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 Wm 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 3rd 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 18th 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 4th 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 11th 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 22nd 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
