores.
Dec 14 – Snowed and blowed hard. Very rough day. Went down to Caywoods and Mr Flanders. Paid Ed $— for butter. Mate Ford came here.
Dec 15 – Cold snow about — inches deep. Hannah went to Dr Ma– to sew. Took Sarah down to Mrs Browns. Filed saw for Jim. Hung ax for Herb Earl.
Dec 16 – Cold day. Worked in shop some. Smoothed up axhelves. Ethan went to burg in Evening.
Dec 17 – Finished up axhelves and chored round. Sarah went up to Ha–. I went up took tea with them. Snowed and blowed.
Dec 18 – Worked in shop some. Finished up my helves. Ed Schram called here.
Dec 19 – At home. Went over brot Lois over. Some stormy.
Dec 20 – Mercury at zero. Took Hannah over to train she went to Kalamazoo.
Dec 21 – Mercury 34 Abz. Went over to burg in Evening after Hannah and Lelah. Shelled corn for feed.
Dec 22 – Mercury 5 Abz. Went down to Mrs Browns. Took letter down to Lizzy with sample in. Hannah went up to Wm Ralphs.
Dec 23 – Went over to burg in morning paid my tax $6.78 cts. Went over at noon got money order cashed. Went over to Lois in Evening.
Dec 24 – Went down to Marts to mill. Took 7½ bushels corn and oats ground. Sent books to Claude, Lelah & Bes, Jay and Verne[114] and Marts children.
Dec 25 – Worked on toboggin for Claude. No good he break some. Not very cold.
Dec 26 – At home. No one here. Cold winter weather. Good sleighing.
Dec 27 – Mercury 13 Abz. Went up to Theodores got board for toboggin. Oscar, Mary Ann[115] and Glen here to day. They left for home.
Dec 28 – Mercury 3 below. Went over to burg. Got shoes for Sarah. Cold day.
Dec 29 – Mercury 3 Abz. Went over to burg in morning got calender. Mrs Beley Wright Died this morning 7 oclock.[116] Went over to burg in Evening.
Dec 30 – Mercury 15 below very much cold day. Sarah & I went to Kalamazoo she stayed to Nancys. Bot articks $1.25. Very cold. D. and Jim came.
Dec 31 – Mercury 13 below. Went over to burg in afternoon. Ina went home. Mrs Bela Wright buried to day. Very cold day. I done nodings not much to day ver mooch goot sleigh plendy snow some. Lou sent me money, pay some money. D went home on noon train.
——-
[1] Known better, and referred to, as Luke
[2] His daughter, Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner
[3] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith
[4] His daughter, Hannah Keith
[5] His daughter, Louese (Keith) Harris
[6] His son-in-law Hank Brown’s mother, Matilda (Allen) Brown, who was also Luke’s neighbor
[7] His son, James Clinton Keith
[8] His son, Ethan Keith
[9] His grandson, William Clark
[10] His son-in-law, Louese’s husband Daniel Harris, Jr.
[11] Above zero
[12] The Michigan death record lists his date of death as January 21 (although it’s possible that the 1 in 21 is actually a 4) and there is a notation “Names added to list by Henry Laffitt [Labbitt] Undertaker Galesburg Michigan.” FindAGrave.com agrees with Luke’s entry of death on January 6, 1886, and shows he is buried in Lawler Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan. The January 9, 1886 edition of the Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph, p.3, noted: The funeral services of the late Langford [sic] Burdick of Galesburg were held in the Baptist church at that place yesterday, Rev. J. S. Boyden officiating, and were largely attended. The remains were interred in the cemetery in Charleston Township.
[13] His neighbor, Frances Towne
[14] Galesburg, Michigan
[15] Theodore Earl, neighbor and “shirttail relative”
[16] His son-in-law, Lois’ husband, Adelbert Skinner
[17] His son-in-law, Nancy’s husband, Henry Brown, who was a photographer. It appears Jim and Will were posting advertisements around town. The February 9, 1886 edition of the Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph, on page 6, reported the following: Henry A. Brown, photographer, recently of Galesburg, Ill., who has been taking all the pretty prizes in town (if each is left to be sole judge) for the past two weeks, will locate in Kalamazoo in the bank building, on the northwest corner of Main and Burdick streets.
[18] George & Mary Evelyn “Eva” (Forbush) Blake lived in Charleston, Michigan, which is about five miles east of where Luke lived
[19] His neighbor and “shirttail relative,” Herbert Earl, and his wife, Luella (Farr) Earl. Herb and Theodore (see footnote to January 7th entry) were brothers
[20] His sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee
[21] Neighbor, Marius O. Streator
[22] His late niece Lucy (Lee) Milham’s husband, Martin Milham. Lucy was the daughter of his sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee
[23] His wife Sarah’s niece, Edna (Crawford) Allen. See also February 23rd entry
[24] His grandson, Charles Clark, and his wife, Clara (Youngs) Clark
[25] His son-in-law and his daughters, Lela and Bess Brown
[26] Neighbor, Harriet Taylor
[27] Neighbor, Nathan L. Randall
[28] Scotts, Michigan
[29] Neighbor, Richard Barber
[30] Michigan death records show that F. K. Bennett was “run over by cars” in Galesburg, Michigan on February 5, 1866
[31] Train cars
[32] His neighbor, Albert Towne, who was the father of Fanny Towne (see January 6 & 16) and Charley Towne (see March 27)
[33] His daughter, Nancy (Keith) Brown
[34] Michigan death records reveal that Harriet Watts died February 8, 1886 in Otsego, Allegan County, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Lawler Cemetery, Augusta, Allegan County, Michigan
[35] Claude, Lela and Bess Brown
[36] George Tomlinson, the husband of Luke’s niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson
[37] His cow
[38] Edna Allen and her daughter Madge
[39] Edna’s husband, Oscar M. Allen, Jr.
[40] His horse
[41] According to FindAGrave.com, Benjamin Smith died March 11, 1886 and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Wayland, Michigan
[42] Michigan marriage records show that Adeliza (Hubbard) Lewis, the widow of Franklin Lewis, married Charles Rimmey in Galesburg, Michigan on March 14, 1886
[43] Neighbor, and father of Theodore (see January 7th entry) and Herbert Earl (see January 18th entry)
[44] His great-niece, the daughter of Martin & Lucy (Lee) Milham
[45] Shelbyville, Michigan, where his daughter Louese lived
[46] Cora Meredith, his future daughter-in-law; she would marry his son Jim in June 1891
[47] Harriet Taylor and her sister, Flora Elizabeth “Libby” (Taylor) Schram. Libby had been married to Isaac Schram, however by 1880 they were divorced and Hattie and Libby were living together
[48] Neighbor, James Milham, who was the half-brother of Martin Milham (see footnote to January 23rd entry)
[49] Neighbor, Smith Carlton, son of Albert Carlton (see February 1st entry)
[50] His granddaughter, Ina Skinner
[51] His neighbor, Charles Towne
[52] Hat and Lib Taylor
[53] From an ad in the October 23, 1880 Galesburgh Express: Wm. L. McBeth, M.D., PHYSICIAN & SURGEON. Office at Burdick’s drug store. Residence on Battle Creek street, two doors east of Bennett House. Calls attended to promptly at all hours. Galesburgh, Mich.
[54] Hard to decipher the order of his words as some were squeezed in between lines, so this may not be a true reading
[55] The Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph newspaper
[56] An old neighbor from when Luke lived in Covington, Genesee County, New York. The New York Death Index shows that Nicholas Chilson died in Batavia, Genesee County, New York and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in the Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York, although it shows his age as 77
[57] Neighbor, Emaline (Stone) Ralph
[58] His neighbor, Joseph Flanders
[59] George Tomlinson
[60] Neighbors, Abel & Sarah “Jane” (Mason) Hoag
[61] The long shafts between which an animal is fastened when pulling a wagon
[62] Marius O. & Laura Ann (Rawson) Streator
[63] Michigan marriage records show that Oliver Evans and Mary Carson were married in Richmond, Michigan on May 27, 1886
[64] His neighbor, the son of Richard & Mary (Knowles) Barber
[65] Kalamazoo County Enterprise newspaper
[66] Common fluid-filled growths (cysts) that form from hair follicles that are most often found on the scalp
[67] Neighbor, Mary (Smith) Flanders, the wife of Edwin Flanders
[68] His grandson, Claude Brown
[69] Michigan death records mistakenly show that Erastus Stewart died October 3, 1886 in Comstock, Michigan with the notation “Names added to list by Henry Laffitt [Labbitt] Undertaker Galesburg Michigan.” Langford Burdick (see footnote to January 6th entry), likewise added by Henry Labbitt, was also incorrectly entered. The Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph newspaper editions of July 1 and July 6 (both on p. 2) agree with Luke’s entry showing that Erastus Stewart died on June 30, 1886
[70] Maria (nee Thayer), who was the widow of James Flanders (the son on Joseph Flanders, see footnote to May 4th entry), married Victor Gardner. She is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan alongside her first husband, James Flanders
[71] FindAGrave.com reveals that Horatio N. Tubbs died July 2, 1886 and is buried in the Elmwood Cemetery, Wayland, Michigan
[72] Michigan death records show that he died in Comstock, Michigan on July 8, 1886 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan. Luke Keith’s diary entry of 10-18-1894 reads: Went down to Mrs Streators with Will Clark they took up Mr M. O. Streators remains and put them in the new cemetry at Galesburg
[73] Believe them to be the brother and son of Marius Streator
[74] Cullen Towne, the son of Albert Towne (see footnote to February 8th entry)
[75] Willis & Elizabeth (Ogden) Brown; Willis was the son of Matilda Brown (see footnote to January 1st entry)
[76] Michigan death records show that Adeline Hodges died July 27, 1886 in Galesburg, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan
[77] His neighbor, John T. Allerton
[78] Fan was his cow. Presume he was taking Fan to the bull
[79] Neighbor, Mary Ann “Mate” (Thompson) Ford
[80] Michigan death records show that Joseph Whitford died in Charleston, Michigan on August 10, 1886 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Lawler Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan
[81] His wife Sarah’s brother
[82] His wife Sarah’s brother
[83] Michigan death records show that George Turner died in Kalamazoo from a fall from a scaffold on August 10, 1886 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Michigan
[84] Most likely the Galesburg Old Cemetery where their mother, Nancy (Comfort) Crawford Betts, was buried
[85] The daughter of neighbors John & Caroline (Rapelje) Allerton
[86] Carrie Plank was the daughter of William & Harriett (Groat) Plank who had been neighbors of the Keiths in Comstock until they moved to Grand Rapids in 1873
[87] The son of Hiram & Kate (Atcheson) Crawford; Hiram was Sarah’s brother
[88] Michigan death records reveal that Floyd Hubbard, the six-month-old son of George & Alice Hubbard, died in Galesburg, Michigan on August 23, 1886
[89] Michigan death records reveal that Sarah (Watters) Hill died August 23, 1886 in Galesburg, Michigan
[90] His grand-nephew, the son of James “Oscar” & Mary Ann (Batey) Keith
[91] On July 25, 1847 Luke married his second wife, Jerusha Crittenden (she died September 23, 1848). Jerusha had a brother Henry; perhaps this is who he is referring to
[92] Mary Fisher married Marenus Caywood in September. Sadly, on March 4, 1887 Marenus was killed when his horses “run with him” according to Luke Keith’s 1887 diary
[93] Neighbor, Marenus Caywood
[94] Expect so
[95] Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford, the wife of Hiram Crawford, Jr., Sarah’s brother
[96] No relation is known at this time; however, often the parents of a husband or wife of a family member, or the parent of a neighbor, were referred to as Aunt or Uncle
[97] An outdated piece of farm equipment which used many flexible iron teeth mounted in rows to loosen the soil before planting
[98] FindAGrave.com shows that David Tuttle died in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 25, 1886 and he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan
[99] Sarah (Knight) Skinner, the mother of Del Skinner (see footnote to January 7th entry). FindAGrave.com shows she died September 29, 1886 in Ceresco, Michigan and that she is buried in the Quaker Cemetery in Waterloo, New York
** See https://lettersfromthe1860s.wordpress.com/2019/10/25/academy-of-music-kalamazoo-michigan for more info on the Academy of Music
[100] His grandson, Jay Keith Harris, who was 3 years old
[101] Sarah Skinner, the sister of Del Skinner (see footnote to January 7th entry)
[102] According to the 1880 census, Hannah was the sister of Luke’s neighbor, Joseph Flanders
[103] Neighbor, Eunice (Wood) Towne
[104] Luke uses this phrase quite often. The Oxford Dictionary gives its meaning as “vigorously or quickly”
[105] Royal J. Earl was born to Herbert & Luella (Farr) Earl
[106] Jay (3), LaVerne (just under 2) and Floyd (7 months) Harris
[107] Other things
[108] Etc.
[109] His brother-in-law
[110] FindAGrave.com shows that Isaiah J. Babcock died December 1, 1886 and is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan
[111] His grand-nephew, James Leon Keith, the son of James “Oscar” & Mary Ann (Batey) Keith
[112] Presumably to visit his grandmother, Betsy (Olds) Batey, in Pavilion, Michigan
[113] Bloomingdale, Michigan
[114] Lou’s children
[115] His nephew’s family; see footnotes to August 25th and December 10th entries
[116] Betsy (Fisher) Wright. Michigan death records reveal that she died in Galesburg on December 29 and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan
The Diaries of Charles Luke Keith Jr 