Luke Keith’s 1889 Diary

1889 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH, JR.[1]

Jan 1 – 23.[2] Nice pleasant day. Nice wheeling. Hank[3] came up. They went down to Mrs Browns.[4] Will Clark[5] here. Allice Williams Buried to day.[6]

Jan 2 – 24. Went over to Burg[7] after Lois and Ina.[8] Two strangers here to dinner. Went down to Katharines[9] with Nancy.[10] Fine day.

Jan 3 – 43. Very pleasant day. Nancy went over to Lois stayed all night. Lou and children[11] here.

Jan 4 – Mercury 36. At home. Lou went up to Jim Milhams.[12] Sarah[13] went over to Fanny Towns.[14] D[15] came this Evening.

Jan 5 – 36 Abz.[16] Took Lou up to W^m Ralphs.[17] D. and Will Ralph went hunting. I went over after H. Crawford[18] he no come. Ethan[19] went to Kal.[20] Bot this Diary 20 cts.

Jan 6 – Mercury 34. D, Lou and children and Cory came back stayed all night. Will and Lois went down to Katharines. Not very cold.

Jan 7 – M. 32 in morning. D went over to Burg. Ethan took Lou over to Lois. Hannah[21] went over to Fanny Towns this morning. Some fine snow rather damp.

Jan 8 – Mercury 40. Went over to burg in morning. Took Lou and children over to Mrs Ralphs.[22] I got Jays pin mended. The gun smith of Maplow was performing at the Galesburg Opra House to night. Rained all night.

Jan 9 – Mercury 42 in morning. Rainy forenoon snow and blowed like blazes in afternoon and Evening. Hannah at Towns (rest of entry is illegible).

Jan 10 – Mercury 21 in morning about two inches snow. At home all day. Not much work.

Jan 11 – Mercury 36. Some work. Went over to burg at noon got no mail. Albert Chase[23] got his violin he paid one Dollar.

Jan 12 – Mercury 18 in morning about 40 in middle of the day. Not much work to day. Sawed some wood. Nice weather for winter.

Jan 13 – Mercury 30 nice day sun came out some. Ethan and Hannah went down to Katharines. No one called here to day.

Jan 14 – Mercury 34. Turned two roolers for H. D. Streator.[24] Not very well.

Jan 15 – Mercury 32. Mr Bogards Died to day. Finished Streators roolers. Will Clark came over with Ethan stayed all night. Sally[25] and I went up to Jesse Earls[26] in afternoon stayed the Evening. Rained some.

Jan 16 – Mercury 54 rainy day. No work to day. Ethan and Will went over to burg in Evening.

Jan 17 – Mercury 30 in morning wind blowing from the west. Will here. Not very well. Ethan and Will making moosik on de guitah and de fiddlind.[27] J C Perkins Died to day[28] L. C. Wests[29] Draftsman.

Jan 18 – Mercury 38 in forenoon. Sawed some wood. Ethan mended the big yellow Rocking Chair. Ethan and Will went over to Burg in Evening. Snowed some.

Jan 19 – Mercury 12 in morning south East wind cold. Went down to Katharines she was feeling some better. No snow Mercury 20 in Evening.

Jan 20 – Mercury 2__ in morning west wind. Sate[30] here. Snowey day Mercury 31 in afternoon.

Jan 21 – Mercury 18 in morning snowing like blazes. Bert Staffords boy here selling Fruit trees.

Jan 22 – Mercury 12 in morning very nice day. Done the chores and pared apples. Ethan went over to burg in morning. Mercury 37 in afternoon. Dick Lamkins called got the iron brot. He had been to Flanders got a lot of old iron.

Jan 23 – Mercury 23. At home. Done some chores. Went over to burg in afternoon after Mrs Gaffing she no come.

Jan 24 – Mercury 48 nice day very pleasant shiny. Gaffing here.

Jan 25 – Mercury 46. Will Clark came over. Pleasant spring day. Ethan and Will gone down to Mrs Browns in Evening.

Jan 26 – Mercury 26. Went over to burg in morning to the mail then took Gaffing down to Katharines. Cloudy south west wind.

Jan 27 – Mercury 26 in forenoon north East wind and snowing.

Jan 28 – Mercury 23. Took Hannah over to burg in morning she went to R. G. Smith. Filed saw for N. L. Randal[31] he paid me for plane and saw 25 cts. Harry got his pulleys 25.

Jan 29 – Mercury 34 some snow. Hannah went up to Culls[32] to day. I cut Hickory tree up by the gap North side of woods. Some snowey day wind south west.

Jan 30 – Mercury 34 nice comfortable day south south west wind. Hannah up to Culs. I trimed up the Hickory tree sawed some wood and done the chores. Ethan patterns for bundle carrier.

Jan 31 – Mercury 31 some wind and snow sort of a blustrous day. I got the sleigh out for the first. Drew one load wood. Not much sleighing a bout a inch and a ½ snow.

Feb 1 – Mercury 13 Abz very nice day. Went up and got the last of the Hickory tree. Went over to Burg after match plane.[33] Got glass for school house.

Feb 2 – Mercury. Cloudy not very cold. Not very well. Not much work to day.

Feb 3 – Mercury 38. At home all day. Ethan and Will went down to Katharines. Hannah at home.

Feb 4 – Mercury 36. Shelled some corn for feed took it over to mill in afternoon. Mr Nichols turned some brush handles. Got some match plane of Charles Whitcomb.

Feb 5 – Mercury 10 Abz snows and blows. Went down to Katharines found her rather weak not able to sit up any. She gave me the paper. Mercury 7 Abz in Evening.

Feb 6 – Mercury at zero at 7 am. Went over to burg. Took over some hickory timber to Lockhart. Snowed like blazes a while. Filed saw for Will Brown.[34] Will Clark came home with me he went down to C. Fords.[35]

Feb 7 – Mercury 12 abz in morning. Not much work. Ethan put Wills Desk together. Hannah not go to Dods. Mercury 20 Abz about 5. P.m.

Feb 8 – Mercury 26 in morning. Not very well. Ethan and Hannah went down to Katharines to cut and fit dresses for the three youngest girls.[36] Strong south west wind Mercury 36 in afternoon. No sleighing yet.

Feb 9 – Mercury 26 Abz. Went down to school house in fore noon. Put in 3 lights glass. Will Brown drew two loads wood.

Feb 10 – Mercury 14 in morning about 3 inches snow. Some sleighs out to church to day. Wind south west.

Feb 11 – Mercury 20 in morning. Hannah went to Caywoods. I took Sarah over to Barbers in afternoon. Snowey. Went with the cutter the first time it has been out. About 4 inches snow. Cutter runs very well. Mercury 20 in afternoon.

Feb 12 – Mercury 14. Went down to Katharines in afternoon. Snowed some Mercury one above zero in Evening.

Feb 13 – Mercury 7 Abz in morning. Took Sarah over to Lois in forenoon. Snows and blows some in afternoon.

Feb 14 – Mercury 14 in morning. Hard cold. Hued out some ax helve. Not very well. Mercury 20 in Evening. Hannah came home. Will Clark came over.

Feb 15 – Mercury 14 Abz in morning. At home. Hard cold. No work on my plate. Hannah at home cleaning house. Went to Mill took two bushels wheat.

Feb 16 – Mercury 21 rainy morning cleared of about Eleven. Will Clark and Hannah went to Kalamazoo. Hannah stayed to Nancys.

Feb 17 – Mercury. At home. Will here all day he went home at night. Snow all gone.

Feb 18 – Mercury 24 snows like fury and blows some. Wind blows hard just at night. Snow piling up some. I shelled some corn for feed for Fan.[37]

Feb 19 – Mercury 8 Abz very Blustrous snow flies lively. About all I wanted to do to keep fires and do the chores at the barn. Hens lay some three Eggs to day.

Feb 20 – Mercury. Went over to mill took corn and oats for feed. Went over after Hannah. Cold wind. Very good sleighing. Will Clark gave me his Watch the one I used to own.

Feb 21 – Cold south west wind. Went down to Katharines. Katharine not so well very weak no appetite. Hannah down to Streators to work making Mrs Streator[38] a dress. Blanch Olin Married this Evening.[39]

Feb 22 – Mercury. Went over after Lois this morning. Will came over. Snows some. Some cold day.

Feb 23 – Mercury 9 below zero very cold. No work out side. Sawed some little wood. Ethan to work on Wills Book case.

Feb 24 – Mercury 9 below zero in morning. Took Sarah down to Katharines.

Feb 25 – Mercury 4 Abz in morning. Went down to Katharines in afternoon after Sarah. Jim Milham called got axhelve 50 cts.

Feb 26 – Mercury 22 Abz snows some. Went over to post office. Left my watch with Wilson to be cleaned. Bot Bottle of Log Cabbin Sarsparilla 75 cts. Mrs John Lay died this Morning.[40]

Feb 27 – Mercury 38. Went over to Blakes. Took Checks over for Stevens[41] trunk and satchel. Evva here all day.

Feb 28 – At home. Not very well. Will Brown got his desk. Ethan and Hannah went down to Katharines.

Mar 1 – Mercury 24. At home. Worked on table top. Mrs John Lay buried to day. Nice stormy day snowey day.

Mar 2 – Worked on table made drawer. Theodore came down got two draw made. Mercury 44 Abz.

Mar 3 – At home. No one here Except Stephen Comfort. Nice day.

Mar 4 – Mercury 44. Went down to Katharines she no better. Theodore, Allice and Claud,[42] Herb, Luella & Royal,[43] Frank, Elva & Ethel[44] here in Evening.

Mar 5 – Mercury 42 verry nice day. Finished the table. Ethan making medicine cupboard. Put Cutter up over Stable. Mrs Galusha here in afternoon. Hank stayed all night.

Mar 6 – Mercury 48. Went over to burg. Took Hannah over to see Mrs Barber. Bot Trimmings for Medicine cupboard. Very nice day. Received the Leroy[45] Times. Ad Russel Married to day.[46]

Mar 7 – Mercury 44. Got out stuf for Clauds[47] draft board. Stormy some big snow flakes. Will Clark worked here to day. Ethan and Hannah up to Theodores this Evening.

Mar 8 – Mercury 34. Will Clark, Ethan and Hannah cleaning house. Cold day. Took Hannah over to Barbers in morning. Ethan and Hannah went up to Theodores in Evening.

Mar 9 – Mercury 32. Ethan and Will Clark went to Kalamazoo. Stephan cleaned the clock. Cold north west wind.

Mar 10 – Mercury 27. At home. No one here Except Stephen. Ethan at Hanks.

Mar 11 – Mercury 22 in morning. Sawed and split some wood. Stephen sick. Ethan not come home yet. Mrs Joseph Flanders Died about ten AM to day.[48] Mer 45 in afternoon. Ethan and Hannah up to Crosfields this Eve.

Mar 12 – Mercury 32. Went over to Mill got corn and oats groung. Took Dinner to Skinners.[49] Put Clauds board to gether.

Mar 13 – Mercury 53. Mrs Joseph Flanders buried to day. Went down to Katharines in afternoon.

Mar 14 – Mercury 54. Repaired Will Caywoods chairs. Went over to burg just at night. Stephen here yet. Ethan and Hannah gone to Herb Earls this Evening.

Mar 15 – Mercury 64. Worked in shop and chored some.

Mar 16 – Mercury 66. Went over to Towns with Jesse Earl. Saw Uncle Cullin. Mr A Town[50] sick. Went to Mr Frenches funral this afternoon.

Mar 17 – Mercury 54. At home. Ethan & Hannah went down to Mrs Browns.

Mar 18 – Mercury. Mrs Harvey Freer buried.[51] I went down to Katharines she not much if any better. Will Brown went up to Abe Powers got load Hay 1600 & 10 lbs. Paid $5.44[?]. Nancy and children[52] went home. Jim[53] came home.

Mar 19 – Ella Annis buried to day. Very fine nice weather.

Mar 20 – Mercury 48. Build manger for Fan. Nice day. Jim at home.

Mar 21 – Mercury 44. Worked on manger. Put in seed box for Fan. Nell Sanford came over stayed all day. Jim went down to Charly Fords.

Mar 22 – Mercury 4__. Went down to Katharines she not much better. Charley, Mate Ford[54] & H. D. Streator here in Evening also Will Clark. He stayed. Took two bushels wheat to mill in morning.

Mar 23 – Mercury 66. Made saw Buck. Will C here. Jim left for Chicago on 9 oclock train. Let Jim have $5.00 five Dollars. Mrs Hannah L Tuttle buried to day.[55]

Mar 24 – Mercury 64. At home. Mrs Brown, Will, Lizzy[56] and children[57] here. Hannah went up to Kate Thompsons just at night. Mrs Dibble buried to day.[58]

Mar 25 – Made Kneading board. Sarah and Ethan went down to Katharines. Mr Comfort here.

Mar 26 – Mercury. Cool south west wind. Took Ethan over to burg in morning he went to Shelby Ville.[59] Set hen on Eleven Eggs just at night. Sawed some wood. 28.

Mar 27 – Mercury 48. Sawed some wood shelled some corn done the chores. Ethan up to Shelbyville. Old Mr Comfort here Mrs Betts[60] Brother.

Mar 28 – Mercury 46. Took 2 Bushels corn and oats to mill. Oscar[61] came here about noon. I sawed some wood. Katharine no better.

Mar 29 – Mercury 35 and snowing like fun.[62] Went over to burg. Let Del[63] have 10½ Doz Eggs 10 cts pr Doz. Hannah came home. Snow about all gone.

Mar 30 – Mercury 40. Went down to Katharines in the afternoon she no better. Snowed in night. Mrs Heister buried to day. Took Hannah over to R. Gs in morning.

Mar 31 – Mercury 35 in morning snowed and rained. Rained all day the first rain of the season. Ethan up to Lous I spose so.

Apr 1 – Mercury 33. Went over to Burg in afternoon to Town Meeting. Nice day. Sally went over to Lois. Sate some better. Mr Gates paid one Dollar for repairs on School House.

Apr 2 – Mercury 30. Not much but chores. Nice day. Will came over stayed all night.

Apr 3 – Mercury 32. At home. No one here but Stephen, Lois and Will. Filed saw for C. Town.

Apr 4 – Mended Lous curling iron put handle in. Charley Town[64] paid one Dollar for filing saws. Went down to Katharines in afternoon.

Apr 5 – Mercury 36 and snowing like fun snow all gone at night. Will Brown took load wood up home with Nell and Tom. Cool night.

Apr 6 – Mercury 54. Worked in shop some on Lous Knife. Ethan and Charley working on fence machine. Mary Ann[65] called here just at night.

Apr 7 – Mercury 34. At home all day. Will Clark here. Ethan and Hannah went down to Katharines. Will Clark went to Chicago on Evening Express.

Apr 8 – Mercury 68. I moved the old logs out of the yard south of the house. Hannah home sick not able to work to day. Very nice day rained in night.

Apr 9 – Mercury 38. Ethan took Hannah over to Mrs Stanfords. I raked yard some. Had a nice rain in morning C. A. Town took Fanny Wilkins to Kalamazoo she went home.

Apr 10 – Mercury 40. Killed Bob.[66] Very nice warm pleasant day. Old Mr Comfort sick not getup to day. I sawed the large wood in the yard. Stired up the old stack bottom by the hen yard.

Apr 11 – At home. Not much work. Had thunder storm in night. Ann Elize Shafter Decker Aldrich Died in night.[67] Warm nice rain. J. W. Keith Died.[68]

Apr 12 – Worked round yard dugng up ground for my roots. Rained some to day. Went down to Katharines she no better.

Apr 13 – Manured the ground and set out the roots.

Apr 14 – Mercury 44. Nice pleasant morning. At home all day. Cold wind all day. Mrs Ann Eliza Shafter Aldrich Decker buried to day.

Apr 15 – Mercury 61. Put chip manure on the asparagus beds and around some small appletrees. Set the Wyandotte hen on 13 Eggs just at night.

Apr 16 – Mercury __4. Mr Comfort sick. Worked on East door in barn. Went over to burg at noon after Hannah. Bot hinges for door. Fanny and Hannah went to Kalamazoo.

Apr 17 – Mercury 74. Worked on door put hinges on cleats and brace. Old Mr Comfort some better no start for home. Very warm day.

Apr 18 – Mercury 68. Mr Comfort left on the 10.45 Train for Detroit. Finished the door at the Barn. Jo Smith chopping. Hannah to J. T. Allertons.[69] Rained some in afternoon 51 days.

Apr 19 – Jo Smith Chopping. I not do much. Rainy afternoon. Jo worked all the afternoon no stop for the rain. Quite warm. Paid Jo $2 Two Dollars.

Apr 20 – Nice warm day. Went over to burg in morning. Bot shugar, coffee, molasses, soap. Took over 14 Doz Eggs 10 cts pr Doz. Went down to Katharines in forenoon.

Apr 21 – Cold north wind. Went to Kalamazoo went to Nancys at their new home. Took 11½ lbs Butter to Nancy for Mr Knapp. They fetch 22 cts pr lb.

Apr 22 – Jo Smith came over helped me get out manure. Nice pleasant day. Hannah went to R. Comings in morning. She was sick had to come home.

Apr 23 – Nice day. Went over to burg to mill took over two bushels wheat. Went to see Mr Souls about putting in corn. $1 bot pants one Dollar.

Apr 24 – Went over to Mr Comings and burg changed my pants. Saw Smith Thomas about putting in corn. Jo Smith copping.

Apr 25 – Put handle on the East Barn door. Drew some manure out on East lot. Hannah at home not very well. Ethan went to the burg in Evening.

Apr 26 – Mercury 30 in morning. Dick came over and plowed potatoe ground, draged that and garden, drawed wood in after noon. Ethan paid him Two Dollars.

Apr 27 – Went down to Katharines in afternoon. Cold wind. Went down to Alvins to see if I could let me have some potatoes.

Apr 28 – Mercury 40. At home all day. Very cold wind.

Apr 29 – Mercury 42. Cold north wind. Went down to Alvin Lees[70] bot Eight bushels potatoes 2/- pr bushel $2.00. Ethan papering Sallys Bedroom.

Apr 30 – Mercury 43. Nice day cool wind. Worked in garden. Floated potatoe ground and garden. Ethan cleaning house and put down carpet. Charley Town had wagon to get potatoes of Alvin Lee. Mary Allerton Plank Died to day.[71]

May 1 – Mercury 43. Went down to Katharines in afternoon. Cold north wind. Ethan planted potatoes.

May 2 – Mercury 45. Went to mill in morning took over corn and oats. Bot codfish. Paid Read for beef 25¢.

May 3 – Mercury 45. Went over to burg in morning. Got Wichita paper notice of Wesleys Death.

May 4 – Mercury 49. Went over to burg and over to D. Stafford. Got a Piece of the clavel___ water wheel to send to Henry.[72] Got letter from Jim he sent $2.00. Hannah came home.

May 5 – Nice day. Jesse Earl here in forenoon. Went down to Katharines in afternoon. She not some better.

May 6 – Mercury 90. Charley Town commenced plowing East lot for corn. I put out my grape cuttings. Ethan working on corn planter.

May 7 – Very hot day. I helped Sarah wash. Cleaned up yard some worked some in garden. Charleys boy plowing East lot and very hot.

May 8 – Not very well. Choring round. Ethan and Charley working on planter.

May 9 – Working around house and garden. Trimed some appletrees.

May 10 – Trimed some trees sowed some raddish and Lettauce seed. Went over to burg took 12 Doz Eggs 10 cts pr Doz 3.2/4 lbs Butter 15 cts pr lb. Rained in Evening.

May 11 – Trimed some trees. Took Sarah down to Katharines just at night she stayed all night. Charley planting with new planting machine.

May 12 – Went down to Katharines after Sarah in afternoon. Katharine no better she very bad off.

May 13 – Took Hannah over to W A Blakes in morning Bot 2 qts Beans 16¢. Tom Russell marking East lot. Rainy afternoon some.

May 14 – Sowed some corn chored round. Went down to Katharines just at night. She was worse we stayed all night.

May 15 – At Katharines she is a little Easier this morning. We stayed until 3 PM we came home. Nice day. Charley planted the East lot to day with the new patent planter.

May 16 – Had nice rain in the morning rained hard. Not much done. Cut some dry limbs in orchard.

May 17 – Mercury 84. Went down to Katharines in morning found her no better. She seemed to be failing just at night when we left for home.

May 18 – Ethan went to Kalamazoo. Sarah went down to Katharines stayed all day. Clara[73] brot her home just at night. Had a heavy shower. Ethan and Lou no come home. I finished sowing corn. Mrs. E. M. Clap buried to day.[74]

May 19 – Ethan and Lou came home. Hannah sewing girl came Lulu Forrester. Lou and children came.

May 20 – Hannah and girl up to Em Ralphs. I went down to Katharines in forenoon Katherine no better.

May 21 – Took Sarah down to Katharines in afternoon. She stayed all night. Katharine very sick.

May 22 – Went over to mill got my meal. Went down after Sarah just at night. Katharine no better. Cold wind very cold.

May 23 – Ethan went over to burg got my grist. Went down after Sarah just at night. Took Sarah down.

May 24 – Ethan went to Kalamazoo to see L. C. West and Hooker. Cold North west wind.

May 25 – Took two bushels wheat to mill. Took Sarah down to Katharines she stayed all night. Nancy here. Ina came over. Charley Town brot Eleven hundred hay. Katharine Died at seven oclock PM.[75]

May 26 – Mart[76] brot Sarah home. Mart and I went over to Burg to see Labbit[77] an the sexton. Rainy night.

May 27 – Rainy morning. Went to Funeral one oclock AM. Cleared of in afternoon. Katharine Buried to day.

May 28 – Mercury 40 at five Am. Had a big frost this morning the first we had here. Hoed corn & Potatoes in East garden. Stella and Mary Milham[78] and Emma Schuyler here in afternoon.

May 29 – Mercury 42 in morning some rainy. Ethan, Lou and children went over to burg. Cold wind.

May 30 – At home. Lou and children here. Cold, snowed and rained all day. Very rough day.

May 31 – Cold and windy. Lou went home to day. Went over to burg after some one to plaster. Found Sam Hartwell.

Jun 1 – At home. Not much work to day. Picked up brush in orchard. Rany afternoon. Hannah came home in Evening. Rany night.

Jun 2 – Some sprinkle in morning. Lois and Ina drove over just at night. John Ives drove in a few minutes to see Hannah. Ethan and Hannah went over to burg just at night.

Jun 3 – Went over to burg after Nancy took her over to C. Fords to help Hannah. Went up to Ed Flanders[79] got mortar. Sam Hartwell plastered in middle room. Cold wind.

Jun 4 – Went over got Hartwell to white wash and paper the room. Cold wind. Corn very backward. E Flanders called got some mortar.

Jun 5 – Nice morning sun came out for the first time in two weeks to warm up much. Went down to Katharines in forenoon.

Jun 6 – Cleaned house cleaned middle room. Cool. Mr Russel planting over East lot. Hannah and Nancy went to Geo. Blakes this morning.

Jun 7 – Work around house. Ethan put down carpet. I hoed some in garden. Some showery. Russel planting. Verry wet and cold.

Jun 8 – Some rainy. Russel finished planting. Kate and Blanch[80] came on the B.T.[81] 6 oclock run.

Jun 9 – Rainy. Kate here. Not much going on. I put the figures on Squair for Jim Milham.

Jun 10 – Letle sprinkle some. Went over to Burg in morning after Kates trunk. Made Charley Towns pulleys to clock. Jim got his Squair. Ground verry wet.

Jun 11 – Worked in garden. Fine day. Jesse[82] came up on Bobtail 6 PM. Got letter from George[83] with a v___ in.

Jun 12 – Very pleasant day. Worked in garden. Went over Bot shoes for Jesse bot one pair for Sarah.

Jun 13 – Nice morning. Took Jess over to burg. She went back to Kalamazoo.

Jun 14 – Not very well. No work to speak of.

Jun 15 – Hannah and Kate sewing like the Divol for Jesse making commencement Dresses.

Jun 16 – At home. No go to church to day. Kate and Blanch here.

Jun 17 – Will Brown brot Pig. Made pen for them. Lost my glasses. Gathered up old iron for Dick Lamkins.

Jun 18 – Went over to burg. Not work much. Rainy verry wet now days.

Jun 19 – Had a hevy shower this morning. Took Kates Trunk over. Blanch and Bes[84] went to Kalamazoo. Took Kate over she went on 2.47 train. Big rain blows hard.

Jun 20 – Not much work. Helped Sarah wash. No one here company all gone. Filed saw for Charley Town he paid me for the pulleys and _____.

Jun 21 – Some ledle rain this morning. Not much work to day. Worked in garden some. Cool wind. Took Sarah over to Lois. Took Gaffings Box over to M Nichols.

Jun 22 – Took 2 Bushels wheat to mill.

Jun 23 – Cyrus and Mrs Streater[85] called here just at night. Ethan and Hannah went down to Kalamazoo. Pleasant day rather cool wind.

Jun 24 – Nice fine day. Went up to E. P. Flanders to raising. He raised a large Barn 88 x 36 feet.

Jun 25 – Sick headache no work to day. Dr. Spinney and wife[86] stayed to Charley Towns all night.

Jun 26 – Very warm day. Hoed some in garden. Went up to Herbs got 54 cabbage plants just at night. Hannah working to J. T. Allertons.

Jun 27 – Not very well. Took Sarah over to Lois. Worked in garden some.

Jun 28 – Took Sarah over to Lois she not stay. Commencement Exercize at Church. Reception at ____ Olins in Evening. Nancy and Lelah[87] came up.

Jun 29 – Put Paris Green[88] on potatoes. Rained some in afternoon.

Jun 30 – At home all day. Very warm. Ethan I went over and got Lois she came over stayed all day. Hannah promised to go in company with Nell in Streator.[89]

Jul 1 – Mercury 94 in shade. Worked in garden put paris green on potatoes Clara Milham[90] came up in afternoon.

Jul 2 – Mercury 94 in shade. Put poison on potatoes. Charleys boys cultivated in East lot.

Jul 3 – At home. Not doing something. Very hot. Corn growing nicely.

Jul 4 – Mercury 90. Sprinkled potatoes. Verry hot mercury up in the ninetys.

Jul 5 – No work. Repairing my old violin the first it has Ever had of any amount.

Jul 6 – Hot. Not much work. Not well headache most of the time.

Jul 7 – Very quiet day but a few callers.

Jul 8 – Mercury 95 very hot. Charley Clark[91] came in Evening stayed all night. Hannah was sewing for Mrs Randall.

Jul 9 – Mercury 100 in shade. Charley here brot his wagon down just at night.

Jul 10 – Took Hannah down to Mr Randalls.

Jul 11 – At home. Not much work to day. Very hot and dry.

Jul 12 – Mercury 98. Not very well. Put water on leach[?]. Hoed some in garden.

Jul 13 – Went over to burg at noon after cherries bot one bushel 1.50, shugar 75 cts. Went over in Evening.

Jul 14 – Some rainy morning rainy day it fixed up Potatoes and corn first rate.

Jul 15 – Went up to Herbs got fifty cabbage plants. All hands picking berries. Claud[92] and I went up and picked three quarts red respberries. Paid 8 cts pr qt 24 cts.

Jul 16 – Nice morning took Hannah up to Culls in morning.

Jul 17 – Took Sarah over to Lois. I not ver well some. Not do much. Very warm.

Jul 18 – Rainy day some had a heavy rain. Claud here now days on a visit. Mrs Streator here in afternoon.

Jul 19 – Makesum some soap not much. Had a nice shower at noon. Sarah went over to Fannies in afternoon.

Jul 20 – Not much work. Not very well now days.

Jul 21 – At home. Will and Lizzie came over. Lois here all day. Mrs Streator came down stayed while Harry went to burg.

Jul 22 – Went over to burg got carpet from Chicago. Plowed potatoes in afternoon. Nice day. Hannah over to Commings.

Jul 23 – Fine day not very hot. Worked on roler frame. Helped wash. Hannah up to Ralphs in forenoon. Went down to Myron Flanders in Evening. Pearl[?] Barn to day.

Jul 24 – At work some in garden. Not very well. Russel cultivating Ethan.

Jul 25 – Not much work. Ethan making pattern for Mr Knapp. They are shingling the Methodist Church at the burg.

Jul 26 – Fine day had a nice shower this morning. X Took two bushels wheat to mill.

Jul 27 – Not very well. Choring round. Had a heavy rain and wind storm in Evening. Lois got home from Jaxon[93] to day.

Jul 28 – At home all day. Hannah went up to Gull with Galusha folks.

Jul 29 – Ethan sick. No work to day. Cloudy and cool. Hannah sewing over to Towns. Lelah here.

Jul 30 – Cloudy morning look some rainy. Ethan not some better ledle mite. Doc McBeth came over to see Ethan.

Jul 31 – Went over to burg in morning. Nancy and Bes came on the morning Train. Went over at night got Nancy she stayed all night. Doc came over.

Aug 1 – Took Nancy and Bes over to burg. They went home on the Eight 22 train. Al Read got Bull of C Ford. Killed him just west of the house. Doc came over.

Aug 2 – Put in buggy shaft for Mr Franklin 80 cts. Nice day. Ethan not much better.

Aug 3 – Went over to burg in morning got bolt for thills[94] 5¢.

Aug 4 – At home all day. Mrs Brown came down. Lelah went home with her at night.

Aug 5 – Went over to burg. Repaired Russels boys violin glued it up some. Ethan some better not much.

Aug 6 – Worked in shop some on violin. Worked in garden. Went over to post office at noon sent letter to Lou one to Jim. Bot pint wine for Ethan 40 cts.

Aug 7 – At home. Went over to burg. Worked round garden. Ethan some better. Aunt Hannah Wilmarth came here stayed all night.

Aug 8 – Had a nice shower. Worked in garden some. Aunt Hannah Wilmarth[95] came this morning. Lelah came back to night. Mr Fred Hawver Died.[96]

Aug 9 – Had a nice shower this morning. Took Aunt Hannah over to Mrs Byingtons this morning. Jim came home to night.

Aug 10 – Took Lelah over to burg. She went home. Went up to Theodores got some Pears and Apples. Mr Hawver Buried to day.

Aug 11 – At home all day. Jim here. No one here but the family to tea. I chased chickens all day.

Aug 12 – I not very well. Jim went to Shelbyville. Ethan some better.

Aug 13 – Will Clark came over this morning stayed all night.

Aug 14 – Nancy and Bes came up this morning. I went over got Bes. Hannah went to Kalamazoo on the Evening train. Theodore got Peter pig. Mrs Geo Wheeler Died.[97]

Aug 15 – Nice morning. Lots folks going to Pionere Picknic at Long Lake. Ina came over. Hannah went to the Pionere Picknic at Long Lake. Very nice day.

Aug 16 – Mrs Geo Wheeler Buried to day. I went with Jesse Earl. Very fine day. A good turnout. She was one of the oldest Pioneres of our Town and County. I think she came in 1833.

Aug 17 – Jim and Cora[98] went up to Scots.[99] Nice weather. Not much work but chores.

Aug 18 – At home all day. Will Clark was here awhile just at night. Mrs Streator called a while. Jim and Cory went up to the Lake. He drove Bill.[100]

Aug 19 – Jim and Cory went to Shelbyville Corys home. J. T. Allerton thrashed his wheat and oats. M. Milham done the job.

Aug 20 – Sarah and I went down to Katharines old home she no there. Jim came back from Shelby.

Aug 21 – Sent money to Hellen.[101] Jim and Will Clark started for Chicago on the Two twenty two run P.M. in the afternoon of that day. Hannah sewing at Mr Frank Crossfields.[102]

Aug 22 – At work on roller. Warm and dry. Not very well in some places.

Aug 23 – Working on rooler. Nancy came over stay all night. Bes came over from Wills.

Aug 24 – Hot and dry. Nancy and Hannah sewing making over dress for Nancy. Nancy and Bes went home on the 9 10[?] Train P.M.

Aug 25 – D Harris[103] came this morning on 3 oclock train. Hannah went to Vick ville. Ed Harmon sold my wheelbarrow wood to D. $5.00.

Aug 26 – Worked on roller. Very warm and dry.

Aug 27 – Mercury in the 90s. Finished one roller. Ethan worked on Charley Towns moddle some.

Aug 28 – Mercury 93. Nancy and Lelah came up. I went over at noon got Lelah. Bot roap for Fan 5 feet 22¢. Hannah up to Mary Fishers at Scotts.

Aug 29 – Mercury 93 hot and dry. Not much work to day.

Aug 30 – Mercury 101 2 pm. Worked on roller. Very hot.

Aug 31 – Mercury 95 2 Pm. Worked on roller. Very hot and dry. Sarah went over to Towns. Ethan repaired Mr Randals melodeon. Lelah here.

Sep 1 – Mercury 94 3 PM. At home no one here. Advent Camp meeting in full blast on the north side of the river opposite our place. Commenced work for H. Cruttenden 43 yrs to day.[104]

Sep 2 – Mercury 93. Worked on roller staves. Very hot. Ethan cut some cornfodder.

Sep 3 – Mercury 95. Not very well to day. Hot and dry. Lelah here.

Sep 4 – Mercury 92. Put one roller in frame. Took Sarah and Lelah over to Lois. Ethan bound up the cornfodder. Rained in the night.

Sep 5 – Rainy morning had a nice shower. Went over to burg at noon. Sent package to Hellen. Hannah at Lois sewing for Mrs G Beach.

Sep 6 – Hot and dry Mercury 70. Not doing much. Ethan working for Knapp.

Sep 7 – Hot day. At work round as usual. Not do much. Corn drying up. Cut cornfodder. Nancy and Lelah went home on 9 oclock accommodation bobtail.

Sep 8 – Mercury very much high. At home. The camp meeting closed to day. Ed Harmon called here in Evening.

Sep 9 – Took 2 Bushels wheat to mill. Bot one bushel corn 45 cts. Hannah at Galushas. Recd letter from G.T.[105]

Sep 10 – At home. Not do much work. Nice weather very hot. Patty[106] left home[107] on 4.30 PM train.

Sep 11 – All right. Went over to burg at noon. Patty came on 2.22 train all right.

Sep 12 – Mercury 91. Not very well. Not much work. Hot and dry.

Sep 13 – Ethan and Hannah went to Kalamazoo. Hannah went to Shelby ville.

Sep 14 – Working around work in shop some and garden.

Sep 15 – At home. No one came in to day. Very quiet for Sunday meeting. Folks no call to see Hannah.

Sep 16 – Hot and dry. Charleys men cutting corn. I dug some potatoes picked up some apples.

Sep 17 – Some cooler Mercury 58 pleasant some cool wind. Ethan went to Augusta after Rose James.[108] She came on the Olin Excursion Train. Cool Evening.

Sep 18 – The Olin Reunion at the M. E. Church to day. Big croud. I took Patty over to Lois. Oscar and Mary came on noon train. Nice day. They stayed all night.

Sep 19 – Oscar took Mary up to her mothers[109] in afternoon. He came back stayed all night. Cool morning some frost the first of the season.

Sep 20 – Pleasant day. Oscar went up to Mrs Bateys. Olin union had a dance at the rink.

Sep 21 – At home. Working around shop and garden.

Sep 22 – At home. No one here. Hannah at Hanks. She came down from Shelby ville.

Sep 23 – Ethan went to Kalamazoo. Rose went with him she went Rices.

Sep 24 – Patty and I went down to Katharines and Julias. Warm day. Mart repairing clover Huller.

Sep 25 – At home as usual. Not mutch going on. Pleasant some some ledle rainy.

Sep 26 – Repaired Marts concave. Ethan working for Charley Town. Mr Brown Died.[110] He lived on East Main St. front of Grove St Galesburg.

Sep 27 – Fine day. Drew two loads wood from the woods. Patty here.

Sep 28 – Mercury 77. Chored round. Drew one load wood. Very warm. Ina came over in afternoon. Ethan worked for C. Town.

Sep 29 – At home all day. No one here Except Pattsy and Rose and Hannah. Mr James Millham Dide about 12 oclock to night.[111]

Sep 30 – Went over to burg in morning. Patty, Rose and Hannah all here.

Oct 1 – Nice day. Ethan took Rose to Augusta and back. I took Hannah over to Mrs Thad Claps.[112] Mrs Gaffiny came home with me.

Oct 2 – Took Patty Kalamazoo. Went to Jesse Turners.[113] Fine day. Patty stayed with Nancy. I went home.

Oct 3 – Went to Kalamazoo on the way to Shelby ville. Got left. Stayed to Hanks. Very ____ day. Hank and I went up to the burg to attend Mary Schroders wedding.[114]

Oct 4 – Went up to Shelby ville on the 7.30 train.

Oct 5 – At Lous. D & Jay[115] went up to Bradley to the Ball play. Shelby team Beat the Bradley team very much bad.

Oct 6 – At the Harris House. D and I and Floyd went and found Jumbo. Got him home.

Oct 7 – At the Harris House all right. Cool wind. Went over to Jays a while in afternoon.

Oct 8 – Left Shelby ville on the Eigh Oclock run in morning. Came to Nancys stayed until night. Came up on the 5 oclock run.

Oct 9 – Took Hannah over to R. G. Smiths. Theodore dug the potatoes in afternoon.

Oct 10 – Working around. Got 3 bags wheat over to Charley Towns. Took one bag over to mill.

Oct 11 – Hannah came home. I went over and got Nancy she stayed all night.

Oct 12 – Mercury 64. Took Nancy and Hannah over to burg this morning. Rainy warm.

Oct 13 – Mercury 40 nice pleasant morn. All at home. Cool East wind. Claud and Nancy came up here.

Oct 14 – Went over to the cemetry with Patty. Worked on roller some. Nice day very dry.

Oct 15 – Finished putting in the staves in roller. I am 76 yrs old to day.

Oct 16 – Put head on roller. Very nice weather. Took Patty over to Lois. Got one load wood down. Bot pants one Dollar.

Oct 17 – Put rooler together. Worked around the yard and Barn. Patty and I went around the squair. Very nice weather.

Oct 18 – Worked on road all day. Nice weather. Went over to burg after Nancy at night.

Oct 19 – Worked on road in forenoon. Cut some grass for Bill. Ethan working for Charley Town. Took Nancy over to burg in morning.

Oct 20 – At home. Patty here. All well and feeling better.

Oct 21 – Washing as usual. No one here but de famle.[116]

Oct 22 – Ethan and Hannah went to Kalamazoo after Frank and Hat.[117] Lois drove the rig over in morning for them. They had Bill Olmsted and surrey.

Oct 23 – Took Patty over to Lois in morning. She stayed all day.

Oct 24 – Ethan, Frank, Hattie and Hannah went over to Lois.

Oct 25 – Patty, Frank and family started for home on the 3.00 PM train. Nancy came over stayed all night.

Oct 26 – Took Nancy over this morning. I went up to Theodores got pump put it in well at the house.

Oct 27 – Mercury 39 in morning. At home. No one here but what belongs here. Ed came down. Ho__ got some bark of the appletree.

Oct 28 – Very fine day. I made crosshead for Theodore. Hannah went down to Mrs Summers to make um dress for Cal. She had nothing to wear to church but her night gown. Mrs Cooley called to see Hannah.

Oct 29 – Got sweet corn into the barn. Husked some.

Oct 30 – Took Sarah over to Mr Ralphs and Blakes. Cool day. Carried Neal Commings dress over to her. Mr Edmons Auction to day.

Oct 31 – Took Ethan over to burg in morning he went to Kalamazoo. Lois came over in forenoon I took her home at night. Some ledle rain not much.

Nov 1 – Rainy day. No work out to day. Nancy Hart came up as usual stayed to Lois all night.

Nov 2 – Chored round all day. Ethan repaired Mr Towns clock and Mrs Randals sewing machine. Hanks folks went up to Will Browns stayed all night. Let Herb Earl have $1.00 for Hannah.

Nov 3 – At home all day. Ethan and Hannah went up to Will Browns. Hanks folks came here stayed all night.

Nov 4 – Hanks folks went home on the Eight 20 run. Hannah went up to John Blakes to sewing. Mrs R. G. Smith went with her. Sally and I washed.

Nov 5 – Went down to Katharines. Pleasant cold wind. Mart thrashing for D. C. Read on portage st Kalamazoo.

Nov 6 – Mercury 26. Picked up some brush in orchard and fixed up cellar windows. Ethan went over to burg in morning and Evening.

Nov 7 – Drew two loads wood. Rained. Went to Mill. Bot Shoes $2.00.

Nov 8 – Rainy day. Not much work to day. Ethan went over to burg in morning. Husked some corn. Bill out in lot now days. Nancy came over.

Nov 9 – Mercury 45 some rainy. Worked in corn house cleaning up getting ready to put in the corn. Took Nancy over to burg in Morning.

Nov 10 – Mercury 40. Ethan and Hannah went down to Katharines. Nice warm day for this season of the year. Will and Clara Caywood[118] called here.

Nov 11 – Mercury 44. The two Hannahs went to J. C. Blakes this morning. Nice day. Patched the roof to the corn house ___. Mr Daniels called here. Mrs Olmsted called here just at night.

Nov 12 – Mercury 56. Patching corn house roof. Rainy afternoon. Sarah went over to burg in afternoon to Em Ralphs and Barbers. Sam White Died to day.[119]

Nov 13 – Mercury 50. Ethan went to Kalamazoo to day to see West.[120] I went up to Herbs got Hannahs ticket. Not very cold. Put some shingles on corn House.

Nov 14 – Mercury 39. Ethan got home at noon. Some stormy cool wind. Charley drew one load corn put it in corn House. Some snow in the air. Sam White buried to day.

Nov 15 – At work in barn some. Went over to burg after Lou and children. Nancy came over in Evening stayed all night.

Nov 16 – Took Nancy over to burg this morning. Put some shingles on cornhouse.

Nov 17 – Ethan went over after Lois she came over had to go home. Luke Smiths folks came down.

Nov 18 – Rainy day. Washing day. Ethan cut some wood up in woods.

Nov 19 – Mercury 46. Drew two loads wood. Went over to burg in morning after Lois she stayed all day. Bot broom 80¢. Em Ralph brot the chickens.

Nov 20 – Mercury 45. Quite nice and warm for fall weather. Not very well. Ethan chopping. No work but chores. Some misty.

Nov 21 – Mercury 44. Took Lou over to Mrs Ralphs. Sarah went over to Fan Towns. Hiram[121] came on noon train. Hannah up to Gates sewing.

Nov 22 – Mercury 41. Hannah to Galushas. Cold rainy day verry rough day. Stell and Mary Milham came down in afternoon. Nancy came over at night. L Carson Died to night.[122]

Nov 23 – Mercury 41 pleasant day. E. took Nancy over to burg. Hi[123] not very well. Hiram left on 2.15 train. Ethan took Lou over to Em Ralphs in afternoon. Ed Harmon and _____ went cademy of theater at Kalamazoo.

Nov 24 – Mercury 47 pleasant but cold north wind. Ethan and Lou went over to Lois.

Nov 25 – Mercury 42. Lou went to Kalamazoo on 2.15 train. Charley Clark came on the morning train. Mr Alonzo Carson Buried to day. Clark stayed all night.

Nov 26 – Mercury 25. Charley went home on 7.20 train. Ethan worked for Dell putting in storm doors. I went up to E. P. Flanders got five Bushels apples. Snowed like blazes. Charley drew the cornfodder to day.

Nov 27 – Mercury 33 Snow ten inches deep this morning. Not do much to day. Some sleighs running to day.

Nov 28 – Mercury 27. At home all day. Not go down to Nancys to Thanksgivum. Ethan went over to burg sent letter to Aylmer.[124] Some sleighs running not much sleighing.

Nov 29 – Mercury 18 some cloudy sun shows through some. Hannah up to the Flanders farm. Bess here. Nancy came over stayed all night.

Nov 30 – Mercury __7. Ethan took Nancy over to burg in morning. He drawed wood on sleigh the first sleighing of the season. Nancy and Bes went home on Evening train. Hannah came home.

Dec 1 – Mercury 23 in morning. At home. Hannah went over to Flangers[Flanders] in Evening. Some sleighing. Took top of Jims violin.

Dec 2 – Mercury 44. Washing and doing chores. Hannah at Galushas to day goes to E. P. Flanders this Evening. C. A. Town[125] paid Ethan $10 Dollars cash. No sleighing snow going off.

Dec 3 – Mercury 33. Put some stifning in Jims violin top. Went up to Herbs and Jesses. Frank sawing. Theodore gone to Kalamazoo.

Dec 4 – Mercury 21. Went up to Herbs got 70 heads cabbage $1.00. Exchanged some corn with Jesse Earl.

Dec 5 – Mercury 36. Mr Mitchel came after Hannah. Shelled some corn fo to take to mill. Eva Moore called here to get her chart.

Dec 6 – Mercury. Took Sarah over to A. Hoags[126] in forenoon. Very pleasant day sun shone all day. Filed buck saw for Charley Town 25¢. Paid Tax $54 cents. Jefferson Davis Died to day.[127]

Dec 7 – Mercury. At work around house and barn. Took Nancy over to burg in morning. Nice day no snow.

Dec 8 – Mercury 60 very nice day. D Harris came this morning stayed all day. Hannah went to Scotts this Evening to Mrs J Richardsons.

Dec 9 – Mercury 55. Washed the big bed coverlets. Very fine day. Cull drew some cornfodder. Set hitching post south of the house.

Dec 10 – Mercury 44 rainy day some thunder and lightning in Evening. Went over to burg in afternoon. The Rink stood in front of the Rank and Post office on Pearl st.

Dec 11 – Mercury 42 very nice day. Went over to burg in morning. Took 2 bushels wheat to Mill. They turned the corner of Pearl and Battlecreek sts with the Rink.

Dec 12 – Mercury 40. Went down to Marts to Mill. Took some corn got meal for house use. Clara came home with me she stayed all night. Fine day.

Dec 13 – Mercury 42. Sarah and Clara went over to Lois. I went up to Herbs to see Jo Smith about chopping. Charley commenced sowing rye.

Dec 14 – Mercury 34. Lee sowing rye. I not very well. Ethan working on Edwins moddle. Clara took Sarah over to Fannys. Some sprinkle not much.

Dec 15 – Mercury 32. At home. George came up after Clara. Not very cold. E. E. Thresher, John Thresher and Mr Chesebrow came over to see moddle traction Engine went East in forenoon went to Climax.

Dec 16 – Mercury 44. Washing day. Not very well to day. Ethan finished Threshers moddle took it over in Evening. Some rainy day. Herbs girl Born this Morning 7 oclock.[128]

Dec 17 – Mercury 44 in morning rainy this morning. Chored round house and barn. 46 in Evening.

Dec 18 – Mercury 46 in morning. Took Ethan over to burg in morning he went to Kalamazoo. Jo Smith cut grubs to day. Nice day for winter.

Dec 19 – Mercury 35. Went over got Hannahs cloak in morning. Jo chopping. Elva Cross field here in Evening. Frank came down. Rained all night.

Dec 20 – Mercury 40 rainy morning. Jo no come to day.

Dec 21 – Mercury. Jo chopping. Nice day. He finished cutting grubs. I went over to burg in morning to see about the picture —– which Nancy selected one. Ethan went over in Evening.

Dec 22 – At home. No one here. Went over the river found the whip[?] on the hill north of the bridge in the mud. Ed Harmon here in Evening.

Dec 23 – Not much work to day. Ethan drawed wood. Took Hannah down to Caywoods in morning. Went over to burg got picture.

Dec 24 – Mercury 44 in morn very warm nice day. Ethan finished drawing the wood. I worked in shop some on violin put on finger board. Mercury 64 at night. Agness Smith Married.[129]

Dec 25 – Mercury. Went over to burg in morning. Lois came home with me. Bot sack Buck Wheat flour 33 lbs. Lelah came this Evening. Bot my 1890 Diary 25 cts.

Dec 26 – Went up to mill got load sawdust some lumber of Mr Crossfield 30 feet. Fixed the well at the House.

Dec 27 – Mercury 25. Took Hannah over to Commings. Worked on window for the well room made the sash. Got Lelahs package. Lois at Nancys. Got Ha_____ package from Perry.[130]

Dec 28 – Worked window some and platform strut up the well room.

Dec 29 – Put in the stops inside. Lelah here.

Dec 30 – Put outside stops on outside of window. Fixed inside of the room some. Mr C Durkee Killed on the railroad track just west of A. Cars place.[131]

Dec 31 – Not verry well to day. Expected to went to Kalamazoo to day but no go. Ina, Lelah and Bes here.

Memoranda.
Dimensions of my violin top
Length of Bas Bar ____ inches
2 in fron lower End
2 ¼ from upper End
General Thickness 1/8 in
under right hand side of B. Bar 1/8 and 1/16[?]
And diminish Each way to 1/8 in
Heith of B. Bar under Bridge 5/16

Henrys[132] Number
335 Miner Avenue
Stocten California
USA

——-

[1] Charles Luke Keith Jr., known better, and referred to, as Luke

[2] Mercury reading

[3] His son-in-law, Henry “Hank” Brown

[4] Hank’s mother, Matilda (Allen) Brown

[5] His grandson, William Clark

[6] Michigan death records confirm that Alice Williams, age 22, died in Pavilion, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan and an accompanying obituary states she died of Typhoid Fever

[7] Galesburg, Michigan

[8] His daughter and granddaughter, Lois (Keith) Clark and Ina Skinner

[9] His sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[10] His daughter, Nancy (Keith) Brown

[11] His daughter, Louese (Keith) Harris, and her children, LaVerne and Floyd Harris

[12] James Milham was the half-brother of Martin Milham, who was the husband of Luke’s late niece, Lucy (Lee) Milham

[13] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[14] Neighbor, Frances Towne

[15] His son-in-law, Daniel D. Harris, known as D.

[16] Above zero

[17] Neighbor, and D. Harris’ uncle

[18] Either Hiram Crawford Jr. or Henry Clay Crawford; both of whom were brothers of his wife Sarah

[19] His son, Ethan Keith

[20] Kalamazoo, Michigan

[21] His daughter, Hannah Keith

[22] Neighbor, Emaline (Stone) Ralph, wife of William Ralph, and D. Harris’ aunt

[23] Hank Brown’s cousin

[24] Neighbor, Henry “Harry” D. Streator

[25] Nickname for his wife Sarah

[26] Neighbor and “shirttail relative”

[27] Luke often uses silly words in his diaries; in this case, making music on the guitar and fiddle

[28] Records of Riverside Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Michigan shows that John C. Perkins was interred there on January 17, 1889

[29] Lucius C. West, patent attorney in Kalamazoo

[30] Sarah Skinner, the sister of Adelbert Skinner, Luke’s son-in-law

[31] Neighbor, Nathan L. Randall

[32] Neighbor, Cullen Albert Towne, Fanny Towne’s brother

[33] A plane having cutters designed to make the tongues and grooves on the edges of boards so they fit tightly together

[34] Willis Brown, Hank’s brother

[35] Neighbor, Charles Ford

[36] After her daughter, Lucy (Lee) Milham, died in 1884, Catherine took care of the children. The three youngest girls would be Nina (9), Gertrude (7) and Lavinia (6) Milham

[37] His cow

[38] Neighbor, Laura Ann (Rawson) Streator

[39] Michigan marriage records show that Blanch Olin married Charles White in Galesburg, Michigan on February 21, 1889

[40] Sophia (Beckwith) Lay. FindAGrave.com shows that she died February 26, 1889 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[41] Stephen Comfort, his wife Sarah’s uncle (see March 3^rd entry)

[42] Theodore & Alice (Vandercook) Earl and Alice’s ten-year-old son from a previous marriage, Claude Seeley

[43] Herbert & Luella (Farr) Earl and their two-year-old son, Royal

[44] Frank & Elva (Earl) Crossfield and their five-year-old daughter, Ethel. Theodore, Herbert & Elva were the children of Jesse & Mary “Polly” (Clapp) Earl

[45] Leroy, New York

[46] Michigan marriage records show that Addie Russell married Harry Burroughs in Galesburg, Michigan on March 6, 1889

[47] Believe he is referring to his grandson, Claude Brown. At the time Claude was 14 years old and later became a professional commercial artist

[48] Amanda (Hobbs) Flanders. FindAGrave.com confirms that she died March 11, 1889; she is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[49] His daughter and her husband, Lois & Adelbert “Del” Skinner

[50] Neighbor, Albert Towne

[51] FindAGrave.com shows that Anna Maria (Elsworth) Freer died March 17, 1889 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[52] Claude, Lela and Bess Brown

[53] His son, James Clinton Keith

[54] Neighbors, Charles & Mary Ann “Mate” (Thompson) Ford

[55] According to FindAGrave.com, Hannah Streator (Matthews) Tuttle died March 20, 1889 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galeburg, Michigan

[56] Elizabeth (Ogden) Brown

[57] Ray and Perry Brown

[58] Prudence (Lamb) Dibble; according to FindAGrave.com she died March 22, 1889 and is buried in Cook Cemetery, Pavilion, Michigan

[59] Shelbyville, Michigan, where his daughter Lou’s family lived

[60] His late mother-in-law, Nancy (Comfort) Crawford Betts

[61] His nephew, James “Oscar” Keith

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

[63] His son-in-law, Adelbert Skinner

[64] Neighbor, Charles Towne

[65] Mary Ann (Batey) Keith, the wife of his nephew Oscar Keith

[66] One of his farm animals

[67] Michigan death records confirm that Ann Eliza (Shafter) Decker died April 12, 1889 in Comstock, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Shafter Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[68] The Keith Family Bible shows that “Wesley Keith” was Luke’s adopted brother. FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Goddard, Kansas

[69] Neighbor, John T. Allerton

[70] His cousin

[71] FindAGrave.com shows that Mary (Allerton) Plank died April 30, 1888, not 1889, and that she is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Anoka, Minnesota

[72] His son, Henry Lindsey Keith

[73] Catherine’s granddaughter, Clara Milham

[74] Mary (Stedman) Clapp, the wife of Edwin M. Clapp. FindAGrave.com shows she died May 16, 1889 in Detroit, Michigan and that she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[75] See obituary at https://lettersfromthe1860s.wordpress.com/2019/12/23/obituary-of-catherine-keith-bradley-lee

[76] Martin Milham, Catherine’s son-in-law

[77] Henry Labbitt, the undertaker

[78] The daughters of James & Ellen (Adams) Milham; James and Martin were half-brothers

[79] Neighbor, Edwin Flanders

[80] Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford and her daughter, Blanche Crawford, who were the wife and daughter of Sarah’s brother, Hiram Crawford Jr.

[81] Bobtail train run

[82] Jessie Crawford, Katherine & Hiram Crawford’s daughter

[83] George Tomlinson, the husband of his niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

[84] His granddaughter, Bess Brown

[85] Cyrus Streator and Laura Ann (Rawson) Streator. It is believed that Cyrus was the brother of Laura’s late husband, Marius Streator; research continues

[86] Andrew B. & Frances Spinney

[87] His granddaughter, Lela Brown

[88] A poisonous emerald-green powder used as a pigment, insecticide, and wood preservative

[89] Believe this should be “Nell and Streator,” which would be Nellie (Underwood) Stanford and her cousin, Henry “Harry” D. Streator

[90] His grandniece, the daughter of Martin & Lucy (Lee) Milham (see also footnote to May 18^th entry)

[91] His grandson, Charles Clark

[92] His grandson, Claude Brown

[93] Jackson, Michigan

[94] The long shafts between which an animal is fastened when pulling a wagon

[95] According to the 1880 census, Hannah was the sister of Luke’s neighbor, Joseph Flanders. Luke often referred to the parents of a family member, or of a neighbor, as Aunt or Uncle

[96] FindAGrave.com shows that Frederick Hawver died August 8, 1899 and is buried in Roof Cemetery, Climax, Kalamazoo County, Michigan

[97] FindAGrave.com shows that Ethelinda (Tubbs) Wheeler died August 14, 1889 in Comstock, Michigan, and is buried in Ford Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[98] Jim’s girlfriend, Cora Meredith

[99] Scotts, Michigan

[100] His horse

[101] His niece, Helen (Bradley) York, the daughter of his late sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[102] (See footnote to March 4^th entry)

[103] His son-in-law, Daniel Harris

[104] His first wife was Jerusha Crittenden (also spelled Cruttenden). She had a brother by the name of Henry Crittenden, so perhaps that is who Luke is referring to

[105] George Tomlinson (see footnote to June 11^th entry)

[106] His sister, Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague

[107] Patty was living with her daughter and son-in-law, Marion & George Tomlinson

[108] Roselia James. Rose lived in Charlestown, Ohio, and the future wife of Luke’s cousin, Edward Wolcott

[109] Eliza “Betsy” (Olds) Batey

[110] Thomas Brown. Michigan death records confirm that he died September 26, 1889 in Comstock, Michigan

[111] While the Michigan death records show his date of death as October 1, 1889, FindAGrave.com has his date of death as September 29, 1889 which agrees with Luke’s entry

[112] Mary (Sherwood) Clapp

[113] His maternal first cousin

[114] Michigan marriage records show that Mary Schroder married Lester Carson in Galesburg, Michigan on October 3, 1889

[115] D Harris’s brother, Jay Harris

[116] “The family”

[117] His grandnephew and his wife, John “Frank” and Harriet (Root) Tomlinson

[118] Neighbors, William & Clara (Evans) Caywood

[119] Michigan death records confirms that Charles White died November 12, 1889 in Charleston, Michigan

[120] Lucius C. West, patent attorney in Kalamazoo

[121] His brother-in-law, Hiram Crawford Jr.

[122] Michigan death records show that Alonzo Carson, age 32, died of Typhoid in Ross, Michigan on November 24, 1889 (not the 22^nd as Luke wrote) and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[123] Hiram Crawford’s nickname

[124] Luke had a cousin by the name of Aylmer Lot Keith; perhaps this is to whom he is referring

[125] Cullen Albert Towne, Charley Towne’s brother

[126] Abel Hoag; Abel’s wife, Sarah “Jane” (Mason) Hoag, and Luke’s wife Sarah were good friends

[127] Jefferson Finis Davis served as the president of the Confederate States from 1861 to 1865

[128] Michigan birth records show that Mary Earl was born in Comstock, Michigan on December 16, 1889 to Herbert & Luella (Farr) Earl

[129] Michigan marriage records show that Agnes Smith married Edward Wilber in Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan

[130] Perry, New York

[131] Michigan death records show that Zerah C. Durkee, age 49, was killed by a train engine in Comstock, Michigan on December 30, 1889 and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[132] His son, Henry L. Keith

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Luke Keith’s 1869 Diary

1869 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.^[1]

Jan 1 – Cold and blustrous. Ethan[2] went down to Charles Lees.[3] No work Sarah[4] sick. Nancy[5] sick.

Jan 2 – At home. Sick no work.

Jan 3 – Ethan & Lois[6] went down to Catharines.[7]

Jan 4 – Went up to Hiram Cooks got some cranberries. Mary Ann[8] came here.

Jan 5 – Bot this Diary 45¢. Went over to mill carried 8 bushels wheat to mill. Mrs Wiseman came home with me. Mary Ann left.

Jan 6 – Pleasant morning. Sarah and Nancy sick yet. Mark[9] came up and killed sheep. Mr Flanders called here to look at steers.

Jan 7 – Mark came up and killed sheep. Mr I went over to burg to see Bristol.

Jan 8 – Rainy day. A Brown and I went up to Wesleys.[10] Lost my mittens.

Jan 9 – Made Nance[11] stable. Took shed down.

Jan 10 – At home all day. Lois went down to Catharines.

Jan 11 – Worked on partition in kitchen.

Jan 12 – Worked on partition. Mrs Hawver called here and Mary Lewis.

Jan 13 – Painted twelve blinds. Let Doc Wightman have two bushels potatoes. Pleasant day.

Jan 14 – Very fine day. Finished painting Blinds.

Jan 15 – Carried my hubs over to burg.[12] Carried fifty files over to Burrels to be cut over.

Jan 16 – Carried Blinds down to Catharines. Fine day. Mr McNaughton called to see steers. Pleasant day. Ethan went down to see Charley.[13]

Jan 17 – Fine day cloudy. Moved Bedstead into shop.

Jan 18 – Went down to J Lees[14] to see Mark carried their dinner down in the woods _________ of Charles took dinner with them.

Jan 19 – Mark came up and butchered my hogs. Mr Birge[15] picking over potatoes. Windy day.

Jan 20 – Birge picking over potatoes. I cut up my pork. Made cart wheels for Birges boy. Pleasant day.

Jan 21 – Fine morning. T Flanders[16] came over. Not much work to day. Ed Childs called he took dinner.

Jan 22 – Made cart for Birges Boy.[17] Pleasant day.

Jan 23 – No work to day. Ed and wife & Susie Brown[?] came down here. Fine day. Ida Barber & Carry & Ella Wiseman came over.

Jan 24 – Pleasant as April. Went down to Marks. Mark & Ann came up here.

Jan 25 – Sold my steers to S. C. Blake for 45 Dollars. Very pleasant day. Got Bu___ from A. Browns[18] in evening. Helped York load [illegible].

Jan 26 – Pleasant 18 Abz.[19] in morning. Cut down two trees south of barn. [illegible]. Doc Wightman got two bushels potatoes.

Jan 27 – Helped Jo York[20] load one load of stalks. Went over to burg carried 3 bushels corn. Snowey day. Alfred Signor got his corn. Sick in night.

Jan 28 – Rather damp day. Sick no work to day. Jo York drawed two loads cornfodder. Finished the lot. Sold my calf to Jo for five Dollars.

Jan 29 – Rainy day. Lois came home. Paid My Tax 28.46. Turned the cows and horses in the south lot. Finished my buggy pole.

Jan 30 – Went down to Charles Lees and Jo and Marks. Cool and some wind.

Jan 31 – Came home. No snow but cold.

Feb 1 – Cut down one hickory tree and maple tree south of Barn. Charles Lee came up here.

Feb 2 – Traded violin with Charles J Lee for watch. Mrs Barber and George came over here. Snowey night. Ethan & Charles went to burg.

Feb 3 – Snow some 3 inches deep snows yet in morning. Charles went home. Sarah and Lois went to burg.

Feb 4 – Sarah and Lois went over to burg. Hellen[21] and Catharine came up. Charley Lee stayed here.

Feb 5 – Hellen and Catharine came up. I went over and brot them home. Pleasant some snow cold & _____ in morning. Charley went down to burg.

Feb 6 – Went over to burg bot boots for me 5.00, one pair for Jim 2.00. Drawed some wood. Hellen went up to Wesleys. Charley Lee stayed all night.

Feb 7 – At home all day. Ethan went down to Charles Lees.

Feb 8 – Went to burg carried 3 bushels wheat to Mill. Left cuplers with Oatman. Mr and Mrs Schram here in Evening. (Shermans[?] in night.) Pulled tooth for John.

Feb 9 – Rainy morning. Went to Mill got grist. Worked some in shop.

Feb 10 – Tacked my Boots. Cut out some stuff for Lees nut box.

Feb 11 – Pleasant. Made Lees Nut Box. Painted my buggy pole. Ethan carried my watch to school.

Feb 12 – Mr & Mrs Swaddle here all day. Painted Lees Box. Ida Barber came over.

Feb 13 – Lee carried his Box over this morning. Went down to Catharines. Rainy afternoon.

Feb 14 – Came home. Rained like fun.

Feb 15 – Went over to burg. Got some irons made for well rope _____.

Feb 16 – Put Buckets on to rope. Put in one new bottom. Sawed out some strip for Lees bed.

Feb 17 – Made Lees bed sted. Went over to Mr Planks in evening took Tea. Mr & Mrs Brown there Mr Ford.

Feb 18 – Snows some this morning. Finished Lees bed carried it over to burg. Nancy went over. Got some lime. Edith came down stayed all night.

Feb 19 – Pleasant. Put up leach. Made door to kitchen and put up leach.

Feb 20 – Put on door handle. Went over to burg got my cuplers of Oatman.

Feb 21 – Snowey in morning. Snow some 4 inches deep.

Feb 22 – Went down to Mr Yorks stayed all night. Went with sleigh. Snowed some.

Feb 23 – Came home. Jo went out to Vicksburg with load goods.

Feb 24 – Cold and Blustering. Mark Lee came up got my _____. Wes called. Peddler called, bot soap 20¢.

Feb 25 – Cold 8 Abz cold. Filed saw. Worked in barn.

Feb 26 – Cold 18 Abz blustrous. Worked round house and barn.

Feb 27 – Carried 3 bushels corn to _____. Sarah went over to burg. Mr Hawkins choped some wood. Let him have 1 & ½ bushels potatoes. Pleasant day. Got link made to cupler 5¢. Harry Myers Died.[22] Ethan & girls went down to Catharines.

Feb 28 – Cold. Sarah over to burg. York came after Lois she went over to Vicksburg. Good sleighing.

Mar 1 – Carried Hannah[23] and Nancy up to Mr Swadles. Received letter from Stepen Wilcut.[24] Put rave[25] on Planks sleigh.

Mar 2 – Cold morning snows some. Went over to burg. Lasher[26] came home with me.

Mar 3 – Went down to Streators Lasher went along. Drawed some wood. Went over to burg after Nancy & Hannah. Extracted two teeth for _____ Schram. Two Mrs Ralphs here. Got load straw from Streators.

Mar 4 – Cut some logs[?] south of barn drawed them down. Mr Streator left some wagon poles here to day. Very cold 8 Abz.

Mar 5 – Cold day. At home no work. Lasher came up.

Mar 6 – Went over to burg. Very blustering. Sold my California ___ ring to Efrim[?] Streator. Got silver chain one pair gloves and five Dollars. Mrs Havens died.[27]

Mar 7 – 2 Abz. At home cold day.

Mar 8 – Pleasant. Went over to burg with Jo Lee. Mark and Jesse Lee[28] called here. Doc Wightman got one bushel potatoes.

Mar 9 – Foggy morning. Drawed some wood.

Mar 10 – Started for Marshall[29] left home about half past four AM. Train run the station. Snowed and blowed like fun. Went to Concord.[30] Fare 1.35. Went to Johns stayed all night.

Mar 11 – Went over to Kirkwoods.[31] Fare 75¢. Stayed all night. Cold day 2 below zero in morning.

Mar 12 – Pleasant morning. Irene[32] and I went over to uncle Jasons[33] found uncle quite smart.

Mar 13 – Went over to Jonesville[34] with Steven.[35] Good sleighing.

Mar 14 – Cold and blustering. Jesse sick.[36] Went up to Stevens and over to Bissils[37] in Evening. Snowed some.

Mar 15 – Pleasant in morning. Went down to Jess went over to Mr Underhills. Filed saw for Steven. Took tea at under Hills. Went over to Bissels stayed all night.

Mar 16 – Cold morning. Kirkwoods woods folks came over to Bissels. I went over to Stevens and Jess. Stayed with Jess all night.

Mar 17 – Cold morning. Made a fire for Uncle Jason. Left Uncle Jasons about noon. Went over to Concord got to Concord about four PM.

Mar 18 – Left Concord 9 AM for Concord station. Left for home about one got home about three P.M.

Mar 19 – Went down to Catharines. Snowed like fun. Found them all well.

Mar 20 – Came home. Jess Lee married[38] this morning. Mr Greenleaf[39] died to day about noon.

Mar 21 – At home all day. Cold. Mr Greenleaf buried.

Mar 22 – Went up to Wesleys. Very snowey day. Made Axhelve for Chub.

Mar 23 – Mended Birges chairs. Pleasant day. Mrs Brown[40] and Julia,[41] Mrs Plank here visiting. Brown and Plank here in Evening.

Mar 24 – Went over to burg. Sarah went over. Hank Wells called here to get rope, he broke down got very muddy.

Mar 25 – Went over to burg. Saw Bristol & L. T. Earl.[42] Talked some of making a trade.

Mar 26 – At home not much done to day.

Mar 27 – Went over to burg in morning. Bot Broom 40 bot Jim some cloth for pants. Filed Wes saw. All the Planks over in Evening. Nancy & Hannah went up to Allens.

Mar 28 – Pleasant Mercury stands at 60. At home all day.

Mar 29 – Trimed apple trees some. Cleaned out back house. Went down to A Browns got hams. Went over to burg. Got Hannahs shoes tapt 65¢. Rainy night Pixly & Grannis at burg.

Mar 30 – Rainy morning. Went up to L. T. Earls. Cold and muddy.

Mar 31 – Finished trimming orchard. Ethan and girls went down to Catharines. Jo Lee came up. I filed his saw.

Apr 1 – Snows and blows like fun. Went up in woods got 3 pails sap.

Apr 2 – At home all forenoon. Went to burg in afternoon.

Apr 3 – Drawed rails in forenoon. Went to burg in afternoon. Saw L. T. Earl and Hellen Blake. Made trade for Bristols place.

Apr 4 – Went down to Catharines with Bill[43] and sleigh. Sap run some.

Apr 5 – Pleasant morning. Round home all day Except when I was to town meeting.

Apr 6 – Went down to Catharines. Helped Mark shugar of. Lasher came back.

Apr 7 – At Catharines shugared of. Mrs Carleton & Jenny came over to eat shugar.

Apr 8 – Went to Kalamazoo got some clover and timothy seed ___ 75¢. Pleasant day. Got money for Mr Bristol 600. Dollars. He paid me 4.78.82.

Apr 9 – Drawed brush out of orchard.

Apr 10 – Pleasant. Picked up old fence bottom and stuff on side hill and moved some stone. Brot apples out cellar.

Apr 11 – Pleasant morning. Found one of my sheep dead. Pulled the wool of her.

Apr 12 – Pleasant morning. School commenced to day. Cleaned out cellar.

Apr 13 – Drawed some stone. Sarah and Sucy Brown went over to Planks. Birge burnt potatoetops in East lot.

Apr 14 – Finished moving stone. Laid up some fence. Sarah and Brown went up to Jesse Earls.[44] Carried my pole and whiffletrees[45] over to burg.

Apr 15 – Pleasant morning. Brown and Sarah went over to burg. Mrs Gaffing came here stayed all night.

Apr 16 – Went down to Catharines with Gaffing. Mary Brown Died this morning. Rained some.

Apr 17 – Sarah went over to burg. I drawed some manure.

Apr 18 – Rainy day. Charley Lee here to Breakfast. Harry Streator here. Mary Brown Buried to day. Rainy night some thunder.

Apr 19 – Paid Lucy[46] 2.60. Dollars. Got some scions[47] out of Catharines orchard.

Apr 20 – Worked round home. Rainy. Ole Bull at Kalamazoo this Evening.

Apr 21 – Moved some fence round barn yard. Mr Woodden Died this morning.

Apr 22 – Split out some fence posts. Went over to burg got ten lbs fence nails one lb ___. Mr Woodden buried to day.

Apr 23 – Got out manure. Paid M. O. Streator[48] $133.00. one Hundred & thirty three Dollars for J. O. Keith.[49] Had a shugar party.

Apr 24 – Fixed some fence. Split out some fence posts.

Apr 25 – Carried Sarah over to church. Mr Bristol called here in morning.

Apr 26 – Sowed my clover seed. Rained some afternoon.

Apr 27 – Worked round yard got out some manure &c.[50]

Apr 28 – Went over and got Jane Hoag brot her here. Moved some fence round barn yard. Got out some manure.

Apr 29 – Got out some manure. Birge plowing the hill. Had Jim and Bill.[51]

Apr 30 – Lois came home. Went over to Burg got my pump. Carried five bushels potatoes 35¢ pr bushels.

May 1 – Put up my laths and mended Browns cloths wringer and commenced some hubbs for velosiped.[52] Rainy day.

May 2 – Carried Sarah over to church. Pleasant day cold south west wind.

May 3 – Plowed gardens. Jo & Lois Lee[53] called here. Finished plowing the hill south of Barn.

May 4 – Moved old fence posts and boards round barn yard. Got out some manure. Will Clark helped some.

May 5 – Took down fence East of house. Carried 3 bushels wheat to mill. Birge plowing with Jim and Bill. Took Nance down to Catharines.

May 6 – Went to mill this morning. Worked round house and garden.

May 7 – Put out some onions and potatoes.

May 8 – Finished putting out onions. Planted some corn and potatoes cucumbers &c. Ethan draged in East lot.

May 9 – At home all day. Made me a ring. Had fan and Jim. Turned them out let them run all day. Jim and Bill over to Birges.

May 10 – Piled up and burnt stumps on hill. Ethan draging. Jo Lee called here. H. A. Taylor planting corn. Fine day.

May 11 – Got out manure put on gardens south of Barn.

May 12 – Got out manure put it around the Apple trees. Had a shower in afternoon. A. L. Keith[54] called here. Rained when he left.

May 13 – Cloudy rain. Not much done.

May 14 – Went down to Catharines. Had H. A. Taylors wagon.

May 15 – Mr Wheeler brot C. J. Lees trunk over. Went to Kalamazoo had Birges wagon. Ethan, Henry Childs and Loyd Higgins went down to get some velosipeds felloes.[55] No get um.

May 16 – At home all day. Lois and Jesse Lee came up.

May 17 – Birge and Ethan marked out ____ ground.

May 18 – Planted corn on hill finished planting. Mrs Hawver and Mary Lewis here.

May 19 – Planted potatoes East of barn.

May 20 – Got out manure and plowed some. Rained in night.

May 21 – Went down to Catharines with potatoes. Rainy.

May 22 – Finished plowing East of barn. Ethan sick. Put down carpet. Turned block for mawl. Cool wind. Circus in Kalamazoo to day.

May 23 – At home all day fine day. Jesse Lee and Alvin Lee[56] came up brot Lois home. Paid Alvin Lee and took up my Note 28.72.

May 24 – Dragged my garden south of barn.

May 25 – Planted corn and potatoes south of barn. Very hot.

May 26 – Planted Beans and Birge planted potatoes and beans and corn. Sarah and Lois went down to A. Browns Mrs Plank. I went down and took Tea.

May 27 – Had a heavy shower this morning.

May 28 – Jesse Earl called. I signed a petition for the company to discharge Cogswell from the Central Depo. Lois went down to Marks. I went over to burg. Hannah went to Marks.

May 29 – I put frame on Harrys slate. Mended Catharines chair. Let hogs out. Cut some yokes for hogs.

May 30 – At home not very well.

May 31 – Sick. Ethan & Birge picked up load potatoes. Some rainy.

Jun 1 – Pleasant day. Sick. Ethan gone to school. Carry Wiseman came over. Killed the old cat.

Jun 2 – Had Birges Market wagon. Went down to Catharines left Hannah. Schram and Birge went to Kalamazoo with potatoes. Sold for 25 cts pr bushel.

Jun 3 – At home. Went up to Mr Schrams in morning to how they made it selling potatoes. Very hot day.

Jun 4 – Sick no work. Jesse Turner and wife[57] came here stayed all night. Rained some. Birge came over and shelled some corn. I got 104 cabbage plants of H. A. Taylor. Set them out.

Jun 5 – Pleasant but cool. Jess went home this morning. I went down to Catharines took dinner with Charles Lee. Cool wind.

Jun 6 – At home all day not very well.

Jun 7 – Washed sheep. Picked up some potatoes. Cool. John Sherman broke his wagon wheel down oposite my house.

Jun 8 – Cool and cloudy. At home. Sarah went down to Mr Streator planted corn.

Jun 9 – Planted corn. Birge planted in forenoon.

Jun 10 – Planted corn. Horse fair commenced at burg.

Jun 11 – Finished planting corn. Warm day. Lucy came up. Mart went over to burg.

Jun 12 – Cultivated potatoes in East garden. Had a shower. Mr Harger called here. Catharine came up with Mart.

Jun 13 – Went down to Catharines after Hannah.

Jun 14 – Went to mill carried 4½ wheat one corn.

Jun 15 – Made fence East side of barn yard. Pleasant day.

Jun 16 – Sheared my sheep a Mr Hall done it. Went over to burg. Charley McCausey paid 25¢ paid 50¢ for shearing sheep. Turned out hub for Birge barrow.

Jun 17 – Mowed orchard. Killed a big black snake. Rained some.

Jun 18 – At home most of the day. Went over to burg got buckle put on harness 25¢. Went down and got A. Browns buggy.

Jun 19 – Went down to Uncle Warrens.[58] Found him very sick. Some rainy had a heavy shower in Evening.

Jun 20 – Cloudy not much rain. At Carolines[59] all day. Saw Alvin Holmes and wife.

Jun 21 – Came home. Left Uncle Warrens about noon. Left uncle sitting on the stoop. Got home about five P.M.

Jun 22 – Ethan cultivated corn. Had a shower. Sold my sheep pelt to Cadys pedler for one Dollar.

Jun 23 – Ethan cultivating corn. I raked up some hay in orchard.

Jun 24 – Plowed out potatoes in East garden. Went over to burg in afternoon. The Masons had a time.

Jun 25 – Worked in shop on wheel barrow wheel.

Jun 26 – Worked in shop some.

Jun 27 – At home all day. Rainy.

Jun 28 – Shaved and drove spoke in two wheel barrow hubs.

Jun 29 – Worked on road. Water very high.

Jun 30 – Helped Birge shingle his shanty. Warm day.

Jul 1 – Went over to burg. Took dinner at Wisemans. Carried school marm home. School closed.

Jul 2 – Some rainy. Stranger called here young man and woman. Had a shower. Commenced A. Browns Hay rack.

Jul 3 – Went to Kalamazoo to see Balloon go up. He no go up.

Jul 4 – Went down to Catharines to see Dr Finch.

Jul 5 – Mowed some. Birge took some home.

Jul 6 – Birge and I mowed all day up in south lot.

Jul 7 – I mowed some and _____ what Birge and I mowed.

Jul 8 – Worked for Brown on Hay rack. Went down to Cates. Marks Boy Born.[60] Hogs killed lamb.

Jul 9 – Worked on Browns rack. Finished Hay Rack. Extracted tooth for Will Brown.[61] Uncle Warren Died to day.

Jul 10 – Drawed in hay. Verry windy day. Ida Barber came over stayed all night.

Jul 11 – Pleasant morning. One sheep gone this morning. Uncle Warren buried[62] to day.

Jul 12 – Mowed in south lot to day.

Jul 13 – Sorted potatoes. Alfleda[63] came here.

Jul 14 – Went to Kalamazoo with potatoes 24½ bushels 30 cts pr bushel.

Jul 15 – Sorted potatoes. Alfled helped. David Tomkins helped. T. Flanders came over.

Jul 16 – Went to Kalamazoo with potatoes 21.¾ 35¢ pr bushel. Mr. Rosa[64] buried to day. Very warm. Flanders left.

Jul 17 – Repaired Browns reel to reaper. Made churn dash and cover for Mrs Wiseman. Drawed in one load hay. Went over to burg in Evening. Bot dresses and other traps some 5.00.

Jul 18 – Pleasant and warm 77 Abz. Carried Hannah down to Catharines.

Jul 19 – Mowed grass. Killed a skunk. Ethan worked for Mr Randell binding wheat. Went over to burg in Evening.

Jul 20 – Made a hay trough. Went down to A. Browns got some peas. Rainy. Ethan to work for A Brown. A. B Sumner called here to renew inshurance.

Jul 21 – Sowed some Buckwheat. Raked up some hay.

Jul 22 – Went to Kalamazoo with load potatoes for Mr Birge. Sold Ed Wilcut[65] two bushels 30¢ pr bushel. Sold 17 Bushels for 25¢ pr bushel.

Jul 23 – Worked round hoed some. Ethan to work for brown.

Jul 24 – Cradled wheat round my lot. Mark came up to cut wheat. Drove team for Brown some. Brot Reel shaft.

Jul 25 – Put in Reel shaft to A. Browns Reaper. Hot day. Suky Brown[66] here. Went to church with Planks folks. We went down to Catharines. Rained. Stayed all night.

Jul 26 – Came home. Went up to Wes with Suky Brown. A. Brown finished cutting his wheat.

Jul 27 – A. Brown cut my wheat. Warm day rained in night. Suky went down to Allertons.

Jul 28 – Had a heavy thunder shower this morning. My wheat out.

Jul 29 – Went up to Mr Hugys[?] after Birge wagon. No get him. Got Schrams. Drawed in my wheat.

Jul 30 – Went over to Hugys got Birges wagon. Ethan gone to draw wheat for A. Brown.

Jul 31 – Ethan drawed wheat for A. Brown & Plank. I put hogs in wheat lot.

Aug 1 – Went up to Charleston with Bristol and Beckwith then went down to Catharines. Brown came home with us.

Aug 2 – Ethan carried Brown down to Streators. I wen over to Burg with Jo Lee.[67] Bot soap & other traps. Uncle Peat Johnson starts to day for the East. Had a shower. Birge got Fan & Jim.

Aug 3 – Birges trial to day. Went over to burg took bill got my wagon. Ethan worked for A. Brown.

Aug 4 – Worked in shop some. Cut out stuf for Mr Planks wagon box. Carried Hannah down to Browns.

Aug 5 – Plowed out my potatoes and hoed some corn and vines.

Aug 6 – Worked in shop on Streators wheels. Ethan worked for Brown.

Aug 7 – Went over to Mr Guays got my two shovel plow. Mrs Simonds died. Carried Rocking chairs over to Mary E Claps of some.

Aug 8 – Pleasant day. At home all day. Mrs Simonds Buried to day. M. O. Streator called here.

Aug 9 – Thrashed some wheat. David Tomkins called here. Went up to Howlands burg with M. O. Streator to get felloes.

Aug 10 – Carried Sarah and Alfleda down to Streators. Got 4 bushels wheat of Streator carried it to mill. Ed Gillis[68] Died.

Aug 11 – Cloudy. Put up two bushels new wheat this morning. Carried it to mill. Seaman S. Bristol paid me sixty Dollars. Very hot. Hoed corn some where the old mercury was on the corner.

Aug 12 – Hoing corn. Very hot 90 in shade at noon.

Aug 13 – Got Mr Schrams wagon went down to Catharines drawed her a load wood. W^m Wheeler sent violin here to be repaired.

Aug 14 – Went over to burg got grist new wheat. Birge came over here. Had a shower. Nancy went over to Barbers with Birge.

Aug 15 – At home all day. Not very hot.

Aug 16 – Went over to burg with Jo Lee. Helped Mr Plank thrash after supper.

Aug 17 – Mr. Plank finished thrashing in forenoon. Thrashed my wheat in afternoon. Had 45 bushels paid $.5. Dollars.

Aug 18 – Ethan plowed corn. I hoed some in garden. Put handle on knife in afternoon. Very hot.

Aug 19 – Helped Brown thrash in afternoon. Very hot.

Aug 20 – Worked down to Browns. Finished thrashing. Had 354 bushels wheat, 75. oats, 11. peas. Had a heavy shower.

Aug 21 – Rainy. Went over to burg. Mart[69] came up. Bot traps for Jim &c. 2.33.

Aug 22 – Went down to Catharines got some vinegar.

Aug 23 – Worked on Streators wheels some. Ethan went down to Catharines got some Blackberies. Very hot.

Aug 24 – Worked in shop some. A. Brown got Bill to plow. Hot Hot 120 in at noon in sun 95 in shade.

Aug 25 – Catharine came up. Chored round not much done. Ethan helped Mr Brown clean up wheat. Mr Plank brot his wagon over.

Aug 26 – Work on Planks box.

Aug 27 – Work on planks Box some.

Aug 28 – Worked on Box. Took down old shed by hog pen.

Aug 29 – Went up to Mr Seamans took dinner. Mart and Lucy came up got Birds.

Aug 30 – Work on Box put on one coat paint. Mr Schram thrashed his wheat. Cool day.

Aug 31 – Painted Planks Box. Worked on wheels some.

Sep 1 – Finished Streators wheels. Picknick up on Jesse Earl place. Ethan cutting corn.

Sep 2 – Put rim on one of Wightmans[70] wheels. Ethan cutting up corn.

Sep 3 – Worked on wheels. Streator got his wheels. Ethan went after Lois. Painted violin, Trunk and wash stand.

Sep 4 – Pleasant morning. Worked in shop some. Went over to burg after Hannah. Went over in Evening after Henry & Hiram.[71]

Sep 5 – At home all day. Mart and Lucy came up. Extracted 2 two teeth for Mrs Plank.

Sep 6 – Went up to Yorkville. Had a livery team. Had a good time. School commenced. Suky Brown teaches.

Sep 7 – The boys left for home on the one 35 train. Fine day. Lois went up to Mrs Birges.

Sep 8 – Not much done to day. Not very well.

Sep 9 – Drawed in his my corn fodder. Begun to plow for wheat. Warm day.

Sep 10 – Cut grass East of currant bushes. Ethan Plowing. Mrs Schram called here. Mary and Emmet[72] came up on the noon train.

Sep 11 – Went over to burg. Sent things to Henrys folks. Fine day. Mr Ford and Allerton have a law suit to day.

Sep 12 – At home most of the day. Carried T. Flanders up to D. Bronsons just at night.

Sep 13 – Warm day. Mary and Emmet went home on the 1.35 train. Pleasant day.

Sep 14 – Ethan helped A Brown clean up wheat. Plowed ground East of currant bushes. Had a shower in the night.

Sep 15 – Finished one of Wightmans wheels and cut some corn in garden.

Sep 16 – Sowed wheat in corn on the corner. Horse races commenced to day at Galesburg. Fine weather.

Sep 17 – Sowed wheat south of buckwheat 3 acres. Second day horse races at the burg. Fine weather.

Sep 18 – Sowed wheat East of currant bushes. Went over to burg in Evening. Carried Dick some melons.

Sep 19 – Extracted tooth for Polly Earl. Warm day. Went down to Catharines. Very hot day. Pros[73] came in the night on the 11 oclock train.

Sep 20 – Paired some apples. Ethan went to school. Went over to burg.

Sep 21 – Went over to burg to mill. Pros and Streator had a set to.

Sep 22 – Went over to burg in morning. Ethan, Pros went down to Catharines. I made rack to dry apples on. Mr Schram made 84 galons cider.

Sep 23 – Pros and I went up to Durgys old farm to see about a cider mill screw and buggy. Carried cider over to Blackburn 40 galons.

Sep 24 – Pros left for Niles[74] on the one 35 train. Ethan sick. Started to cary Alfleda down to Jo Lees broke down down by Skinners.

Sep 25 – Rainy morning not much work. Ethan sick. Got letter from James Higgins.

Sep 26 – At home all day.

Sep 27 – Went over to burg in morning. Got Schrams buggy. Ethan and I went to Kalamazoo.

Sep 28 – Went up to Mr Seamans got cradle. Cut some Buckwheat. Ethan cut some corn. Mrs Barber & Mrs Johnson came over here.

Sep 29 – Finished cutting Buckwheat and cut corn.

Sep 30 – Went over to Burg. Got Birges wagon. Went down to Catharines.

Oct 1 – Went down to Jeff Chaffees.[75] Rain in the night.

Oct 2 – Rainy morning. Went to Schuyler Harrisses.

Oct 3 – Left Harrises went to Oscars found them well.

Oct 4 – At Oscars all day.

Oct 5 – Went down to Paul ville[76] through the woods.

Oct 6 – Left Oscars for home. Went up to Harmon Smiths stayed all night. He lives in Almena township.

Oct 7 – Left Smiths for home got home about dark. Fine day.

Oct 8 – Went over to burg in morning. Birge and Ethan dug potatoes.

Oct 9 – Rainy day no work. Birge came over and shelled corn.

Oct 10 – At home all day sick headache. Wesley went down to Catharines got one of my cider barrels. Ethan and the girls went down.

Oct 11 – Pleasant but cool. Ethan and Birge digging potatoes.

Oct 12 – Went to mill. Birge digging potatoes.

Oct 13 – Made thill[77] for wagon. Birge carried load potatoes home. Mrs Courtney called here took dinner.

Oct 14 – Rain. Put up stove in shop. No work to day.

Oct 15 – Finished digging potatoes. Went over to burg. Paid Blackburn for Lois trunk. Got my cider barrel.

Oct 16 – Worked in shop some. Marion Lynch died.[78] A. Browns folks here in Evening.

Oct 17 – Sarah went to church. Mart & Lucy came up here.

Oct 18 – Ethan dug some potatoes. Drawed in Buckwheat thrashed Beans. Marion Lynch Buried to day. Lois & Will[79] started for Ohio on the night express.

Oct 19 – Cloudy not very cold. Ethan dug potatoes south of barn. I finished Wightmans wheels.

Oct 20 – Ethan dug potatoes East of House had 23½ bushels. I cleaned out old shop.

Oct 21 – Went up to Wesleys and Mr Seamans. Mr Seaman helped me kill Hog. Went over to burg got new _____ for Mr Seaman.

Oct 22 – Cool and cloudy. Went over to Jo Yorks. Rainy afternoon. Got to Joes about 3 oclock. Snowed some.

Oct 23 – Snowey day. Went to an auction sale. Went over to Vicksburg saw Nash Robinson.

Oct 24 – Cold raw day. Went over to As___ Finley. Saw some nice country.

Oct 25 – Went over to ______ ______. Sold wool 28 lbs 40 cts pr pound. Got yarn and cloth. Went back to Joes started for home about 3. Oclock got home about half past six.

Oct 26 – Snowey day. Boiled some potatoes for hogs. Banked up house.

Oct 27 – Went over to burg sent money and (too faint to read)

Oct 28 – Some warmer. Thrashing Buckwheat some.

Oct 29 – Picked apples some cider apples and put some in cellar.

Oct 30 – Thrashed Buckwheat. Drawed one load wood. Suky Brown here sick. Took Birges wagon home washed it.

Oct 31 – Went up in Pavilion[?] looking for Nance no find her. Pleasant day.

Nov 1 – Finished thrashing Buckwheat. Warm day mercury 59 in shade at noon. Carried Stew Daken apples 75¢.

Nov 2 – Cleaned up B.wheat 12½ bushels. Worked round house and shop. At home all day. Carried some apples over to Thad Daken 2 bushels 38¢ 75¢ and Mrs. Stuart one 35¢.

Nov 3 – Cleaned up buckwheat had 12½ bushels. Went to mill. Carried Thad Daken 2 bushels apples 38 75¢ Mrs Stuart one bushel 38¢. Drawed some wood. Went down to Jo Lees got kettle.

Nov 4 – Went over to burg in morning. Got some tallow. Carried over 2 bushels Buck Wheat. Rainy day. Mr Schram thrashed his beans.

Nov 5 – Picked Apples. Cleaned of the trees. Went over to burg after Buckwheat. Nancy went over to Mr Barbers.

Nov 6 – Ground my ax. Put in new helve. Picked up some apples. Jo Lee called here. Had a snow storm rather a rough day. Ethan went down to Charles Lees with Jo Lee.

Nov 7 – Around home all day. Suky Brown here to Tea. Nancy came home from Mr Barbers. Cold raw day mercury ___ Abz in morning.

Nov 8 – Ira Smith came here. No work to day.

Nov 9 – Smith here. No work. He left about 3. PM for Battlecreek. Mrs Bostwick called here from Canada. Not very cold out cloudy. An old Lady Died at Ha___ _____ing today. Extracted tooth for Sutherland[?].

Nov 10 – Sarah went over to burg to Mr Jacobs to see Mrs Bostwick. I went over after her in Evening. Filed saw for Schroder Bill 30¢. Birge finished drawing corn.

Nov 11 – Cool and cloudy. Worked in shop on Wightmans Ex. Ira Smith came back. Snowey afternoon.

Nov 12 – Went down to Catharines with Smith. Saw Henry Lee[80] of Salt Lake City. Nancy went down to Catys. Hannah came back with me.

Nov 13 – No work to day only chores. Went over to mill got Buckwheat flour. Voted for Justice of the peace. Snow on the ground.

Nov 14 – Went down to Jo Lees. Not very cold. Lois some better.

Nov 15 – Spliced buggy thill for Jesse Earl. Extracted tooth for George Sutherland, works for Del Skinner.[81]

Nov 16 – Went Kalamazoo with Mr Schram. Snowed and Blowed like fun, very bad day. Ed Childs came here stayed all night. Got my straw cutter of John Ash.

Nov 17 – Ed and I went over and saw Suky Brown in the morning. Ed stayed until two oclock PM then started for home. Very much bad day. No work to day.

Nov 18 – Carried Catharine some apples. Nancy came home. Charley Lee stayed here all night. He went up to Dick Lamkins to take old Sal home. Snowed like fun. Hank Brown[82] here in Evening.[83]

Nov 19 – Drawed some corn. Snow some 10 inches deep. Charley Lee went to Kalamazoo. Mr Schram got his beens.

Nov 20 – Cut wood and boiled potatoes. Went over to burg.

Nov 21 – Went down to Catharines with Adelpha York.[84] Pleasant day not very good sleighing.

Nov 22 – Drawed some wood. Snowey bad day to be out. Killed turky.

Nov 23 – Boiling potatoes. Birge got my slead. Mr Flanders brot my match planes home and Mr Clarks seat down. Went down to Jo Lees in Evening. Very cold. Had turky for dinner[?].

Nov 24 – Cold morning. Mercury 2 Abz. Snow about 18 inches deep.

Nov 25 – Worked round house. ______ plastered front room.

Nov 26 – Carried 2½ bushels buckwheat to mill. Drawed some corn one load wood. Fall term school closed.

Nov 27 – ½ past Eight mercury 30 Abz, some wind, growing cold. Henry Scramlin and wife and Jane Hoag here to day.

Nov 28 – At home all day. Ethan down to Catharines to Mormon meeting. Not very cold. We went over and took Tea with S. A. Brown had chicken pie.

Nov 29 – Work round house and barn &c.

Nov 30 – Mr Schram picked up load apples. Henry Lee came up here. I gathered some cabbage. Mr Thomas Durgy Died in night about Twelve O clock. S. A. Brown here in Evening.

Dec 1 – Drawed some corn. Went up to Wesleys he had gone to burg after coffin.

Dec 2 – Cold and snowey. Went to Comstock to Mr Durgys funeral. Elder Sherman Pie____ the sermon. Pall bearers M B Bostwick, John Allen, Ed Lane, Jesse Earl, H A Taylor, C L Keith.[85]

Dec 3 – Schram made 80 galons cider. Not much work to day. I made fire board. Dr Wightman got his wheels.

Dec. 4 – Stormy morning. Went over to Burg. Carried Hannahs shoes got them tapt 80¢. Bot machine oil 15¢. Ida Barber came home with me.

Dec 5 – Cool and pleasant. At home all day.

Dec 6 – Went over to burg. Sarah & Suky went. Ed Childs came down after Brown. Louesa went home with them. Sent butter[86] to Hiram 31 & ¼ lb. Doc Wightman got his old buggy.

Dec 7 – Snows some. Went down to Charles Lees with birge to sell his buggy. Put new cross head on saw. Up to Earls mill. Went down to A Browns in Evening.

Dec 8 – Cut down locus tree front of house. Ethan helped Mr Streator thrash.

Dec 9 – Ethan helping Mr Ford thrash. Cold and pleasant. Went down to Jo Lees. Sarah and Nancy went down to Catharines.

Dec 10 – Went down to schoolhouse with Wesley. Schram made 83 galons cider. I went down to Catharines stayed all night. Rainy night.

Dec 11 – Rainy day. Mark and Mart went to Kalamazoo Mr Grant went with them. Henry stayed at home. We came home at night. Rained some.

Dec 12 – Not much rain but cloudy. At home all day.

Dec 13 – Went over to burg got set bed springs. Went up to Mr Ralphs put it in for them.

Dec 14 – Boiling cider to day. Milford Matthews called here to day. Cold and bad going, no snow.

Dec 15 – Worked some on Eds violin, some chores.

Dec 16 – Worked on Yorks violin. Went to mill. Carried 4 bushels Buck wheat.

Dec 17 – Went to Kalamazoo. Carried H. M Smiths cider. Harrison Sprague came here stayed all night.

Dec 18 – Sprague left for grand rappids. Mr Wiseman called here. Wesley, Mr Randal and myself moved seats in schoolhouse. Cold day.

Dec 19 – Cold and some snow. Went down to Jo Lees and Catharines. Lois no better.

Dec 20 – Went down to A Browns up to Wesleys over to mill. Got Buck wheat flour. Carried 2 bushels wheat to mill.

Dec 21 – Cold 12 Abz very little snow. At home most of the day. Went over to mill Brown went to.

Dec 22 – A Brown brot his bugy up here. Finished Earls whiffletrees.

Dec 23 – Chored round house. Raised finger board on my old violin. Hung ax for Jo Lee. Very good sleighing. Cold and blustering mercury from 10 to 16 Abz.

Dec 24 – Got up very Early. Mark, Ann & Lucy came up here. No work to day. Recd $200 from town treas. Paid Joseph Wiseman $10.00[?].

Dec 25 – Went down to Catharines. Mark & Mart gone to Kalamazoo. Lois some better. Pleasant day. S. A. Brown stayed here.

Dec 26 – Fine morning. Ida Barber here. Hank Brown called here.

Dec 27 – Went over to burg. Nancy went over to Wisemans. Carried one bushel potatoes to Mr Barbers. Paid C. L. Keith $20.00 paid my Tax 18.77.

Dec 28 – Choped and drawed four loads wood. Ethan went over to burg in Evening. Paid S. A. Brown $90.00 got one cow and Eleven sheep of A. Brown.

Dec 29 – Made 82 galons cider. Mark made some.

Dec 30 – Got ready to butcher. Put up pole to hang hogs on. Finished Mr Ridlers ax helve.

Dec 31 – Killed 3 hogs. Mart Milham helped butcher. Catharine came up with him.

——-

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

[2] His son, Ethan Keith

[3] Most likely his paternal first cousin, the son of Charles and Rhoda (Keith) Lee, and the brother of Joseph W. Lee

[4] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[5] His daughter, Nancy Keith

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

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

[8] Mary Ann (Batey) Keith, the wife of his nephew James “Oscar” Keith

[9] “Mark” is referred to quite often in Luke’s diaries and it is believed that he is referring to his cousin, Marquis de Lafayette Lee, the oldest son of Dr. Ezekiel and Elizabeth (Strong) Lee. The Lees were Mormons and moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, and eventually to the Salt Lake Valley in 1850. Mark stayed behind to run his father’s farm and was living with his aunt, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[10] His brother, John Wesley Keith, who, according to the family Bible, was adopted

[11] Believe this was one of his cows or horses

[12] Galesburg, Michigan

[13] Believe this is Charles Jedediah Lee, the son of Charles Lee (see footnote #3)

[14] Believe this to be Joseph W. Lee, his paternal first cousin, the son of Charles and Rhoda (Keith) Lee, and the brother of Charles Lee

[15] Neighbor, Cornelius W. Birge

[16] A neighbor, Thomas Flanders

[17] Cornelius’ son, Alvin C. Birge, who was about three years old

[18] Neighbor, Ambrose Brown, whose son, Henry Brown, would become the husband of Luke’s daughter, Nancy

[19] Above zero

[20] Joseph York, the husband of his niece, Helen (Bradley) York

[21] His niece, Helen (Bradley) York

[22] A search of the Michigan Death Records at Ancestry.com show that Harry Myers, age 29, died of consumption on February 27, 1869

[23] His daughter, Hannah Keith

[24] Perhaps he is referring to Stephen Hoxie Wolcott, his maternal first cousin. The Willcutt name has been spelled in various forms including Wolcott as evidenced by the fact that Stephen (and Luke also) was the grandson of Jesse & Katherine (Beal) Willcutt

[25] The vertical side pieces to a wagon body

[26] While “Lasher” is referenced repeatedly in Luke’s diaries and also in letters to Luke from Charles Cridland, the only evidence found regarding his first name, Joseph, was a receipt in the back of Luke’s 1858 diary dated December 6, 1858 for the payment of Comstock real estate taxes

[27] A search of the Michigan Death Records at Ancestry.com show that Mary (Kennedy) Havens, age 59, died of “congestive chills” on March 5, 1869

[28] Jesse Earl Lee, the son of Charles & Juliana (Davis) Lee, and brother of Charles Jedediah Lee (see January 16 footnote)

[29] Marshall, Michigan

[30] Concord, Michigan

[31] John & Irena (Wolcott) Kirkwood lived in Scipio, Michigan, about 10 miles south of Concord, Michigan

[32] Irena and Luke were first cousins, the grandchildren of Jesse Jr. & Katherine (Beal) Willcutt

[33] Irena’s father, Jason Beal Wolcott

[34] Jonesville, Michigan

[35] Most likely Irena’s brother, Stephen Hoxie Wolcott

[36] Most likely Irena’s brother, Jesse Wolcott

[37] Irena’s older sister, Waity Catherine Wolcott and her husband, John Bissell

[38] Jesse Earl Lee married Julia Toupence in Galesburg, Michigan

[39] A search of FindAGrave.com reveals that Elder William J. Greenleaf died March 20, 1869 and was buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery

[40] Matilda (Allen) Brown, the wife of Ambrose Brown (see January 25^th footnote)

[41] Matilda’s sister, Julia Allen

[42] Lyman T. Earl, neighbor and “shirttail relative;” brother of Jesse Earl

[43] Believe this is his horse

[44] Neighbor and “shirttail relative;” brother of Lyman T. Earl

[45] The pivoted horizontal crossbar to which the harness traces of a draft animal are attached and which is in turn attached to a vehicle or an implement

[46] His niece, Lucy Irene Lee, the daughter of his sister Catharine

[47] A young shoot or twig of a plant, especially one cut for grafting or rooting

[48] A neighbor, Marius O. Streator

[49] His nephew, James “Oscar” Keith

[50] Et cetera

[51] Believe these are his horses

[52] A human powered land vehicle with two or more wheels; now commonly called a bicycle

[53] Joseph W. Lee and his wife, Lois (French) Lee

[54] Believe this to be Aylmer Lot Keith, his paternal first cousin

[55] A felloe, or felly, is the rim of a wheel supported by spokes

[56] Alvan Lee, Jesse’s and Charley’s brother

[57] His maternal first cousin, Jesse W. Turner, and his wife, Sarah “Sally” (Davis) Turner

[58] His uncle, Warren Wolcott, who lived in Almena, Michigan

[59] Caroline (Wolcott) Earl, Warren’s daughter

[60] George Clinton Lee

[61] Willis Brown, Ambrose Brown’s son

[62] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Warren Wolcott is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery in Mattawan, Michigan

[63] Alfleda (Starr) Keith was the widow of Luke’s brother, Harvey Keith

[64] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Garret Rosa died July 15, 1869, and is buried in Cook Cemetery, Pavilion, Michigan

[65] Believe this is Edward G. Wolcott, his maternal first cousin, the son of Warren and Electa (Damon) Wolcott

[66] Believed to be Susie A. Brown, sometimes referred to as Suky Brown and/or Decatur Susie Brown. The September 6 entry shows that she was the school teacher

[67] Joseph W. Lee, his paternal first cousin

[68] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Edwin Gillis died August 10, 1869, in Battle Creek, Michigan and is buried in Oakridge Cemetery, Marshall, Michigan

[69] Martin Milham, the husband of his niece, Lucy Irene (Lee) Milham

[70] Dr. George Wightman

[71] His brothers-in-law, Henry Crawford and Hiram Crawford Jr.

[72] Mary (Hamilton) Crawford and Emmett Patrick Crawford, the widow and son of Edwin Crawford, his brother-in-law

[73] His brother-in-law, Lucius Prosper Crawford

[74] Niles, Michigan

[75] Thomas Jefferson Chaffee Jr., the husband of Luke’s niece, Frances Catherine “Kate” (Keith) Chaffee

[76] First called Paulville, located in Van Buren County, Michigan, was renamed to Palisades Park around 1906 by Arthur C. Quick, a naturalist, who made it a wild flower sanctuary, and later a summer resort and then a private club

[77] The long shafts between which an animal is fastened when pulling a wagon

[78] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Marion Lynch, age 20, died October 16, 1869, in Richland County, Wisconsin, and is buried in Prairie Home Cemetery, Richland, Michigan

[79] His daughter and grandson, Lois (Keith) Clark and William Byron Clark

[80] Believe he is referring to his cousin, William Henry Lee

[81] His future son-in-law, Adelbert Skinner, who married his daughter Lois in 1871

[82] Ambrose Brown’s son, Henry Brown.

[83] Hank married Luke’s daughter, Nancy Keith, October 5, 1872, so perhaps they were courting at this time

[84] Marion Adelpha York, the granddaughter of his sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[85] He is referring to himself

[86] A letter written in September 1869 to his wife, Sarah, by Hiram’s wife, Kate, asked if she would send them a crock of butter for winter use and said “It is so hard to get good butter. It would be a real treat.”

Luke Keith’s 1867 Diary

1867 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.^[1]

Jan 1 – Went over to burg got some lumber for cutter beams. Got two bushels wheat ground. Drawed some wood down for school.

Jan 2 – Went up to Yorks[2] and Wesleys[3] carried Lois[4] to Wesleys. Went up to J C Blakes. Sarah[5] went to burg. Mr Ames Wilson[6] Died this morning.

Jan 3 – Split school wood. Went to Mr Wilsons funeral in afternoon. Went up to Yorks in Evening. Sarah went up to Mr Scrams.[7]

Jan 4 – Sarah up to [S]crams this morning they had a girl born.[8] I went up to Wesleys with Scram after Lois. Ida Barber and Angela Mason here. Nancy[9] went home with them.

Jan 5 – Drawed wood most of the day. Catharine[10] came down found calf this morning in the stable. Mr Taylor carried 5 bushels wheat for Oscar.[11]

Jan 6 – At home all day all well. Lois at Scrams to work.

Jan 7 – Went over to burg. Bot cloth for Jims[12] pants 1.50¢. Bot calf skin 50¢. Wesley came down to see old cow. Sent for Tribune 1.50¢.

Jan 8 – Went down to M F. Lees. Brot Mark[13] up to see old cow. Went up to Mr Scrams. Got 5 bushels Buckwheat 5.00.

Jan 9 – Went over to mill. Bot calfskin of George Jenkins 50. Went over in Evening bot medicine for old cow 75¢. Old George the old station Horse died to day Age 44/yrs.

Jan 10 – Worked in shop some. Went up to Mr Scrams and Yorks.

Jan 11 – Worked in shop put cutter to gether. Went up to Scrams and Yorks in Evening after the girls.

Jan 12 – Cut out mittens for Mr Johnson and my self. Went over to mill. Ethan[14] Nancy and Hannah[15] went to show 50. 11 Degrees below zero at six this morning.

Jan 13 – At home all day.

Jan 14 – Went over to burg. Bot Barrel Salt 3.50. Worked in shop some.

Jan 15 – Went over to burg. Carried Ethans boot paid 25¢. Mrs Barber came over. Worked in shop some on cutter. Bot pork 1.00.

Jan 16 – Jane Hoag here. Went and carried her home in Evening. Very cold. Got Ethans boot. Bot candy 5¢.

Jan 17 – Worked in shop finished cutter for J. C. Blake.

Jan 18 – Went over to burg. Bot oil 38. Bot plasterparis -5. Finished my mittens. Spencer Thomas came here bot Oxen.

Jan 19 – Drove Tom and Jerry over to burg. They weighed 2740 lbs at 6¢ per pound. J. C. Blake paid for cutter bottoms 12.00.

Jan 20 – Went up to Yorks and Wesleys.

Jan 21 – Butchered my hogs. Mark and Wes helped me.

Jan 22 – Went over to burg. Blake paid 176.40. I paid Mrs McLellen 10. Dollars. P. T. Lane paid five Dollars $5.00. Bot thread 25¢.

Jan 23 – Went up to past Mr Ralphs and Mr Pincheons. Saw Mr Brenson told him not to go to Kalamazoo.

Jan 24 – Got out wheelbarrow arms. Mrs Beech and Selia Newsman here. I went over to burg with them.

Jan 25 – Went to Kalamazoo to court for Hartwell. Bot salearatas[16] 15. Went down with D. Bronson. Very stormy day cold lots snow.

Jan 26 – Repaired cornsheller for Mr Allerton. Cold day not many trains out to day.

Jan 27 – Winter in earnest now a days.

Jan 28 – Went up to Yorks drawed two loads wood. Went over to burg in Evening. Bot hoops 1.25 candy 5¢ other traps 5.00.

Jan 29 – Went to Kalamazoo Dinner 40¢ horses to hay 25¢.

Jan 30 – Went to Kalamazoo Dinner 15.

Jan 31 – Went to Kalamazoo Dinner 5. Stranger Stayed here all night. Ethan went of with Dodge.

Feb 1 – Went to Kalamazoo dinner 10¢. Gave in my Evidence on the Hartwell case. Stranger left Ethan came back.

Feb 2 – At home drawed one load wood. The McLary and Hartwell case decided to day in favor of Hartwell. Dodges team here.

Feb 3 – At home. Charles Lees folks here. Dodges team here. Catharine and Hellen[17] and Mrs Darling here. Ethan went down to Mark.

Feb 4 – Allerton paid 1.25 (violin) Cary got. Went over to burg with Dodges team. Ethan went of with Dodge. Bot oil 38¢. Paid Dr Wightman Fathers[18] Doctor bill 4.0 four Dollars. Let him have 15 (6) dollars.

Feb 5 – Paid Lois 20 Dollars. Sarah and Lois went up to Yorks. I drawed two loads wood. Jef Chaffee[19] called here. I let him have five Dollars.

Feb 6 – Went up to the Pavilion mill carried 3 bushels wheat 4 bushels corn.

Feb 7 – At home. Catharine here all day. Shelled Catharines corn. York got home.

Feb 8 – Went over to burg got Nancys shoes 30¢. Paid Bullock and Shefflers Note 102 one Hundred and two Dollars. Bot candy 5¢.

Feb 9 – Made clothesbars. Not very well.

Feb 10 – At home all day. Oscar came over here after some fur to make a hat for Glen Keith their new boy.[20]

Feb 11 – Let Mr Scram have my sleigh to go to Kalamazoo. Went over and got Mary Ann.[21] Albert Brown died.

Feb 12 – Carried 5 bushels corn to mill to day. Wesley got cornsheller. Bot file 25¢. Albert Brown buried. Rainy day. Mary Ann went up to Yorks.

Feb 13 – Worked in shop. Made cart tung sawed out thills[22] for wagon.

Feb 14 – Wes brot sheller home. Worked on thills. Went over to burg. Nancy and Hannah went over to Mr Barbers. Got iron mended. York got wheat. Made soap.

Feb 15 – Cold freezing morning no sleighing. Went up and got my syrup to Fords 4.75. Dance up to Yorks this Evening. Rainy day.

Feb 16 – Very windy this morning some ice in the roads. Finished thills made cart tung.

Feb 17 – Went down to Catharines place. Isaac Wing there. Pleasant day. Uncle Jim King[23] died to day 20 minutes to Four P.M.

Feb 18 – Pleasant day. Cut tree for fence posts. Went up to Yorks drawed 3 loads wood.

Feb 19 – Went over to mill got one bag meal. Bot salearatas 15¢ Buttons for dress 15. Cold wind no snow.

Feb 20 – Worked in shop some on wheelbarrow.

Feb 21 – Made violin neck. Went over to burg after cate. Bot cloves and cinnamon 35¢. Cate and Zeak Davison here in Evening.

Feb 22 – Oscar here this morning. Cate Chaffee[24] here. Worked on violin neck some.

Feb 23 – Went over to burg. Sarah went over to stay all night. Got harness mended 25¢.

Feb 24 – Went over after Sarah. Went to Oscars. Got letter from J. S. King.[25]

Feb 25 – Carried Lois over to burg. Bot one but for Catharines chest 5¢ Bot thread 20¢. Went up on hill and split some wood.

Feb 26 – Split some wood in forenoon. Carried Lois and Sarah down to the A. Browns.[26] Man called here to by Jason. Very pleasant. Oscar left.

Feb 27 – Worked round house. Went over to mill got two bags meal. Caty went up to Yorks.

Feb 28 – Made clothes bars for Caty Chaffee.

Mar 1 – Millford moved to day. Choped some in forenoon up in woods. Went up to Yorks. Sarah and Lois went up to Mr Scrams. Ethan came home. Put neck on violin.

Mar 2 – Went up to Yorks in morning. Set sound post in Charley Bronsons violin. Sarah and Lois went up to Yorks.

Mar 3 – At home all day. Put finger board on violin.

Mar 4 – Drawed wood. Ethan went to Kalamazoo. Caty Chaffee here. Wesley brot saw down to get filed.

Mar 5 – Cut tree for fence posts. Ethan bot oil 30.

Mar 6 – Went down to Jo Lees.[27] Jeff came out after Cate.

Mar 7 – At home all day. Catharine down here. Edith here stayed all night. Louesa[28] went up to Yorks.

Mar 8 – Jo York went and carried Jefs folks home. Cut down three trees for wood. T Flanders[29] came here. Bot Tea 75. Blind peddler stayed here all night.

Mar 9 – T. Flanders left. Not much done headache. Went up to Yorks after Louesa.

Mar 10 – At home all day rainy. Wes came down drawed tooth for him. Headache all day.

Mar 11 – Went over to mill carried 32 bushels wheat 3 of my corn.

Mar 12 – Went over to Burg got grist sold eggs 8 doz & 9 1.09. Bot callicoe 80 one lb shugar 15 salratas 15 needles 10¢ shoe strings 5¢ camphor 20¢ pens 15¢ Hannahs shoes 1.00.

Mar 13 – Not much work to day.

Mar 14 – Worked in shop some made axhelves for Chub got out spokes for wheel barrow &c.[30] Put rivet in T Flanders Knife. Very cold 9 Above zero.

Mar 15 – Worked in shop got out stuf for wheelbarrow put bottom in well bucket the job of the Kind I ever done.

Mar 16 – 10 Abzero.[31] Worked in shop some. Drawed some wood. Went up to Yorks after saw. Harry Streator stayed the night.

Mar 17 – At home all day. Wes here in Evening. Got Chubs axhelve. Cold day blustering 10 Abz.[32]

Mar 18 – Went up to Yorks got saw. 10 Abzero in morning. Sawed three logs for fence posts. Mrs Eaton shot herself.

Mar 19 – Very pleasant all day no signs of a storm. Went up to Earls mill. School out to day. Carried vinegar keg down to Fords.

Mar 20 – Mark here windy day. Went and carried stove up to Marts place for Mr Seaman. Sarah went to burg. Mrs Eaton buried. Catharine stayed all night.

Mar 21 – Moved Sam Seaman. Snows some this morning some wind cloudy windy all day some stormy. June will be a wet month. A good deal cloudy weather in June not a good hay month.

Mar 22 – Loid Higgins stayed all night. Taped some trees carried Kettle in to the woods. Mr Samuel Swaddle and wife here. Dick Lamkins and girl here. Dick brot rake.

Mar 23 – Tapt some trees to day. Wesley brot cornsheller home. T. Flanders called here went home with James got his knife. Caucas at the burg.

Mar 24 – Snowed and rained. Gathered sap in morning.

Mar 25 – Boiled sap in forenoon. Tapt 4 trees in afternoon. Mended some pans.

Mar 26 – Boiled sap in the forenoon. Snowed all afternoon. Went up to Seaman House and got two loads wood in cart.

Mar 27 – Choped wood in the forenoon by the boiling place made molasses in afternoon. Went up to Wesleys in Evening.

Mar 28 – Went up to Yorks. Ground ax in forenoon. Choped in afternoon. Set up buckels and pans sap run some. David Tomkins here. Lucy[33] came down.

Mar 29 – Pleasant. Sarah went up to Yorks. I cut some small trees for spokes. Ella Randall Elva Earl here. Dick Lamkins brot his slead down to get a runner put in.

Mar 30 – Pleasant morning. Boiled sap all day. Mart Millhams wife[34] buried to day. Fine day. Wesley got load straw.

Mar 31 – Nice morning. Boiled sap all day. Mr Bristol here. Pleasant day.

Apr 1 – Sent letter to Pavilion bot stamps 9¢. Bot shoes for Louesa 1.25. Went to townmeeting. Extracted tooth for Milford Matthews 25¢. Fine day.

Apr 2 – Boiled sap most all day. Mr Scram came down to the boiling place. Snow the peddler stayed here all night. Pleasant day.

Apr 3 – Pleasant day. Boiled sap in forenoon. Shugared of in afternoon. Sarah went up to H. A Taylors. Fathers cow calved to day. Made some shugar. Ida Barber here.

Apr 4 – Carried 3 bushels corn 2 of wheat to mill. Bot callico 20¢ ½ lb ginger 20¢. Sold C. P. Galligan 4 doz eggs 51.

Apr 5 – Made box for Mr Shermans washing machine 1.00. Went over to burg got grist. Bot oil and tape needle 31¢ got Ethans Boots 1.00.

Apr 6 – Pleasant day. Cut some logs and put around Kettle to Boil sap. Made mop handle.

Apr 7 – Boiled sap all day. Dick Blackburn here.

Apr 8 – Went over to the burg in morning. Bot 18 yds cloth for girls dresses 18 cts for yard 3.97¢.

Apr 9 – Gathered in my sap buckets and spouts. Put up some fence. Repaired seat in back house. Cut some bushes up to Crid house. Scram got 60 feet board.

Apr 10 – Rainy day. Dick came down went up to mill. Got plank for rave[35] stick for rake head. Sawed out runner for Dicks slead. Lucy stayed all night.

Apr 11 – Put in runner and rave to Dicks slead. Catharine came down. Addy and Ella Swaddle came over. Mrs Allerton here. Filled up Crids well.

Apr 12 – Went up to Wesleys. Worked on slead some. T. Flanders came here. Oscar came.

Apr 13 – Went up to Scrams. Sarah went to burg. Oscar went home. Mr Scram shelled corn. I went over to mill got corn ground. Mr Flanders and Ethan husked corn.

Apr 14 – Mark came up we went over to the burg got door. Sarah came home with me. It rained some. Gave Mark door and window. Recd letter from Geo Tomlinson.[36]

Apr 15 – Husked corn all day. Rained all day. Ethan gone down to Marks.

Apr 16 – Husked corn in forenoon. Went down to Marks in afternoon. Stayed all night.

Apr 17 – Helped Mark in forenoon got home about 2 P.M. Finished husking corn. Sarah went up to Mr Ralphs Yorks.

Apr 18 – Went up to Wesleys got his team commenced plowing west of orchard. Sarah came home. Sarah went to Mr Ralphs. Trimmed some trees.

Apr 19 – Got out some manuer. Ethan plowing.

Apr 20 – Plowed in afternoon. Ethan went to Kalam[37] with Henry Brown.[38] Finished plowing the west lot.

Apr 21 – At home all day.

Apr 22 – Went over to burg. Carried Mr Scramlin some potatoes. Left Nancys shoes. P. T Lane paid 5.00.

Apr 23 – Went over after shoes 65¢ salearatas 15 shoestrings 5¢.

Apr 24 – Left for Oscars went on cars to Lawton foot & walkers line to Paw Paw from there to Coloma by stage. Got to Oscars about 4 P.M.

Apr 25 – At Oscars in Deerfield Township Mich. Set out cherry tree on Oscars place. Went and saw some land north of schoolhouse. Rained some. Milford got 5 bushels corn.

Apr 26 – Went down to the Lake went up on groaning Knob. Rained some. Went to Mr Judsons Winchels Teachouts &c. Oscar bot molasses. We had some shugar.

Apr 27 – Left Oscars about seven morning walked up to waters ___t stage to Paw Paw 2.00. Walked from “ “ [Paw Paw] to Lawton. Came up on cars got home about half past ten Evening.

Apr 28 – Pleasant day at home. Ed York brot Catharine up. Ethan got sheat music & Dasy Deane S Bristol here let him take spy glass home.

Apr 29 – Carried corn from Barn to cornhouse 88 bushels. T. Flanders came over he picked up some corn.

Apr 30 – Went up to Wesleys in morning. T Flanders went up to Yorks. Mrs Dick & Mrs Luis Barber here. Filled up cellar on corner.

May 1 – Worked up to corner in forenoon. Shoveled dirt in cellar. Quite cool wind.

May 2 – Took A A. Dodge team home. Went over to burg. Nancy & Hannah went up to Mr Swaddles. Saw Mr Dodge. Bot Broom. Sold eggs 7 doz 10¢ pr Doz. Bot Nails 8¢.

May 3 – Went over to burg with Dodges team. Henry[39] & Hiram[40] came. Went over after girls. Bot Tea & coffee 1.10¢.

May 4 – At home. Henry & Hiram here. Rainy day. Went up to Yorks.

May 5 – At home. Dick called here. Jo Lee and Lois came up here. Henry and Hiram left for home. A A Dodge called here.

May 6 – Ethan goes of with Dodge to day. Went over to burg. Sold Butter to Mrs Morton 8¾ 1.75. Measured lot with Bristol. Julia Lee[41] here to get work done.

May 7 – Cold 32 Abz in morning. Went over to burg. P. T. Lane paid 5.00¢ Dr Wightman paid note $16.00. Went down to Marks with Catharine in afternoon.

May 8 – Burnt bush in orchard. Mr Bristol came over and made out papers for house and lot at Galesburg he paid 52.00.

May 9 – Bot Hat 2.50¢. Went over to burg in morning. Carried hubbs to get banded. Went over in Evening. Bot oil sold Egs.

May 10 – Mark came up an cut 3 Boars 3 bulls. Got two chairs. Harriet and Edith[42] here in afternoon. A A Dodge and Ethan came. Dodge paid .75¢ for Lamkins.

May 11 – Drawed some wood. Went up to Wesleys. Went over to burg in Evening. Saw A A Dodge.

May 12 – At home all day. Cut Wisemans hair. Dick Lamkins called here got his organ board that holds his book.

May 13 – Some rainy. School commenced to day. Ethan went down to Catharines place with Jo to drive a cow. I let Jo York have 3 bushels corn. No work to day.

May 14 – Went over to burg. Got some traps from shop. Bot orrange for Jim 5¢. Catharine here.

May 15 – Went up to Houlands burg saw Mr A. Pond. He is going to cut me out one set felloes[43] for a two horse wagon. Rained some pleasant afternoon.

May 16 – John Ash plowed garden in forenoon. Went down to Marks in afternoon. Got some seed corn.

May 17 – Went over to burg. B[ot] 6 photographs 1.00 Bot Bottle Kenedays Medicine 1__0¢. Moved stove in to Kitchen.

May 18 – Went over to burg in morning. Bot one pr shoes paid for one. Bot one tick 5.00. Got Jims boots tapt 40. Went over in Evening bot book for Louesa 20. Heard from Crid.

May 19 – Some rainy. Catharine here &c. C. Lee here.

May 20 – Ethan went up to Battlecreek. Went over to burg bot fish and dogwood 85¢. Went and got Wesleys team. Rainy night. Got old wagon.

May 21 – Rainy and cool. Got old wagon up to H. A. Taylors. Ethan came home.

May 22 – Rained some. Went to mill. Got photographs 1.50 paid school bill 3.47¢. Took Wesleys team home. David Henyons wife Died this Evening.

May 23 – Over to burg got load stuff from shop. Bot salearatas and thread 25¢. Mr Rowe Buried to day. Got morter of Isaac Scram. Pleasant day.

May 24 – Drgged and cultivated corn ground. Rained some. Went over to burg. Sold 4 doz Eggs 8.13 oz butter 20¢ pr ___.

May 25 – Went over to burg. Sold 4 doz Eggs 8 lbs and 13 oz butter 20¢ per lb.

May 26 – Lamkins Brot violin. Went up to Wesleys took level of his ground from old well to lane North from his house found 2 feet & 6 inches fall.

May 27 – At home not much done.

May 28 – Charley Lee came up to see violin. Rained.

May 29 – Put Affecks violin together. Sarah went up to Yorks.

May 30 – Snow stayed all night. Went over to burg in morning. Went up to Yorks and got chairs. Carried them over to burg. Saw Jewit Holden. Libby Taylor came over.

May 31 – Got team to drag finished draging marked out one way almost.

Jun 1 – Marked some. Ethan planted a few rows corn. Sarah sick. Went after the Doctor. He came over twice. Went up to Yorks after vinegar. Rained in the night.

Jun 2 – Pleasant and warm in forenoon. Mrs Barber came over.

Jun 3 – Went over to mill carried 3 bushels wheat 2 corn. Carried Afflecks violin. Bot 10 lbs shugar 1.50. Planted some corn. Harriet stayed all night.

Jun 4 – Went to Kalamazoo in afternoon with Wesley. Left my watch. Let Wes have $2.00.

Jun 5 – Planted corn. Lois came home. Very hot. Marked out some ground. 88 in shade.

Jun 6 – Finished planting corn. Planted potatoes. Mrs Ash here to Tea.

Jun 7 – Planted some in garden corn peas onions.

Jun 8 – Went over to burg. Sold 5 Doz Eggs 62¢ 7 lbs butter 18¢ pr pound. Callicoe 36¢ silk 85¢.

Jun 9 – Very hot day. Went down to Catharines place saw Wings folks. Marks folks came up.

Jun 10 – Went over to burg. Bot Dresses for girls 5.55. Planted some corn in East garden some cucumbers.

Jun 11 – Planted potatoes in West garden. Charles Lee and Mr Smith here. Mrs Sumner called here.

Jun 12 – Mark got Bureau and bedstead. Cultivated some corn in west lot. Went to burg in Evening got Hats for girls bot shoes for Hannah & Nancy 4.00.

Jun 13 – Cultivating corn. Hannah gone to picknick to burg. Lucy here. Mowed some grass for Nance.

Jun 14 – Cultivated and hoed corn.

Jun 15 – Rainy. Mr John Clark and wife came here this morning. No work to day. Ethan went to burg.

Jun 16 – Went down to Mr Browns. Got wool box.

Jun 17 – Went over to the burg. Bot sythe and swath 3.00. Worked on wool box some. T. Flanders came.

Jun 18 – Finished wool box. Jesse Earl came down. T. Flanders went up to Yorks. Mowed yard and some in Orchard.

Jun 19 – Worked on road. Cut bushes up south by Durkees.

Jun 20 – Ethan cultivated corn some. I took Lamkins rake to peaces.

Jun 21 – Worked on road on town line up near Mr Ridlers.

Jun 22 – Mr Scram shelled some corn. I commenced wagon box. Drawed in hay from orchard. Jo Lee and Ann[44] came up here. Very hot.

Jun 23 – Hot morning. Mr Byington here.

Jun 24 – Hoed in garden. Drawed load wood. Worked on violin some.

Jun 25 – Put violin together the Boston fiddle. Went over to burg got chairs 1.50 & photographs for Catharine 1.00. Sold Mrs Morton 7. Lbs Butter 1.10 lb.

Jun 26 – Mowed on the hill south of orchard lot. Ethan cultivated corn.

Jun 27 – Went over to mill 2 bus wheat. Went up to Hartwells got wheelbarrow hub turned. Z. Butterfield turned it. Bot salearatas 15¢. S. Bristol gave me a hattan and crusible. Got some traps from shop.

Jun 28 – Made wagon for Henry Rogers called here. I sgned for book. Plowed out corn and potatoes in garden. Wallace Earl got home.

Jun 29 – Sick to day. Mr and Mrs Streator called here. Jo Flanders called here he paid me 10.50¢. Went over to burg just at night. Drawed in some hay from hill south orchard.

Jun 30 – At home all day not well.

Jul 1 – Sick to day. Went down to Marks in afternoon. Charles Lees folks here. Sarah Sumner came here to board. Byington cut some hay.

Jul 2 – Paid Morton for fish 30 bot fish 30¢ paid 25¢. Went over to burg. Bot coat for Ethan 2.00 cap 1.75¢ cloth for pants 1.50¢ one violin string 40¢.

Jul 3 – Went over to mill in morning. Went over in Evening. Bot coat 3.00 vest 1.00 cloth for Jim 60¢. Mr Byington took home load hay. Got some straw to fill Beds. Jo Lee brot Catharine home.

Jul 4 – Went over to burg in Evening. Bot two set h___ 1.00. Let Ethan have 1.00 Nancy 10¢ Hannah 10¢. Rainy day.

Jul 5 – Went up to Hartwells bored Horse rake head. Came round by burg got trowell of Mr Stevenson. Rained some.

Jul 6 – Finished Lamkins Horse rake he got it made him a dividing board for mower. Sarah made my linnen pants. Lois went up to Yorks. Hannah went.

Jul 7 – Pleasant morning. At home all day.

Jul 8 – Catharine moved down to her old home. Mowed in forenoon. Drawed in some hay in afternoon.

Jul 9 – Went over to mill carried 2 bushels wheat for Catharine one corn. Sarah & Lois went over to Mr Scramlins. Bot stamps 6¢.

Jul 10 – Drawed hay mowed some. Nance sick. Good weather.

Jul 11 – Went down to Catharines. Carried some flour meal clock etc.

Jul 12 – Went over to burg. Bot one package Sloans condition pouders 25¢.

Jul 13 – Went over to mill. Carried 2 bushels wheat. Bot shugar 1.00. Commenced cutting wheat. Cradled around the lot. Saw Wallace Earl.

Jul 14 – Warm day at home all day. Wes came down. Mark came up brot some potatoes. Lois went home with him.

Jul 15 – Went up to Dick Lamkins fixed his organ. Recd letter from A A Dodge. Sent letter to G. T.[45] Mrs Courtney picked currants. Bot rake 35¢.

Jul 16 – Drawed two loads hay. Mrs Wiseman and girls here. Catharine and Lucy came up. Got some things. Put in cradlefinger for Doc Babcock 38¢.

Jul 17 – Went up to Dick Lamkins saw his reaper go. Went up horsback.

Jul 18 – Lamkins came down and cut my wheat. Mr Byington bound Rufus Taylor Bou__t a while. Lonzo Ash set up wheat all day. Recd letter from A. L. Keith.[46]

Jul 19 – Got Wesleys team drawed in my wheat had 8 loads.

Jul 20 – No work to day about used up. Went over to burg in Evening. Sarah went over stayed all night. Lois came home. Aunt Sinda Percival[47] died. Recd letter from C. R. Cridland.[48] Ethan went down to Catharines.

Jul 21 – Went up to Mr Scrams saw Mr __urgis. Went in swimming.

Jul 22 – Mr Scram put his wheat in Barn. Isaac patched barn roof put on morter in front room. Went to the burg. Bot shoes 4.00 bot Bot door Knob and lock 75¢ nails 16¢.

Jul 23 – Helped Wesley draw wheat. Very hot day.

Jul 24 – Hung front door. Mrs Aash cleaned house. Ethan helped Wesley draw wheat. Ella Randall stayed here all night. Louesa went to Allertons. Sam Seaman died to day.

Jul 25 – Rainy morning. Went up to Mrs Ash to see calf. Rainy day. Mr Bristol came over.

Jul 26 – Went over to burg. Got clock. Bot oil and salearatas 45¢. Saw A. J. Bradford. Went down to Catharines.

Jul 27 – Went to Kalamazoo got my watch 2.00. Bot two tumblers 30¢ rusks and cheese 10¢ muzzle 25¢. Wes paid 2.00. Bot needles. Emeretta Cory and Dr Wightmans girls here.

Jul 28 – Had a fine shower this morning.

Jul 29 – Ethan cultivated corn. Had Mrs Ashes horse. I hoed some.

Jul 30 – Had Ashes horse. I went over to burg. Took dinner to Wisemans. Ethan cultivated corn. Got ring mended. Carried 3 bushels wheat to mill.

Jul 31 – Rained this morning. Went up to Yorks. Harriet came down after some wheat let them have 1½ bushels. No work sick or lazy. John got his horses a way.

Aug 1 – Ethan and Nancy gone after berries with Mrs Courtney. I cultivated corn some.

Aug 2 – No work to day. Jo Lee and Lois came up in afternoon. Ethan cultivated corn.

Aug 3 – Ethan cultivated corn. I done nothing sick. Milow Bostwick[49] died. Mr Ransom got 2 loads hay.

Aug 4 – At home all day. No one here. Not very well.

Aug 5 – Not very well. Ethan to work in corn. Paid Byington 3.00¢ for days work binding wheat. Very hot.

Aug 6 – Went down to Catharines and Marks. Ethan worked for Mr Courtney thrashing his wheat. Very hot.

Aug 7 – Went over to burg saw A. J. Bradford. Carried some butter to Mrs Morton 4.3/6 lbs. Bot shirt bosom 30¢ thread 10¢. Marks girl[50] Born to day.

Aug 8 – Went over to burg after Brad he no come. Bot 6 lbs shugar of P. T. Law 16¢ 9 lb. Mrs Ralph here. Mark came up after Nancy. Went up to the Seamans got our Bead.

Aug 9 – Went over to burg after Brad he no come. Bot ½ lb tea 70¢. Went up to Mr Shurmans to get him to draw log up to stump pile.

Aug 10 – Round home no work to day.

Aug 11 – At home all day. Mrs Ash took old horse down.

Aug 12 – Got calf of Mrs Ash. Helped Wesley thrash in afternoon. Mr Sheffield and Warren left.

Aug 13 – Helped Wesley thrash in fore noon. Thrashed Jo Yorks in afternoon.

Aug 14 – Wesley brot wheat down. Jo Lee came up with Nancy. Mr Scram thrashed some wheat. Went over to burg in Evening. Carried 12 doz eggs 13¢ doz.

Aug 15 – Went over to mill. Bot Sarahs dress. Mr Bristol came over with Mr Streator.

Aug 16 – Thrashed my wheat had 94 bushels. Paid Judson 5.00¢. Helped Courtney some in the afternoon.

Aug 17 – Went down to Marks. Net Gafnee came here. Ethan helped Mr Randal thrash. Net Gaf.

Aug 18 – Ethan and Nancy went to campmeeting over in Wakeshma went with Hank Brown.[51] Jo Lee came up with Lois.

Aug 19 – Went over to burg. Let Brad have my moddle. Bot nails 15¢. Rained some in the afternoon.

Aug 20 – Round home no work sick. Nothing going on of any account.

Aug 21 – Sarah Harriet and Volina went down to Catharines. Went over to burg.

Aug 22 – At home no work to day. Mr Scram thrashing. Mrs Gafing here. T Flanders came over here.

Aug 23 – No work to day. Jim went up to ____. T Flanders left.

Aug 24 – Made seat to day for Dick Lamkins. I sold Mr Scram sow and pigs $.6.00¢.

Aug 25 – Mr Scram got sow and six pigs. Mark brot Lois home. Very warm and dry. Dick Barber and wife called here.

Aug 26 – Altered Dicks seat and painted it. Mr Scram took his straw away. Jo Lee brot pig up got one of mine. Very hot day.

Aug 27 – Went over to burg with Lois and Sarah. Went to Barbers to Dinner. Bot bot co____ 5 Bot elm bark 15¢. Went up to Yorks. Sold 7 doz eggs 7/- 4 lbs butter 25¢ pr pound.

Aug 28 – Pigsley and Grassins at burg. Went over to burg in Evening saw man perform on tight rope. Got some things out of shop. H. A. Taylors cows in corn all night.

Aug 29 – Went and cut some steaks and fixed fence west of garden. Catharine and Hellen here in afternoon.

Aug 30 – Painted Dicks sulky in forenoon. No work in afternoon.

Aug 31 – Rainy day. Chased pigs most of the day. Made squair and rule for Dick Blackburn.

Sep 1 – At home all day. R. Blackburn came over. Mr & Mrs Seaman here.

Sep 2 – Went over to burg bot shoestrings thread pins needles robbie ____ &c 78¢. Paid Mart Millham 1.50. Nancy went to pick hops.

Sep 3 – Rainy day. Carried sow and pigs up to Seamans $6.00. Extract tooth for Wiseman.

Sep 4 – Went over to mill carried 2 bushels wheat one of corn. Pedler show here to dinner. Hannah went down to pick hops.

Sep 5 – Went over to burg.

Sep 6 – Helped Wesley draw manre. Got out 20 loads.

Sep 7 – Wesley drawed rails in fore noon. I laid up fence across the pasture south.

Sep 8 – Went down to Catharines after Lousea. Mr Scram finished plowing corn lot.

Sep 9 – Cleaned up and burnt stuff where fence stood. Finished laying up fence. T. Flanders came over.

Sep 10 – T. Flanders left. Went up to Wesleys. The two Mrs Scrams here in afternoon.

Sep 11 – Made corncutter and cut corn in garden. Went over to burg got Bed Bottoms.

Sep 12 – Went over to Mr Tuttles auction bot fork and iron bar 1.85 one Dollar Eighty five cts.

Sep 13 – At home all day. Jo Lee and Lois here. Went up to brady with Lois Clark. Ben Ha___ called here. Rained some. Shaved out whiffletrees[52] for Milford. Wes bot box matches 10¢.

Sep 14 – Pleasant morning. Went up to Benjamin Hartwells to raising.

Sep 15 – Went down to Catharines with Jo York. Hannah and May starling came home with us. Rained some.

Sep 16 – Went up to Hartwells in afternoon to help raise his shop put up one ______ ______ ______. Went to school meeting in Evening. Hop pickers had a dance in Evening at Bennet house Galesburg.

Sep 17 – Went down to Jo Lees gone all day. Went to Catharines.

Sep 18 – Cut up corn. Sarah went up to Wes. Jo Lee called here. Mrs Barber and Ida came over. Ethan went fishing in Evening.

Sep 19 – Went over to B. Hartwells finished raising his building. Cont with corn.

Sep 20 – Cut corn in forenoon ____ made a horse to set up corn by. Went over to burg Bot Boots 5.00. Sold 7 doz eggs.

Sep 21 – A. Brown picking up apples to make cider. Went over to burg after Patty[53] and Henry. No come. John Wilcut and wife[54] came.

Sep 22 – At home Jesse Turner[55] and family called here. Went over to burg in morning after Patty. No come.

Sep 23 – John and ______ went up to D. Bristols place got corn peaches and grapes. Ethan & Hank Brown made cider. To Comstock made

Sep 24 – John and Clem went up to Yorks. Patty came.

Sep 25 – Went down to Catharines with John and Clem. Henry came. Mr Scram commenced sowing wheat in south lot. Carried up 5 bushels.

Sep 26 – Carried 4½ bushels wheat up in lot this morning. Cut corn. Larry Griffin came over. Henry stayed all night. Sarah went down to Catharines with Jo and Hellen.

Sep 27 – Cutting corn. Henry whent up to Mr Flanders. Ethan went down to Charles Lees after a mast for their boat.

Sep 28 – Finished cutting my corn. Went over to mill carried 2 bushels wheat. Let R. Blackburn have 44. galens cider.

Sep 29 – At home all day. Pleasant cool wind.

Sep 30 – Drawed in some corn. Went over to burg got one load lumber out of shop. Went up to Wesleys. John and Clem came back.

Oct 1 – Pleasant morning cool wind. Had Wesley team dawed 4 loads from shop. John and Clem went home.

Oct 2 – Finished drawing my lumber from burg. Charly came on the noon train from Jackson.

Oct 3 – Went down to Catharines after Patty. She no come home with me. Sarah went down to Mr Browns and Allertons _____ children here. Went up to Riddlers after a _____.

Oct 4 – Went over to burg after some things in barn. Lois brick machine. Bot box pills 25¢. Mrs Courtney got quilt frames.

Oct 5 – Went up to S. Bristols got 2 bushels peaches 1.30¢. Laid floor in hog pen.

Oct 6 – At home all day.

Oct 7 – At home worked in hogpen. Shut up old sow.

Oct 8 – Husked corn south of orchard. Went to burg Bot Boots for Ethan 5.00.

Oct 9 – Rainy morning. Killed pig over to Courtney. Went up to Wesleys got some pumpkin. Patty came up from Catharines.

Oct 10 – Drawed in some corn fodder. Rainy afternoon.

Oct 11 – Went up to Wesleys. Carried two pigs. Cloudy and cold. Catharine and Hellen came down.

Oct 12 – Carried Sarah and Patty up to Wesleys. Catharine and Lois went. Bot violin string 40¢ Bot Potatoe hook of A. O. D. Schram 1.50. Mrs Tim Mills buried. Ada Bennet[56] died this morning.

Oct 13 – Catharine went home took sorgum barrel. Wes came down. Fine day Patty here Henry here.

Oct 14 – Went over to burg got Cider Barrel to Blackburn. Cleaned up some wheat for Wesley husked some.

Oct 15 – Husked some cleaned up wheat. Wes took one load to burg 2.50 pr bush. Sarah Patty and Lois went up to Yorks.

Oct 16 – Went down to David Simonds in morning. Finished claning up Wes wheat. Wes sold load wheat 2.50 pr bushel.

Oct 17 – Went down to david Simonds. Husked corn. _______ Cook called here. Hannah Nancy and Louesa went down to Allertons. I signed a petition.

Oct 18 – Drawed some corn fodder. Went over to mill. Bot shugar 1.00 coffee 30 shirt bosoms 30 thread 20¢. Killed 2 hens.

Oct 19 – All hands went down to Catharines Wes & Harriet Jo & Hellen Sarah Patty and Lois. Very warm and dry.

Oct 20 – Mercury 80 in shade hot and dry.

Oct 21 – At home no work to speak of.

Oct 22 – Went over to burg. Carried over cider to Beckswith seven galons 7/-.[57]

Oct 23 – Made 72. galons cider. Let Whitford have two galons 25¢. Let Mrs Rogers have 28. galons 3.50¢.

Oct 24 – Dug some potatoes. Ethan went down to Catharines after Patty. Wesley went to Kalamazoo. Lois went.

Oct 25 – Carried Sarah Patty and Catharine over to Celia Newmans. Bot Brown 35¢ tea _______ & 82¢. Got Books from Chicago 4.50.

Oct 26 – Boiled cider all day. Got kettle to Allertons. Carried sail down to Randalls. Rainy day.

Oct 27 – At home all day. Catharine went home.

Oct 28 – Went over to burg got thing to make Evetrogh one of Ed Gillis to fix. Went up to S. Bristols with Patty. Bristol came over and made out Deed for Patty. Mrs Hart died.

Oct 29 – Carried Gillis machine home. A Chipman called here. Carried Mrs Allertons kettle home. Pleasant day. Recd letter from Breece of Kalamazoo.

Oct 30 – At home. Made pully to draw up corn fodder. Snowey day. ____ gone to Kalamazoo.

Oct 31 – At home not much done. Patty here. Made Brace to Wes wagon.

Nov 1 – Went over to mill got 2 bushels wheat g____ing. Got brace mended on wagon 20¢. W. B. Spalding paid 45.77¢. Went down to Catharines with Patty.

Nov 2 – Went up to Bristols. He paid up interest on mortgage up to Aug 11^th 1868.

Nov 3 – At home. Issac Wing called here. Nancy went down to Catharines with Yorks folks. Rainy.

Nov 4 – Sarah and I Patty and Catharine went up to Jesse Turners in Wakeshma.

Nov 5 – We came home. Had Earls Buggy Wesleys horses.

Nov 6 – Went to Deerfield with Jo York. Got to Oscars about 8 PM.

Nov 7 – At Deerfield went round the squaire with Mr York[58] and Jo. Oscar came home.

Nov 8 – At the Lake about noon high wind no sail in sight. Very smokey high wind rained towards night.

Nov 9 – Left Oscars about 8 AM got to Paw Paw about noon. Dinner 50¢. Pleasant day. Got home about 8 Evening. All well.

Nov 10 – At home. Went up to Yorks in morning. Jesse Earls Charly horse died to day. Mr M. O. Streator called here. Extracted tooth for H. _____.

Nov 11 – Drawed some cornfodder. Wes came down. Killed a pig. Went to a School Meeting in Evening.

Nov 12 – Some cloudy in morning. Went over to burg. Bot (illegible).

Nov 13 – Went over to burg in morning. Went over to burg in Evening. Husked corn afternoon. Dud Imus paid up his note.

Nov 14 – Husked corn all day. Wallace Earl died about 12 oclock in Evening.

Nov 15 – Finished husking corn in lot. Pleasant day.

Nov 16 – Went to Kalamazoo with Jo and Mark Lee. Wallace Earl buried to day.

Nov 17 – Went up to Wesleys and Yorks. Patty and Catharine came up with Jo. Pleasant day.

Nov 18 – Killed a pig. Patty Catharine Harriet and Hellen Lucy & Henry all here.

Nov 19 – Patty & Henry started for hom on the 11.20 Train.

Nov 20 – Went over to burg carried 2 bushels wheat ½ corn for ______. Brot Jane Hoag over with me. Pleasant day. Bot books 3.00.

Nov 21 – Took the old cow down to Fords in morning. Drawed cornfodder in afternoon. Very fine weather.

Nov 22 – Got Wes team took apples up to Cider ___. Made 104 114 galons cider 1.75¢. Let Mr Schram have 48 gals cider 1/- per galon.

Nov 23 – Put up cornfodder in forenoon. Carried Sarah over to burg in Evening. Rained in the night some thunder.

Nov 24 – At home. Mark & Ann came up. Mark cut frank calf. Warm day.

Nov 25 – Made platform for Catharine. Painted thills to wagon.

Nov 26 – Put top on my machine. Sarah went up to Jesse Earls. I went up in Evening. Saw R. S. Clapp.

Nov 27 – Took Fathers cow down to Fords bull. Cloudy not very cold. Charles Lee and wife[59] here to Dinner.

Nov 28 – At home all day not much work done to day.

Nov 29 – Moved stove into front room. Went up to Wesleys and Yorks.

Nov 30 – Snowey cold first winter day. Drawed some wood. Went over to burg in Evening. Carried pants over to A. Hoags. Bot vitrol and gum 5¢.

Dec 1 – Cold morning 13. Abz at home.

Dec 2 – At home all day. Jo Lasher came here stayed all night. Went up to Milfords in Evening. B. F. Orcut shot this Evening.

Dec 3 – Lasher went up to J. Smiths. Andrew Turner and mother[60] here to dinner. Some snow on the ground.

Dec 4 – Went down to Catharines. Carried her platform down.

Dec 5 – Went to Kalamazoo to see Mr Giddings. Bot cotton 6.20¢ gloves for Ethan 1.25 candy 10. Lasher came back.

Dec 6 – Chopped some wood chored round.

Dec 7 – Went over to burg. Cut and split some wood. Lasher came up from Catharines.

Dec 8 – Made axhelve for Lasher. He went down to Catharines.

Dec 9 – Went to mill carried one bushel corn two of wheat.

Dec 10 – Went over to burg. Carried over old iron. Bot file. Issac Wing here. Shelled some corn. Jo Lee called here.

Dec 11 – At home. Sarah and Lois went down to Mr Randalls. I went down and took Tea. Jim Courtney here in Evening. Mark called here.

Dec 12 – Cold morning 14 Abz. Went over to burg with Lois. She went out to Jackson. Brot Wanda Clark and children over to Mr Taylors. B. F. Orcut died.[61]

Dec 13 – Cold morning 5 below zero. Cut some wood.

Dec 14 – Went down to Catharines with sleigh. Made mittens for Lasher in Evening. R. S. Clapp left for home.

Dec. 15 – At home all day. 7 below zero in morning. Edith came Down. Lasher stayed all night.

Dec 16 – Lasher commenced chopping for Allerton. Went over to Burg with Mr Howlet. Bot brush 10¢ Thread 10¢. B. F. Orcut buried to day.

Dec 17 – Chopped and drawed wood. Not very cold.

Dec 18 – Drawed one load wood. Filed cross cut saw for Riddler and Wes. Wesley got lumber out by barn.

Dec 19 – Made boulster for Allerton he paid 50¢.

Dec 20 – Cut some wood. Put my lumber in old shop.

Dec 21 – Extracted tooth for C ____. At home all day. Shelled some corn got some spokes out of hogpen. Charles Lee and wife called here. Tried to drive hogs over to burg. Rainy afternoon and Evening.

Dec 22 – Cold at home all day. Lasher came up here in Evening.

Dec 23 – Cleaned out shop. Choped some in afternoon. Chub came down to get me to go and help butcher.

Dec 24 – Went over to burg. Carried 2. bushels wheat 2 of corn. Bot pop gun for Jim.

Dec 25 – Helped Wesley kill hogs. Rainy afternoon. Dick Lamkins here in Evening.

Dec 26 – Went down to Charles Lees. Got one bushel potatoes and sausage cutter.

Dec 27 – Went up to Blakes to see about hogs.

Dec 28 – Cut tree in south lot for wood to butcher with.

Dec 29 – Went up to Wesleys to see about butchering.

Dec 30 – Wes and Jo helped butcher. Killed 3 hogs. Cut up and salted pork. Jesse Earl brot his wagon down.

Dec 31 – Worked in shop some. Dick Lamkins here. Worked on dash some. Snowed in night.

——-

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

[2] Joseph & Helen (Bradley) York; Helen was his niece

[3] His brother, John Wesley Keith, who, according to the family Bible, was adopted

[4] His daughter by his first wife, Minerva Payson

[5] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[6] A search at FindAGrave.com shows that Amos Willson died January 2, 1867 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[7] Neighbor, Isaac Schram

[8] The 1880 census lists Olive Schram as being born in 1867

[9] His daughter, Nancy Keith

[10] His sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[11] His nephew, James Oscar Keith

[12] His son, James Clinton Keith

[13] “Mark” is referred to quite often in Luke’s diaries and it is believed that he is referring to his cousin, Marquis de Lafayette Lee, the oldest son of Dr. Ezekiel and Elizabeth (Strong) Lee. The Lees were Mormons and moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, and eventually to the Salt Lake Valley in 1850. Mark stayed behind to run his father’s farm and was living with his aunt, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[14] His son, Ethan Keith

[15] His daughter, Hannah Keith

[16] Saleratus; sodium or potassium bicarbonate used as a leavening agent; baking soda

[17] His niece, Helen (Bradley) York

[18] Charles Luke Keith Sr.

[19] Thomas Jefferson Chaffee Jr., the husband of Luke’s niece, Frances Catherine “Kate” (Keith) Chaffee

[20] Glenn Noah Keith, the son of James “Oscar” & Mary Ann (Batey) Keith, who was born on December 2, 1866

[21] Mary Ann (Batey) Keith

[22] The long shafts between which an animal is fastened when pulling a wagon

[23] James Hunt King

[24] His niece, Frances Catherine “Kate” (Keith) Chaffee

[25] James S. King, his maternal first cousin, and son of James Hunt King

[26] Neighbor, Ambrose Brown, the father of Henry Brown, who would marry Luke’s daughter, Nancy

[27] Joseph W. Lee, his paternal first cousin

[28] His daughter, Louesa Keith

[29] Neighbor, Thomas Flanders

[30] Etc.

[31] Above zero

[32] Above zero

[33] His niece, Lucy Irene Lee

[34] Clarinda (Goodrich) Milham

[35] The vertical side pieces to a wagon body

[36] George Tomlinson, who was married to Luke’s niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

[37] Kalamazoo, Michigan

[38] His future son-in-law

[39] Assume this was his wife Sarah’s brother, Henry Crawford; however, it could have been his son, Henry Keith

[40] His wife Sarah’s brother, Hiram Crawford

[41] Mark’s (footnote #13) wife, Julia Ann Lee

[42] Believe this was his brother Wesley’s wife and daughter, Harriet (Blakslee) Keith and Edith (Keith) Kellum

[43] A felloe, or felly, is the rim of a wheel supported by spokes

[44] I believe he is referring to Ansell Lee, the son of Joseph W. Lee, his paternal first cousin

[45] George Tomlinson

[46] Aylmer Lot Keith, his paternal first cousin

[47] A search at FindAGrave.com shows that Lucinda Percival died July 20, 1867 and is buried at Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[48] Charles R. Cridland

[49] A search at FindAGrave.com shows that Milo Bostwick died May 6, 1880; however, his son, Elizur Bostwick, died August 9, 1867. Both men are buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan. Either way, this entry appears to be inaccurate

[50] Mary Jane Lee

[51] Henry Brown

[52] The pivoted horizontal crossbar to which the harness traces of a draft animal are attached and which is in turn attached to a vehicle or an implement

[53] His sister, Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague

[54] His cousin, John & Juliet Clementine (Clover) Willcutt

[55] His maternal first cousin

[56] Oak Grove Cemetery (Galesburg, Michigan) records show that Ada Bennett, the daughter of H. L. & Levina Bennett, born in 1862, died October 11, 1867

[57] /- is the symbol used for shilling which varied between 12¢ and 16¢

[58] Believe he is referring to Joseph York’s father, Samuel York

[59] Believe he is referring to his cousin, Charles & Juliana (Davis) Lee

[60] His cousins, Andrew J. Turner and Sarah “Sally” (Davis) Turner

[61] The December 2^nd entry mentions that B. F. Orcut was shot