Luke Keith’s 1888 Diary

                                    1888 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH, JR.[1]

Jan 1 – Very Blustrous a regular Dacota Blizzard. H. A. Brown,[2] Ethan, Hannah,[3] Claud & Bess,[4] went up to Tip Towns.[5]

Jan 2 – Took Nancy[6] and girls down to Mrs Browns.[7] I went up to Mrs Fords got Mates[8] wrap.

Jan 3 – Went down to Mrs Browns after Nancy and girls took them over to Burg. They went home. Took the Hams down to Mrs Brown in afternoon.

Jan 4 – Took Hannah down to Mr Mitchels in afternoon. Jim[9] and Arthur Arms[10] cut and drawed wood.

Jan 5 – Took Ina home in morning. Worked on cross head in afternoon. Theodore[11] came down and Babited[12] one side. Fred Franklin got his axhelve.

Jan 6 – Worked in shop on cross head. Theodore and Ethan Babited the other side.

Jan 7 – Went down to Katharines[13] in morning. Ethan and Theodore finished the cross Head. Snowed like fun[14] when we came home.

Jan 8 – About one inch and half snow this morning. Sun came out bright in morning. Will Brown[15] hunting for Hog.

Jan 9 – Cold. Not much done. Drawed one load wood. Took some cobs down to Mrs Brown in morning.

Jan 10 – Very cold and blustrous. Nothing done but chores.

Jan 11 – Went over to burg in morning got calendar. Brot Mr Hawks Bass viol over for repairs. Took the Belly of in afternoon. George Blake and wife[16] called here.

Jan 12 – Cold blustrous day. Worked on bull fiddle. A. Armes called here for Jim. Rained in night.

Jan 13 – 5 abz[17] cold blustring day. Worked on Big fiddle. Young Ogden came after Hannah. Put top on Jims violin. Mr David Freer Died to day.[18]

Jan 14 – Worked on Big fiddle. Cold day. Went over to burg in afternoon got bag bran for cow 30¢. Snowed in night.

Jan 15 – At home all day. Mr Freer Buried to day. Dell, Lois and Ina[19] here in Evening.

Jan 16 – 9 Mercury 9 Below zero this morning. Judson Howlet came after Hannah. Worked on Double Bass viol.

Jan 17 – Worked in shop some on Big Fiddle. Cold day.

Jan 18 – Worked in shop some on Bass viol. Went over got clamps to put Bass viol to gether with.

Jan 19 – Good sleighing. Worked in shop on viol.

 Jan 20 – Cold day. Went over took Mr Buralls clamps home. Glued upper End of top on Bass fiddle.

Jan 21 – Mercury 15 below zero this morning. Hannah and I went to Kalamazoo. Bot suit clothes $12.00. Very much cold day.

Jan 22 – At home. Clara and George[20] came up here. Very nice pleasant day.

Jan 23 – Worked in Kitchen took of plaster and lath leveled up the joists.

Jan 24 – Mercury 9 below. Put back the floor in Kitchen. Cold day. Jim went to Kalamazoo.

Jan 25 – Worked in shop some on Big fiddle. Put top on Bass Viol in part.

Jan 26 – Finished putting the top on Bass viol. Went over to Burg in afternoon. Sarah[21] went down to Mrs Browns. Old Mrs Russell Buried to day.[22]

Jan 27 – Mercury at zero. Worked on Bass Viol. Very nice day. First rate sleighing. Jim worked for Vansickler and Stilson.

Jan 28 – Went over to Burg Bot flooring and ceiling for Kitchen $5.00. Took Bass Viol over Mr Hawks paid $4.00. Ethan went to Kalamazoo. Nice day good sleighing. Charley Town[23] brot lumber over.

Jan 29 – Went over to George Blakes to a Spiritual meeting.[24] Had a good time.

Jan 30 – Mercury 28 Abz in morning. Ethan got home at noon. Commenced putting down floor.

Jan 31 – Laying floor in Kitchen put down about half. Fine winter weather first rate sleighing.

Feb 1 – Went over to burg got ceiling of John Allen 160 feet $1.40. Laid floor in afternoon. Ella Chadwick married to night.[25] Very nice day.

Feb 2 – Ethan and Lizzy Brown[26] went to Kalamazoo. I finished laying the floor in Kitchen.

Feb 3 – Hung Kitchen door. Not very well. Ethan putting on ceiling. Henry Webster got the cutter to go to the Dance.

Feb 4 – Worked in Kitchen some not much. Not very well.

Feb 5 – Not very well. At home. Sarah went went over to Forbush Blakes.

Feb 6 – Not much work to day. Ethan putting on ceiling. I put the last tutch on floor. Not well any way.

Feb 7 – Lois came over helped Hannah. Cold bluster, snowed and blowed like fun at night.

Feb 8 – Cold blustring day. Took 4 bushels wheat to mill. Bot paint and oil. Jim and Charley Griffith chopping for H. D. Streator.[27]

Feb 9 – 15, cold blustring. Went over to burg bot paper. Went down to Katharines took her dress down. Cold, mercury 15 below zero 9 oclock in Evening.

Feb 10 – 3 below. Went over after Lois in morning. Bot oil cloth.

Feb 11 – 6 below. Went over to Burg in morning after Lois. Bot tamper for stove in middle room. Changed the stove[?]. Put the carpets down. Ethan finished painting.

Feb 12 – 4 below. At home. Not very well. Sarah went over to Blake. Jesse Earl[28] came down here made a short visit. Nice day. Woods folks no come down.

Feb 13 – At home. Not very well. Chored round some.

Feb 14 – Went over to burg. Got letter from Nell Gillett.[29]

Feb 15 – D. and Lou[30] came home to day. Not very cold.

Feb 16 – D and Lou went to W^m Ralphs.[31] D and Lou here. Jim went up to Augusta after oats. I bot 5 bushels $1.90¢. I mended chair and small table for Mrs Brown. Filed saw for C. Town.

Feb 17 – Lou and D. here. Not much work to day. Cleared out shop.

Feb 18 – Ethan and Jim went to Kalamazoo to sign papers for nut lock.[32] Ethan stayed Jim came home. D and Lou went over to Burg.

Feb 19 – Rained some. D. and Lou here all day. Em and Cora[33] came down. Rained quite hard.

Feb 20 – D. and Lou went home on 11.55 run. Some what blustrous.

Feb 21 – Went over to Burg at noon. No mail from Walter and Nell. They came on Nine Oclock Accommodation Evening. Theodore and Allice[34] here in afternoon and Evening.

Feb 22 – Went over to Burg. No mail from Walter and Nell.[35] They came on 9 oclock train in Evening.

Feb 23 – Ethan Jim went after Katharine. She came stayed all night. Nice day.

Feb 24 – Lee[36] came up after Katharine in afternoon. Ethan went over got Lois and Ina. They stayed all night. Rainy night.

Feb 25 – Ethan took Lois and Ina home in morning. Rained and snowed and Blowed, some Blustrous day. Ethan, Jim, Hannah, Walter and Nell went over to Lois. Stayed all day.

Feb 26 – At home. Walter and Nell here. Cold blustring day.

Feb 27 – Ethan, Hannah, Jim, Walter and Nell went to Kalamazoo. Cold blustring day. They had Cap Rowlands team.

Feb 28 – Ethan stayed all night. Hannah went down to Mr Randals. Cull Towns Boy Born this morning.[37]

Feb 29 – Took Hannah over to Burg. Bot half Bushel Potatoes 55 cts. Rained in night.

Mar 1 – Ethan went to Kalamazoo. I turned D. Ball club. Very muddy, snow most gone.

Mar 2 – At home. Not very well. Charley Town and Fanny[38] here in Evening. Had a circle.[39]

Mar 3 – Went to mill took two bushels wheat. Bot 30 lbs Bran 30 cts. Herb and wife and boy,[40] Theodore and wife here in Evening and a Mr Far. Nancy and girls[41] came up on 6 oclock run.

Mar 4 – Nancy & girls went down to Mrs Browns.

Mar 5 – Nancy and girls went home on 11.55 train. I not very mooch well some not mooch.

Mar 6 – Jim and Charley Grifeth drawed wood. Cold windy day.

Mar 7 – I put top on Calvin Streators[42] violin. Pleasant day. Sarah went up to Hat and Lib Taylors.[43] Jim chopping for Fred Franklin. Mr Russel Died to night Ae. 93 years.[44]

Mar 8 – Not much work to day. Worked in shop some. Done the chores. Charley and Fanny Town here in Evening.

Mar 9 – Chored round. Put finger Board on violin. Henry Winters stayed here all night. Rainy night. Mr Russel buried to day.

Mar 10 – Rainy day. Jim worked for H. D. Streator. I Bot 4 bushels corn of C. Town 55¢ pr Bushel $2.20 cts.

Mar 11 – At home all day. Sate[45] came over and sewed for Hannah.

Mar 12 – Ethan took Sate home. I am not very well. Choring some. Hannah went up to Tip Towns this Evening.

Mar 13 – Worked in shop some. Sawed out finger board for my violin.

Mar 14 – Put finger board on to the violin. Cold windy day.

Mar 15 – Not very well. Took Fan[46] up to Flanders[47] to get Jersey calf. Nice day. Eunice Town brot Hannah home afternoon.

Mar 16 – Worked round in shop some. Nice day. T. B. Lord died to day Ae. 74 years & 5 months and one day.[48]

Mar 17 – Went over to burg in morning got some things, new bacin. Went up to Herbs got some cucumber pickles.

Mar 18 – Went over to Geo Blakes had a first rate time. Lois, Hannah and Sate went. Mr T. B. Lord buried to day.

Mar 19 – Mended the girls clothes bars. Jim & Hannah went to Kalamazoo. Some rainy in afternoon.

Mar 20 – Hannah went down to Mrs Streators.[49] Very much rainy day.

Mar 21 – Made wash Bench for Hat & Lib Taylor. Cold wind.

Mar 22 – 6 Abz in morning, cold blustring day, snow flies Lively. Filed saw for Taylor girls. Lee got the wash Bench.

Mar 23 – Mercury 3 below zero. Went over to burg. Took Ethans Binder castings over to Foundry. They are fitting them up. Bot half Bushell potatoes of Turney 55 cts.

Mar 24 – Cold blustring day very cold. Wing got the Alphadelphia Association[50] Books from Taylors. The girls moved over to the Burg to day. Mr Brower moved to day into the girls House.

Mar 25 – 16 Abz cold wind all day, fine snow some rain. Mrs Josh Wheaton Died to day.[51]

Mar 26 – Hannah went up to W^m Ralphs to work. Ethan over to Foundry.

Mar 27 – Mended frame to Hat and Libbies hanghing[?] Lamp. Some cool day.

Mar 28 – Went over to foundry after Ethans castings. Took the girls Lamp frame over. They let Lockhart have the Horse & carriage to day. Mrs Wheaton Buried.

Mar 29 – Made some whiffletrees[52] for Charley Town.

Mar 30 – Made small pan for Will Brown. Clara Millham came up to day.

Mar 31 – Hannah went to Kalamazoo to work in shop for Mrs William. Jim went to Shelbyville[53] to work for D Harris. I went over to burg 3 times.

Apr 1 – At home all day. No one here.

Apr 2 – Nice day for town meeting. Went over in afternoon. Evva Blake here a while in afternoon. Set Wiandot Hen on 13 Eggs this afternoon. Mrs Julia Johnson found dead to day.[54]

Apr 3 – Chored round not much work. Had a chase after Fan and Jim. They went up to Culls wheat.

Apr 4 – Went down to Katharines. Nice day. Got some warm shugar. Mrs Johnson buried to day.

Apr 5 – At home doing chores and helping Sally[55] what I can.

Apr 6 – Tinkering in shop some. Filed saw for Mr Caywood one for Dod Sumner. Lois came over stayed all night.

Apr 7 – Ethan and Lois went down to Katharines. I went up to Jesse Earls to see Herbs Buggy wheels. De boxes am brake.[56]

Apr 8 – Went down to Mrs Browns held the meeting there. Woods, Chichesters, Wilsons, Keiths, Streators, Blakes, Cyrus Streator.[57] M. O. Streator, Ambrose Brown, T. Ford & Susan Giddings all there and talked some.[58]

Apr 9 – Went down to Mr Streators to see if I could get some hay. Rainy afternoon. Got two galons cyrup of Will Brown.

Apr 10 – Went over to Burg after medicine and boxes for Herbs wheels no got some. Cold windy day rain some not much.

Apr 11 – Lizzie and Ray[59] here all day. She paid ten Dollars. I went up to E O Umphrys farm bot Hay. Nice day some wind.

Apr 12 – Mr Laurence Brot one tun Hay $10.00. Went up to Laurences fore noon Bot ½ tun Hay. Laurence brot it down in afternoon pd $15.79 cts.

Apr 13 – Worked in shop cut out stuff for Hannahs square.

Apr 14 – Went to burg took over two bushels wheat and 9½ Doz Eggs bot Bran 35 cts. Hannah came home worked on squair marked it of.

Apr 15 – Went over to Harry Wilsons to a Spiritual meeting.

Apr 16 – Took Hannah over to burg. She went to Kalamazoo on the 11.15 train.

Apr 17 – Charley Tousley got the Jack varnished W. H. Knaps pattern. Harry Crawford[60] here all day. He left on the nine oclock train for Chicago. Cullen Town commenced cultivating the south lot for oats.

Apr 18 – Went over to burg bot one bushel and 3 pecks clover seed $7.81 cts paid $2.00. Cul Town cultivating the ground for oats.

Apr 19 – Went over got Lois. Took over 3.¾ lbs Butter 20 cts per lb. Snowed some. Cull commenced sowing oats. Bot clover seed one Bushel and 3 pecks 4.50 pr B. 7.88 cts paid $2.00.

Apr 20 – Went over to burg after Lois. Cullen Town commenced sowing oats. Snowed some.

Apr 21 – Cull finished sowing oats. Nice day. He sowed fourteen acres.

Apr 22 – At home. No one here. Turned Bill[61] out in East lot.

Apr 23 – Set Boxes in Herbs wheels. Fine day. The Potatoes came to night to the Burg. Fire in Burg this morning Gus Osgoods store Burned out the inside left the shell standing.

Apr 24 – Went over to burg got 2 bbls Potatoes. They came from Perry N.Y. Frank and Walter[62] sent them. Went down to Katharines in afternoon. Sarah went down to Mrs Streator.

Apr 25 – Herb got his wheels this morning. R. E. Strait here this morning. I cleaned yard some. Nice day quite warm in afternoon.

Apr 26 – Cleaned out yard chored round wheeled out some dirt.

Apr 27 – Will Brown plowed potato ground and garden. Ethan and Charley Town went to Kalamazoo. Set Major at night on 15 Eggs.

Apr 28 – 94 Mercury 94 four Abz. I sick to day. Will dragged the tatoe ground and garden. Drew two loads polls. Very hot and dry.

Apr 29 – At home. Nice day. No one here. I not much well some.

Apr 30 – Very cold wet rain all day. Not much work out, to wet.

May 1 – Sent Mrs Streator some potatoes. Charley Town got ashes. I plowed garden and potatoe ground planted my Dacota taters. Ethan planted potatoes, corn, onions, peas, parsnips and varius things.

May 2 – Fine day not very warm. Planted potatoes south of Barn. Dexa and Bell[63] at the Burg on their way to York State to west Oneonta.

May 3 – Went over to burg in morning. Bot shoes for Sarah $1.00. Cleaned yard some. Ethan took the old Binder to peaces to get the bolts for the new one.

May 4 – Worked round house and yard. Hannah and Vern[64] came home.

May 5 – Went over to Burg. Nancy and Lelah and Bes[65] came up on noon train. I went over got Bes.

May 6 – Very nice warm day. Mr James Powers and wife, George Blake and wife, Mrs. Brown and Charley Town here. Had a good time. Mr James Lawler Buried to day.[66]

May 7 – Rainy. I took Hannah down to Mrs Streators. Hannah, Nancy and the girls went home on noon train. Charley Town commenced plowing the East lot.

May 8 – Went over to Burg got boards for the Binder apron. Filed two saws for G. P. Oatman. Had a heavy shower some thunder. Went up to Herbs after cabbage plants no got him.

May 9 – Nice warm morning looks rainy. Not very well. Chored round as usual.

May 10 – Mrs Frank Hodgman Died this morning.[67] Mrs Will Johnson Died.[68] Went over to burg got cabbage plants.

May 11 – Dug some Sassafras grubs in forenoon. Ethan and Charley making corn planter. Had big rain all night.

May 12 – Cool strong wind in forenoon. Mrs Flora Hodgman Buried to day. Mrs Will Johnson Buried to day. Grant Oatman got his saws he paid 40 cts.

May 13 – Cool and windy all day. Mr McLewis and Lady called to see Hannah.

May 14 – Mercury 39 cool, snowed some in morning.

May 15 – Grubbed out the Blackberry bushes in west garden. Mrs Leonard Evvins Buried to day.[69] Ethan and Charley working on corn planter.

May 16 – Sarah went over to Lois. Mrs Brockway there. Hannah there making a Dress for Mrs B.

May 17 – Worked in garden. Went over to burg bot cabbage and tomato plants.

May 18 – Worked some in garden. Not very well.

May 19 – Charley finished planting East lot.

May 20 – At home all day. Ethan and Hannah went to Kalamazoo.

May 21 – Plowed out strawberries and cabbage, peas and onions and oder dings.[70] Charley Clark[71] came here stayed all night.

May 22 – Warm morning. Charley left for home on seven twenty seven run A M.

May 23 – Went to mill took 2 bushels wheat. Bot 2 bushels corn of Schroder and Olin 65 cts pr bushel. Took the girls a few potatoes. Bot violin string of Dick Lamkin 10 cts. Bot one Bottle medicine of W. A. Burdick.

May 24 – Nice warm day. Hoed some in garden. Dick called here. Charley and Ethan working on planter.

May 25 – Choring not much work. Hoed some in garden. Went over to burg.

May 26 – Went over to burg after Mary and Claud they came up with Will Brown. Mary Ozlumm.[72]

May 27 – Some rainy in morning. Ethan, Hannah and Mary went down to Mrs Browns after Dinner. Hannah went up to Cull Towns. Rained in night.

May 28 – Took Mary over to the 9 oclock train. Rainy day. Claud went on noon train.

May 29 – Went over to Mr Ralphs in forenoon got some tomato plants and some cabbage plants.

May 30 – Went to Kalamazoo. Lou and children[73] came down to Nancys. Got home just at dark. Rainy night. Mr Elwood planting in corn and lots of others.

May 31 – Cool cloudy in forenoon. Schram planting corn where the water washed it out.

Jun 1 – Went over to burg in morning after Sate. Went up to Herbs got some cabbage plants. Cora Harris[74] here all day.

Jun 2 – Not very well. Not much work to day. Went over to burg in afternoon. Got wire screen for south door. Took over some Butter to Mrs Barber 5 lbs. Sate here.

Jun 3 – Very nice morning. Went over to Geo Blake to meeting. Had a very good time.

Jun 4 – Fine day. Took Hannah over to the train she went to Kalamazoo. I hoed some potatoes. Went up to Herbs got some cabbage plants, sweet corn and Beet seed.

Jun 5 – Put up Screen doors. Warm day. Kate, Jesse and Blanch[75] came on the Bobtail train.

Jun 6 – Not very well. Not much work to day. Went over to burg in the morning after Kates trunk. Bill run and broke the wagon. I started for Mich 51 years to day.[76]

Jun 7 – I started Plowed out the East part of the garden in afternoon. Cool wind. Jesse went back to school.

Jun 8 – Not very well. No work. Kate and Blanch here.

Jun 9 – Kate and Hannah sewing for Jesse all the times.

Jun 10 – At home. No one here Excep Kate and Blanch.

Jun 11 – Worked some, hoed potatoes part of the day. Some warm day.

Jun 12 – Finished hoing potatoes and garden. Mr John Sager buried to day. Went over to burg after Jesse.

Jun 13 – Rainy morning some thunder rained hard. George Newton stopt through the shower. Went over to burg.

Jun 14 – Took Jesse over to the train in morning. Not very well. Very warm.

Jun 15 – 98 in shade. Not much work to day. Took package over to send to Jesse. 51 years to night I landed here on this place.

Jun 16 – 98 in shade very hot, no work. Sent package to Jesse.

Jun 17 – 94 hot day. At home. Ethan and Hannah went down to Caywoods.

Jun 18 – 90 and upwards very hot. Went over to Express office no package. Henry Crawford[77] came stayed all night.

Jun 19 – 98 in shade. Took Kate over to train she went to Kalamazoo. The package came. I went to Blakes while she was gone to town. Took Henry over to train. Hank Brown called here.

Jun 20 – 100 in shade 2 PM. Kate and Blanch started for home. Went to Kalamazoo to stay there until Saturday then take the afternoon train for Chicago.

Jun 21 – Hannah went to Caywoods. Took Sarah over to Lois. Kate and Jesse went home.

Jun 22 – Not very well. Hoed some cut some grass. Very hot. Sate and Hannah sewing.

Jun 23 – Cut some grass chored round. Went over to burg. Sate here.

Jun 24 – At home. The girls sewing some. Tip was coming down but no came. Sate went home.

Jun 25 – Worked some in orchard. Put up some hay. Sprinkled some bugs.

Jun 26 – Went over to burg in morning. Sprinkled Bugs most all day. Ina came over.

Jun 27 – Drew in some hay. Rany day some and cool. Not much work.

Jun 28 – Not very well. Hoed some in garden. Lou and children came home.

Jun 29 – Not much work to day. Turned 4 pins for Harry. Charley brot the trucks over.

Jun 30 – Made reach and hounds for trucks. Hot day.

Jul 1 – At home all day. Lou and children here. Nice day.

Jul 2 – Ground knife and turned six pins for N. L. Randal,[78] went over to Burg after Lois at noon. George Youmans came over in afternoon.

Jul 3 – 94 in morning, hot morning.

Jul 4 – Took 3 bushels wheat to mill. Lou and children went over to Lois.

Jul 5 – Went over to Foundry. Got some work done for Binder. Jim came home to day. Cory Meridith[79] came with him.

Jul 6 – Hoed some in garden. Not very well. Very hot.

Jul 7 – Hoed in garden. Very hot. D came on B T[80] train. Nancy and girls come home. Lou and Stell and Mary went up to Em Schuylers.

Jul 8 – Put Binder in Barn. Jesse Earl came down. Eliza Ridler started for Rochester to day.

Jul 9 – D. Went home on 8.48 train. Claude went on same train. Hannah went to Caywoods. Some sprinklum.

Jul 10 – Worked in garden some. Cut some grass.

Jul 11 – Not much done. Charley Town came over and tried the Binder.

Jul 12 – Raked up grass in orchard hoed some sprinkled potatoes.

Jul 13 – Worked in garden some. Went over to Burg.

Jul 14 – Took Hannah over to Lois in morning. Hoed some. Went down to Mrs Browns after Nancy and girls. Effie Frazer came with them.

Jul 15 – I went down to Marts.[81] Nancy and girls went home. Will took them.

Jul 16 – 88 in shade ½ past 3 PM. Cut grass around the cornfield. Charley Town drawing wheat.

Jul 17 – Worked in garden and chored round as usual. Hannah at Caywoods.

Jul 18 – Hannah at home. I cut some grass hoed some set around some. Hannah went up to Mr Fishers in Evening. Had a shower just at dark.

Jul 19 – Nice day cloudy not very hot. Choring round.

Jul 20 – Hoed garden and chored around. Ethan working on Binder.

Jul 21 – Took Fan up to Mr Flanders to get Jersey calf.[82] Took Sarah over to Lois in afternoon.

Jul 22 – At home. Some cloudy rain some very ledle mite not much. Andrew Krom Died to day.[83]

Jul 23 – Worked in garden some. Some cooler very dry.

Jul 24 – Not much work to day. Very hot and dry. Charleys sow and pigs in garden in night.

Jul 25 – 97 in shade. Ayers Raymond Died this morning.[84] Got up between two and three oclock AM drove sow an pigs out of garden. They tore down lot of corn. Took Sarah up to Theodores in forenoon. 41 years to day I attended a wedding.[85]

Jul 26 – Chored around hoed some cut weeds in west garden and road. Hot day. Hannah came home from _____.

Jul 27 – Took Hannah up to Gates. Ayres Raymond buried to day. Very warm day getting very dry. Went over to Burg in Evening to hear the Whitney Band.

Jul 28 – Went over to Burg. Got some irons made for Binder. Got cold chisel sharpened.

Jul 29 – At home all day. Ethan and Hannah went down to Katharines. Hot day. Mary Flanders[86] and Ed Harmon called in Evening. I repaired cradle in Evening for J. Vandercook 25¢.

Jul 30 – 104 in shade. Took Hannah over to Lois in morning. Very dry. Cullin cutting the oats.

Jul 31 – Had a thunder shower in morning. Cul cutting oats some.   Had a big rain and thunder storm just at night.

Aug 1 – 94 in shade. Took Jim up to Mr Flanders in morning to get Jersey calf. Left her up there. Went over to burg took Eight Doz eggs 13¢ pr doz.

Aug 2 – Thunder shower in morning. Not much work to day. Chored round hoed some in garden.

Aug 3 – Ethan working on Binder. I saw some wood do some chores.

Aug 4 – Went down to Mrs Browns got some apples. Went over to Foundry got wheel bored for Binder. Took stranger down to Caywoods. Mrs John Powers[87] here all day from Scotts. Lizzie Brown here in Evening.

Aug 5 – At home all day.

Aug 6 – Hannah went to Mate Fords to day.

Aug 7 – Hannah went to Mary Flanders to day. Lois went up to Shelbyville. Lou sick. Made Tail Piece for D. Lamkins violin.

Aug 8 – Hannah went to Neal Commings this morning. I went over to post office at noon. Dick got violin Bow.

Aug 9 – At home. Tried the Binder this morning. Ed Galusha called to see the Binder work. He not work first rate.

Aug 10 – Worked in garden and shop some. Warm for this time of the year. Went to Kalamazoo to Nancys. Mrs Gaffing sick.

Aug 11 – At home. Worked in garden and shop some. Nice day had a nice shower in Evening. I went over to post office in the rain.

Aug 12 – At home all day. No one here but Bess.

Aug 13 – Looked over the wire fence found some staples gone put in new ones. Alvin and Charley Lee and wife and wives sister here to day.[88]

Aug 14 – At home. Worked in shop. Ethan went to Kalamazoo. Finished Dicks tail piece.

Aug 15 – Working round some in garden. Hannah came home from W^m Blakes. She went to Gull Corners to sew for Mrs Read.

Aug 16 – Went over to Burg in morning after mail. Went to mill in afternoon. Went and saw Celia Cooley roof she had just got painted.

Aug 17 – Ethan went over and got Lois, Sate and Ina. The men came over and painted the west lean to roof in afternoon. Paid 2$ two Dollars. Cyrus and Mrs Streator called here.

Aug 18 – At home. Choring around as usual. Warm and very dry. Hannah came home from Gull.

Aug 19 – Ethan and Hannah went down to Alvin Lees. Mercury runs high.

Aug 20 – Hannah went over to Commings. Hoed some in garden and in shop some. Very dry. Mercury run high 93.

Aug 21 – Went over to Burg in morning. Got some apples to Lois. Warm. Hannah at S. Kinsleys. Mrs. S. J. Gallegan Died to day.[89]

Aug 22 – Went over to Burg in morning after mail. Neal Commings brot Hannah home about noon. I went down to Katharines in afternoon. Ethan took Hannah over to Lois in Evening. Brot Bes Back.

Aug 23 – At home getting ready to go up to Shelbyville. Old Mrs Powlison Died to day Ae. 99 years and 23 days. Catharine Van Arsdale was Born in Pluckemin Somerset Co New Jersey July 26^th 1789.[90]

Aug 24 – West up to Shelby to D. Harris. Found them all well. Very hot and dry.

Aug 25 – At Lous. William and Em Ralph came in afternoon.

Aug 26 – At Lous.

Aug 27 – At Lous.

Aug 28 – At Lous.

Aug 29 – At Lous.

Aug 30 – Came home from Shelby Ville. D and Lou went to Gun Lake to a Masonic picknick. Brot $200 Dollars to Schroder & Olin for D D Harris.

Aug 31 – At home. Ethan took Nancy and children home.

Sep 1 – At home. Not doing some ding not much. Very hot and dry. Randal Rumry carried of Ethans rule.

Sep 2 – Very hot. No one here to day only tramp called in for a drink of water. Theodore and Allice called here in Evening.

Sep 3 – I went over to burg in morning. Paid Schroder and Olin five Dollars and Eighty Eight cents for clover seed bot 19^lb of April.

Sep 4 – Took up platform to well put down sill. Ethan throwed out the sawdust. Hannah went up to Mr Flanders in Evening.

Sep 5 – Drew oats from Cull 44 bushels. Worked some on platform.

Sep 6 – Worked some in shop some on platform. Chored around generaly. Very warm and dry. Went down to Katharines. Very dusty.

Sep 7 – Went over to mill carried 4½ bushels wheat. Turned leggs for Verns table. Mrs Blake and Mrs Harry Wilson came over. Rained in night.

Sep 8 – Finished platform. Hannah at home all day. Lizzie Allerton[91] called here in afternoon.

Sep 9 – Mercury 85 in shade very dry. Ethan and Hannah went to Kalamazoo.

Sep 10 – Ethan and Hannah came home. Eugene Crawford and family[92] came this Evening. H. A. Brown came up with them.

Sep 11 – Very warm and dry. Went down to Mrs Browns. Hank took a view of the place one of Tom. I drew Eight Thousand Shingles from Schroder and Olins paid Eighteen Dollars $18.00 for them. I went to Burg 4 times to day.

Sep 12 – Ethan & Jim went to Jackson to state fair. Eugene and family left for home on the twelve 35 train. I went over to Burg three times today.

Sep 13 – Rec^d 5 Dollars of Levy Wilson. Took Hannah over to Mr Olmsteads in morning. Dressed out four slats for Charls Towns machine. Made table for Laverne. So much dry some ding dont grow some.

Sep 14 – Went over to Burg in morning Bot tickets for Perry $16.70 cts. Went up to Mr Flanders in afternoon to see about Jim took Hannah down to Mrs Streators. Ethan worked on corn cutter for C. A. Town.[93]

Sep 15 – Jim gone to Kalamazoo after Cora she no come. Stell came with him. Rained all night heavies rain since June.

Sep 16 – Rainy all the forenoon rained hard.

Sep 17 – Started for Perry N Y. Went to Richland took cars for Perry 1 oclock. Rained hard when we started rained in afternoon. Arrived Toledo about P.M.

Sep 18 – I arrived in Perry at four P.M. all right. Found the folks all well.

Sep 19 – At Tomlinson House[94] and around town all day. Called on Charles Nobles.

Sep 20 – Frank[95] and I went to Rochester. Went up to Mt Hope and over the city. Went through the Powers Art Gallary, water works, New York Central Depo and down to the falls.

Sep 21 – Went into the Royes Reaper shops and up to the Salt Block and Ice House. Saw Mr Need Ham at the Ice House.

Sep 22 – Frank and I went out in the country after Butter got some to Mr Hathaways. Nice day looked very much like rain but he no come some.

Sep 23 – At Tomlinson House. Went to church in Morning. Went down the outlet in the afternoon to the Devils Den a very wild looking place.

Sep 24 – Sick with headache. Nice warm day. Lots teams to the mill to day.

Sep 25 – At Tomlinson House. Nothing done of any account.

Sep 26 – Went to Fowlerville, Moscow, Greggs ville and Pifford. Saw the salt shaft a big institute[?] One 900 Horse Power Engine. Some letle rain. The shaft is 16×20 feet 1000 feet deep. They take out Eight hundred tons pr day.

Sep 27 – The Town Fair commences to day, a cold cloudy day some rain.

Sep 28 – Pleasant day. Lots out to the Fair to day. Saw Mr Henry Olmsted and Mr Morgan of Leroy.

Sep 29 – Pleasant day. Frank, Nell,[96] Hannah, Grace, Carl and Ruth went to Pavilion[97] to day. They got home just at night. Rained and snowed some rather cool wind. Recd letter from Nancy.

Sep 30 – Pleasant but cool. Went to church in morning. Rained all night.

Oct 1 – Rainy morning. Patty[98] and I looked over Elder Berries in fore noon.

Oct 2 – Rainy morning. George and I went through the Knitting Mill. Cold lousy day. Took dinner with Walter and Nell. Snowed some. Bot rubbers 75 cts.

Oct 3 – The Engine came to day. Cool morning no rain. George and I went up to the Log cabbin drove around among the cotages and through the Tabernacle. Went into the ice House saw them load ice. George sold the calf $9.60 6 cts pr lb.

Oct 4 – Cool damp morning some sprinkle not much. Put the Engine in its place this AM.

Oct 5 – Marion[99] and I went to Pavilion stayed to Mary and Fanny. Snows all night rained all night. Had a good visit.

Oct 6 – Rainy day. Went up to the vilage in morning. Called on Mrs Buckingham then on Mary Nobles,[100] Mrs Cyntha Sprague,[101] went over to S. Youngs took dinner then went and saw Clarissa and Almyra Starr, then went back to Perry in the rain, called on Chancy Pond.

Oct 7 – Pleasant morning. At home. Not go to church some. Frank and Hannah went up to the spring and got the Belt.

Oct 8 – George started the engine to day. George Sprague[102] came up to day. Cold rainy afternoon.

Oct 9 – Cold day. Engine no work first rate, pump no go. Had to take it of and go to the machine shop got him fix so he run nice.

Oct 10 – Went down to Mr Gilletts and Gipsonville also to the mouth of the outlet and old paper mill. Crossed the stream five times. Walter, Nell, Hannah, Carl & Grace[103] went to the salt shaft. Mrs Polly Earl Died this Evening.[104]

Oct 11 – At Tomlinson House. Some rainy. Mrs Julia An Tomlinson came to day. Frank went to Fowlerville. Rained in night.

Oct 12 – Karl and Grace left on 6.55 A M train for home. Rainy day. Engine run all day. Frank bot some wheat paid One Dollar Ten.

Oct 13 – Rainy morning. Cut Georges Hair. Went up to the falls and bridge. Was on Bridge at four PM. Got home about 8 PM. Two trains went over one under on the valley road. Rained. Stayed with Nell.

Oct 14 – Went to church. Mr Randolph preach^d of Bloomfield. Went to church in Evening.

Oct 15 – At Tomlinson House. Jo Tomlinson and daughter there. Started for home on four thirty PM train went Buffalo and cars for salamancacds[?] cars for Toledo. From Toledo to Augusta got home about six PM

Oct 16 – At home all day Got to Toledo about half past ten A.M. Ca__ded cars for Augusta. Got home about 7 PM. Trunk carried by.

Oct 17 – At home all day. Nice pleasant day. Harry Streator Brot 12 bushels Potatoes. Charley Lee called here in Evening. Nancy came home to day.

Oct 18 – Went down to Katharines in afternoon. Mart went to town. George and Lee[105] digging potatoes. Guy Nichols was there. Took Hannah over to Lois in morning. Bot Boots of Trabert $3.45 cts.

Oct 19 – Took Hannah over to Lois in morning. Bot Boots of Trabert $3.45 cts. Some windy day. Ras and Tip[106] called here to see Hannah.

Oct 20 – At home. Not very well. Went down to Hanks in afternoon stayed all night.

Oct 21 – At Hanks. Went to the Galery had a negative taken. Came home in Evening.

Oct 22 – Took Hannah over to Nells. Got some shoes for Sarah $2.00. Rained in afternoon. Mr Isaac Poulison Died to day in his sixty seventh year.[107]

Oct 23 – Cloudy day not very cold. Done a short job for Will Caywood. Theodore and Mr Crossfield[108] called in a while. Charley took Hannah up to Ras Towns in Evening. Dark as tar.

Oct 24 – At home. Choring around. Nice day some Indian summer. Put up stagen on west side house.

Oct 25 – Fine warm weather. Choring around the house and garden. Went over to burg.

Oct 26 – Went over to burg in At home. Dig some potatoes. Nice day warm.

Oct 27 – Went over to burg in morning. Jim went to Kalamazoo to Republican doings. Went over at noon with Ethan. He went to Kalamazoo. Paid Schroder $2.00 for shoes. Bot 15 lbs nails 60 cts.

Oct 28 – Ethan and Hannah went down to Katharines. Nice day.

Oct 29 – Commenced shingling the south part of the house. Theodore helped in afternoon. Fine weather. Filed saw for C. Town.

Oct 30 – Shingling. Theodore and Barber worked in afternoon. Warm nice day. Hannah went to C Fords in morning.

Oct 31 – Jim and I shingled alone. Fine day warm some Indian summer. Charles Lee called here. Albert Allen was killed to day by the cars on GR&J Road.

Nov 1 – Theodore came down in morning finished at noon. Charley Clark came stayed all night.

Nov 2 – Mercury 64 had a nice rain in morning. Charley went home.

Nov 3 – Not much done. Chored around.

Nov 4 – At home all day. Charley Lees folks not come up.

Nov 5 – Worked on roof some put on one roof board. Rained some in afternoon. Jim worked for Ford. Charley Lee called here a while in forenoon.

Nov 6 – Went over to Burg to Election.[109] Alvin and Charley Lee called here. Alvins Horse pulled the Horse Block down, no damage done.

Nov 7 – Worked on Quins gun some. Filed one saw for Mr T. Hill two for Allen Simmons. Not very cold. Charley Lee started for Australia to day.

Nov 8 – Repaired Quins gun. Rainy day. Ethan working on Yeomans patterns.

Nov 9 – Finished Quins gun. He and Harry went hunting. He paid me one Dollar. Worked on Stells cane. Mr Hill got his saw. Jim went to Shelbyville.

Nov 10 – Worked on Finished Stells cane. Rainy day. Not much work to day. Hannah came home this Evening.

Nov 11 – At home all day. No one here.

Nov 12 – Took Sarah over to Lois in afternoon. Nice day. Publicans had a Blowout at Battle Creek.

Nov 13 – Fine day. Went down to Katharines in afternoon. Mart making Cider. Publicans had a Blowout to Kalamazoo.

Nov 14 – Very nice pleasant day. Went down to Mrs Browns in afternoon. Mr & Mrs Wood, Mrs Streator & Quin there. Had a good time. Publicans had a Blowout at the Burg.

Nov 15 – Filed Buck saw for C. Town. Shingled up around the shop chimney. Jim went up to scots. We went and got Jersey. Jim home in afternoon. Mr Flanders very sick.

Nov 16 – Worked round fixed well. Jim got load sawdust to put in well.

Nov 17 – Spect C. F. Lee and family sailed to day. Theodore came down helped shingle. We shingled west leanto. Sold Jersey Jim to Mr Aaron Car he paid $20 Dollars for her.

Nov 18 – Mercury 36. Ethan took Jim to Kalamazoo he started for Chicago. Snowed like fun.

Nov 19 – Mercury 33. Mr Car got Jersey Jim. George Yeoman came over.

Nov 20 – West to Kalamazoo to see Lou. She was at Nancys.

Nov 21 – Repaired two violins for D. Lamkins. Nice pleasant weather.

Nov 22 – Went down to Marts got some corn ground. Hannah came home from Scots.

Nov 23 – Put boards on roof under the frieze. Took Sarah up to Herbs. Hannah came home this Evening. Nice day.

Nov 24 – Went over to Burg after Nancy and girls. I not very well.

Nov 25 – Ida, Emma and Nina Allen[110] here to day. Clara Milham came in afternoon. Cool wind shiny day all the same.

Nov 26 – Nancy and girls went home on noon train. Nice day.

Nov 27 – Mr Joseph Flanders Died this morning.[111] I went down to Marts got six bushels apples 10 cts pr bushel.

Nov 28 – Took 4 bushels wheat to mill. Bot sieve 25¢. Claude came over with me. Put some shingles on cornhouse.

Nov 29 – Went up to Mr Flanders in morning. Mr Flanders Buried to day. Funral one oclock PM. Went down to Katharines in afternoon. Nice day. Not cold but cloudy.

Nov 30 – At home. Not very well. Picked up apples out west of house.

Dec 1 – Put up the Eave trough on wes leanto. Charley Town finished drawing the corn from East lot.

Dec 2 – Mercury 32 Abz in morn. Mabel brot Hannah down about dark. She went back to Mr Flanders.

Dec 3 – Went up to Theodores. Load sawdust put it in Both wells. Hannah came down from Mr Flanders.

Dec 4 – At home choring. Ollie Walt chopping. Nice day cool wind.

Dec 5 – Walt chopt a while in morning. Rained and snowed in forenoon. Walt went over to burg at noon. He no chop in afternoon.

Dec 6 – Went over to burg after Sate in morning. Saw Dick Lamkins. He came over and drew wood in afternoon he draw 4 loads. Pleasant day.

Dec 7 – Worked in shop hewed out and shaved two axhelves for A Caywood. Dr Homer O Hitchcock died to day.[112]

Dec 8 – Worked on road. Went over to burg in morning after Lois and Ina. Mercury 45.

Dec 9 – 36 Mercury. Went down to Katharines. Fine day fair roads some mud. Hannah went to H. Gilsons.

Dec 10 – Went over to burg at noon took some mail over to the office. Went and saw Charley Davis about chopping.

Dec 11 – Davis and Tenbroke came over and cut wood. Paid them One Dollar Each. Very nice day not cold no snow.

Dec 12 – Went down to Alvin Lees. Nice day. One of Rhodas girls there. Julia very comfortable.

Dec 13 – Worked round house fixed up cellar window. Some cold wind.

Dec 14 – Mercury 14 Abz. Went over to Burg in morning carried some mail matter over one letter to Sanfrancisco Cal. Fan got out. I went all over the woods no find her. She came home. Bot Buck saw 40¢.

Dec 15 – Fixed up the cellar windows. Took Sarah over to Geo Blakes at noon. Rained had quite a shower. Will Brown brot some fish in Evening. Rainy night.

Dec 16 – Mercury 46. At home all day. Not very well. Rainy day. No one here to day. Rained some night.

Dec 17 – Mercury 34 in morning. Finished Caywoods axhelve. Carried shingles down cellar. Rain some ledle some fine snow.

Dec 18 – Chored around house. Cut appletree out near Barn cut it up piled the brush.

Dec 19 – Mercury 18 Abz. Picked up and burnt brush in orchard. Went down to Mrs Browns just at night. Some cold wind little snow in the air. Geo Yeoman came over in morning.

Dec 20 – Mercury 36 Abz cold wind but sunshine no snow. Very good wheeling. Hannah up to Ed Childs. Mr Amos D. Allen Died to day.[113]

Dec 21 – Mercury 24 Abz. Fixed up well room. Chored round house and shop. Cold north west wind.

Dec 22 – Mercury 14 Abz pleasant stout south wind. Stranger chopping wood. Will Clark[114] got home from Colorado.

Dec 23 – Very nice pleasant day. Went down to Katharines. Mart gone to attend Mr Amos D. Allens funral.

Dec 24 – Went over to Burg saw Will.  Mr Caywood got axhelve he paid 50 cts. Sold Skinner 3 doz eggs 60 cts. Mr Daniels called to see Hannah about go to Gull. Hannah went to Shelby.[115]

Dec 25 – Mercury 47. Christmas all over to day. Took top of Albert Chases violin. Went over to burg in afternoon got postal from G Tomlinson one from Clara Milham.

Dec 26 – Mercury 52 Abz. Worked on violin some. Nice day wen Rainy day cold wind.

Dec 27 – Mercury 37 cool wind north west. Worked in shop some. Chicken Died. Mercury 24 at night.

Dec 28 – Mercury. Went down to Marts to mill. Katharine some better. Shiny day cold west wind. Will Clark came over. Orny Schram called here. Will Brown drawed some wood.

Dec 29 – Nice day. At home. Worked in shop some. Will drawed some wood in afternoon. Lou and children came home.

Dec 30 – At home. Ethan and Lou went down to Katharines. Rained in night. Allice Williams Died to night.[116]

Dec 31 – Mercury 34. Went over to Burg after Nancy she came up on the 10:30 train AM. Ethan went to Kalamazoo in afternoon. Not very cold.

——-

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

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

[3] His son and daughter, Ethan and Hannah Keith

[4] His grandchildren, Claude and Bess Brown

[5] Neighbor, Eunice (Wood) Towne

[6] His daughter, Nancy (Keith) Brown

[7] Matilda (Allen) Brown, his neighbor, and the mother of his son-in-law Henry Brown

[8] Believe he is referring to his neighbors, Adelia (Tompkins) Ford and her daughter-in-law, Mary Ann “Mate” (Thompson) Ford

[9] His son, James Clinton Keith

[10] Hank Brown’s paternal first cousin

[11] Theodore Earl, his neighbor and “shirttail relative”

[12] To add an alloy of tin with some copper and antimony (a brittle silvery-white metalloid) making a lining for bearings that reduces friction

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

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

[15] Hank Brown’s brother, Willis Brown

[16] Believe he is referring to his neighbors, George & Mary Evelyn “Eva” (Forbush) Blake

[17] Above zero

[18] Michigan death records show that David Freer, age 80, died at Pavilion, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Cook Cemetery in Pavilion

[19] His son-in-law, daughter and granddaughter, Adelbert, Lois (Keith) Clark, and Ina Skinner

[20] Believe he is referring to Clara and George Milham, the two oldest children of his late niece, Lucy (Lee) & Martin Milham

[21] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[22] Michigan death records reveal that Lorenda (Vanguilder) Lewis Russell died in Comstock, Michigan on January 24, 1888; however, no burial information has been found at this time

[23] Neighbor, Charles Towne

[24] Both the Brown and Keith families, as well as several of their neighbors, were believers in Spiritualism and participated in seances

[25] Michigan marriage records show that Ella Chadwick married Adrian Annes on February 1, 1888 in Galesburg, Michigan. Sadly, she passed away a little over a year later on March 15, 1889 at the age of 31

[26] Will Brown’s wife, Elizabeth (Ogden) Brown

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

[28] Neighbor and “shirttail relative”

[29] Nellie (Tomlinson) Gillett. Nell was the granddaughter of Luke’s sister, Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague

[30] His son-in-law and daughter, Daniel “D” & Louese (Keith) Harris

[31] Neighbor and uncle of D Harris

[32] One of Ethan’s inventions

[33] Most likely Emaline (Stone) Ralph (D’s aunt; wife of William Ralph) and Cora Belle Harris (D’s sister)

[34] Neighbors and “shirttail relatives,” Theodore & Alice (Vandercook) Earl

[35] Walter Gillett, Nell’s husband (see footnote to February 14^th entry)

[36] Ansel “Lee” Milham, the son of Martin & Lucy (Lee) Milham

[37] Harold Towne, the son of Cullen & Sarah Antoinette “Nettie” (Adams) Towne. Cullen was the brother of Charley and Fanny Towne

[38] Frances Towne, neighbor and Charley Towne’s sister

[39] A seance

[40] Herbert, Luella (Farr) and Royal Earl. Herbert and Theodore were brothers

[41] Nancy’s daughters, Lela and Bess Brown

[42] Calvin Streator was the son of Marius & Laura (Rawson) Streator, and the brother of Harry Streator; however, he died October 16, 1863 at the age of 25. Perhaps this violin had once belonged to Calvin

[43] Harriet Taylor and her sister, Flora Elizabeth “Libby” (Taylor) Schram. Libby had been married to Isaac Schram, however by 1880 they were divorced and Hattie and Libby were living together

[44] Michigan death records show that Almon Russell died in Galesburg, Michigan on March 8, 1888 and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was the husband of Lorenda (Vanguilder) Lewis Russell who died January 24, 1888 (see footnote to January 26^th entry)

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

[46] His cow

[47] His neighbor, Joseph Flanders

[48] Michigan death records show that Bishop Lord died in Comstock in March of 1888. FindAGrave.com confirms that Thomas Bishop Lord died March 16, 1888 and is buried in the Comstock Cemetery

[49] Neighbor, Laura Ann (Rawson) Streator

[50] The Alphadelphia Association was an experiment in socialism which Luke, and many of his neighbors, participated in. More about the Alphadelphia Association can be seen at https://oldfamilyletters.wordpress.com/?s=alphadelphia and http://evermore.imagedjinn.com/blg/alphadelphia-association/

[51] Michigan death records confirm that Cordelia (Murray) Wheaton died on March 25, 1888 and FindAGrave.com reveals she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[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] Shelbyville, Michigan, where D Harris owned and ran the general store

[54] FindAGrave.com confirms that Julia (Chichester) Johnson died April 2, 1888 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[55] Nickname for his wife Sarah

[56] Luke often uses silly words in his diaries; in this case, the boxes are broke

[57] These were the neighbors who attended the seance

[58] These were the departed souls who apparently were contacted

[59] Will Brown’s wife and son, Elizabeth (Ogden) Brown and Ray Brown

[60] The son of Hiram & Kate (Atcheson) Crawford; Hiram was Sarah’s brother

[61] His horse

[62] John Frank Tomlinson and Walter Gillett, the grandson and grandson-in-law of Luke’s sister, Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague

[63] Dexa (Strait) Harris and her daughter, Isabelle Harris, who were the wife and child of D Harris’ brother, Jay Harris

[64] His granddaughter, LaVerne Harris, the daughter of Louese & D Harris

[65] His granddaughters, Lela and Bess Brown, the daughters of Nancy & Hank Brown

[66] Michigan death records show that James Lawler died May 4, 1888 and FindAGrave.com, although it shows a date of death as May 1, 1888, shows that he is buried in the Lawler Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan

[67] FindAGrave.com reveals that Florence (Comings) Hodgman died May 10, 1888 in Comstock and she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[68] Ida Mae (Ralph) Johnson. Michigan death records confirm that she died on May 10, 1888 in Comstock and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Cook Cemetery, Pavilion, Michigan

[69] Athaline (Hunt) Evans. According to FindAGrave.com, she died May 12, 1888 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[70] Other things

[71] His grandson, Charles Clark

[72] Apparently this was the name of Claude’s friend

[73] LaVerne and Floyd Harris

[74] D Harris’ sister

[75] Katherine (Atcheson), Jessie and Blanche Crawford, the wife and daughters of Sarah’s brother, Hiram Crawford Jr.

[76] From Covington, New York

[77] His wife Sarah’s brother

[78] Neighbor, Nathan L. Randall

[79] Jim’s girlfriend. They married June 10, 1891

[80] Bobtail train? (see June 5^th entry)

[81] Martin Milham, who was the husband of Luke’s late niece, Lucy (Lee) Milham

[82] In other words he took his cow to the bull

[83] Michigan death records confirm that Andrew Krom died June 22, 1888 in Kalamazoo, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[84] According to FindAGrave.com, Ayres B. Raymond died July 25, 1888 in Comstock, Michigan and is buried in Ford Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[85] July 25, 1847, Luke married Jerusha Crittenden. He had been engaged to her, but then Minerva Payson came to town and Luke broke his engagement to Jerusha and married Minerva. Minerva died just four years after they were married. He then married his first love, Jerusha, who died just a little over a year later. Luke then married Sarah Crawford. In the evenings Luke would go to the cemetery and play his violin at the graves of his first two wives

[86] Believe he is referring to his neighbor, Mary (Smith) Flanders, the wife of Edwin Flanders

[87] Margaret “Maggie” (Kirchbaum) Powers

[88] Alvin and Charles Jedediah Lee were the sons of Luke’s first cousin, Charles Lee & Juliana Davis. Charles Jedediah Lee (C. J. Lee) was married to Mary Webb and her sister was Ada Webb. Charles, Mary and Ada lived in Australia and were visiting family. There are many letters written by C. J. Lee to Ethan in 1889 regarding the binder

[89] FindAGrave.com shows that Sarah Jane Galligan, wife of Charles P. Galligan, died August 21, 1888 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[90] Former neighbor, Catherine (Van Arsdale) Powlison, who by 1885 was living with her son Isaac Powlison’s family in Cass County, Dakota Territory. FindAGrave.com confirms that she died August 23, 1888 and is buried in Wheatland Cemetery, Wheatland, Cass County, North Dakota

[91] Neighbor, Elizabeth Caroline Allerton. She would marry Luke’s grandson, William Clark, on December 24, 1896

[92] His wife Sarah’s nephew Eugene & Minnie (Crooks) Crawford and their children, Eugene and Grace

[93] Cullen Albert Towne, Charles Towne’s brother

[94] His niece and her family, Marion (Sprague) & George Tomlinson

[95] John Frank Tomlinson, George & Marion’s son

[96] Nellie (Tomlinson) Gillett, George & Marion’s daughter

[97] Pavilion, New York

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

[99] His niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

[100] Believe this to be Mary C. Nobles, a cousin of Luke’s second wife, Jerusha Crittenden

[101] Believe this to be Cynthia (Bishop) Sprague, the wife of William Sprague who was a cousin of Luke’s second wife, Jerusha Crittenden

[102] Cousin of Luke’s second wife, Jerusha Crittenden

[103] Karl & E. Grace (Tomlinson) Jewett; Grace was George Tomlinson’s niece

[104] Polly was a nickname for Mary (Clapp) Earl. Michigan death records show that she died in Comstock on October 20 (not the 10^th), 1888, which could be a typo. FindAGrave shows that she is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[105] George and Ansel “Lee” Milham

[106] Neighbors, Erasmus & Eunice (Wood) Towne

[107] Former neighbor, Isaac Powlison, who by 1885 was living in Cass County, Dakota Territory. FindAGrave.com confirms that he died October 22, 1888 and is buried in Wheatland Cemetery, Wheatland, Cass County, North Dakota

[108] Believe this to be Frank Crossfield, the husband of Theodore Earl’s sister, Alva (Earl) Crossfield

[109] Grover Cleveland won a plurality of the popular vote, but Republican Benjamin Harrison won the election with a majority in the Electoral College, becoming the 23^rd President of the United States. Harrison swept almost the entire North and Midwest

[110] Believe these to be neighbors, daughters of the late John & Amanda (Worden) Allen

[111] Michigan death records confirm that he died November 27, 1888 in Comstock, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan. After Luke’s first wife, Minerva (Payson) Keith died, Joseph and Amanda (Hobbs) Flanders cared for his son, Henry, for a period of time. The Flanders raised Henry even after Luke married his third wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith. They wanted to adopt Henry but Luke said no; however, it looks like Henry lived with them throughout his youth. This seems to be corroborated by the 1860 census showing “Henry L Flanders,” age 16, (who it is actually believed to be Henry L. Keith), living with Joseph & Amanda

[112] Michigan death records confirm that Dr. Homer Hitchcock died December 7, 1888 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Mountain Home Cemetery in Kalamazoo

[113] Michigan death records confirm that Amos Allen died in Kalamazoo on December 20, 1888 and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Mountain Home Cemetery, Kalamazoo, Michigan

[114] His grandson, William Clark

[115] Shelbyville, Michigan

[116] 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

Advertisement

Ethan Keith’s 1884 Diary

1884 DIARY OF ETHAN B. KEITH

E. B. Keith
Galesburg Mich
Bought Dec 11 1883

X[1] Jan 1 – Worked at patterns. Lois, Ina,[2] Nancy and Claude[3] came from Shelbyville[4] to day. Jim[5] brought Lois and Ina over here from the Burg.[6] Jim came down this evening. Wrote a postal to Henry.[7]

Jan 2 – 16° Snow. Worked at patterns. Snowed about 10 inches last night. Will Clark[8] came up this morning after Lois and Ina. He took Will Brown[9] to the train, he went to Marshall. Jim took Bessie[10] home this P.M. Herb Earl[11] was down this A.M.

Jan 3 – 0° Blustering. Worked at the patterns some this P.M. It is very blustering to day. Jim came down this P.M. Hannah[12] hemmed my scarf this morning.

Jan 4 – 16° 17° below Blustering. Worked at patterns. Very cold and blustering. Lois and Ina came up from Mrs Browns[13] this morning. Jim was down a little while this A.M. Grace Griffith left Hanks[14] for Decatur this P.M. She is not agoing to work there any longer.

Jan 5 – 14° below Blustering. Worked at patterns. Jim was down this A.M. and helped Pa[15] cut some wood.

Jan 6 – 14°. Jim called a few minutes on his way to the Burg. Will Clark was here a few minutes this evening.

X Jan 7 – 10° below. Worked at the patterns a little while this A.M. Lois, Hannah and I went down to aunt Katies[16] this P.M. Pa took Lois and Ina over to Nans this evening, they are agoing to go home to morrow. Rec’d a letter from Henry and Florence.[17]

Jan 8 – Worked at patterns part of the day. Pa went over to the Burg twice to day. Lois and Ina went home on mail. Pa brought Bessie over home with him this P.M. Herb Earl was down this P.M. to show me a “Little Lap Board” he had made and to get me to stamp the date on it.

Jan 9 – Worked at patterns. Herbert Earl was down this P.M. Hannah and I went over to the Burg this evening. She stayed to the play “Kathaleen Mavoumum.” Bessie was quite croopy to night. A gentleman and three ladies came here this P.M. Smith & Woodard sent him here to see if I would make patterns for them.

Jan 10 – Worked at patterns. Hannah and I went over to the Burg this eving took Bessie home. Am not feeling very well my Stomach is what’s the matter.

Jan 11 – Worked at patterns. Pa and Jim have gone to the Burg this evening. Jim to the dance and Pa to hear the music. Ma[18] wrote to Uncle Hiram[19] about “business.”[20]

Jan 12 – 15° Snow. Went to Kal[21] this P.M. to see the Eureka Wind Mill Co. They want me to make patterns for them, but I dont think I will for I have other jobs. Geo Youmans and Lou Bristol[22] came over this morning to see the pattern.

Jan 13 – 40° warm. At Hanks this morning came from Kal last night on Mich City freight and stayed all night. Bessie is sick with a hard cold. I came home with Jim about noon. Pa and Ma have gone over to Nans this evening.

X Jan 14 – Worked at patterns. Went to the Burg this Evening saw Geo Youmans about some the W-M patterns. Wrote to Messrs Smith & Woodard that I could not work for them.

Jan 15 – 11°. Worked at Patterns. Went to the Burg this evening took Hannah and Lela[23] over. H[annah] is agoing to sew for Nan[cy]. Took some of Beatty’s circulars over to Mr Conkey.

Jan 16 – 11°. Worked at patterns. Pa and Ma have gone to the Burg this evening. Will Morten, and Myrtie Barlow, was married this evening.[24] Oscar Keith[25] came here this P.M. he and Mary[26] are up to Mr Batys[27] Mr B- is very sick.

Jan 17 – Worked at patterns. Pa went to the Burg this P.M. Lou and Jay[28] came back with him. Lou came out to day. Theodore Earl[29] was down this A.M. Jim brought Hannah home from the Burg this evening.

Jan 18 – Worked at patterns. Pa took Lou and Jay over to the Burg this morning. Ma and Grandma[30] visited at Mr Streators[31] this P.M. Mrs Brown also. Will Clark has got “Bill” this evening to take a load up to Russells. Oscar Keith has gone home this P.M.

Jan 19 – 1°. Worked at patterns finished them this A.M. Worked at the core-bores[?] this P.M. Teachers Institute at the Burg to day. Will Clark went after Nan and the children, brought Lou over here. Mr Bela Wright died to day.[32] Mr Baty died last night.[33]

Jan 20 – 7° below. I am 33 years old to day. Will Clark brought Nan and the children up this A.M. I took them home to night. Lou is sick. Mr Wright was buried this P.M.

Jan 21 – 6°. Worked at patterns. Lou was not well enough to go over to the Dentists to day. Uncle Tom’s Cabin at Schroders Hall this evening.

Jan 22 – Worked at patterns. Hannah and I went to the Burg this evening. I went down and saw Geo and Barlow. Pa took Lou and Jay over to the Burg this A.M. Mr Knapp was over to see about some patterns this A.M.

Jan 23 – Worked at patterns a little to day. It has been quite blustering. Pa went over and went to the Depot with Lou. She started for home on Mail. Claude is 9 years old to day. Geo Barber was over this P.M. to see the patterns.

X Jan 24 – 17° below. Worked at patterns. Rec’d a letter from Lois and my wristlets she has been making me. Aunt Pattys[34] birth day “79^th.” Wrote to Lois.

Jan 25 – 13° below. Worked at Patterns. Jim has gone to the Club dance it is the last one. Pa went to the Burg this A.M. and got some alcohol for me.

Jan 26 – Finished the Strait No 4 Patterns. Commenced them Nov 6, 1883. Pa went to the Burg twice to see if Uncle Hi[35] came but he did not come. Bessie went home with Pa this evening.

Jan 27 – Jim and Will Clark went to the Burg this A.M. found Uncle Hiram, he came home with them. He brought a couple cans of Oysters we had them for dinner.

Jan 28 – I am not feeling very well. My stomach is so weak. Pa and Uncle Hi went to the Burg this P.M. I took Uncle Hi over to Hanks this even’g, he leaves for home 12.50 A.M. Uncle Hi left his scarf, forgot it.

Jan 29 – Hannah and I went to the Burg this A.M. I went down to the foundry and told Geo that I had finished the patterns. I went and took Hannah down to aunt Katies this P.M. It has thawed yesterday and to day. I mailed uncle Hirams scarf to him.

Jan 30 – 60° 49°. Rained some to day. Have got the tooth ache some. Pa went up to the saw mill and ground his ax. Ma washed.

Jan 31 – Emmett Crawford[36] came out this even’g. He has not been here since the Spring of ’73. Pa chopped a Cherry tree down that stood by the west line fence.

Feb 1 – 11°. Pa drew some wood to day. Jim came down to see Jim Emmett this evening. E- went home with him to stay all night. Wrote to Hannah and sent the invitation to the Leap Year Party at Schroeder Hall Feb 8^th.

X Feb 2 – Went to the Burg this evening. Ma received a letter from Uncle Hiram. He wants me to come and try their Magnetic Healer. Aunt Kate[37] wrote wrote also. They made me a very kind offer would be to all their expense. Rec’d a letter from H. L. Keith.[38]

X Feb 3 – Jim was down this A.M. Had the tooth ache this afternoon and evening. Wrote to J. F. T.[39]

X Feb 4 – Wrote to C. I. Clark.[40] Stormy. I am not feeling very well nowdays.

Feb 5 – Went to the Burg this P.M. took tea with Hank & Nan. Went down to the foundry. Walked home with Ike Schram.[41]

Feb 6 – Worked at a pattern of a form to bend the crank shaft for the Wind Mill. Went to the Burg this evening rode with Will Brown. Mrs Brown visited here this P.M. (Tue. 5^th – Nancy gave me a Birth day card to day that she intended to have given me on my birthday.

Feb 7 – Worked at patterns. Went to the Burg this evening spoke to Geo. Youmens about some money. Saw R. E. Strait he came from N. Y. last night. Walked home from the Burg with Herb Earl. Bessie Brown is 3 years old to day.

Feb 8 – Worked at patterns. Jim has had “Bill”[42] three days to draw wood with. A Leap Year party at Schroder Hall to night. Sleighing is about gone.

Feb 9 – Worked at patterns. R. E. Strait came over this P.M. Pa went over to the Burg this evening and got Grandma. Dee Harris[43] came down this P.M. Saw Strait W. M. Co about some money.

Feb 10 – Pa went over to Hanks this A.M. Hank and Nan came back with the horse and cutter and Pa walked. Dee came over with him he stays here to night.

X Feb 11 – Finished the pattern of the crank form this A.M. Went up to Mr Taylors and got the cutter this P.M. Dee went home to day. Rain and hail this P.M. Wrote to Mr Timothy Hodges, Climax Mich.

Feb 12 – Rained all day every thing is covered with ice. Pa and I went to the Burg this A.M. I stayed until 3 oclock. Called at Mr Knapps. The Wind Mill Co paid me $25.00 on pattern work. Bought some pr overshoes, 2 pr drawers, collar, 2 pr socks. Paid for the Enterprise for six months. Sent Mr Hodges $1.50 balance on map.

Feb 13 – Pa took me to Kal this A.M. stopped at aunt Katies. Took dinner with Uncle Jess Turners folks.[44] Left Kal on mail 2.30 for Chicago arrived C- at 7.30. Changed from mail to Express at Niles. Harry[45] met me at the Depot.

Feb 14 – 2 below. Aunt Kate and I went to see the Old Healer he gave me a treatment her one also. He lives on the west side 5 or Six miles from Uncle Hiram. Am having the tooth ache.

X Feb 15 – Wrote to Ma. Had the tooth ache last night. Took breakfast down in the boarding house. After this aunt Kate is agoing to cook for herself, Blanche[46] and I.

Feb 16 – Aunt Kate and I went over and see the old Dr. this P.M.

Feb 17 – Feel about used up to day. Uncle Hiram, Jessie[47] and Harry went to church. Aunt Kate, Jesse and Harry went to Sabbath School this P.M. Aunt Kate went to a Temperance meeting this evening. Rainy.

X Feb 18 – Wrote to H. L. Keith and a postal to W. H. Knapp. Have been at home all day. Ida Barber Howe[48] had a pair of twins to day.[49]

Feb 19 – Pleasant this morning but clouded up about noon rained a little and afterwards Snowed and blowed real hard. So it is quite wintiry this evening. Went over and see the old Dr takes about three hours and a half.

X Feb 20 – One Year ago to day – Dont want a repetition of it. Have not been out doors to day. Aunt Kate and Mrs Huff went down to Central Music Hall to practice for the May festival. Wrote to Lou.

Feb 21 – Went over to see the old Dr this A.M. Uncle Hi, aunt Kate and I went to a Concert at the German Methodist Church this ev’ig. Aunt Kate had a wash woman to day.

X Feb 22 – Washington birth day. Wrote to Hannah this P.M. Jessie went to meeting this P.M. Harry went to the Park skating.

Feb 23 – Aunt Kate and I went to see the old Dr. Took dinner at Woodmans on Washington St. Went to the Museum on N. Clark St and stayed to the play. Got home about 5 oclock.

Feb 24 – Uncle Hi, Harry, Jessie and I went to church this A.M. Aunt Kate and the children went to Sabbath school this P.M. Aunt Kate went to a Temperance meeting this eve.

X Feb 25 – Rec’d a letter from Nan and Hank this A.M. Said that Jim Conkey would be here to (in Chicago) to day. Uncle Hi and aunt Kate have gone to Central Music Hall to the Appollo Concert this eving.

X Feb 26 – Aunt Kate and I went and took a treatment this A.M. She and I went down to Central Music Hall to the Mozart Concert this evening it was just splendid. Rec’d a letter from Ma.

X Feb 27 – Wrote to Lois. Aunt Kate went to the temperance meeting this P.M. She and the children have gone to the church this ev’ing.

Feb 28 – 3° below. Very cold with strong wind. Went to see the Dr. Took dinner at Woodmans on Washington St. Aunt Kate went to the temperance meeting. Harry and Jessie went to a party.

X Feb 29 – Wrote to Nan this P.M. Very cold. Aunt Kate went to meeting this P.M.

Mar 1 – Aunt Kate and I went to see the Dr. She went to the temperance meeting this evng. Uncle Henry Crawford[50] came out last evening.

Mar 2 – At home all day. Uncle Hi, Aunt Kate, Harry and Jessie went to church. Aunt Kate and children went this evening. Would like to have steped in and visited with our folks to day.

Mar 3 – Cold and blustery. Harry and Jessie were out this evig. Uncle Henry went started for home[51] to day on 7.03.

X Mar 4 – Went and see the old Dr. Recd a letter from Ma also one from Hannah. Harrys Club met here last this evening. Aunt Kate has gone to the temperance meeting.

X Mar 5 – Wrote to Hannah. Rec’d a letter from Lois. Aunt Kate went to temperance meeting.

Mar 6 – Pleasant this A.M. Went to see the Old Dr this P.M. Went to a number of the loan offices to see if I could get a Grantor for Hannah.

X Mar 7 – Wrote to J. P. Keith.[52] Have got a sore throat.

Mar 8 – Went over to the Dr’s. Aunt Kate did not feel well enough to go. This is Uncle Pros[53] 44^th birth day.

Mar 9 – Am real lame in the small of my back. Uncle Hi is having the tooth ache to day. Aunt Kate and Jessie have gone to a temperance meeting.

X Mar 10 – Wrote to Lois and the Strait W. M. Co.[54] Uncle Hi was up all night with the tooth ache. Aunt Kate has not felt well this P.M., has been to bed.

X Mar 11 – Wrote to Rec’d a letter from Ma. Went to see the old Dr. Took dinner with Uncle Hi, Mr Beasup and Mr Atkins. Got a hammer for the piano repaired at Reeds Temple of Music. Went out to L. P. C.[55] this P.M., first if I have been there this time in Chicago. _____ at the temperance Hall this evening, 721 Larabbee St.

X Mar 12 – Wrote to Nancy. Aunt Kate went down town this A.M. did not get back until night. I got dinner for Blanch and I.

Mar 13 – Went over to the Dr’s this P.M. came back from the west side on a Madison St car. First I have been on that St. Pleasant. Aunt Kate has gone to the temperance meeting this evening.

X Mar 14 – Wrote to Ma this P.M. Aunt Kate is not feeling very well. Uncle Hi went to the Lodge and Aunt Kate to meeting this evening.

X Mar 15 – Aunt Kate and I went to see the old Dr this A.M. Rec’d a letter from Hank saying that he would be at Race Bro’s at 12 P.M. and 6 P.M., wanted me to meet him. Did not go.

Mar 16 – Hank Brown came up here this A.M. stayed until 1 P.M. was going home on the fast Express this evening. This is the 5 pleasant day this month. Uncle Hi was not very well this morning, did not get up to breakfast.

X Mar 17 – Went up to the Lincoln Avenue barn and office[56] this P.M. Aunt Kate has been sewing this P.M. Rec’d a letter from H. L. Keith[57] and one from Jim.

X Mar 18 – Aunt Kate and I went over to the Dr’s this A.M. I am having a hard real time with my tooth. Rainy this P.M. and evening. Rec’d a letter from Hannah.

X Mar 19 – Got the tooth ache, am about as near sick as I care to be. Uncle Hi brought the plan of his new house up this evening. Aunt Kate went to Central Music Hall this P.M. She and Harry went to meeting this evening. Rec’d a letter from J. F. Tomlinson.[58]

Mar 20 – Went to see the Dr this P.M. I visited the C.M. & St. Paul[59] Pittsburg & Ft Wayne M.S.& L.S.R.R.[60] and C&R.I.RR[61] Depots. Aunt Kate went to the temperance meeting. Kate washed to day.

X Mar 21 – Rec’d a letter from Ma. Wrote to Hannah this P.M. Mrs Martin called this P.M. Aunt Kate has gone to missionary meeting this P.M.

Mar 22 – Aunt Kate and I went over to the Dr this A.M. I took dinner at Woodmans, went to Uncle Pross this P.M.

Mar 23 – At Uncle Pross to day. He and I went to Central Music Hall to hear David Swing. We went to the Grand Pacific Hotel and took a walk on one St in the dark hole.

Mar 24 – At Uncle Pross this morning came home this P.M. Aunt Kate went to the Temperance rooms this P.M. and evening. Uncle H to a meeting at the Church this eving. I went down to the Central Depot.

X Mar 25 – Rained all day. Aunt Kate and I went over to the Dr’s this A.M. She came back to Mrs Wienburgs and spent the P.M. I took dinner at Woodmans. Went to Kohl & Middelons Drive Museum this P.M. Rec’d a letter from Hannah and one from Ma.

X Mar 26 – Wrote to Ma. Took a bath this A.M. Went over to the Drug store on Halstead St this P.M.

X Mar 27 – Received a letter from Lou. Went to the Dr’s this P.M. Had my hair cut over on the West side.

X Mar 28 – Rec’d letter from Lois. Wrote to Lou and H. L. Keith. Recd letter from Nancy. Aunt Kate went down town this A.M. to trade. I got dinner for Blanche, Jessie and I. Uncle Hi and Aunt Kate went down town this evening.

Mar 29 – Aunt Kate and I went to the Dr’s this A.M. I took dinner at Woodmans. Went down to the M.C.R.R.[62] Depot after dinner. Quite a cold wind to day the Lake is real rough.

Mar 30 – Aunt Kate and I went to the W.C.T.U.[63] meeting this evening. There is an awful riot in Cincinnati now.[64]

X Mar 31 – Rec’d a letter from Jim, have answerd it and written to the Strait W. M. Co. about some money. Went down to the Park this P.M. Harry came down and went around with me. We went out on the Lake shore. I saw some bananas growing in the Conservatory.

X Apr 1 – Rec’d a letter from Ma. Went to see the Dr this A.M. Rained quite hard about noon, hailed hard on the south side. Election here to day. I went to the C.&.N.W.R.R.[65] Depot, it is nice.

Apr 2 – Snow on the ground this morning. Went to the store for Aunt Kate this P.M.

X Apr 3 – Went to see the Dr the P.M. Went down to the Central Depot. Uncle Hi and I went over to the Baptist church to an entertainment this evening. Kate washed to day. Wrote to M. F. Lee.[66]

X Apr 4 – Wrote to Nancy. Pleasant yesterday and to day. Aunt Kate went down town to the rehersal. Loyd S. Higgins 33^rd birth day. Would like to know where he is, also see him. Peter Cooper died one year to day. Wrote in Henrys Autograph Album.

Apr 5 – Went to see the Dr. Took dinner at Woodmans. Went to McVickers Theatre this P.M. and see “Jalma”, it was just grand. Took supper in the boarding house. Aunt Kate is sick to night.

Apr 6 – Uncle Hi went down to the office this P.M. Aunt Kate and the children to Sunday School. Uncle Hi and I went over to see Kit Birkland[67] this evening, the first that I have been there.

Apr 7 – Went over on Clyburn Ave[68] this P.M. Went to the Deering Harvester Works. Snowed quite hard about noon.

X Apr 8 – Wrote to Ma. About two inches of snow on the ground this morning. Went to see the Dr to day. Went to a Lecture at the Mission with Aunt Kate this evening. Uncle Robt Crawford[69] came to Kits this A.M. Uncle Hi went over and visited him this evening.

X Apr 9 – Received a letter from Nancy. Went down town for Aunt Kate this P.M. to get a piece of music “Sweet Violets.”

X Apr 10 – Went to the Dr’s this P.M. Wrote to Lois this A.M. Uncle Hi, Aunt Kate, Harry and Jessie went to a social this evening.

X Apr 11 – Wrote to J.F.T. Rec’d a letter from Lou this A.M. Aunt Kate and Uncle Hi have gone to a funeral at Elgin. Uncle Hi went to the Lodge this eving.

Apr 12 – Aunt Kate and I went to see the Dr. Two years ago to day Lou and Dee was married.

Apr 13 – Uncle Hi and I went to church this A.M. All went to church this evening but Blanch and I. Two months ago to day I came here.

Apr 14 – Has been the warmest day of the season 69º. Aunt Kate went down town this P.M. to the rehersal. Had an introduction to Mrs Brush.

X Apr 15 – Aunt Kate and I went to see the Dr. It has rained most all day. Received a letter from Ma.

X Apr 16 – Wrote to Hannah. Mrs Taylor helped Aunt Kate sew this A.M. Aunt Kate is sick to night. I bought a box of Browns Bronchial Troches.

X Apr 17 – Wrote to Lou. Went to see the Dr this P.M. Went out to Central Park on Madison St. Uncle Hi went over to Kits to see if Uncle Robert had got back from Mich. Aunt Kate went to temperance meeting.

X Apr 18 – Wrote to C. I. Clark. Uncle Rob’t Crawford and Kit came over this morning. They went away about 10 oclock. They went and took Aunt Kate to the Dr’s and then went to the Depot. Uncle Rob’t left for home. Uncle Hi, Aunt Kate and I went to see the “Battle of Gettysburg.” It was grand. Took supper at Thompsens. Went up to the May Festival Rehersal a little while.

Apr 19 – Harry, Will Hough and I went down to the water works this P.M. Went up the tower 11 steps up into the tower 235 from there up to top of tower. Had a grand view of the Lake and North part of the city. I went down to a museum of Anatomy.

Apr 20 – Rained and snowed all day. I went over to the Dr’s this P.M. Aunt Kate has been sick all day. Uncle Hi went down to Mr Wienbergs this eving. Mrs Hough was in a little while this evening.

Apr 21 – Strong north east wind. The Lake is real rough. Went down to the Park and Lake shore this A.M. Went over to Kit Birklands this evening, did not stay but a little while for she was going away.

X Apr 22 – Aunt Kate and I went to see the Dr this A.M. We went to the Foundlings Home, took dinner at Woodmans. Received a letter from Ma. Aunt Kate went to the Temperance meeting this evin’g. Uncle Hi went down to Mr Weinbergs this evening.

Apr 23 – Harry and I went out to the Stock Yards, went into a large slaughter House. We went to the L.S.& M.S.R.R.[70] Round House. Mrs Taylor sewed for Aunt Kate to day.

Apr 24 – Went over to the Dr’s this P.M. Bought me a pair of shoes, pr Calipers, pr Cutting Pliers, pr Round Pliers and a 2 ft pocket Rule. I attended a Sugar Social at Rev Taylors. I sugared off[71] for them. Was over a hundred there.

Apr 25 – Warm and pleasant. Kate washed to day for the last time at 803. Harry, Will Hough, Max and I went over to the Bobling Mills this P.M. It was quite a sight to me. Uncle Stephen Comfort[72] came to Uncle Hirams this P.M.

Apr 26 – Aunt Kate and I went to see the Dr. Took dinner at Woodmans then went down to Uncle Pross. Pross made three extra trips this P.M. Uncle Stephen went over on the west side with us, left us at Lincoln St, he went to see his daughter.

Apr 27 – A man and his wife from Oskosh came to see Aunt Bell[73] today. It has been very windy to day.

Apr 28 – Came back to Uncle P Hirams this A.M. I pulled tacks out of the carpets this P.M.

Apr 29 – Aunt Kate and I went to see the Dr. I took dinner at Woodmans. Went down to the Central Depot. Called at Uncle Hirams office 444 Clark St. Took supper with Uncle Hi.

Apr 30 – Aunt Kate, Harry, a man from the barn and I packed goods to day. I went over to Kits this evin’g. Uncle Hi went down town this evening to see that Uncle Stephen was all right at the Hotel.

May 1 – Left Chicago at 8.51 by the L.S.&M.S.R.R. for home. Stopped at Elkhart Ind 1.40 one hour and forty minutes. I got a lunch and had my hair cut. Pa met me at Kal- 4.37. Rained all day. We stopped at Aunt Katies a few minutes. Found Uncle Stephen at our house. Mrs Schroder and Nancy has visited here to day.

May 2 – Have not done anything to day but visit. Pa and Will are at work on the hill taking down fence and cutting brush.

May 3 – Have not done much to day. Hannah came home this P.M. from Gates and Ralphs. Nancy and children and Mrs Conkey drove into the yard this P.M. I went to the Burg with Will Clark this evening.

X May 4 – Rained all day. Will Clark went up to Russells. Jay Harris[74] is one year old to day. Mrs Olin had a girl baby to day. Wrote to Lou.

May 5 – I cleaned cellar some this A.M. Will and Pa worked at the fence row cutting down trees and grubbing. I took Hannah over to the Burg this P.M. also Uncle Stephen Comfort. Charley Towne[75] commenced plowing for corn in our south lot.

May 6 – Worked at the cellar this A.M. Hannah went to Kaywoods to sew. Will came after her. Will Clark and I went to the Burg this evening rode over with Will B. I walked home.

May 7 – Worked at the cellar a little while this A.M. Helped Will saw down a couple of trees this A.M. and one this P.M. Uncle Stephen Comfort went to Nancys this evening. I went over also and stayed all night. Hank went to Detroit this evening.

May 8 – At Hanks this morning. Uncle Stephen Comfort left for Canada this morning on 7.03. I stayed over until afternoon. Went down to the foundry. Saw R. E. Strait at the Station. Jim helped Will saw up some of the trees this P.M. Will has gone to the Burg this evening.

X May 9 – Worked at a screw driver for Henry part of the afternoon. Ma and I finished cleaning the cellar this A.M. Wrote to Aunt Kate Crawford.

May 10 – Worked at the screw driver part of the day (finished it). Helped Will a little while this P.M. Pa got a little pig up to Mr Flanders[76] this P.M. Charley Towne planted corn in our south lot to day.

X May 11 – Pleasant. Jim and Will went to church. I went to the Burg this P.M. and got my over coat. Took Hannah down to Mr Kaywoods this evening, I called a little while. First time I was ever there. Wrote to Henry.

May 12 – Cleaned up the ______ the wood pile. Went to the Burg this evening. Will Clark helped Ed Schram plant corn this A.M. and Harry Streator[77] this P.M.

X May 13 – Wrote to Lois this P.M. Will Clark helped Harry Streator to day.

May 14 – Went to the Burg this evening. Hannah went with me. Mr Knapp wants me to make him a pattern. Sawed out some boards for fence pickets for a hen yard.

May 15 – Went up to the Saw mill this A.M. with Pa to get some pickets sawed. Worked at Mr Knapps patterns this P.M.

May 16 – Worked at Mr Knapps patterns this A.M. Set posts for the hen yard this P.M. Hannah is sewing for Mrs Randall.

May 17 – Finished Mr Knapps patterns. Pa and I made the fence around the hen yard. Pa and I went to the Burg this evening to get the barb wire. Found Aunt Patty at Hanks. She came over with Pa.

May 18 – Aunt Patty and I went down to Aunt Katie Lees to day. Will Clark went to see Hettie.

May 19 – Built a fence around the barn yard. Pa and Will drew manure this P.M. Quite cold this P.M. Theodore Earl was down after supper. Went to the Burg this evening.

May 20 – Went down to Mrs Browns this A.M. to get Will to come and plow the garden for us. Grandma went with me. Will plowed the garden this P.M. I worked at Jim Conkeys camera (altering it). Nancy and Mrs Brown was here part of the afternoon. Mrs Conkey came after Nan.

May 21 – Dragged the garden this A.M. and made some of it this P.M. Went to the Burg this evening. Aunt Patty went with me she stayed at Nan’s. Hannah has gone up to Mr Streators to sew.

May 22 – Rainy this A.M. Made some garden this A.M. Made a pig pen and put 4 wires around the hen yard fence this P.M. Pa and Will finished sitting the fence posts along the east side of the east lot. Pa has gone over to the Burg this evening after Aunt Patty. Will has gone up to Mr Streators.

May 23 – Pa and Will drew wood and old rails to day with Bill & “Tom” Brown.[78] I made a pig trough this A.M.

May 24 – Jim came down with Streators team and helped draw rails. Jim Conkey came over this A.M. to get me to make some shutters for his camera. He took me over to the Burg and back so I could get an idea how to make them. Went to the Burg this evening.

May 25 – Finished one of Conkeys Camera shutters this A.M. He and Hank came after it this A.M. They took a view of this our house, barn and yard. Geo Tomlinson,[79] his brother Ogden, wife and daughter[80] came here to day, stayed to dinner and Ogden and family went home. Aunt Katie Lee and George came up to day, also Alvin and Aunt Julia.[81]

May 26 – Went to the Station with Geo Tomlinson for the 7.03 train. He was going to Battle Creek. He came back and went to Aunt Katies this P.M. rode from here with Oren Starr. Pa carried Aunt Katie Patty down there. Worked at Conkeys Camera shutter.

May 27 – Finished Jim Conkeys Camera shutter this A.M. He came and got it this A.M. I worked a pattern for W. H. Knapp part of the P.M. Grandma went over to Hanks with Jim Conkey this morning. I went after her this evin’g.

May 28 – Finished Mr Knapps pattern this P.M. He came and got them. I mended Nancys comb this P.M. and one for Ma also. Pa and Ma went to the Burg this evening. Hank brought Lela over here this morning and Bessie over to Mrs Browns because Nancy was sick. 4-Paws Show at Kal- to day.

May 29 – Took up the carpet in the middle room this P.M. Have not felt very well.

May 30 – Helped Pa and Will string the wire on the hill road fence. Decoration day.[82]

May 31 – Helped Ma to day. I white washed the middle room and put the carpet down. Pa and Will finished the east road fence. Went to the Burg this evening. Party at Straits to night for Dexa.[83]

Jun 1 – Went down to Aunt Katies this P.M. with a letter for Aunt Patty. Lucy[84] brought her up to our house. Lee[85] rode up with me so that he could drive back for his mother. I went over to Hanks after I got home after Hannah.

Jun 2 – Pa and I went up to Geo Billingtons to look at a new kind of a fence this A.M. Called at Mrs Earls.[86] Herb let me have some cucumber and Musk Melen seed. Hannah went up to Mr Flanders to sew this ev’ing.

Jun 3 – Put up screens and built a frame over the east door for the woodbine[87] to run on. Rained quite hard this P.M. Our cow had a calf this morning. Will has gone down to Mr Franklins to work for them the rest of the week.

X Jun 4 – Wrote to Inum[?] & Co. Pa Carried Ma, Grandma and Aunt Patty over to Nancys this morning. Went after them this evening. Got home about ten oclock. Grandma was taken with one of her hard breathing spells and died at 11.15. I went over after Nancy and telegraphed to Uncle Hi. Got 105 cabbage and 19 Tomato plants and set them out. Lois came to Hanks this evening. This stamp was Grandma’s.[88]

Jun 5 – Wrote to Uncle Henry and Edna Allen[89] of Grandma’s death. Hannah and I went down to aunt Katies this P.M. Found Uncle Hi, Aunt Kate and Blanche here. Jim and I went over after the coffin this evening. Sent telegrams to Uncle Rob’t, Henry and David,[90] also Dee Harris. Lou and Dee came out this P.M. eving.

X Jun 6 – Grandma was buried this P.M. Had a prayer at the house and funeral at the Baptist church. The text was 49th Psalm 15th verse.[91] Uncle Pross came this morning or rather last evening to Hanks. Wrote to Frank for Aunt Patty.

Jun 7 – I carried Uncle Hi and Blanche to the Burg this morning came back and got aunt Kate. Uncle Henry came this morning. He and Uncle Pross walked over to the burying ground. They all went home on mail 11.15. Went to the Burg this evening saw Mr Barlow about some money. Lou and Jay came home with me.

Jun 8 – Quite warm. Jim and Will went to church this A.M. and evening. Mr & Mrs Streator[92] was down this P.M. Alvan Lee called a few minutes.

Jun 9 – Will and I drew the rails from the road fence east of the gate. Went up to Mr Flanders this evening after their post hole digger. Real cold this evening.

X Jun 10 – We set the posts for the fence from the garden to the corners. I took Hannah over to the Burg this P.M. We called at Mrs Barbers on our way home to see the twins. Received a letter from H. L. Keith. Wrote a postal to Nellie Gillett[93] for Aunt Patty.

Jun 11 – Jim came down this morning and plowed the sod up each side of the posts. Will shoveled up the sod. I burnt some brush. Lois, Nan and Lou visited at Mrs Browns. Hannah went down there to sew. Aunt Katie and Lucy came up and visited here this P.M. I went and got Lou. They commenced weaning Jay to day.

Jun 12 – Helped put on the lower wire to the fence this A.M. Cultivated the garden this P.M. Pa and Aunt Patty went to the Burg this evening.

Jun 13 – We put the wire on the fence to day now we have a four wire fence from the garden to the top of the hill around the road. Hannah came from Mrs Browns this morning Dell Skinner[94] brought her. She went up to Jim Milhams[95] this P.M. a visiting. I went after to night.

X Jun 14 – Wrote to E. L. Crawford.[96] Bought a garden cultivator of W. H. Knapp this A.M. Ma and Aunt Patty went to Nans a visiting. Will Clark went to Gull Lake to a picnic. Rec’d a letter from Uncle Hiram.

Jun 15 – Carried Aunt Patty down to Aunt Katies. It has been quite warm.

Jun 16 – Went to the Burg with Theodore Earl to see Mr Barlow about some money got $21.00 by making a ____ with Theodore.

Jun 17 – 93°. Worked at some window screen frames for the Taylor girls[97] part of the day. Very warm. Pa worked on the road.

X Jun 18 – Went to the Burg this A.M. and got Nan, Lois and the children. Rained quite hard this P.M. Charley Clark and Clara[98] came to day, have moved here, will live in Theodore Earls house. Pa worked on the road. Wrote to J.F.T.[99]

X Jun 19 – Went to Kal this A.M. after Jessie Crawford. She came on Express 1.45. We called on Edna Allen. I got dinner at Johnny Richmonds. Jim Crum rode to Kal with me. Bought a hat and a duster. Wrote a postal to Frank Tomlinson. Went to the Burg this evening. Took Clara over and brought Lou back.

Jun 20 – Have not done much to day. Has been quite hot. Pa helped Charley Towne put a window in their wing room. Jessie went to the Burg this A.M. I picked about 7 qts of strawberries.

Jun 21 – Took Lou to Kal to day. She left Kal at 1.52 P.M. for Shelbyville. I came home by the way of Comstock. Went down to Uncle Jess Turners.[100] Aunts Patty and Katie and Mrs Gofferey was there. Jessie went up to Jim Milhams this P.M. Went to the Burg with the girls in evening. Jim and Will stay here to night.

Jun 22 – 99°. Jim, Will and I went up to the sheep pen and went in swimming. Bina Earl[101] gave me a bouquet. Will has gone to Russells. Jim to church this evening. Mr Peter Carmer was buried to day at Otsego.[102]

Jun 23 – Charley Clark came over this A.M. Pa went up to Mr Streators and got a grist of wheat and took to mill. Jessie and Charlie rode over to the Burg with him. Jessie and Lela came over with Will Brown.

X Jun 24 – Carried Jessie and Lela down to Mrs Browns this A.M. Picked about 15 qts of strawberries. Clara, Geo and Aunt Patty came up this A.M. Charley Clarks goods came to day. Mr Brownell get them for him. Went to the Burg this evening. Got three pictures of this house that J. Conkey made. Wrote to Imus & Co. Rec’d a letter from J.F.T.

Jun 25 – Colder to day and rainy also. Charley Clark is getting settled to day. Jessie and I went up there this P.M. Blacked Stove and pipe in the front room.

Jun 26 – I took Hannah to Mr Streators this P.M. Went to the Burg this eving. Pa and Aunt Patty went out for a ride this P.M. called at Mr Flanders.

Jun 27 – Went up to Charleys this morning and invited Clara down this P.M. Cultivated the garden and hoed the potatoes. Lois, Nancy and the children was over to day.

Jun 28 – Put paris green[103] on the potatoes and cut weeds this A.M. Geo brought Aunt Katie up this A.M. Ma, Aunt Patty and Aunt Katie went over to the Cemetery and to Nancys this P.M. I went to the Burg this evening.

Jun 29 – Strait came over to day. He has let a Co. in Mishwauka Ind have his windmill to make on a royalty. Hannah, Jessie and I went over to Hanks this eving. Charley and Clara was down this P.M. Pa, Ma, and Aunt Patty went down to Mrs Browns this P.M. Geo and Clara came after Aunt Katie this P.M.

Jun 30 – Aunt Patty and Hannah started for Perry[104] on Express 1.45 P.M. I took them to Kal-. Called at Aunt Katies and got supper. Called on L. C. West.[105]

X Jul 1 – Wrote to Henry. Hank Brown is 34 years old to day. Clara and Edna[106] was down this P.M. took tea with us. Pa and I ground a m____y machine knife for Mr Randall. Jessie stays with Clara to night.

Jul 2 – Turned out a pump bucket for Theodore. Ma and Jessie visited at Nancys. Nan is having a real time with her teeth. Went and got Jessie with Theodores horse and buggy from Charley Clarks.

Jul 3 – Lou is 23 years old to day. Studied on a binder some to day. Went to the Burg this evening. Saw Ike Odell[107] he is on the G.T.R.R.

X Jul 4 – Wrote to Miss H. M. Comfort.[108] At home all day went to the Burg this evening. Jim and Will went to Gull Lake.

Jul 5 – Pa and Ma went down to Aunt Katies to day. Nancy and the children went down to Mrs B-s. Lois came and stayed with me.

X Jul 6 – Went up to Charleys with Lois this A.M. Charley and Clara came back with Lois this P.M. Will has gone to Russells from there to Kal to church. Wrote to Hannah.

Jul 7 – Plowed out the garden this A.M. Went to the Burg this evening.

Jul 8 – Drafted some for the binder. Charley Towne is cutting the wheat across from our house.

Jul 9 – Nancy is 32 years old to day. Hoed in the garden some this A.M. Charley Towne began cutting wheat in our east lot. I cut once around with the Royce. Ma visited over to Nan’s this P.M.

Jul 10 – I went down to Mrs Browns and picked cherries to day. Picked 35 qts. Charley Towne finished cutting our wheat to day. Will Brown cut our clover for us to day. I raked some of it up after I got home. R. E. Strait[109] and Dexa started for Oneonta N.Y. this morning.

Jul 11 – Charley Clark helped Pa and I draw the hay had three loads. Picked some peas for Clara Clark.

X Jul 12 – Draughted some to day. Have not felt very well. Went to the burg this evening. Mankins Palace Show at the Burg this evening. Jay Barton took Paris green this evening but took too much so the Dr may save him.[110] Rec’d a letter from Hannah. Will Clark cut his wheat to day.

Jul 13 – Jessie went over to Hanks with Will Clark this A.M. She went to church with Hank and Nancy. I went to the Burg with Jim this P.M. stayed until after church and came home with Will and Jim.

Jul 14 – Draughted for my binder. Pa and Ma went to the Burg this P.M. Ma stayed and Pa went after her this evening. Whitney Family was at the Burg with their show. I went this evening.

Jul 15 – Made a pattern of a wheel for the twine holder and cast it this P.M. Jessie came from Hanks this P.M. Rained a little. Jim called on his way to the Burg this evening. He was going to see about his getting into the band.

Jul 16 – Draughted to day. Went to the Burg this evening. Gregorys Circus was there. Hank and I went he paid my gave me a “comp”. Lois bought Geo Adams place on Grove St. Consideration $475.

Jul 17 – Jessie went out to Lois to day. I took her to Kal. We went to Edna’s but she was not at home. Called at Aunt Katies. Lucy is not as well.

Jul 18 – Draughted some. Pa went to the Burg with a letter for Hannah. Ma visited at Claras Clarks. I went after her this evening. I took Clara on riding up by Uncle Ike Clarks.

Jul 19 – Draughted this P.M. Helped Charley Towne draw wheat from the east lot this A.M. Went to the Burg this evening. Jim has joined the G.C.B.[111] plays Bb Bass.

X Jul 20 – Wrote to M. F. Lee. Pa and Ma went down to Aunt Katies. Lois, Charley, Clara and Edna came down this P.M. Lois will stay here to night. Hank, Nan, Mrs Brown and the children went up to Mr Armes.[112] Will Clark has gone to see “Hettie”.

Jul 21 – Draughted. Mr Knapp came over this P.M. with a pattern for me to change. Pa took Lois over to Hanks this morning.

Jul 22 – Draughted. Pa took Ma over to Hanks to have a negative made of herself. She stayed all day. Mr Knapp came over this p.m.

Jul 23 – Draughted a little. Rained last night it had got to be real dry. Charley Smith came out and got Lois for Luke Smiths folks.

Jul 24 – Draughted some. Went to the Burg this P.M. evening. Mr Knapp wants me to make him a pattern. Charley Towne began cutting oats in our west lot this P.M.

Jul 25 – Will Clark and I went up to Mr Flanders this A.M. and picked cherries. Mrs Hoag[113] visited here to day. Went to the Burg this P.M. called at Mr Knapps and got a casting to make a pattern from.

X Jul 26 – Made a pattern for Mr Knapp. Will Clark and I went to the burg this evening. I rode home with Herb Earl in their boat. Hank and Nan started for Toledo this A.M. Pa went and got the children. Hank was going from Toledo to Cincinnati Monday to attend the Photographers Convention. Jim went to Shelbyville to day. Rec’d a letter from Miss H. M. Comfort Logan Iowa.[114]

Jul 27 – Went up to Charley Clarks and took dinner with them. Will Clark, Lela and Bessie also. We went and took a boat ride. Charley Clark and I went down to Aunt Katies this P.M. Lucy is not as well.

Jul 28 – Draughted some. Worked in the garden awhile to day. Nancy came from Toledo to day. Came over after the children and took tea with us. Jim came from Lou’s to day. Jessie came as far as Kal with him. Charley Clark was down this P.M. we talked “boat” some.

X Jul 29 – Draughted. C. Towne drew the oats this P.M. Will Johnson threashed for Will Clark and Mr Randall to day. His machine is here to night, will threash here tomorrow. Jim and I went to the Burg this evening. Rec’d a letter from Hannah.

X Jul 30 – Threashed to day had 138 bushels of wheat and 92 of oats. Pa and I got the loose straw and chaff in the barn this P.M. Methodist picnic at Gull Lake to day. Will Clark went with Mate.[115] Wrote to Hannah.

X Jul 31 – Draughted some this P.M. Helped P clean up some wheat this A.M. Wrote to Hannah.

Aug 1 – I Draughted. Worked in the garden some this A.M. Went up to Charleys this evening and carried some beans. Sowed Turnip seeds this A.M.

Aug 2 – D made an instantaneous shutter for James Conkeys camera. Went to the Burg this evening. Rode home with T. Earl. Jim is out of the Band.

Aug 3 – Went down to Mrs Browns and put Bill in with Prince and got their double buggy for Mrs B-, Hank, Nan and Ma to go up to Mr Woods with. They did not find them at home so got back at 2.30. I carried Nan and the children home this evening. Charley & Clara was down this P.M.

Aug 4 – Draughted. Pa went over and got Nan this morning to help Ma ki quilt small quilt for Lou.[116] I carried her home this evening. 22 years ago to day since the Tornado.[117] It is quite cold for this time of the year.

Aug 5 – Draughted. Clara came down this A.M. and helped Ma quilt. Pa and Ma went to Kal this P.M. Ma went to see Edna. Jessie is there will come home tomorrow. Charley and Will Clark bought Lacelle Straits[118] carriage to day. Clara and Edna took dinner with me.

X Aug 6 – Geo Ives took dinner with us. After dinner I went up to Fidelio Browns. Ma went to the Burg this P.M. I went after her this evening. Edna and Jessie was at Nan’s came on Mich City freight. O. M. tried to –[119] Rec’d a letter from Henry L. Keith. Cong’l and Baptist S.S. Picnic at Gull Lake. Will Clark went. Jim took Flora & Mary Milham.[120]

Aug 7 – Draughted. Will and Charley have been breaking Mustang to day. Clara was down this P.M. Charley, Will and I went to the Burg this evening.

Aug 8 – Pa and Ma started for Shelbyville at five oclock this morning. Nan and the children came over to night. Will Clark went up to Gull Lake this P.M. to stay a few days, the Russells are camping there.

Aug 9 – Draughted. Went to the Burg this evening. Nan and the children went up to Claras this P.M. a little while.

Aug 10 – Hank came over this A.M. Charley & Clara came down this A.M. After dinner Charley, Hank and I went up around by Flanders and the brick school hous with the Mustang. Then Hank, Nan and I went home with Charley & Clara got Mr Earls boat and we went across the river to look at Hanks cow. Charley talked of buying it. Jim and Flora are out this P.M. & evening. Will C came from his visit up to Gull Lake.

Aug 11 – Draughted some. Clara and Edna were down this P.M. Hank Brown went to Chicago last evening. Will came back on N.Y. Express this evening to Battle Creek and from there home on accommodation.

Aug 12 – Draughted. Aunt Kate and Blanche came out on Mail to day. Pa & Ma came from Shelbyville this P.M. Clara & Edna were down to day brought a mess of fish.

Aug 13 – Draughted a little this P.M. Aunt Kate, Jessie and Blanche went home on Mail. Will Clark helped Mr Allerton[121] threash. Lela Brown is 6 years old to day.

Aug 14 – 90°. Draughted. Went to the Burg with Will Clark this P.M. Went down to the foundry. Clara & Edna were down. Pa is not feeling well.

Aug 15 – Draughted. Went to the Burg this evening. Mr & Mrs Streator and Mabel[122] was down this P.M. took tea with us.

Aug 16 – Will Clark and I went to Kal-. Called at Aunt Katies. Lucy is worse has not set up much the past week. We are having hot weather. {Nellie Bristol[123] is 21 years old to day. {Lois Skinner is 44 years old to day.

Aug 17 – Hank, Nan, Jim, Claude, Lela, Bess and myself went up to Gull Lake. Stopped at Hanks grounds. Found Mrs Cummings there from Battle Creek (per agreement). I tried roller skating a little while tried twice to break a hole through the floor but found it the hardest.

Aug 18 – Helped Ma clean the two west bedrooms. Will & Charley went to Augusta. C- bought some chairs. He took “Bill” this P.M. and went to the Depot after them. Clara & Edna went over to the Burg with him.

X Aug 19 – I gave the front room a thorough sweeping and dusting this A.M. Draughted a little this P.M. Rec’d a letter from Hannah.

X Aug 20 – Wrote to Lois Hannah and Henry L. Keith about binder business. Henry is 41 years old to day. Pa and Ma went down to Aunt Katies. Will Clark worked for Charley Towne. Charley was down this P.M. Jim came home this evening to stay to night is going to Battle Creek tomorrow.

Aug 21 – Wrote some to Henry and made a drawing of Strait’s and my Reaper & binder to send to him. Will Clark began working with Billy Johnson cutting bands for him. Mrs Brown is here this evening. I went to the Burg this eving, rode with Harry Streator. Jim went to Battle Creek to the Encampment. Turned out some stand tops for Herb Earl. He says Elva has a little girl.[124]

Aug 22 – Draughted. Two years ago to night. Wonder if anyone among the Berkshire Hill, Mass. remembers anything about it. I am quite certain I do, to my sorrow. This is a fickle world.[125] Dont feel very well have a hard headache.

Aug 23 – Went up to the Mill this A.M. Herb gave me a piece of walnut for a stand top & legs. I went to the noon train and met Laura E. and Rosa C. James[126] of Ravenna Portage Co Ohio second cousins on Grandma Keiths side.[127] Nan and the children were over.

Aug 24 – At home all day. Jim and Hank went to Gull Lake this evening. Will Clark went to see “Hettie”.

Aug 25 – Worked at the stands some to day. This P.M. Laura and Rosa and I took a ride up south. Wrote in Rosa’s Autograph Album this evening.

Aug 26 – Laura, Rosa and I went up on the “big hill” this A.M. this P.M. I took them over to Nancys. Found Lois and Ina there. Charley & Clara were here visiting to day.

Aug 27 – Draughted some. Ma went over to Nan’s a visiting to day. Pa went after her this eving. There is Laura and Rosa came back with them.

Aug 28 – Rainy. Laura and Ma washed. Will Clark came home this P.M. and turned the lathe for me to turn out the girls stad stand top. Herb Earl turned for me to turn one for my self this A.M. Went to the Burg this evening. Lois and Ina came home with me.

Aug 29 – Carried Ma, Laura and Rosa up to Charleys this A.M. Pa, Lois and Ina went down to Aunt Katies. I went up to Charleys and took dinner with the “ladies.” Draughted a little. The girls stay with Clara to night.

X Aug 30 – Worked at the girls stand. Herb Earl we came down this morning with an other board for me to turn him a stand top. Laura has ironed to day. Rosa talked to me on “religion” this P.M. a while. Charley took his mother to Kal- to take the cars for Shelby ville. Rec’d a letter from Hannah.

Aug 31 – Will Clark and I went to the Burg this A.M. This P.M. Laura, Rosa and I went up to the Hartwell Corners Cemetery and from there up to John Flanders and across by Ras Townes[128] around by the Lawler school house and Augusta home, 16 miles.

Sep 1 – Up at 4.40 A.M. took Laura & Rosa’s trunk over to the Station and then took them over. They left on the 7.03 train for Albion and from there to Jonesville to visit the cousins out in Hillsdale Co. Turned a Stand top for Earl. He and Charley Clark were here all day turning.

Sep 2 – Draughted. Went down to Mrs Browns this A.M. after some apples. Met Hank and Mr Threasher when I came home, the first time I ever saw him. Jim went after the Dr this P.M. for Mr Streator he was taken sick this morning.

Sep 3 – Draughted. We are haveing very warm dry weather.

Sep 4 – Draughted. Went to the Burg this evening after Ma. Ma visited at Mrs Barbers this P.M. Jim and Fred Franklin went up to Scotts[129] this evening.

Sep 5 – Draughted. Warm and dry mercury in the ,90, nineties.

X Sep 6 – Draughted this A.M. Turned a stand top for Will Clark this P.M. Went to the Burg this evening. Received a letter from Laura and Rosa James.

Sep 7 – Hot as one needs for comfort. Charley and Clara came down this evening. Jim went to church this A.M. and evening. Charley and Will went over west this A.M.

Sep 8 – 100º. Finished Drafting for my binder. Commenced making patterns this P.M. Will Clark began cutting cutt our corn to day. Two years ago to day I went to a Grove Meeting at Schoolcraft.[130]

X Sep 9 – 101. Worked at patterns. Wrote to Laura and Rosa James. Uncle Martin Turner[131] was here this A.M. Pa and Ma have gone down to Aunt Katies this P.M. to see how Lucy is.

Sep 10 – 104º. Worked at patterns. Pa took Mar Ma over to Nancys this A.M. Hannah came from her visit at Perry to day. Wesley Keith came here to day came to Hanks last evening. It is ten years since he left.[132] Rained this evening quite hard.

Sep 11 – Worked at patterns some. Took Will Clark up to Sam Osbornes from there to Mr Streators. I took Nan and Hannah down to Mrs Browns. They went down to Aunt Katies. Wesley and I went down there this P.M. Cooler.

Sep 12 – Worked at patterns. Charley Clark cut corn for us to day. Clara was down this P.M. Wesley went up to Mr Nyes this P.M.

Sep 13 – Worked at patterns. Charley finished cutting our corn this A.M. Ma went over to the Burg with Pa this evening. Will Clark and Jim have gone up to Augusta to “Skate” this evening. Went over to the 9.15 P.M. train and met Rosa and Laura. They have been out to Hillsdale Co. visiting.

Sep 14 – At home all day. Pa and Ma went down to aunt Katies this P.M. found Lucy better. Charley and Clara came down this evening.

Sep 15 – Worked at patterns. Laura, Rosa and I went to the Burg this evening. We went by the way of the upper bridge. Quite warm.

Sep 16 – Dont feel very well have not done much of any thing. Went up to Claras and took postal to Ina. Rained last night has been cooler to day. Hannah is 29 years old to day.

Sep 17 – Laura and Rosa James, Nancy, Hannah, Jim, Claude and I went to the State Fair at Kal-. The James girls did not come back with us are going home from Kal-. We left them at Martin Turners.

Sep 18 – Will Clark and I went to the State Fair at Kal-. Saw Oscar Keith and Myrtie Chaffee and husband.[133] Came home on the cars.[134] We had a double header and 26 cars.

Sep 19 – Worked at patterns some. Mary Plank[135] and Lou Hall a friend of hers came here this evening. We went over to the Skating Rink this evening. Charley Ford[136] had his opining this evening. Wrote to Laura and Rosa James. Party at Russells to night. Will went Ollie Patterson took him. Bought ½ doz silver plated knives and forks this evening.)

Sep 20 – Worked at patterns part of the day. Mary Plank, Miss Hall and Hannah went over to call on Fannie Towne[137] this A.M. Hannah took them down to Mr Allertons this P.M. They are going home this evening. Will Clark and Hannah went over to the Rink to skate this P.M.

Sep 21 – Hannah, Jim, Will and I went up to Charleys to dinner. Hannah and Will went to church this A.M. Pa and Ma went down to Aunt Katies to day. They say that Lucy is better. Hanks folks are over to Mrs Browns to day.

Sep 22 – Worked at patterns. Will Clark began working for Mr Allerton this morning. Ida (Barber) Howe left Mr Howe to day.[138] He feels real bad about it. Lucy B. Lee Milham died this evening at 11.15 P.M.[139] Wesley Keith came after Ma this evening to go down to Aunt Katies.

X Sep 23 – Worked at patterns. Wesley Keith came up from Aunt Katies this morning after Hannah. Said Lucy was dead. Pa went down this P.M. and got Ina. I went up to Claras and told them of Lucy’s death. Rec’d a postal from the James girls.

Sep 24 – Went to Lucy’s funeral. Went to Mr Streators this A.M. with Harry and after dinner we went to the funeral. I rode home with Hanks folks. Rained real hard this A.M.

Sep 25 – Worked at patterns. Went to the Burg this evening. Charley Clark husked corn for Pa to day. Clara and Edna came down this P.M. stayed to tea.

Sep 26 – Worked at patterns. Charley husked a little while this A.M. He and Pa went over to the Station and got his wagon he has had shipped to him from Jasper. Delphia York[140] brought Wesley Keith up here this A.M. Nina came with them. She stayed until after dinner.

Sep 27 – Worked at patterns. Charley Clark husked some to day. I went to the Burg this evening. Mary Schroeder was at Hanks this evening. Hannah came home this evening from Nan’s with Mrs Randall.

Sep 28 – Jim, Charley and I went up to Theodores this A.M. to the “Rink.” Hannah and I went up to Charleys this P.M. but they were not at home. We saw Ida Bronson[141] at the Taylor girls. I carried Hannah over to Nan’s this evening. Carried Jim as far as Mrs Browns on his way to Streators.

Sep 29 – Worked at patterns. Charley Clark husked corn this A.M. Charley Towne finished husking here to day. There was a Co organized in the Burg to day to develop the water power from Gull Creek north of the Burg.[142] It was discovered by Geo Youmans.

X Sep 30 – Worked at patterns. Went to the Burg this evening after Hannah. She went to the “Rink” with Jim and Mary Schroder. She came home with Harry Streator. Wesley Keith came back from Scotts this P.M. went to the Burg with me. Will stay at W^m Blakes to night. Rec’d a letter from Laura James.

X Oct 1 – Worked at patterns for W. H. Knapp.[143] It has been a rather disagreeable day. Wrote to Chester Steel Casting Co. Philadelphia Pa. Old Mrs Schram died last night.[144]

Oct 2 – Worked at patterns for W. H. Knapp part of the day. Pa went to the Burg this A.M. After he came home he and Ma went down to aunt Katie.

Oct 3 – Worked at patterns for W. H. Knapp. Mrs Blake and her Mother and Mrs Brown have been here this P.M. Nancy has been here all day. I went and got her.

X Oct 4 – Worked at patterns for Knapp. Went to the Burg this evening. Lois and Dell came out with a load of goods to day. Hannah went to the Burg this P.M. Rec’d a letter from H. L. Keith.

Oct 5 – Charley Clark and I took a ride up by G.R.C. Adams[145] this P.M. Lois, Ina and Clara came down this P.M. Lois and Ina will stay all night. 12 years to night Hank and Nan were married.

X Oct 6 – Wrote to R. E. Strait, H. L. Keith and Munn[?] & Co. Cultivated some ground for strawberries just south of the orchard. Pa took Lois and Ina over to Nan’s this P.M. I worked at patterns this P.M. I took Hannah up to Byjolly Halls to sew this A.M.

Oct 7 – Worked at patterns for myself and Mr Knapp. Mr Knapp came over this A.M. to have me make him a small sprocket wheel. Ma went to the Burg this A.M. to stay with Lois at Hanks. Hank and Nan went to Chicago on the 11.15 A.M. train. Charley Clark dug potatoes for me in the garden this P.M., had 9 bu.

Oct 8 – Worked at Knapps and my patterns. Went to the Burg this evening. Rained last night so the air is quite cool to day. Allerton discharged Will Clark to day.

Oct 9 – Worked at patterns. Allerton came up this morning wants Will Clark to work for him again. Will went. Will Brown came up after a flail to threash his buckwheat. Wesley Keith has gone up to Mr Riddlers this eving. Hannah came home from Mrs Ralphs this eving. Will Brown brought Lela and Bess up to night.

Oct 10 – Worked at a pattern of a gate hanging for Wesley Keith. Went to the Burg this evening to hear J. C. Burrows speak on the tariff question, he spoke at the rink.

Oct 11 – Worked at patterns. Wesley Keith went down to Aunt Katies this A.M. rode down with Mr Earl. He is not coming back here. Went over to the rink this evening and saw two little boys from Charlotte skate. Mr David Bronsen died to day.[146]

X Oct 12 – Pa and Ma went down to Aunt Katies. Charley Clark and Clara were down this P.M. Wrote to Laura E. James.

Oct 13 – Worked at patterns. Mr David Bronsen was buried to day. Pa went to the funeral. Nancy came from Chicago she brought me a loaf of bread. Pa and Ma took Lela and Bess over home this P.M.

Oct 14 – Worked at patterns. Carried Hannah over to Nan’s. She is going to the rink to skate. Will stay at Hanks to night. Sarah Ettie Calkins[147] came to Hanks while I was there. Hank came home from Chicago last evening.

Oct 15 – Worked at patterns. Pa is 71 years old to day. Pa took Ma to the Burg this P.M. Brought Nan and Hannah back. I took Nan to Kal- to the 6.50 P.M. train and she went to Shelbyville. Jay is very sick. I got back from Kal- 10.15 P.M. Called at aunt Katie the baby was sick.[148]

Oct 16 – Worked at patterns. Charley and Herb Clark[149] was here this A.M. Pa took Hannah over to Hanks this evening she was going to the rink. I went after her. Pa brought Ma, Lela and Bessie home with him. Harry and Jim called a minute on their way to the Burg this eving.

Oct 17 – Worked at patterns. Went to the burg this evening. Hannah went with me. Hank rec’d a postal from Nan. She said Jay about the same.

Oct 18 – Worked at patterns. Hannah has gone to the rink with Harry Streator this evening. He is agoing to stop here when he comes back with her. Nan wrote to day that Jay is no better. Bessie is not very well.

Oct 19 – Hannah and I went down to Aunt Katies this P.M. Harvey Keith[150] and his Mother[151] was here to day. Hank Brown called here this A.M. on his way to his Mothers.

Oct 20 – Worked at patterns. Hannah went to the rink this P.M. and this evening went up to Ras Townes to sew. I went to the Burg this evening.

X Oct 21 – Worked at patterns. Nancy came from Shelby ville this P.M. Wrote to J. F. Tomlinson. Walked over to Mr Knapps this A.M. helping him on his machine.

Oct 22 – Worked at patterns. Hannah came from Ras Townes this evening. Ma went to the Burg and stayed at Nan’s until night. I went over to a Water Power meeting at the rink, there was $7,000 worth of stock taken.

X Oct 23 – Worked at patterns. Snowed last night and has snowed by spells all day. Clara and Edna visited here this P.M. Charley was here to tea. Wrote to R. E. Strait West Oneonta New York.

Oct 24 – Worked at patterns. Charley Clark and family went out to Athens to visit Clara’s cousin. Hannah is about sick with a hard cold.

Oct 25 – Gathered apples, pulled the beets and onions and Pa finished digging the potatoes to day. Went to the Burg this evening. Went to Lois’es the first I have been in her house. She stayed there last night for the first time. I put up her clock for her.

Oct 26 – Went down to Alvin Lee’s to day. It has rained all the afternoon. Jim and Will were here to day.

Oct 27 – Worked at patterns. Began the pattern of the flanged wheel for the knotter part of the binder. Four years ago to day, Mr Brown died.[152] Saw some views at Hanks.

Oct 28 – Worked at patterns. Pa went over and got Nan and the children this P.M. I took them home this evening. Will Clark rec’d a letter from S & O S & H of Shelby ville[153] wanting to know if he would clerk for them. Saw some views at Hanks that of Perry N.Y. and vicinity that old Mr Cooley let them take.

Oct 29 – Worked at patterns. Went over to the Water power Meeting this evening. They finished raising the am’t necessary to organize a company, $10,000. Will hold their first meeting to elect officers tomorrow evening. Ma took went to Shelby ville to day Pa took her to Kal-. Hannah came home from Fords this evening where she has been sewing.

Oct 30 – Worked at patterns. Took Hannah to the Burg so she could go to the rink, went after her this evening. Jim has gone after a girl to go to the rink with him had Harrys horse and carriage. Jim took Mary Milham to the rink.

Oct 31 – Worked at patterns. Will Clark quit working for Mr Allerton yesterday. He is agoing to to clerking for Schroder and Harris at Shelby ville.

Nov 1 – Worked at patterns. Pa went over and got Nan and the children this A.M. I took them down to Mrs Browns this P.M. Hank and I went to the Academy of Music to see Silver King played this evening it was first rate. Will Clark and Hettie went to the play.

Nov 2 – Hannah and I went to Charleys this P.M. and made a short visit. Jim stayed at home last night has been to the Burg all day.

Nov 3 – Worked at patterns. Pa went up to Mr Flanders and got a load of apples this P.M. Will Clark went up to Shelbyville to day to clerk for S & H. Jim and Mary Milham went to Kal- this evening to an opening of a new skating rink. Grace Griffith began working for Nan to day.

Nov 4 – Election (Presidential)[154] I voted for the prohabition candidates, St. John of Kan – for president – voted the Green back ticket for State Legislature and County Officers. Worked at patterns and done some turning for Herb Earl this A.M. Took tea at Hanks. Visited Lois this evening. Rained all night. Sent a couple of Enterprises[155] to Hank telling about the Water Power Boom.

Nov 5 – Worked at patterns. Rained all the last fore noon. Mr W^m Hill died last night (Oat Hills father).[156] Hannah went up to Mrs Thompsons near Scotts to sew this A.M. so Pa and I are all alone. Charley Clark helped Pa get the apples out of the wagon down cellar this A.M. He had the wagon to draw his Mother a load of wood in the P.M. Pa got “Peter” in the pen this P.M.

X Nov 6 – Worked at patterns. Finished putting the flanges on the flange wheel that is on the knotter part. Pa went over to the Burg this P.M. Pa bought 8 bushels of potatoes of Nelson Nichols 30 cts pr bushel. Wrote to Henry L. Keith about the binder. Offered him half of it if he would be to the patent expense and also the expense of making a binder. Did not send the letter for I got one from R. E. Strait.

Nov 7 – Worked at patterns and house work. Charley Clark husked corn for us to day (finished).

X Nov 8 – Worked at patterns. Ma came from Lou’s to day. Lou sent me a can of Salmon. Received a letter from R. E. Strait. Pa went over to the Depot and got Ma’s trunk. Lois and Ina came home with him. Dell came here about 10 P.M.

Nov 9 – Very pleasant. Jim came down this A.M. Ed Streator of Cleveland Ohio[157] came with him. He brought his Bb cornet with him it cost $90. He is a good player. I carried Lois and Ina home this P.M. Dell went over to the Burg this A.M. Jim and Hannah went over to Hanks this evening. Jim took his new Vineyard skates back to exchange them.

X Nov 10 – Worked at patterns. Pa took Hannah to the Burg this A.M. Heard that Mrs Barber[158] was very sick came back and took Ma over there. She stayed until night. Rec’d letter from Rosa C. James.

X Nov 11 – Worked at patterns. Wrote to Henry. Went to the Burg this evening. Walked home with T. Earl. Hank, Nan and Hannah went to the skating rink.

Nov 12 – Worked at patterns. Ma has gone over to set up with Mrs Barber to night. Willis Brown and Lizzie Ogden were married this evening[159] at her home. No one there but the brothers and sisters.[160] Hank and Nancy and children went. Mrs Brown had a bad cold and could not go.

Nov 13 – Worked at patterns. Ma went down and visited Mrs Brown this P.M. She was there when Will and Lizzie came from Mr Ogdens.[161] Pa went over to the Burg and got Ma this A.M. She stayed at Hanks. Mrs Barber did not need any to set up with her. Jim and Mary have gone to the rink to night. We are having nice weather for this time of the year.

Nov 14 – Worked at patterns. Pa and Ma were married 35 years ago to day. Will Brown and wife called this evening to leave a couple of papers. He introduced me to his wife.

X Nov 15 – Worked at patterns. Went to the Burg this evening Hannah went with me. The Democrats are having a big time. They have just heard that Cleveland carried the state of N.Y. It is just splendid weather nowadays. Rec’d a letter from J. F. Tomlinson.

X Nov 16 – Pa and Ma went down to aunt Katies. Hannah and I went up to Charleys this P.M. Hanks folks were over. Six years ago to day Charley and Clara were married. Rained some just at night. Wrote to Miss H. M. Comfort.

X Nov 17 – Charley Clark, Lois, Nan, Ina and I went to Kal- to day. Lois went to do get her a carpet for her parlor and chairs and couch. Bill got scared at the cars at Comstock and liked to run off the bank the west of the bridge. Hannah sews for Mary Allerton[162] most of this week.

Nov 18 – Worked at patterns. It has been quite a cold day. Pa washed the windows in the shop. Will Brown finished husking corn to day. Charley Clark helped him.

Nov 19 – Worked at patterns. Pa and Ma went down to Aunt Julia Lee’s visiting to day. It has been quite pleasant.

X Nov 20 – Finished the patterns for the knotter part of my binder. Went to the Burg this evening. The Democrats have had a “big” time in Kal- to day over the election. Rec’d a letter from H. M. Comfort.

Nov 21 – Worked at a bar for Charley Clarks bookcase and a box for Jim to carry his skates in. Went up to Charleys this P.M. and put the bar on the bookcase. Mrs Youngs[163] came there while I was there, the first time I ever met her. Charley Clark plastered some for us this P.M. in Grand ma’s room. Went to the Burg this evening.

Nov 22 – Charley plastered a little this A.M. His wifes cousin came down with him Mr Long (Oldacre). Helped Lois put down her new carpet this P.M. Took tea with her, the first meal I have taken with her in her new home. Mr Knapp came over to get some pattern work done this A.M. Miss Ella Allen came to Hanks to day. She is from Georgia.[164] I had an introduction.

Nov 23 – Hannah and I went down to Mrs Browns and spent the day. Nan and children were there. Jim is there doing chores. Will and Lizzie are out to Mr Perrys. Has been quite stormy rain and snow.

Nov 24 – Worked at a pattern of a gear wheel (3¼”) for Mr W. H. Knapp. Charley Clark was down to day had a tooth pulled.[165] Took dinner with us. This has been cold stormy day. Hannah went to Gus Gates this morning to sew.

Nov 25 – Worked at a box for Jim to keep his skates in to day. Mr Knapp came over and got his pattern this A.M. Jim called this evening for his skates. He and Miss Ella Allen and Will Brown and wife have gone to the rink to night. Sleighs have started for the first this winter to day.

Nov 26 – Finished Jims skate box and began one for Hannah this P.M. Charley Clark and Theodore Earl was down this A.M. Went to the Burg this evening. Charley Clark was over to his mothers and he came home with me. Sleighs are running to night.

Nov 27 – Worked at Hannahs skate box, and began the pattern for the needle to the binder. Thanksgiving. We had a strawberry shortcake for dinner. Jim went to Kal-. The Burg boys have been sliding down hill to day. Lois and Ina are over to Charleys to day to Thanksgiving.

Nov 28 – Worked at patterns. Charley Clark came after Ma this A.M. to go up there visiting. Lois and Ina came home with her to night. T. Earl, Nelson Nichols and Richard Barber were here to day. Two years ago tonigh. The thought does not bring pleasant memories. Quite the reverse.[166]

Nov 29 – Worked at patterns. Charley Clark came and got his Mother and Ina and carried them home this A.M. Ma went over to Mrs Ralphs visiting this P.M. I went after her this evening. Hannah came from Wm Ralphs this evening. Two years age to day “Nell” left for West Stockbridge, Mass. 12.53 P.M.[167]

Nov 30 – Pa and Ma went down to Aunt Katies. It has been a pleasant day. Charley Clark, Jim, Will Kaywood and sister,[168] Mrs Brown, Will Brown and wife and Ella Allen, Mrs Powers of Scotts and brother have all been in the yard to day. Harry Streator also. Ormsby Mitchell came after Hannah this evening to go there and sew this week.

Dec 1 – Jim and I went to Kal- to day. I called on Edna found her sick abed. Took Uncle D. C. Crawfords[169] letter down to her (it was a business letter). We are having quite pleasant weather.

Dec 2 – Worked at patterns. Clara Clark and her Mother Mrs Youngs visited here this P.M. I went to the Burg this evening. Jim went over with me. We called on Lois. Jim stays here to night.

Dec 3 – Worked at patterns. Ma visited the Taylor girls this P.M. Harry Streator was here this A.M. and got his cross cut saw filed. Dont feel very well to night.

Dec 4 – Worked at patterns. Went to the Burg this evening. Went to the rink. They gave a prize to the best lady skater. Miss Church of Augusta got it.

Dec 5 – Worked at patterns. Rained some is quite warm. Charley Towne and Charley Clark were both here a little while to day.

Dec 6 – Worked at patterns. Rained all day. Marenus Caywood brought Hannah home this evening.

X Dec 7 – Rained until this P.M. Wind has blown very hard all day. Wrote to Miss Rosa C. James. Jim was down home to day. Carried Hannah down to Mr Caywoods this P.M.

Dec 8 – Worked at patterns. Pa and Ma went to the Burg this P.M. Jim called on his way to the Burg this P.M.

Dec 9 – Worked at patterns. Went to the Burg this evening. Pa and I moved the kitchen stove nearer the west side of the room this P.M.

Dec 10 – Worked at patterns. Went down to Aunt Katies this P.M. after Hannah.

Dec 11 – Worked at patterns. Albert Fisher came and got Hannah this A.M. to go and sew for his folks. Went to the Burg this evening. Saw Lucelle Strait the first time that I have met him since he came from the east. We talked over the binder business some. Got a pin and earrings for Aunt Katie to make Adelphia[170] and Clara presents of.

Dec 12 – Worked at patterns. Pa and Ma went to the Burg this P.M. Pa extracted a tooth for Charley Clark.

Dec 13 – Worked at patterns. Went to the Burg this P.M. to see Lucelle Strait but did not see him. Went and saw Mr Knapps machine he has it about completed. Cleaned Loises clock this P.M. took tea with her. Pa and Ma went down to Aunt Katies. Jim got through working for Harry Streator to day.

Dec 14 – Jim is 22 years old to day. He has gone up to Mr Ogdens with Lizzie and Ella Allen this evening. Lucelle Strait came over and looked the binder patterns over. We talked binder business also.

X Dec 15 – Went over to see Lucelle Strait this A.M. about binder business. 8½ inches of snow on the ground this morning. Rec’d a letter from Florence and Henry. Wrote to Florence also to Henry and told him on what conditions I would let him have a 1/6 interest in the binder. Charley Clark is 25 years old to day.

Dec 16 – 10°. Worked at patterns. Charley Clark was down this P.M. and turned the lathe for Pa to turn some pump tops for Theodore. Jim has gone to the Rink to night. Will stay with Lois all night.

Dec 17 – 3°. Worked at patterns. Coldest day yet this winter. Charley Clark was down this A.M. took dinner with us. He and Jim went to the Burg. Jim has gone up to Put Milhams to see Jessie about going to the dance Friday night.

Dec 18 – 14° below. Worked at patterns. Jim and I went to the Burg this eving. I paid Hank three dollars for the Sci Amanian another year. Jim got the paper and lath off from overhead in Grandma’s bed room to day.

Dec 19 – 16º below. Worked at patterns. Jim and Jessie Milham have gone to the first club dance at the Rink this evening. Will Clark came out to day. Charley went to Kal after him.

Dec 20 – Worked at patterns. Jim and I went to the Burg this evening. Snowed quite hard this evening. Will Clark went back to Shelbyville this A.M.

Dec 21 – Jim went over and got Lois and Ina this morning. Pa took them home this evening. Hannah and I went up to Charleys and spent the evening. Mr Dewey brought Hannah home this A.M. from Scotts.

X Dec 22 – 3°. Worked at patterns. Commenced the large cog wheel on the binder this A.M. Wrote to J.F.T.

Dec 23 – Worked at patterns. Pa and Ma went to the Burg this A.M. Lela and Bessie came home with them. Hannah and I drove down to Mr Allertons this evening. She wanted to see Mrs A about sewing for her, then we took the children home. Lois and Ina went out to Ceresco to day.

Dec 24 – Worked at patterns turned the large cog wheel. Hannah and Jim have gone to the Cantata at the Methodist church this evening. Snowed I presume 10 inches last night and to day. Must be 20 inches of snow on the land.

Dec 25 – 1º. Christmas. Pa, Ma, Hannah, Jim and myself took dinner with Charley and Clara. I went over to the Burg this evening attended the Masquerade at the Peerless skating Rink. Was good. Jim and I put the carpet down in Grandma’s room this morning. Saw Lucelle Strait this evening said he had heard from his father and that he was satisfied with our bargain in regard to the binder.

Dec 26 – 22º below zero. Changed a sleigh shoe pattern for I. D. L. Schram[171] this P.M. Ma is 63 years old to day. I put the carpet down in the “little room” bedroom this evening.

Dec 27 – Made a little table for Edna Clark to day. Jim and Charley Clark went to the Burg this P.M. Rainy this P.M.

Dec 28 – Pa and Ma went down to Aunt Katies. Jim went to the Burg this evening. Hanks folks went to Mrs B-s to day called on their way home. Will and Lizzie took Stella Ogden[172] home. Ella Allen went over to Hanks to stay a few days. Rainy to day. Rained last night.

Dec 29 – Worked on patterns making coggs for the large gear wheel to the binder. Painted the little table that I made for Edna. Rainy. Snow is going fast.

Dec 30 – Worked a patterns, finished the coggs for the large gear wheel to the binder, 80 of them. Pa took “Peter” the pig over to the slaughter house and had him killed. Would weigh about 225 dressed I guess. Jim has gone over to the Rink to night. Rained all day, our 20 inches of snow is gone and it went with a rain and all settled into the ground.

Dec 31 – Worked at patterns a little while. Clara Clark has been down helping Ma to day. Jim went to Kal- to meet Lou and Dee but they did not come. Went to the Burg this evening. Another year is drawing to a close and no great change with me. I think my health is some better and my business prospects better than one year ago.

——-

Memoranda

“He who does the best his circumstances allow,
Does well, acts nobly. Angels could no more.”

“A beautiful life ends not in death.”

“The crown and glory of life is character.”

“The truest self respect is not to think of self.”

“It is not rank, nor birth, nor state,
But get up and get that makes men great.”

“The good is always beautiful,
The beautiful is good.”

Never change in anything but name.

Politeness is to do and say the kindest things in the kindest way.

“The richest treasure mortal times afford is spotless reputation.”

“Take time to deliberate but when the time for action arrives stop thinking “Nell.”

I have seen so many changes years felt
On earth I am a stranger grown
I wander in the ways of men
Alike unknowing and unknown.
(Uncle Jessie Turner)

Maltine with Phosphates

How to make Cheese Digestable Sci A.M.
No 10, March 8th 1884

C.P.R.P. Ferry Sci A.M.
Supplement No. 399

Jan 9, 12, 14, 21, 23, 31
Feb 24
March 17
April 16
June 10
July 7, 28
Aug 18
Sep 2, 3, 10
Nov 4, 18
Dec 2, 18

Edward Lyman
Constructive Engineer
New Haven Conn
Lyman’s Gear Chart.
Price 50 cts.

S. M. Skedling
Treatment for Constipation
Sci A.M. Supt 284

For worms on Currant Bush
Petroleum 30 parts, water 10 parts, soap 20 parts

——-

[1] Ethan placed X’s at the top of several entries, however, there was no explanation as to why

[2] His half-sister, Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner, and her daughter, Ina Skinner

[3] His sister, Nancy (Keith) Brown, and her son, Claude Brown

[4] Shelbyville, Michigan, where his sister and her husband, Louese & D.D. Harris, lived

[5] His younger brother, James Clinton Keith

[6] Galesburg, Michigan

[7] His older half-brother, Henry Lindsey Keith

[8] William Clark, his nephew, son of his sister Lois by her first husband, Byron Clark

[9] Willis Brown, neighbor and brother of Henry Brown

[10] Bess Brown, the daughter of his sister Nancy

[11] Neighbor, Herbert Earl

[12] His sister, Hannah Keith

[13] Matilda (Allen) Brown, neighbor and mother of Henry Brown

[14] His brother-in-law (Nancy’s husband), Henry Brown

[15] Charles Luke Keith Jr., known as Luke

[16] Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[17] His half-brother and sister-in-law, Henry & Florence (Stahl) Keith

[18] Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[19] Sarah’s brother, Hiram Crawford Jr.

[20] Possibly the business was relating to their mother, Nancy (Comfort) Crawford Betts, who was living with Ethan’s parents, and needing more attention and assistance in her old age

[21] Kalamazoo, Michigan

[22] Neighbor, and cousin of Henry Brown

[23] His niece, Lela Brown (Nancy’s daughter)

[24] Michigan marriage records show that William Morton and Myrtie Barlow were married in Galesburg, Michigan on January 16, 1884

[25] His paternal first cousin, James “Oscar” Keith

[26] Oscar’s wife, Mary Ann (Batey) Keith

[27] John Batey

[28] His sister, Louese (Keith) Harris, and her son, Jay Harris

[29] Neighbor, and brother of Herbert Earl

[30] Nancy (Comfort) Crawford Betts

[31] Neighbor, Marius O. Streator

[32] Michigan death records confirm that Bela Wright died on January 19, 1884 in Galesburg, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[33] Michigan death records confirm that John Batey died on January 18, 1884 in Pavilion, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[34] His father’s sister, Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague

[35] Nickname for Hiram Crawford Jr.

[36] His paternal first cousin

[37] Hiram’s wife, Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford

[38] His brother, Henry Lindsey Keith

[39] Believe he is referring to his cousin, Frank John Tomlinson

[40] His nephew, Charles Ira Clark

[41] His neighbor, Isaac Schram

[42] The family’s horse

[43] His brother-in-law, Daniel D. Harris Jr., also known as D. or D.D., who was married to Ethan’s sister Louese

[44] Cousins, Jesse & Sarah “Sally” (Davis) Turner

[45] Hiram & Kate Crawford’s son

[46] Hiram & Kate Crawford’s daughter

[47] Hiram & Kate Crawford’s daughter

[48] Neighbor in Comstock, Ida (Barber) Howe

[49] Carrie and Charles Howe

[50] Ethan’s mother Sarah and Hiram’s brother, Henry Clay Crawford

[51] Henry lived in South Bend, Indiana

[52] Don’t know who he is referring to; research continues

[53] Lucius Prosper Crawford, another brother of Sarah and Hiram Crawford

[54] Strait Windmill Company

[55] Uncle Pros

[56] Hiram was the treasurer for the North Chicago City Railway Company and horses were used to pull the trolley cars along rail lines. Although electric cable cars were introduced in 1882 and replaced horsecars on feeder routes when they became available, it wasn’t until 1906 that all their lines were converted to electricity

[57] His older half-brother, Henry Lindsey Keith

[58] His cousin, John “Frank” Tomlinson

[59] Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul RR, early predecessor to the Milwaukee Road

[60] Perhaps he switched the letters around and is referring to the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad

[61] Chicago & Rock Island Railroad

[62] Michigan Central Railroad

[63] Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. From Wikipedia: At its founding in 1874, the stated purpose of the WCTU was to create a “sober and pure world” by abstinence, purity, and evangelical Christianity. The constitution of the WCTU called for “the entire prohibition of the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors as a beverage.”

[64] From Wikipedia: On December 24, 1883, a young white German named William Berner and his accomplice, Joe Palmer, a man of mixed African and European descent, robbed and murdered their employer, William Kirk, a livery stable owner in the West End of the city. The murderers dumped Kirk’s body near the Mill Creek in the Northside district. After the men had been arrested, 500 potential jurymen were called before Berner’s lawyer accepted the jury of twelve. After a prolonged trial, on March 26, 1884, the jury returned a manslaughter verdict despite the testimony of seven different people to whom Berner had admitted his cold-blooded planning and execution of the murder. The judge, who gave a sentence of 20 years in prison, called the verdict “a damned outrage.” The next day, the newspapers called for a public meeting to condemn the verdict. Tried separately, Palmer was convicted and hanged. A New York Times article dated March 27, 1884, reported that James Bourne, one of the jurors, had spent the previous night at Bremen Street police station after being threatened by a mob. Returning home on the morning of March 27, a crowd threatened to hang him but was dispersed by the police. Later he was severely beaten and was again taken to the police station for his own safety. Another member of the jury, Charles Dollahan, was pelted with rotten eggs and dared not return home. Louis Havemeyer was told he was fired when he went to work. A crowd tore the blinds from the house of L. Phillips on Liberty Street, and threw dead cats and rotten eggs through the windows before discovering they had the wrong Phillips, not a member of the jury. The foreman of the jury, A. F. Shaw, had gone into hiding. On March 28, several thousand people attended a meeting to protest the lenient sentence. A large group of protesters then headed to the jail, apparently planning to lynch Berner. Unknown to the rioters, Berner was not there. He had been sent to Columbus, Ohio, for his own safety, and had escaped en route. The rioters managed to break into the jail through the Sheriff’s apartment, but left when they were shown that Berner was not present. Then more rioters arrived. The Sheriff had the alarms rung which had the effect of drawing yet more people to the scene. The mob, now 10,000 strong, pelted the jail with bricks and stones. They were driven out by reinforcements from the militia armory who entered the building via a tunnel from the courthouse. After one of the attackers was shot dead the violence escalated. Rioters attempted to set the jail on fire using stolen kerosene. By the time the situation became temporarily under control late on Friday night, five people had died, including one police officer, and many more were wounded.

[65] Chicago & North Western Railway

[66] His second cousin, Marquis de Lafayette Lee, the oldest son of Dr. Ezekiel & 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 until March 18, 1870 when he joined his family in Salt Lake

[67] Katherine Sarah “Kit” (Crawford) Birkland, daughter of Robert Crawford (see footnote to April 8^th entry)

[68] Clybourn Avenue, Chicago, Illinois

[69] His mother Sarah’s brother

[70] Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway

[71] To complete the process of boiling down the syrup in making maple sugar until it is thick enough to crystallize

[72] Nancy (Comfort) Crawford Betts’ brother

[73] Pros Crawford’s wife, Isabella (Steele) Crawford

[74] Jay Keith Harris was the son of his sister and brother-in-law, Louese & D.D. Harris

[75] Neighbor, Charles Towne, Hannah Keith’s future husband

[76] Neighbor, Joseph Flanders

[77] Son of Marius O. Streator (see footnote to January 18^th entry)

[78] Believe he is referring to his family’s horse, Bill, and the Brown family’s horse, Tom

[79] George Tomlinson’s wife, Marion (Sprague) was the daughter of Patty (Keith) Sprague (see footnote to January 24^th entry)

[80] Ogden, Mary (Wareham) and Cleo Tomlinson

[81] Alvin Lee and his mother, Juliana (Davis) Lee. Alvin and Ethan were second cousins

[82] Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. To honor the deceased, soldiers would decorate graves of their fallen comrades with flowers, flags and wreaths. Although Memorial Day became its official title in the 1880s, the holiday didn’t legally become Memorial Day until 1967

[83] Neighbor, Dexa Strait; the future wife of Jay Ralph Harris, D.D. Harris’ brother

[84] Lucy (Lee) Milham, his cousin, the daughter of Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[85] Ansel Lee Milham, Lucy’s son

[86] Mary (Clapp) Earl, Herbert Earl’s mother

[87] A climbing plant with pleasant-smelling, yellow flowers such as Virginia creeper, or honeysuckle

[88] He had affixed a 2¢ postage stamp at the bottom of the page

[89] His maternal first cousin, Edna (Crawford) Allen

[90] His maternal uncles, Robert, Henry and David (D.C.) Crawford

[91] But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me

[92] Marius O. & Laura (Rawson) Streator

[93] Patty’s granddaughter, Nellie (Tomlinson) Gillett, the daughter of George & Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

[94] His brother-in-law (Lois’ husband), Adelbert Skinner

[95] Neighbor, and half-brother of Martin Milham, who was the husband of Ethan’s cousin, Lucy (Lee) Milham

[96] His maternal first cousin, Eugene L. Crawford

[97] Sisters, Harriet and Flora Elizabeth “Libbie” Taylor. Libby had been married to Isaac Schram, however by 1880 they were divorced and Hattie and Libby were living together

[98] His nephew and his wife, Charles I. & Clara (Youngs) Clark

[99] His cousin, John Frank Tomlinson; also went by the name of Frank or J. Frank

[100] Jesse Turner was actually his first cousin once removed

[101] Albina Earl, the daughter of Jesse & Mary (Clapp) Earl

[102] FindAGrave.com confirms that Peter S. Carmer died in Otsego on June 19, 1884 and is buried in Mountain Home Cemetery in Otsego, Michigan. According to Luke Keith’s April 7^th diary entry he had just moved to Otsego

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

[104] Patty lived with her daughter and son-in-law, Marion (Sprague) & George Tomlinson, in Perry, New York. Hannah stayed in Perry until September 10th

[105] His patent attorney, Lucius C. West

[106] Clara’s daughter, Edna Clark, who was almost 3 years old

[107] Neighbor, Isaac Odell Jr.

[108] Believe this to be Ethan’s cousin, Hannah Marie Comfort. Hannah was the niece of Nancy (Comfort) Crawford Betts

[109] Neighbor, Ransom E. Strait; Dexa was his daughter

[110] Luke Keith noted in his diary on August 22^nd that Jay Barton died

[111] Galesburg Cornet Band. It was organized August 4, 1870 and Ethan was an original member, playing the 2^nd E-flat cornet

[112] Assume this to be Arthur Arms, who was the widower of Cynthia (Brown) Arms, the sister of Ambrose Brown (Matilda [Allen] Brown’s late husband)

[113] Neighbor, Sarah Jane (Mason) Hoag

[114] Hannah (see footnote of July 4^th entry) lived in Ontario, Canada and was most likely visiting her brother, Dr. Francis Comfort, who lived in Logan, Iowa

[115] Neighbor, Mary Ann “Mate” (Thompson) Ford

[116] Louese was pregnant with her daughter, LaVergne, who was born September 10, 1884

[117] Newspaper articles: Kalamazoo Gazette 08 August 1862 p 3: “The Gale of Monday” A gale and thunderstorm swept over this place and surrounding county on Monday resulting in much damage to buildings, trees and fences; and we are pained to say also by claiming some loss of life. All through our streets and enclosures may be seen broken trees, but we hear of no other particular damage in the city. But we learn that at the residence of J. MILHAM, Esq., some two or three miles southeast of here was unroofed, and that the falling timbers killed several cows and sheep. Other damage was done to his premises, but we have not the particulars. At Galesburgh the storm was very destructive. We refer to a communication in another place for the details. At Battle Creek too, there was considerable damage done; among other things we are grieved to hear that the elegant Methodist Church was severely marred by the falling of its steeple, cracking the walls and shattering the roof. We have rumor of several lives lost here and there which we do not think reliable.”

“The Tornado at Galesburgh”

Ed. GAZETTE:-A tornado passed through our village yesterday about 4 o’clock which filled the minds of our citizens with great gloom and solemnity. It began to do its great work in the western part of the village by destroying three homes and injuring others. It then passed in an easterly direction blowing the roof off the grist-mill and entirely destroying our new part that was recently attached to the mill. It then made its rage through the eastern part of the village destroying barns, cabinet shops and three dwelling houses, tearing up every tree in its course.

Three families were entirely buried in the ruins of their own dwellings. No one injured except A. SHERMAN who was badly bruised and a little girl about eight years old a daughter of MR. BATCHELDER was instantly killed by a falling stick of timber. A Committee of five was appointed by the citizens to examine the property injured and ascertain who is made destitute in consequence of the storm. They report that damage at thirteen thousand, six hundred and twenty four dollars. M.G.

Burial: From Tombstone Inscriptions in Kalamazoo County, Michigan by Kalamazoo Valley Genealogical Society, 1980. Galesburg Old Cemetery, Section 13, corner of Hastings & Division, Comstock Twp., Kalamazoo County.

Batchelder, Anna L. Daug of J. D. & L, Aug 4, 1862 5 yrs 10 mos 11dys Killed by the tornado

Lurectia, wife of J.D. Sept 17 1862, 45 yrs 8 mos”

[118] Neighbor; son of Ransom Strait and brother of Dexa Strait (see footnote to May 31^st entry)

[119] Following this are three lines of underlining. Ethan made several cryptic entries (see August 22, September 8, November 28 & 29) which seem to relate to the fact that he had been engaged to Helen “Nellie” Bristol, who went to West Stockbridge, Massachusetts and married Clarence Spencer on October 25, 1885

[120] Believe he is referring to Flora Milham, the daughter of Richard & Hannah (Goodrich) Milham, and Mary A. Milham, the daughter of James & Ella (Adams) Milham. Richard and James were Martin Milham’s half-brothers

[121] Neighbor, John T. Allerton. Later in 1896, Will would marry John’s daughter, Elizabeth Allerton

[122] The 5-year-old daughter of Harry & Helen (Randall) Streator

[123] Helen “Nellie” Bristol

[124] Elva was the sister of Theodore and Herbert Earl. She married Frank Crossfield and they had a daughter, Ethel Crossfield

[125] See footnote to August 6th entry. There is also an entry in Ethan’s 1899 diary: Took Hannah to Cora Beras this A.M. went after this evening. Went over part of the same road seventeen years this even’g.

[126] Laura (James) Vair and Roselia James, daughters of John & Elsie (Prentiss) James

[127] Hannah (Willcutt) Keith

[128] Erasmus Towne, who was the brother of Charles Towne (see footnote to May 5^th entry)

[129] Scotts, Michigan

[130] See footnote to August 6th entry

[131] Martin Turner was actually his first cousin once removed but was probably referred to as Uncle because of an age difference of 47 years

[132] John Wesley Keith. According to the Keith Family Bible, Wesley was the adopted brother of Ethan’s father, Charles Luke Keith Jr. A May 4th entry in Luke’s 1874 diary shows that “Wesley and family left for Kansas on the Eleven fifty Eight run”

[133] Mrytie LaVern Chaffee, the daughter of Ethan’s first cousin, Frances Catherine “Kate” Keith & Thomas Jefferson Chaffee Jr. Mrytie’s husband was Jesse Eugene Stevens

[134] The train

[135] The daughter of William & Harriet (Groat) Plank. The Planks had been the Keith family’s neighbors in Comstock until 1873 when they moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan

[136] Neighbor, Charles Ford, husband of “Mate” Ford (see footnote to July 30^th entry)

[137] Neighbor Frances Towne. She was the sister of Charles Towne (see footnote to May 5^th entry)

[138] Ida Barber married C. Eugene Howe on February 15, 1882 and on February 18, 1884 had twins (see footnote to February 18^th entry)

[139] This text had a border around it. While no death record has been found, FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Comstock, Michigan. She left behind seven children, the oldest being 18 years old and the youngest 9 months old

[140] Ethan’s cousin, Marion Adelphia York, the granddaughter of Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee (see footnote to January 7^th entry)

[141] Ida (Clark) Bronson was the niece of Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner’s first husband, Byron Clark

[142] Gull Creek is at the south end of Gull Lake. A control structure was built there in the mid-1800s to provide power for a grist mill and to control lake level

[143] Neighbor, William H. Knapp

[144] Michigan death records reveal that Mary (Lester) Schram died September 30, 1884 in Comstock and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[145] Neighbor, George R. C. Adams

[146] Michigan death records show that David S. Bronson died in Comstock, Michigan on October 11, 1884 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[147] Sarahetta (Calkins) Tipton was Matilda (Allen) Brown’s niece

[148] Lavinia Lucy Milham, the baby daughter of Lucy (Lee) Milham. According to Lucy’s obituary, her mother, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee, had the responsibility of raising the children: “the aged mother of the deceased, who having filled a full rounded life of labor and usefulness, at three score and ten finds new reasons for perennial youth to complete the task prematurely layed down by her daughter.”

[149] Charley Clark’s first cousin, Herbert Loren Clark

[150] His cousin, Harvey R. Keith

[151] Mary Ann (Batey) Keith

[152] Ambrose Brown, Matilda Brown’s husband, and Hank and Will Brown’s father

[153] Schroder & Harris, a general store of which D. D. Harris (Louese Keith’s husband) was part owner

[154] Grover Cleveland defeated James Blaine, becoming the 22nd president of the United States. He also was the 24^th president, the only president in American history to serve two non-consecutive terms in office (1885–1889 and 1893–1897)

[155] Kalamazoo County Enterprise newspapers

[156] Michigan death records reveal that Andrew (not William) Hill died November 4, 1884 in Comstock, Michigan. Andrew was the father of Otis Hill

[157] Edward Kent Streator, the son of Worthy & Sarah (Sterling) Streator. It is believed that Edward and Marius (see footnote to January 18^th entry) were brothers; research continues

[158] Neighbor, Mary (Knowles) Barber

[159] Willis Allen Brown and Elizabeth Rebecca Ogden were married in Charleston, Michigan

[160] Lizzie had five brothers, Stuart, Charles, George, Murray and Arthur, and four sisters, Mary, Fanny, Estella and Ida

[161] Henry Ogden

[162] Daughter of John Allerton (see footnote to August 13^th entry)

[163] Charley Clark’s mother-in-law, Rhoda (Wood) Youngs

[164] Ella was Henry Brown’s maternal first cousin, the daughter of his Uncle Wilson Allen

[165] Among other thing, Ethan’s father, Charles Luke Keith Jr., pulled teeth for his neighbors

[166] See footnote to August 6th entry. Also, an entry from his November 27, 1899 diary indicates that: 17 years to night went to the Lights O Londen at Kal-.

[167] See footnote to August 6th entry

[168] Neighbors, William and Marena Caywood

[169] His mother’s brother, David Caleb “D. C.” Crawford

[170] See footnote to September 26^th entry

[171] Neighbor, Isaac D. L. Schram

[172] Estella Ogden, Lizzie (Ogden) Brown’s sister

Luke Keith’s 1864 Diary with some 1865 entries

1864 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.^[1]

Jan 1 – Verry cold 14 degrees below zero verry freesing. No work to day stayed in the house most of the day. Verry windy.

Jan 2 – Verry cold and blustering 15 below zero high wind. Went over to Fathers.[2] Mrs Peterson & Celia there. Bot cap 5.00¢. L. T Earl brot timber for bob.[3]

Jan 3 – At home all day. Very cold. Lois[4] Byron[5] and Hannah[6] came home.

Jan 4 – Went over to Fathers. Worked in shop some. Hung ax in Evening for D Lamkins in Wesley[7] here in Evening.

Jan 5 – Extracted tooth for John Scramlins boy 25¢. Let Lois Tyler have timber for raves & thills[8] 50¢. Piled Mrs Betts[9] wood. Bot thread 20¢ Bot alcohol 5¢ salt 25. T. Flanders here to night. Put bearing on Wesleys bob. Hat Burdick paid 10¢.

Jan 6 – Work on Lymans bob. T. Flanders left. Finished Harmon Smiths violin. Mrs Peterson Mrs Davis & Celia Newman here.

Jan 7 – Filed saw for Hunting 15¢. Worked on L. T. Earls bob. Ground T. Corys ax ground P. Johnsons ax. L. T. Earl brot 108½ Beef 4.34¢.

Jan 8 – Hunting paid 30¢. Finished L. T. Earls bob.

Jan 9 – Made handle to Huntings saw 25¢ filed saw for Hunting 15¢. Went over to Fathers with Ethen.[10]

Jan 10 – At home all day. Mrs Joy[11] died this morning.

Jan 11 – Cut two pairs mittens for paddy 20. Hunting paid 15¢. Made boulster for D. Hamilton 1.00. Flanders brot load straw. Catharine[12] here. Mrs Joy buried. Bot crackers 25¢.

Jan 12 – P. Johnson paid 25¢. Sold Mrs Betts 10 & ¾ beef 43 she paid 3¢ Beckwith 6. Bot file 15¢. Filed saw for A. Odel 25¢.

Jan 13 – Filed saw for Isaac Smith 25¢ filed saw for Starling 20¢. John R. Scramlin paid 25¢. Bot 50 bbs flour 1.75¢.

Jan 14 – Uncle Chi commenced making whiffletrees.[13] Went over to Fathers. Fixed pump. Filed cross cut saw for Ed Hoges 50¢.

Jan 15 – Isaac Smith paid 30¢. Sold Isaac Johnson one finger board 105¢. Filed saw for A. Austin 25¢. Bot schoes for Jim 55¢.

Jan 16 – Filed saws for Hunting 35. Repaired crutches for Eugene Cory 5¢. Mrs Betts paid 1.00. Mr Dickinson Brot Mrs Betts one cord wood 3.00¢. Worked some on Dicks Box. Mr Brown got his mittens 37¢.

Jan 17 – Went up to Wesleys Yorks[14] Fathers &c.[15] Got some maple bark for ink. Eugene Cory paid 5¢.

Jan 18 – Worked on seats. Bine Durgy paid 25¢. Bot copras 3¢. Filed two saws for J. Flanders 40. Got one bushel apples 40¢. Paid tax 6.30¢. Filed saw for H Scramlin 20. Got boots tapt 65¢.

Jan 19 – Henry Scramlin paid 20¢ Dick Whiting Bot hickory 10¢. Hung ax for Frank Clemens 10¢. Sold rave to stranger 10¢. Made saw buck for A. Austin 20¢.

Jan 20 – Buskirk got bench screw & miter boxes. D Lamkins called here. Filed saw for Hunting __¢. Worked on Lamkins box. A. J. Bradford sick. Went over and washed him and fixed him quite comfortable.

Jan 21 – With Bradford part of the fore noon. Worked on Lamkins buggy box. Myron Rawson paid 37¢.

Jan 22 – Worked on Lamkins box some cut out rizers. Starling paid 20¢. Eugene Bronsons Boddy came on the noon train to day.

Jan 23 – Made rizers for D. Lamkins. Eugene Bronson Buried to day. Father sold Deacon & Bonus weight 3110. Bot one lb nails 7¢.

Jan 24 – At home all day. Sarah[16] & Mrs Betts went to church.

Jan 25 – Put Lamkins seats together. Put in wagon neap[17] for Mr Hopkins 1.00¢. Hung ax for __ Lamkins 10 hung ax for Marshal __ 5¢. Bot oil 35.

Jan 26 – Stranger paid 10¢ for rave. Took felloes[18] of Flanders wheels. Worked on Lamkins box.

Jan 27 – Put Lamkins box together. Bot sandpaper 10¢. Mrs Potts[19] buried to day. James Shafter got his violin.

Jan 28 – Put bottom on Lamkins box and dash posts. Put in wagon neap for Mr Right 1.00¢. Bot two pairs shoes for Hannah & Nancy[20] 2.00.

Jan 29 – Put dash on Box. Race[21] broke over. Mrs Betts went to County house. Bot matches 12¢. Lois Hannah Byron & Mr Hubbard stayed all night. Race broke over fooded my yard.

Jan 30 – Went to mill. Helped clear the race of ice. Sawed some wood.

Jan 31 – At home all day. Lois went home. Byron went East on stock train.

Feb 1 – Bot thread 5¢. Tenanted spokes on Flanders old wheels.

Feb 2 – Filed saw for James Holden 25. Bot file 15. Filed saw for Henry Scramlin 25¢. Sawed out some felloes. Dick Lamkins Brot 140¢ lbs flour.

Feb 3 – Bot thread 10¢. Finished sawing out felloes. Bored and put on one wheel. Huntings boy paid 10¢ for repairs on violin.

Feb 4 – Bored rims on three wheels. Flanders called here. Sawed out reach and jacks for Lamkins buggy. Went to lecture in Evening Mr Hull on spiritualism 25.

Feb 5 – Made reach head block & jacks to Dick Lamkins buggy. Filed saw for Hunting 15¢ filed saw for Isaac Smith 15. Bot box ointment 25¢.

Feb 6 – Sawed up one wheel. Painted Lamkins box. Bot one cake soap 5.

Feb 7 – Went up to Wesleys Yorks & Fathers.

Feb 8 – Rounded two wheels. Extracted two teeth for Bachelder 25¢. Extracted tooth for Miss Powers 25¢. Ground ax for James Holden 15. James Flanders called here.

Feb 9 – Marshall Austin paid 15. Finished Flanders wheels. Riley Bennet & wife called here. Extracted tooth for Frank Bachelder 25¢. Bot Dipthera medicine 50¢.

Feb 10 – Flanders got his wheels. Carried Lamkins box to shop. Made ax helve for Jo Boardman. Et Smith buried to day.

Feb 11 – Put in Bed bottom.[22] Went over to Fathers. Old Mr Henyon buried to day. Extracted tooth for W^m Baxter 25. Bristol brot his buggy wheel broke down.

Feb 12 – Worked on Chipmans wagon. Got some rubber springs for Lounge of A. J. Bradford. Chipman brot some boulster stuff.

Feb 13 – Put crotch in Chips wagon. Sawed out some boulsters. Dressed out one ____. Margaret Brother died. Mrs Aldrich buried to day.

Feb 14 – At home all day. Sarah went to church.

Feb 15 – Finished one boulster. Sawed out swaybars put spring bottom in lounge. Uncle Ames called here.

Feb 16 – Worked on Chipmans hounds & sway bars. Cold as blazes. Put spring bottom in crib for galligan.

Feb 17 – 10 below zero. Went over to Fathers. Verry cold. No work to day.

Feb 18 – Cold 10 below zero. Put in bed bottom for Henry Scramlin. Put in one for Mrs Betts.

Feb 19 – Finished Chipmans wagon. Filed two saws for Hunting 30 filed saw for Oatman 10.

Feb 20 – Bot candy 5. Uncle Tim Mills died. Worked some on Bristols wheel. Got Ethens Boots tapt 50. Ed Hoges paid 50. Bot buttons for Nancy 10.

Feb 21 – Went down to Lois. Mr Mills buried to day. David Gaults wife Brot in to day.

Feb 22 – Made lazy back to Lamkins seat. Made sway bar for Doc Wightman 38 worked on. David Gaults wife buried to day. Newell Cuykendalls wife died. A Chipman got his wagon.

Feb 23 – Got out spokes for Bristols wheel. Bot file 15. Filed saw for E. M. Clap 25.

Feb 24 – Bot screws 6¢ postage 3. Filed saw for Henry Scramlin 10¢. Got out some spokes. Mrs Shafter died.

Feb 25 – Finished Bristols wheel. Filed saw for Frank Clemens 25. Bot pens 5.

Feb 26 – Made two steaks for A. Chipman. Sent letter to J. S. King[23] 3. David Hamilton paid 1.00. Extracted two teeth for Stranger 50¢.

Feb 27 – Morticed hub for D. Lamkins wheel. Repaired T. Coreys cart 25¢. Bot oil 35¢. Father called in shop. Sent letter to H. M. Smith 3¢.

Feb 28 – Went over to Fathers. Cut Oatmans hair 10¢. Father let me have 75.00.

Feb 29 – Set Boxes in Dicks hub. Made crutch for Marsh Austin 10. Filed saw for A. Austin 20. Dressed out spokes for Dicks wheel. Got deed of Barry County for A. J. Bradford 30¢.

Mar 1 – Made crutch for Marshal Austin. Filed saw for W^m Eldred 20¢ filed crosscut saw for Joy 50¢. Eldred paid 20¢. Bot beer 10¢.

Mar 2 – Shaved and filed some spokes drove them and put on rim. Mr Joy paid 50. Bot Shugar 75¢. Filed saw for P. Johnson. Bristol got his buggy 2.00¢. Sarah went down to Bylons.

Mar 3 – Finished Lamkins wheel. Bot pants of Blackburn 3.25¢. Dea Clark called here. A Chipman paid 5.00¢. Clark bot Fulton County Ohio for the use of the ulmer[24] spring bed bottom.

Mar 4 – Put in Bottom for Oatman one for Mary Childs one for Mrs Austin one for Mr Warren. One galen syrup of Austin 1.00.

Mar 5 – Put in 3 spokes for Tousley 75¢. Kingsley paid 62¢ Mr Bristol paid 2.00. A. J. Bradford sold Charleston & Climax to Fred Reading. Wood sawyer got his hand sawed of to day.

Mar 6 – At home all day. Sarah came home. Ain Halls baby buried to day.

Mar 7 – Went over to Fathers. Put in bed Bottom for Mariah pond. Mended mop for P. Johnson 25¢.

Mar 8 – Repaired saw for P Johnson 10¢ Johnson paid 30¢. Bot shoes for Jerusha[25] 80¢. Johnson paid A. Lamkins paid 20¢. Filed saw for Marcy Van Eldred and put one auger handle and bored five 38¢. Filed saw for A. Lamkins 20. Eldred paid 40. Repaired Mrs Hoges gate 25.

Mar 9 – Mrs Betts paid 1.50¢. Tousley paid 50. Worked on spokes and moddle. Bot Elastic ribbon 10¢ wire 3¢.

Mar 10 – Worked on spokes and moddle. Filed saw for Hunting 15¢ Hunting paid 30. Bot wire tacks & screws 14.

Mar 11 – Put in Bed bottom for R. Ransom. Put in one for P. T. Carver[?]. Bot shugar 5¢.

Mar 12 – Put in Bed bottom for C. Addams one for Langford Burdick. Went over to Fathers. D. Lamkins brot over hay. Bot salt 25 Beer 10¢. Received of J. C. Blake 50.00. Joseph Flanders Brot ____ tun hay.

Mar 13 – At home all day. Finished my moddle. Sarah went to church.

Mar 14 – Tousley paid 25¢. Bot indigo 10¢. Worked on spokes. Catharine and Ethen here brot Mrs Betts flour. Old Mrs Warren[26] died 88 yrs. Let A. J. Bradford have my moddle bedstead.

Mar 15 – Trimed up spokes for Flanders wheels. Filed saw for W^m Batt he paid 20¢.

Mar 16 – Split wood over to Fathers from the machine. Mr Soules helped me. Got my Boots tapt 10¢.

Mar 17 – Split wood over to Fathers in fore noon. Wesley drawed me a load over.

Mar 18 – Finished dressing Flanders spokes. Filed and set saw for Batt.

Mar 19 – Drove spokes in Flanders wheels &c. Carried two bushels corn to mill.

Mar 20 – Went over to Fathers. Catharine let me have 15 Dollars and draft for 35 Dollars 15 Dollars in money.

Mar 21 – Went to Kalamazoo got money on Draft 35.00. Sent letter to Jesse Wilcut[27] 3¢. Bot vice and tacks 2.07¢. Fare down and back 50¢. Got 20 Dollars of Mason. Saw General Burnside. 20 of Mrs Betts. Aunt Lilly[28] Died to day.

Mar 22 – Got Deed of Wisconsin $200.00. Paid Mrs Betts 15.00. Worked on wheels. Made churn dash for D. K. Rogers 25. T. Cory paid 10¢. Bot stamps 40¢.

Mar 23 – Worked on wheels finished one. Caty Allerton[29] Buried to day. Saw James Noyes he leves on the 12.15 train for St Louis Mo.

Mar 24 – Worked on wheels. Mr Right paid 1.00. D. K. Rogers paid 25. Man called here from Marshall to get slatts for bed bottoms.

Mar 25 – Finished Flanders wheels. Made churn dash for Mrs. Rogers. G. F. Warren called here to get agency to sell bed Bottoms in Wisconsin. Filed saw for Wesley. Benj Moore got 56 spokes. Flanders got his Wheels.

Mar 26 – Haled over stuf in shop to get Ex stock. Filed saw for P. Johnson. Made wagon box for Mr Pilgrim 1.00. Wesley Brot some wood for Milford. Mrs Bevere[30] buried. Stuarts boy got in the race.

Mar 27 – Pleasant. Sarah went to church. I went over to Fathers in Evening.

Mar 28 – Sawed of my bed slats. Jef Chaffee[31] went through on the noon train. Bot beef 45. Sent letter to J. S. King 3¢. Dan Hunting paid 15¢. Lucy came on the train with Jeff. Puled up my slatts.

Mar 29 – Worked on W^m Johnson Ex. Went down to W^m Eldreds. Lucy went home. Finished Johnsons Ex. Filed saw for P. Johnson.

Mar 30 – Bot file 15¢. Filed two saws for A. B. Sumner 40 one for D. K. Rogers. Sumner paid 40¢. Worked on moddle. Oscar Keith[32] called here.

Mar 31 – Worked on moddle some. Filed saw for P. Johnson. Made arrow for Eugene Cory 10¢. Sarah Rogers here to Dinner. Egene paid 10¢. Bot rubber for moddle 10¢. Oscar went home.

Apr 1 – Went up to Wesleys Fathers Milfords and Jesse Earls. Albina sick. Went into canc___. Sent letter to J. S. King (Tomlinson)[33] 3¢.

Apr 2 – Finished Pilgrims buggy box 2. Wesley came down & killed pig.

Apr 3 – At home all day. Very pleasant sun shown all day.

Apr 4 – Rained all day. Went to town meeting. Elias Sherman & Mr Flanders here to dinner.

Apr 5 – Charley Lee here to dinner. Made ramrod for Frank Bachelder 10¢. Let S. M. Grimes have stick for Evener 10¢. Carried old stove down to Hardwa___ it weighed 208 lbs 1.¼¢ pr pound. Bot Box ointment 25¢.

Apr 6 – Bot gate hangings 90¢ wire 3¢. Hung small gate. Heard Bill Rogers Lucy & Mary Johnson stayed all night. Ethen came over. Bot nails 7¢.

Apr 7 – Filed saw for Bigsby 50¢. Went down to Lois & streator. Got my gate ketch fixd.

Apr 8 – Put ketch & spring on gate. Bot salt 10¢ Bot nails 48¢. Put some rails on fence. Pilgrim paid 2.00. Recd letter from J. S. K.[34] sent letter to D. M. Hall 3¢.

Apr 9 – Went over to Fathers. Ethen came home to stay. Finished puting on fence rails. Bot thread 8¢.

Apr 10 – Bot salearatas[35] 13¢. Finished my moddle. Went over to Fathers. Sarah went to Mrs W^m Aldrich funeral.

Apr 11 – Filed saw for Joseph Lee.[36] Filed saw for Mr seaman 20¢. Set saw for old Mr Adams. Made Evener for Mr _______ 50.

Apr 12 – Bot 2 lbs nails 16¢ one try squair 38¢ Bot books for Ethen 1.50¢. Mr _______ paid 150¢. Filed saw for Wesley. Finished my fence. Milford brot wood.

Apr 13 – Took out butry. Byrons folks snowed in to day. Eight bed bottoms came from D. M. Hall.

Apr 14 – Got Eight bed bottoms freight 50¢. Filed saw for W^m Eldred 25¢. Mrs Hoges paid 25¢. Lathed up the kitchen.

Apr 15 – By[37] plastered up the Kitchen. I worked round house some. Went up to Cummings.

Apr 16 – Carried one bottom over to C. P. Galligans. Carried 5 over to Fathers. Put in bottom for Catharine. Sent letter to Brad 3¢. Pros[38] came up. Oatman paid 10¢. Gave 50¢ to Mrs Dewey that was burnt out. Pros came.

Apr 17 – Went over At home all day. Henry[39] came home.

Apr 18 – Went down to Kalamazoo put in bed bottom for Frank Galligan. Bot cotton cloth two bosoms one pair shoes 75¢. Went & saw white negro 10¢. Bot 105 yards webing 45.96¢. Went to panorama 25.

Apr 19 – Trimed currant bushes. Cleaned up round garden. Made Mrs Austin 5 window sticks. Mrs Smith buried. Got lime to whitewash the kitchen.

Apr 20 – Worked in garden put up leach piled up stone burnt brush. Pros came back from Flanders. Bot lime 15¢.

Apr 21 – Worked round garden piled some wood. Martin Turner[40] called here. Catherine & Lucy[41] here. Got cupboard of Mrs Wiseman. Recd letter from Brad.

Apr 22 – Went up to Luke Chace Joseph Flanders & Ambrose Browns[42] put bed bottoms. D. M. Hall called here. E. P. Oatman paid 5.00 Ezra Mansfield[43] died this morning.

Apr 23 – E. P. Oatman paid 5.00 for bed bottom. Cut Peter Johnsons hair 10¢. Bot buts screws & lock 30. Extracted tooth for Mr Struble 25¢. Pros went up to Battle Creek.

Apr 24 – At home all day. Rained all day. Mr Mansfields funeral to day.

Apr 25 – Mr Mansfield buried. Wiseman paid 10¢. Bot spider 50¢. Made machine to turn buckles on turned some cut some rubber. Pros came back. Sold Galligan two & half bushels apples ___ 2.25¢.

Apr 26 – Turned some buckles. W^m Batt got axhelve 1.00. Made Jack plane for Shed Sheeley. Cut rubber in Evening. J. T. Warren called here to see me to get agency for bed bottoms.

Apr 27 – Worked on planes. Finished Sheds planes finished cutting my rubber. Had 855 springs. Pros went down to the county house.

Apr 28 – Picked up stuff in shop & barn. Sold 171 lbs old iron 2.56¢ 8 lbs nutts 80¢. Bot three dozen Eggs of Father 10¢ pr dozen.

Apr 29 – Piled lumber in barn. Turned 182 buckles for Wiseman turned some 200 buckles for B. Clark. Hiram[44] sent 168 Dollars let Mrs Betts have 15.00¢. Paid school bill 1.03 bot paper 5¢.

Apr 30 – Dressed out some slatts. Filed saw for Darling 20¢. Henry came down. Mr Flanders got his potatoes.

May 1 – At home. Went over to Fathers with By. Henry went home.

May 2 – Dressed some slats. Frank Burlingham called here worked on box some. Bot pants for Ethen 65¢. Sent letter to J. S. King 3¢. Pros let me have one cent. Pros went to Battlecreek.

May 3 – Made wagon box for Wesley. Dressed out slatts. Received letter from Pros. A. J. Bradford came back. Barber brot up B. Clarks grist from mill.

May 4 – Finished Edging slats. Bradford came over put in sond board for A. Austin. Father came over this morning. Bot bar soap 12¢.

May 5 – Ethen came over with Nance. Got out manure. Bot oil 45¢. By came home in the Evening.

May 6 – Worked round yard some. Got out some slats. Put slats out to day. Got out some stuf for guitar box. Thunder shower in night. Filed two saws for Hunting 30¢.

May 7 – Made guitar trunk for Bell Galligan 1.50. Repaired parasol 10. Recd of Gates &c 25¢. Repaired trunk for Mrs Betts.

May 8 – Went over to Fathers. Alvan Lee[45] there.

May 9 – Bot two pairs shoes for the girls 2.50¢. Bot broom 30¢. Wesley brot 170 slats from L. T. Earls. Dressed out 100 slats. Sawmill caut fire in Evening.

May 10 – Dressed some slats. Filed saw for Williams 20¢ filed saw for Barber 15¢. Put Wesleys wagon box together. Extracted two teeth for Mary Clark 50¢.

May 11 – Groved all my slats. Put handle on guitar trunk. Sarah Lois & youngones went over to Fathers. Bot paper 5¢.

May 12 – Went up to L. T. Earls. Got about 200 slats. Tightened box in Bristols buggy wheel.

May 13 – Went over to Fathers got plow plowed my garden. Took plow home. Got grist from mill. Got wheat of Jo Flanders 4 bushels.

May 14 – Bot paper 5¢. Planted peas onions lettauce potatoes & corn.

May 15 – Went up to Flanders. Got my colt took her down to Catharines Mr Cook Darling & Bot paper 5¢.

May 16 – Draged part of garden planted some corn potatoes & beans peas. Mr Bristol paid 25¢. Paid for Mrs Betts bed bottom 5.00.

May 17 – Built Austins fence 2.50. Extracted tooth for Dutch girl 25¢. Sarah Lois & children went up to Swaddles. Mrs Betts went to Kalamazoo.

May 18 – Dressed out some slats. Tinkered violins some. Gave old Mr Adams 50¢. By Clark got home in night.

May 19 – Finished dressing slats. Patent right man here. My End strips came one hundred 8.15¢.

May 20 – Patent right man bot my rubber spring & slat 25¢. Finished groveing slats. Tacked in some rubber.

May 21 – Tacking in rubber. Filed saw for J. B. Holden 30¢ filed saw for J. Jackson 25¢. Mr Flanders & Henry[46] called. Bot buttons 12. Let Sarah have 50¢.

May 22 – Went up north in woods in morning. Sarah went to church.

May 23 – Finished puting in rubber. Bot tacks 70¢. Made roling stick for Gates & Sherwood 25¢.

May 24 – Took bed botom out of J. T. Warrens bed oone out of R. Ransoms bed. Put one into Griffins bed. Tacked some rubber.

May 25 – Tacked in some rubber. Filed saw for Mr. [blank] 20¢. Bot cabbage plants 12¢. Lucy & Kit Matthews here to breakfast & Dinner. Charley Bronson left on the noon train. Eleck got his violin 50¢.

May 26 – Finished rounding my slats. Earls sawyer got his violin paid 1.00. Turned some buckles. All went and saw Benj Moores pictures 50¢.

May 27 – Went up to A. Chipmans put in bed bottom put in one for Mr Ralph. Sent to Kalamzoo by Oatman. Bot one Dog paper 4. oz tacks 40¢. Bent some buckles.

May 28 – Finished my buckles. Tacked in all my springs. Put in bed bottom for Lois. Let Hannah have 10¢. Father called here. Bot beef 60¢.

May 29 – At home all day head ache. Pleasant. Mr Flanders & Henry called here with their new buggy.

May 30 – Finished up buckles. Extracted tooth for Mr Quick 25¢. Filed saw for Mr Olin 25¢. Mr Bradfor & A. A. man called here.

May 31 – Put in buckles in end strips. Mrs Betts went to Kalamazoo got her teeth 25.00. Mr Bradford went to Otsego. Went over to Fathers. Bot butter 45¢.

Jun 1 – Finished my bed bottoms. Brad got me some rubber. Cut stencil plate. Marked my Ends. Bot ticket for Chicago (2.50.

Jun 2 – Went over to Fathers repaired pump. Bot hat for Jim[47] 20¢. Made buckles for moddle. Sawed out stuf for moddle. Mr [blank] paid 25¢. Catharine & Hellen here.

Jun 3 – Bot buts screws & lock glass & putty 52¢ bot steel ring 5¢.

Jun 4 – Mad moddle for By Clark. Paid Rich Blackburn 7.30¢ for pants cloth. Filed saw for Mr Seman 15¢.

Jun 5 – Went over to Fathers with B. Clark Ethen Nancy Hannah & Charley went.

Jun 6 – Went over to Fathers. Cleaned up wheat. Mr Seeley paid 3.00. Got hair cut 20¢.

Jun 7 – Went to Kalamazoo fare 50. Bot hat 3.00 deeds 4.00 cap 75¢ pictur frame 1.25¢ fare 60 _____ Harmen Smith paid 2.00. Sarah bot sundries 19.25¢. Received 20.00.

Jun 8 – Struble paid 25¢. Worked in shop some on box. Wiseman stamped some Ends. Bot lining for my trunk 25¢.

Jun 9 – Mad box for my springs. Bot nails 15¢. Oatman & Wiseman worked on bed bottoms.

Jun 10 – Went to Kalamazoo bot iron 29¢ apple 1¢ fare both ways 50¢ carrier for trunk 2.00. Packed one bunch slats.

Jun 11 – Packed my slats. Harriet Perry & Sarah Miller called here.

Jun 12 – Went over to Celia Newmans. Saw old Mrs Petersons likeness. Went down to burying ground.

Jun 13 – Finished packing my slats and took them to the station.

Jun 14 – Shelled corn and worked round barn. Old cow calved this morning.

Jun 15 – Went over to Fathers got some butter and some money he paid 40. Catharine gave me a wallet. Got mony of Catharine 126.00[?].

Jun 16 – Father got calf one Dollar 1.00. Catharine paid 5.00 for bed bottom. A Austin paid 5__ Blackburn paid 15¢. Got boots fixed 20¢. Hunting paid 40¢.

Jun 17 – Went over to Fathers & A. Browns. Bot snuff & candy 5¢. Let Sarah have 5.00 Nancy & Hanna 25¢. Left for Mattawan on the 145 train. Went and saw aunt Electa from there over to Carolines saw uncle Warren. Verry hot.

Jun 18 – Left Carles about noon left Mattawan at three got to Niles about five. Found Henry[48] in shop.

Jun 19 – At Niles. Went over to Mr Vincents. Saw a patent plow a nice thing it was.

Jun 20 – Left Niles fifteen minutes to five got to Chicago about nine left at ten carrying trunk 50 fare to Milwaukee 2.50¢ _____ carried trunk up to hotel 50¢.

Jun 21 – Went over into city saw tim Matthews. Payed freight 6.87 one groce screws 85¢. Put in one bed bottom at Niagara Hotel 6.00

Jun 22 – Went over in city. Put in bed bottom in one of Matthews bedsteads. Bot inkstand and pen holder 30¢ one package Envelopes 10¢ letter 3¢ paper 5¢.

Jun 23 – Went up to the Lacrosse Depoe went to Matthews Store. Sent letter to J. S. King. Sold bed bottom to Matthews 5.00. Bot collars 40.

Jun 24 – Carried my slatts up to Lacrosse Depo 75¢. Went to Omro[49] got there about eight. Fare from Milwaukee to Omro 3.65 apples 5¢.

Jun 25 – Got my trunk carried up to Roberts[50] 25¢. At Roberts all day. Robert came home in Evening. Verry hot and dry.

Jun 26 – At home all day until most night. Went over to Coffees saw Mr & Mrs Coffee.

Jun 27 – Freight on Bed Bottoms from Milwaukee to Omro 2.37. Sent letter to Sarah 9¢. Took my bottoms up to Roberts. Put in one in to Cabinet shop Mr Hunters. Robert went over to Winneconne.[51]

Jun 28 – Put in one to Roberts. Sent letter to J. S. King 3. Louesa[52] gone a visiting. I am not very well. Went down town. Some rainy. The first rain they had had in over two months.

Jun 29 – Runing around Omro. Rained some. Went over to Coffes. Sent letter to Henry 3¢. I went over to Mr Bunkers with Louesa & Syntha.[53]

Jun 30 – Went down town in morning. Went into shingle factory. Put in bed bottom for Bardwell Omro. Hoed corn some after noon.

Jul 1 – Not very well at Roberts. Hoed corn some. Went up to Coffes took dinner.

Jul 2 – Went down town in the morning. Most sick head ache and back ache. No work to day.

Jul 3 – At roberts. We went over to Coffees just at night and down to the Boat Omro.

Jul 4 – Robert went over to Winneconne. Sent letter to Sarah 3¢. Went up to Coffees. Stayed at Roberts most of the day. Not very well. A big house burned here afternoon in lower[?] town.

Jul 5 – Hoing corn this morning in Omro. Went down town. Bot shaving cup of Mr Bardwell 25¢. Darwin and Mariah here to day. Yanky Robinsons show in town to day. Went down to show ground bot candy 5¢.

Jul 6 – Went down town and over to Coffees took dinner then went down town with Coffee.

Jul 7 – Went down to post office sent letter to J. S. K. 3¢. Went round the squair on Bunker Street. Lady broke slat to moddle. Mad another at Hunters shop.

Jul 8 – At all day. Picked black rasberries & currants. Robert came home. Recd a letter from Ethen. Went over to Coffees at night.

Jul 9 – Picked berries and picked over currants. Went over to Winneconne after Robbert had Mr Coffees team.

Jul 10 – At home all day. Robert and I went to hear a woman lecture in Evening on spiritualism.

Jul 11 – Went over to Winneconne. Put in two bed bottoms one for Mr Peterson one for Mr Webster. Mr Peterson paid 3.00¢. Sent letter to Sarah 3¢.

Jul 12 – Went to Delhi Eureka and Waukau. Py and cake at Eureka 25¢. Found Horse shoe gave it to Mr Bishop. Went on foot and walkers line 15 miles.

Jul 13 – At home all day. Not very well. Went up to Coffees and down town twice. Some home sick.

Jul 14 – Went up to Eureka put in two bottoms one for Mr Bromley 6.00 one for Mr Leonard 6.00. Hired wagon of livery .75.

Jul 15 – At Roberts all day. Not very well. Kind of a diavol___ boulous. Robert came home.

Jul 16 – Robert went to Winneconne. Mr Webster paid 6.00 Mr Peterson paid 3.00 Mr Bardwell paid 5.75¢.

Jul 17 – Went up to Eureka with Robert and Coffee. Took dinner at Mr Stones.

Jul 18 – At home all day. Went down town in morning. Robert went to Winneconne. Rained some. Sick with cold.

Jul 19 – Went down town in morning. Sent letter to Sarah 3¢. Not very well. Made chain and ball.

Jul 20 – Went over to Coffees. They drawed in hay. I stayed took dinner. Coffee plowed Roberts garden. I put in bed bottom to Roberts.

Jul 21 – Put in bed bottom for Coffee he paid 5.00. Hoed corn in fore noon. Packed slats for Depere.[54] Bot candy 5¢.

Jul 22 – Went to Oshkosh. Took dinner with Aunt Mary. Put in bed bottom for Lyman Rumry 6.00. Went to Depere. Fare from Oshkosh to Depere 1.55. Got to Kings[55] about one in the night. Found them well.

Jul 23 – Went over to the depo with King got trunk & one bottom. Put in bottom to Burnells.[56] Raked hay some.

Jul 24 – At Burnells all day. Very warm.

Jul 25 – Worked some in hay field spread and raked hay. Very hot.

Jul 26 – Went up to Kings place stoped and took dinner with Edith Leroy.[57] Mowing for Burnell. Received letter from Lois. Went to Depere with Leroy[58] and Burnell. Sent letter to Sarah 3¢.

Jul 27 – Went over to little falls with King and Leroy. Went down to Barneses after goos berries. Very hot.

Jul 28 – Went over to Mr Torreys and to a funeral at Mr McDonalds child. Very hot day. Got home about dark.

Jul 29 – Went over to Mr Woodards in forenoon to Mr Phelps in after noon. King traded Horses. Very hot.

Jul 30 – Hot. At Burnells all day. No work to day. Hotest weather I have seen in a long time. Sweat sweat al the time.

Jul 31 – Very hot morning. At Bernells all day. They went to church.

Aug 1 – Went up on Kings farm round Bernells place. Found some nice blackberries. Jonas & Edith here to tea.

Aug 2 – Went to Depere with King. He sold a heifer. Sent letter to Sarah 3¢. Recd one from home. All well.

Aug 3 – At Kings. Went up to Leroys. Burnell took bridge to build. I went to Depere with King. Made a bargain with King. Sold him Fond Dulac & Brown Countys. Bot violin & cloths wringer.

Aug 4 – Went to Mr Newtons with King Edith & Sarah had a good visit. Quite warm. Doc Adams and lady there.

Aug 5 – Hunting bees and round home. Very hot and dry.

Aug 6 – Hunting Bees again. All went up to Leroys to dinner. Went and picked some Black berries after noon. Stayed there to tea. Very warm.

Aug 7 – At Kings all day. Very hot and dry. Burnell and Sarah went over to Glenmore to meeting.

Aug 8 – Alfired hot day. Made part of moddle for King. Burnell commenced his job on bridge.

Aug 9 – Worked on moddle some. Went Black berrying in after noon. Very hot.

Aug 10 – Went to Depere. Put in bed bottom for Tom Jackson. Took wringer to peaces. Very hot night.

Aug 11 – Hot as ever very dry. At Burnells all day. Recd letter from Sarah. Wrote to Ethen.

Aug 12 – Went down to the Bay. Saw Luke Whitcomb. Went to Mr Bobottoms took dinner. Had a heavy shower got wet.

Aug 13 – Very warm morning. Worked on Kings moddle got it done all but the loops & dressing the slats.

Aug 14 – At home all day. Went up to Leroys in the Evening. Quite cool.

Aug 15 – At home all day. Went out picked some Blackberries &c.

Aug 16 – Went to Depere put in Bed bottom for Mr Baldwin Freight Agent. Put in one for J. S. King. Sent letter to Sarah 3¢. Bot stamps 25¢ candy 5¢ Leroy 5¢.

Aug 17 – Worked on violin box. Sawed out slats for moddle some extra ones for mine &c.

Aug 18 – Went to Green Bay got my pattern. Bot stamps 25 screws 13¢. Had headache[?] _____. Ed Newton came here.

Aug 19 – Went to Depere put in bed bottom for Mr _____ one for Mr March. Jim bot tools of Mr Buck. Bot brads 5.

Aug 20 – Finished my box to put violin in. King went to the Bay got iron to make buckles on. No rain yet.

Aug 21 – At home all day. Went up to Leroys in Evening. Had some melons.

Aug 22 – Worked on Jims trunk to carry moddle in. Went to Depere. Bot stamps ___ Bot envelopes 18¢. Sent letter to Henry 3¢. Received letter from Sarah.

Aug 23 – Finished Kings moddle and finished trunk. Worked some on bench. Mr Torrey and Lady here to dinner. All went up to Leroys and took tea. Rainy day.

Aug 24 – Work on bench to turn buckles on. Sent Sarah five Dollars 5.00¢ letter 3¢.

Aug 25 – Worked on Kings trunk. Mr Hood[?] Mrs Phelps Mrs Kiper and Mrs Scott here to dinner and Tea.

Aug 26 – Went to Depere and Mr Newtons Mr Wisharts and Mr Barths. Saw Ed Newton.

Aug 27 – Varnished Kings moddle. Cleaned up Revolver. ___ King worked on road in fore noon. Rained some.

Aug 28 – At home all day. Rather home sick. Dont know what I shall do next.

Aug 29 – Went with King and Leroy out to Popple______ Krishborns and others. Came home by the big falls the hardest road I ever traveled. Burnell commenced digging his well. Mr Wishart digs it.

Aug 30 – Round home all day. _____ violin ___inger and made case for violin bow.

Aug 31 – Went down Devil river to Rick[?] Monroes. Got some turnips. Took watch of King. Went over to Mr Torrys with Burnell. Got cow.

Sep 1 – Made box for Burnell to draw dirt out of well. King and I drawed out dirt in afternoon.

Sep 2 – Went to Green Bay with Jim. Bot ink paper and pens & cakes 30¢. King got his trunk covered. I received letter from Sarah.

Sep 3 – Went over to Mr Torreys put in bed bottom for Roscoe Torry. Went to Depere. King got his tool box.

Sep 4 – Round home most of the day. Went up to Leroys had some melons.

Sep 5 – At Burnells all day. Streaked of Kings moddle trunk. Had the blues all day. Made out Kings Deed.

Sep 6 – At Burnells not doing much. King paid 200 Dollars.

Sep 7 – Made board for King to grove slats on. Worked on well some in morning. Rained most all day.

Sep 8 – At Burnells. Worked some on well. Packed my trunk and so forth. Went up to Leroys in Evening. Eat mellons. Sent letter to Sarah 3¢.

Sep 9 – Left Kings half past four for Omro fare 1.55 licence 6.67 second hand 25¢ dray carying trunk 25 fare from Oshkosh to Omro 60¢ dinner 50¢. Got to Roberts about five after noon. Quite a thunder shower in Evening.

Sep 10 – At Roberts. Hard head ache all day. Recd a letter from Henry. Robert was of thrashing.

Sep 11 – At Roberts. Wrote letter to Sarah. Went over to Coffees just at night. All well.

Sep 12 – Sent letter to Sarah 3¢. Put hair in violin Bow for Edward Cass. He worked for John Wilcox nurseryman Omro. Split wood.

Sep 13 – Rainy morning at Roberts. Split all the wood. Went over to Coffees. Robert got letter from his mother. Louesa had a girl[59] born about nine in Evening.

Sep 14 – Went to Oshkosh fare down 60¢. Let Robert have five Dollars $5.00. Dinner 25. Went & saw Mrs Mary Whickersham.[60]

Sep 15 – Supper lodging & Breakfast 1.00¢. Went to Appleton fare 75¢. Fare from Neenah 50 to Oshkosh.

Sep 16 – Put in two bed bottoms for Joseph Neglar 10.00 bot one pr gloves 1.00. Got Hair cut 20¢. Supper Lodg^ing Breakfast 1.00 fare from Oshkosh to Omro 50¢ one groce screws 87¢.

Sep 17 – Went over north side river saw the best fountain I ever saw. Went and saw Robert thrash at Mr Soddies. Bot small Bottle camphor 15¢. Rained like fun while at post office in Evening.

Sep 18 – Rather cool morning. At Roberts all day. Robert & Coffee went and saw the fountain. I was sick took a smartweed sweat. Robert paid $5.00. Let him have one Dollar.

Sep 19 – Went down to Hunters. Got bed bottom put it in to Mr Russels bed. Bot stamps and candy 14¢.

Sep 20 – Went up to Waukau fare up and back 50¢ supper 35¢. Went all over Waukau sold nary bottom.

Sep 21 – At Roberts all day. Some rainy. Not very well. Went down town in morning. Mrs Coffee here a visiting.

Sep 22 – Rained in morning. Robert went over river to thrash. I was sick all day hard head ache.

Sep 23 – Some better head ache some. Bot vial for ink 5¢. Stayed at Roberts all day. Sent letter to Sarah 3.

Sep 24 – Went over to Rices stayed all night. Very windy. Rice commenced plowing.

Sep 25 – Rices folks went over to Roberts stayed until most night. Went out to the old place where the Elder[61] used to live.

Sep 26 – At Roberts. Took Bottom out of Russels bed. Went up to Eureka fare 30¢. Stayed all night.

Sep 27 – Rainy. Supper lodging and breakfast and fare to Berlin 1.50¢ fare from Berlin to Junction 35¢ lay at Junction from one until eight in evening fare to Omro 70¢.

Sep 28 – At Roberts. Packed up my slats and end strips. Went over to Coffees and down to station. Sent letter to Sarah 3¢.

Sep 29 – At Roberts all day. Rocked cradle most of the time. Put arm and post in little chair. Sick with cold.

Sep 30 – At Roberts. Pleasant. Doing nothing. About sick with hard cold. Robert came home in evening.

Oct 1 – At Robert Crawfords in Omro. Hard cold home sick doing nothing and no prospect of doing any thing in Omro. Recd letter from Sarah.

Oct 2 – Went over to Coffees stayed to dinner. Robert & Louesa went over.

Oct 3 – Lft Omro about 9 A.M. went to Oshkosh. Mrs Coffee and Henry went with us. Left 15 Bed bottoms eighteen end strips with Joseph Nagler to sell at $5.00 each. Left Oshkosh about six PM fare to Chicago 6.80¢.

Oct 4 – Got to Chicago half past six in morning bus charge 150 crackers candy and apple cakes &c 55¢ fare from Chicago to Galesburg 4.55¢. Got home one oclock AM.

Oct 5 – At home all day. Lois very sick. John R and wife here. Mark Lee[62] here.

Oct 6 – At home sick. Hellen[63] here. Lois some better. Mark came over. Let Mrs Betts have ten Dollars.

Oct 7 – Went over to Fathers stayed all day. Rainy. Lucy came home with me stayed all night.

Oct 8 – At home all day. Very cold snowed some.

Oct 9 – At home all day not very well.

Oct 10 – Went over the river with sheep. Went down to Fathers. Topt some sorgum. Catharine came over with me.

Oct 11 – Made one pair mittens for P. Johnson. Extracted tooth for Larry Lamkins 50¢. Bot ointment 4¢ Corporation tax 21¢.

Oct 12 – At home doing nothing. Sent letter to J. S. King 3¢. Alfleda[64] went home on the two oclock train. She gave me 5¢.

Oct 13 – At home. Filed saw for A. L. Mason 25¢. Bot candy 5¢. Mark Lee called here. Saw Ozro Blakeslee.

Oct 14 – Went over to Fathers. Took pipe out of my well. Gave Hannah and Nancy 20.

Oct 15 – At home dug some potatoes and finished my gloves.

Oct 16 – Went down to Cooks to see my colt. Went down to Charles Lees[65] found Mark there.

Oct 17 – Payed Uncle Chi 1.50 for chairs. Went over to Fathers got load pumpkins. Oscar came here.

Oct 18 – Orvil Wilcox and wife here. Went over to Fathers dug some potatoes picked some apples. Filed saw for Nelson Mills 25¢.

Oct 19 – Went over to Fathers picked up apples. Mills paid 25¢. Saw A. J. Bradford. Put in three small boxes in Wightmans wagon.

Oct 20 – Went over to Fathers dug potatoes. Jo York[66] lost one of his horses.

Oct 21 – Finished diging Fathers potatoes. Got four bushels potatoes some apples. Bot one Bushel turnips 50. Glued Bass viol 50.

Oct 22 – Spalding got Bass viol. Filed saw for Souls 50. Got end strips for King. Cut 2 prs gloves for W^m Ralph 25. Bot file 25. Sherwood paid 1.03¢ one dollar of King.

Oct 23 – At home all day. Sarah went to church.

Oct 24 – Sent letter to Robert 3. Filed saw for Souls 50 filed saw for Whiting 50 Souls paid 50. Filed saw for Jo Lee 25. Cut gloves for Ristor.

Oct 25 – Filed saw for Marshal Austin 25. Paid A. J. Bra $100. One Hundred Dollars. Filed saw for Starling 30 Whiting paid 30¢. Bradford left. John Lees boy[67] was buried to day.

Oct 26 – Sent letter to J. S. King 3. Went over to Fathers came back dug some potatoes.

Oct 27 – Filed saw for Stranger lives over by Williams 25. Went over to Fathers.

Oct 28 – Went down to Comstock with load shuger cane. Wallace McLallen paid 3.00¢.

Oct 29 – Made pen for pig. Mr Billings called here. Rainy. Spalding got Bass viol he paid 50¢.

Oct 30 – At home all day nothing turned uncommon.

Oct 31 – Husked corn for Father. He killed a pig. Mark was there.

Nov 1 – Husked corn finished carried load pumpkin over home. Hiram came.

Nov 2 – Carried of one hundred and six bushels wheat for Father.

Nov 3 – Went up to Hartwells. Made 57 galons cider paid 55¢. Hiram left. Snowed fell some 5 inches.

Nov 4 – Snowey. Filed saw for Holden 20¢ set saw for Hunting 10¢. Clark paid 1.50¢.

Nov 5 – Went over to Fathers got two bushels wheat 3.60. Went down to Comstock after syrup no get him.

Nov 6 – At home all day. Sarah went to church.

Nov 7 – Worked in shop some on P. Johsens cutter. Bot one pair Boots 7.00 2 pairs shoes 4.00 one pound crackers 15. P. Johnson paid 50¢.

Nov 8 – Went to election. Bot one Bottle Dipthera medicine 50 Bot one Box caps 10¢.

Nov 9 – Rainy some thunder rained hard most all day. Worked in shop sawed out stuff for cutter box. David Henyon and Dick Whiting called here.

Nov 10 – Worked in shop some on cutter. Bot soap 8¢.

Nov 11 – Worked on cutter got out knees and beams mortised runners. Bot oil 50¢. Snowey day.

Nov 12 – Worked in shop all day repairs on bo_____ 80. Snowey and cold rather dugl____ weather.

Nov 13 – Cold raw weather. Oscar started for home. I went over to Fathers. Old Mr Wheaton[68] died to day.

Nov 14 – Worked on Johnsons cutter. By went to Kalam[69] bot pair thills 1.00¢. Mr. Wheaton buried to day.

Nov 15 – Went up to Milfords. Went to Comstock got syrup.

Nov 16 – Worked in shop put cutter together. Addis Wilcutt[70] here left for home. Oscars folks came. Milford brot 7/8 cord blocks.

Nov 17 – Worked in shop on cutter. Bot load straw of Swaddle ___ 1.00¢.

Nov 18 – Worked on cutter. Filed saw for Hunting 20. He paid 18.

Nov 19 – Made circle and whiffletrees for Jesse Earls Buggy 1.75. He paid 1.50¢.

Nov 20 – At home all day. Ethen came over.

Nov 21 – Worked in shop on cutter. Bot screws and nails 65¢. Filed saw for Hunting 25¢ Hunting paid 20¢.

Nov 22 – Worked on cutter. Bot screws and nails 23¢. Ed Gillis paid 25.

Nov 23 – Worked on cutter box all day.

Nov 24 – Finished cutter. P. Johnson paid 50. Sarah went over to Fathers. Old Mrs Berge & Columbus Palmer stayed all night.

Nov 25 – Tinkering in shop some made Jimmy a slead. Mark Lee and Geo. Turner[71] called here.

Nov 26 – Worked in shop. Made bell box for Albert Wightman 75¢. Starling paid 30¢.

Nov 27 – Went over to Fathers. Edgar Howlett[72] buried to day.

Nov 28 – Worked in shop casing windows. Paid out 5¢. Mr Austin and wife came here.

Nov 29 – Casing windows. Bot nails 40 beer 10. Saw Blackburn he called here.

Nov 30 – Made new pipe to to pump and put it in well. Let Nancy have 5¢. Mr Austins folks left.

Dec 1 – Worked in shop casing windows. Bot 25 lbs Flour 1.25¢ bot two files 50. Jesse Earl paid 25¢.

Dec 2 – Casing windows some. Filed saw for Odell 50¢ pd filed saw for Hunting 25 pd filed saw for Souls 30¢ filed saw for Scramlin 40.

Dec 3 – Finished casing my windows. Stoped up sellar window. Lois came home.

Dec 4 – At home all day. Sarah went to church. Uncle Sam Percival[73] died this evening.

Dec 5 – Filled leach. Filed saw for Odell 40¢. Souls paid 30¢.

Dec 6 – Filed 2 saws for D. K. Rogers 80¢. Sold B. Moore 300 spokes. He paid 4.00. Halled over lumber in barn. Uncle Sam buried to day.

Dec 7 – Went over to Fathers up to Wesleys and Yorks. D. K. Rogers paid 75¢. Bot thread 15¢.

Dec 8 – Very cold and blustering. Went up to Harreits. Got five bushels corn 5.00¢.

Dec 9 – Fixed door sill. Cut out bob runners &c. Cold 6 below zero. Went down to B. Moores shop in evening. Got volin bow.

Dec 10 – Worked in shop some. Filed saw for Marshal Austin 30¢. Bot 100 bbs bean 1.15¢ Bot Ethen cap 75 Bot paper 5¢.

Dec 11 – At home. All well as usual.

Dec 12 – Put in two knees in bob for W^m Eldred 1.50.

Dec 13 – Repaired Violin Box for Ed Gillis 25¢. Hung ax for Pilgrim he paid 10¢. Mended comb for Lucy. Catharine and Lucy here. Sawed out some runners. Paid W^m Batt $1.00. Bot one paper brads 15¢. Galligan got his cutter.

Dec 14 – Worked in shop some. W^m Eldred pd 1.50 Scramlin pd 50. Bot wood 4.50 Bot box 25¢. Filed saw for Hunting 25¢.

Dec 15 – Snows this morning. Bot thread 15¢ Bot file 25¢. Ed Gillis paid 50¢. Went over to Fathers got syrup 1.25¢. Albert Wightman Brot home on the night train.[74]

Dec 16 – Filed saw for Lankford Burdick 50 filed saw for Williams 50. Bot sulpher 10¢ Bot salearatas 15¢. Made craw to hang lamp on. Cut one pr mittens for Jo Flanders.

Dec 17 – Filed saw for Souls 25. Burdick paid 50. Moved my bench.

Dec 18 – At home all day. Albert Wightman Buried to day.

Dec 19 – Filed saw for Mr Stevenson 40. Hunting paid 25¢. Sent contract to George Tomlinson 3¢.

Dec 20 – Worked in shop some. Bot cinnamen 30.

Dec 21 – Hung ax for Benedict 10. Clark filed saw. No work to day. Ed and Mary[75] came up to day.

Dec 22 – Made well hook for Mrs Hodges 25. Eds folks went home on evening express. Let Hannah have 5¢ Nancy 5¢.

Dec 23 – Worked on Halls Moddle. Fred Reading called in. Bob Aldrich was buried to day.

Dec 24 – Went up to Yorks went down West hunting got one turky. Had a long chase after him.

Dec 25 – At home all day. Sarah went to church. Clarks folks went up to Brady. Nancy went with them.

Dec 26 – Worked in shop some on moddle. Made cross bar to C. P. Galligans cutter thills 75¢. Benj Moore paid __.00. Sent letter to J. S. King 3¢. Ethen brot 1½ bushels corn 1.50¢.

Dec 27 – Made pitman to By Clarks saw mended comb for Mrs Wiseman. Clark brot load hay.

Dec 28 – Worked in shop on bob. Stevenson paid 40. Kit Matthews here. Lois went up to Flanders.

Dec 29 – Carried 1½ bushels corn to mill. Bot thread 10. Paid D. K. Rogers 75¢ for tapping Ethens Boots. D. M. Hall got his moddle he paid 3.00. Paid 75 cts for tapping Sarahs shoes.

Dec 30 – No work to day sick with cold.

Dec 31 – Mended comb for Ella Wiseman mended knife for Lois filed saw for Stevenson filed cross cut saw for Mr Burgess 75. Bot candy 10¢.

——-

The following 1865 entries were written in the back of Luke’s 1864 diary:

Jan 1 – Went over to Fathers all well. Sarah went to church in evening. Cecil Flowers buried to day.

Jan 2 – Worked in shop on bob. Sent letter to John Bissel 3¢.

Jan 3 – Bot crackers 15¢. Crackers 15. Killed my hogs 2.75. Worked on bob.

Jan 4 – Let Nancy have 10. Souls paid 25.

——-

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

[2] Charles Luke Keith Sr., who was also referred to as Luke

[3] A bobsleigh, or bobsled

[4] His daughter, Lois (Keith) Clark

[5] Lois’ husband, Byron Clark

[6] His daughter, Hannah Keith

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

[8] Raves are the vertical side pieces to a wagon body and the thills are the long shafts between which an animal is fastened when pulling a wagon

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

[10] His son, Ethan Keith

[11] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Harmenia Joy died January 10, 1864 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

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

[13] 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

[14] Joseph & Helen (Bradley) York; Helen was his niece

[15] Et cetera

[16] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[17] The pole, or tongue, of a cart

[18] A felloe, or felly, is the rim of a wheel supported by spokes

[19] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Fanny Potts died January 25, 1864 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[20] His daughter, Nancy Keith

[21] An artificial channel or bed of a stream leading water to or from a point where its energy is utilized, such as a mill or a mining claim

[22] At one point, Luke spent quite a bit of time on the road selling “bed bottoms”, a form of rubberized bedsprings

[23] James S. King, his maternal first cousin

[24] Ulmer’s Spring Bed Bottom

[25] His daughter, Louese Jerusha Keith

[26] A search of FindAGrave.com showed that Sarah, the wife of Joseph Warren, died March 14, 1864 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[27] Perhaps his maternal first cousin who lived in Cummington, Massachusetts

[28] His mother’s sister, Lilly (Willcutt) King

[29] Kate Allerton, age 12, was the sister of Elizabeth Allerton who would become the wife of Luke’s grandson, William Byron Clark

[30] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Lucina (Camp) Bevier, wife of Henry Bevier, died March 24, 1864 and is buried in Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Kalamazoo County, Michigan

[31] Thomas Jefferson Chaffee Jr., the husband of Luke’s niece, Frances Catherine “Kate” (Keith) Chaffee

[32] His nephew, James Oscar Keith

[33] George Tomlinson, who was married to Luke’s niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

[34] James S. King, his maternal first cousin

[35] Saleratus; sodium or potassium bicarbonate used as a leavening agent; baking soda

[36] Joseph W. Lee, his paternal first cousin

[37] His son-in-law, Byron Clark

[38] His brother-in-law, Lucius Prosper Crawford

[39] His son, Henry Keith

[40] His maternal first cousin

[41] Catharine’s daughter, Lucy Irene Lee

[42] His neighbor; Ambrose’s son, Henry Brown, would marry Luke’s daughter, Nancy, in 1872

[43] A search of FindAGrave.com revealed that Ezra Mansfield died April 22, 1864 and is buried in Lawler Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan

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

[45] The grandson of Luke’s aunt, Rhoda (Keith) & Charles Lee

[46] Henry and his sister, Lois, were the children of Luke and his first wife, Minerva Payson. Minerva died nine days after Henry’s birth. It appears that Lois lived temporarily with Minerva’s parents and Henry lived with Luke’s good friends and neighbors, Joseph & Amanda (Hobbs) Flanders. The Flanders raised Henry even after Luke married his third wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith. They wanted to adopt Henry but Luke said no; however, it looks like he lived with them throughout his youth. This seems to be corroborated by the 1860 census showing “Henry L. Flanders,” who I believe was actually Henry L. Keith, age 16, living with Joseph & Amanda

[47] His son, James Clinton Keith

[48] His brother-in-law, Henry Crawford

[49] Omro, Wisconsin

[50] His brother-in-law, Robert Crawford

[51] Winneconne, Wisconsin

[52] Robert’s wife, Louisa (McCann) Crawford

[53] Believe he is referring to Louisa’s sister, Cynthia McCann

[54] De Pere, Wisconsin

[55] His uncle, James Hunt King, the husband of Lilly (Willcutt) King

[56] Luther & Sarah (King) Burnell; Sarah was Luke’s maternal first cousin, the daughter of James & Lilly (Willcutt) King

[57] Edith (King) LeRoy; Edith was also Luke’s maternal first cousin, the daughter of James & Lilly (Willcutt) King

[58] Edith’s husband, Jonas LeRoy

[59] Nothing further is known of this daughter. Since the 1870 census does not list a child born in 1864, it would appear that she died before 1870

[60] Mary (Comfort) Wickersham, who was his wife Sarah’s aunt

[61] Believe he is referring to Sarah’s stepfather, Elder Platt Betts

[62] “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

[63] His niece, Helen (Bradley) York

[64] His brother Harvey’s wife, Alfleda (Starr) Keith

[65] Believe he is referring to Mark Lee’s father-in-law

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

[67] William Wallace Lee, the son of Nancy (Taylor) and John Warren Lee

[68] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that William Wheaton died November 13, 1864 and is buried in Wheaton Cemetery, Comstock, Kalamazoo County, Michigan

[69] Kalamazoo, Michigan

[70] Addis E. Wolcott, his maternal first cousin

[71] The grandson of Luke’s aunt and uncle, Lydia (Willcutt) & Asa Turner

[72] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Edgar Howlett died November 25, 1864 and is buried in Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Kalamazoo County, Michigan

[73] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Samuel Percival died October (rather than December) 4, 1864 and is buried in Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Believe that the term Uncle was an honorary one as no relationship has been found at this time

[74] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Charles Albert Wightman died December 14, 1864 in Chicago, Illinois, and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Kalamazoo County, Michigan

[75] Believe this to be his brother-in-law and wife, Edwin & Mary (Hamilton) Crawford