Luke Keith’s 1889 Diary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jun 22 – Took 2 Bushels wheat to mill.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jul 7 – Very quiet day but a few callers.

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

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

Jul 10 – Took Hannah down to Mr Randalls.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Henrys[132] Number
335 Miner Avenue
Stocten California
USA

——-

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

[2] Mercury reading

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

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

[5] His grandson, William Clark

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

[7] Galesburg, Michigan

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

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

[10] His daughter, Nancy (Keith) Brown

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

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

[13] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[14] Neighbor, Frances Towne

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

[16] Above zero

[17] Neighbor, and D. Harris’ uncle

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

[19] His son, Ethan Keith

[20] Kalamazoo, Michigan

[21] His daughter, Hannah Keith

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

[23] Hank Brown’s cousin

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

[25] Nickname for his wife Sarah

[26] Neighbor and “shirttail relative”

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

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

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

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

[31] Neighbor, Nathan L. Randall

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

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

[34] Willis Brown, Hank’s brother

[35] Neighbor, Charles Ford

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

[37] His cow

[38] Neighbor, Laura Ann (Rawson) Streator

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

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

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

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

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

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

[45] Leroy, New York

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

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

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

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

[50] Neighbor, Albert Towne

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

[52] Claude, Lela and Bess Brown

[53] His son, James Clinton Keith

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

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

[56] Elizabeth (Ogden) Brown

[57] Ray and Perry Brown

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

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

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

[61] His nephew, James “Oscar” Keith

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

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

[64] Neighbor, Charles Towne

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

[66] One of his farm animals

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

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

[69] Neighbor, John T. Allerton

[70] His cousin

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

[72] His son, Henry Lindsey Keith

[73] Catherine’s granddaughter, Clara Milham

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

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

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

[77] Henry Labbitt, the undertaker

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

[79] Neighbor, Edwin Flanders

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

[81] Bobtail train run

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

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

[84] His granddaughter, Bess Brown

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

[86] Andrew B. & Frances Spinney

[87] His granddaughter, Lela Brown

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

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

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

[91] His grandson, Charles Clark

[92] His grandson, Claude Brown

[93] Jackson, Michigan

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

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

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

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

[98] Jim’s girlfriend, Cora Meredith

[99] Scotts, Michigan

[100] His horse

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[109] Eliza “Betsy” (Olds) Batey

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

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

[112] Mary (Sherwood) Clapp

[113] His maternal first cousin

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

[115] D Harris’s brother, Jay Harris

[116] “The family”

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

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

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

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

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

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

[123] Hiram Crawford’s nickname

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

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

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

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

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

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

[130] Perry, New York

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

[132] His son, Henry L. Keith

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Luke Keith’s 1882 Diary

 1882 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.[1] 

Jan 1 – Aron Vandusen called here. We all went over to Hanks.

Jan 2 – Shelled corn and carried it to mill.

Jan 3 – Choped and drawed wood. About two inches snow. Jim[2] & Will Brown[3] went to Kalamazoo. Bot this Diary 35 cts.

Jan 4 – Pleasant day Mercury 5 Abz[4] in morning. Jim commenced choping for Hank.[5] Went over to burg[6] got potatoes $1.00. Sarah[7] found five Dollars. Cold windy day.

Jan 5 – Husked corn. Cold day. Jim chopping. No sleighing but very little snow on ground.

Jan 6 – Went down to Mrs Browns[8] got three bushels wheat carried it to mill paid $2.50. Not much work to day. Herb Earl[9] brot down a piece of Elm for hoop to his billiard board.

Jan 7 – Went over to burg after grist. Hanks folks[10] came over stayed all night. Rainy night. Solomon Youngs Died to day.[11]

Jan 8 – Rainy day. Hank & Nancy went up to Scots[12] to see Mrs Powers. I carried Hannah[13] down to Katharines.[14] Very windy day.

Jan 9 – Chored round. Husked some cut some wood.

Jan 10 – Worked on Herbs biliard table worked 4¼ Hours. Jim went down and got his Books. Snowed like fun[15] in afternoon. Jim went over to the Lyceum[16] in Evening.

Jan 11 – Cut and drawed three Loads wood. Worked in shop some. The slides came for Earls Table.

Jan 12 – Worked in shop on Billiards Table. Turned some for Theodore.[17] Turned two boxes split one. Jim and Charley Camp chopping down to Browns. Some sleighing. About 3 inches snow on ground.

Jan 13 – Went up to sawmill got huing block. Went over to burg to carry Nancys dress. Worked 6½ hours on Herbs Biliard Board. Rained some.

Jan 14 – Husked some chored round worked some on Earls board 1 Hour. Harry and Nell[18] here in Evening.

Jan 15 – Not very cold mercury 40 Abz in morning. Ethan[19] and Hannah went down to Katharines.

Jan 16 – Painted Herbs Board. Chored round. Not work much. Jim chopping with Rial French up to Win Fords. Clarrissa Turner Died this Evening.[20]

Jan 17 – Cold day. Painted Board over again finished turning the cues. Fanny Town[21] came over this afternoon a while.

Jan 18 – Worked in shop. Took table to pieces. Jesse Earl[22] came down a while. Boardman Chipman called here with one of Cate Isherwoods girls. James Ralph Died to night.[23]

Jan 19 – Went to Kalamazoo to Attend Clarrissa Turners Funeral. Fine day. Saw Jane Robinson, Silva Johnson and her two children. Charles and Rheoba got cutter (shoe $1.14 cts.

Jan 20 – Worked in shop. Made machine for striking an Elipsis. Very nice day not much snow on ground. Theodore brot Blackwalnut rail to repair table with.

Jan 21 – Made Axhelves[24] for Jim. Not very cold. Ethan and Jim got down some wood.

Jan 22 – At home all day. Very cold and blustring considerable like winter.

Jan 23 – Went over to burg in morning. Mrs Betts[25] went over. Painted Herbs board over. Went over to Burg in Evening. Took cutter over to get shoes put on.

Jan 24 – Worked on table 6½ Hours. Went over to burg in Evening got Bottle ink. Sent papers to George Tomlinson.[26] Mercury 2 Abz in morning. Sent papers to George.

Jan 25 – Worked in shop on Table 7½ Hours. Rained most all day. Hannah went up to Mr Earls to sewing.

Jan 26 – Worked in shop on table. Rainy day Mercury 53 Abz no snow. Mr Holmes Buried to day.[27] Austin Odell Buried to day.[28] Very muddy High wind this Evening.

Jan 27 – Went over to burg in morning bot oil and cake soap. Very nice day. Worked two Hours on Table. Herb came down. Mr Knapp came over here. Ethan went over to burg in afternoon. Harry called here.

Jan 28 – Worked on Table. Painted Herbs Board. Went down to Katharines. Cold wind. I got hurt. Wind blowed Barn Door against me hurt me good deal some.

Jan 29 – Came home at night. Broke Buggy spring. Cold west wind. Lucy[29] came up after Hannah.

Jan 30 – No work to day. Very lame. Pleasant day no snow on ground. Jim chopping for Hank. Jim joined the Templers this Evening.

Jan 31 – Pleasant day this morning. Worked on Board 1½. Herb brot some Turnips and carrots. No snow.

Feb 1 – Mercury 40 Abz. No work to day. Nice sunny day no snow nice october weather. Jim helping Harry Hall clover to day. Fine day for February first.

Feb 2 – No work to day lame as ever. Fine pleasant day no signs of snow nice fall weather. Ethan and Jim gone over to burg this Evening to Strait and Barber about patenting his machine.[30]

Feb 3 – Very Pleasant day. Worked on Table 6½ Hours. Jim went to mill got 1½ of wire Brown one bushel and half. Ethan went over to burg carried 2½ bushels wheat to mill.

Feb 4 – Worked some on Table. Very fine day. I am quite lame yet.

Feb 5 – At home all day. Pleasant as June.

Feb 6 – Went to Kalamazoo to get moddle. Roads nice and dusty. Very warm for February.

Feb 7 – Mrs Betts went to Chicago. Nice day. Sarah went over to Nancys stayed all day. Ethan went over after her in Evening show to Winslow Opera House. Hank went to Three Rivers. Worked on Table 5½ Hours.

Feb 8 – Worked in shop on Table. Mr Taylor got our Sausage Grinder.

Feb 9 – Worked on Sub Treasury Box. Finished the cues to the Trivoli Board. Sarah went down to M. O. Streators[31] in the afternoon. Very pleasant nice day.

Feb 10 – Put pictures on board for Herb. Sarah went over to Fanny Towns. Very fine day good October weather. Jim chopping to Taylors. Harry here in Evening.

Feb 11 – Not much work to day. Went over to burg in morning got some violin Timber. Saw Mr Signor, Mate Ford[32] and Mary ___ter here in afternoon. Nice day Mercury 56 Abz.

Feb 12 – Warm Mercury 53 Abz. Went up to Mr Hardy. Very fine day. Had a Thunder shower in night.

Feb 13 – Worked on Table 5 Hours. Nice day. Herb got his Trivoli Board.

Feb 14 – Worked on Herbs Box. Very fine day. Sarah went over to burg stayed all night.

Feb 15 – Worked on Herbs Box. Mercury 57 Abz. Worked in shop with door open very comfortable. Ida Barber Married to day to C Ugene How Editor of Galesburg Express.[33]

Feb 16 – Worked some on Box. Very fine day Mercury 52. Sarah came home this Evening. Smoky some like Indian Summer. El Cary Died to day.[34]

Feb 17 – Turned two table legs. A little cooler no snow. Last Club Dance in the night. Mrs Dr Upjohn Died to day.[35]

Feb 18 – Finished Herbs Box. Some colder cold East wind. Nancy came over. Mr George Sumner Died this Evening.[36]

Feb 19 – At home all day. Ethan and Hannah went down to Katharines.

Feb 20 – Chored round not much done. Rained some not very cold. Mrs Youngs called here.

Feb 21 – Worked on Table 6½ Hours just on the legs. Very blustrous snowed most all day very wintery. Mr Summer Buried to day. Mrs Youngs came here Stayed all night.

Feb 22 – Rough stormy day. Hank, Nancy, Jim and Lou went up to Scotts [Michigan] to a dance stayed all night.

Feb 23 – Young ones came home this morning. Not very cold snowed some. Nancy went down to Mrs Browns. Went over to Mill in afternoon.

Feb 24 – Went over to burg in morning got cutter fixed. Pleasant day not much sleighing. Carried Sarah, Mrs Brown and Nancy up to Mate Fords.

Feb 25 – Theodore came down in forenoon. Cleaned out shop in afternoon. Will Brown brot ash log for wiffletrees.[37] No sleighing snow most all gone.

Feb 26 – Not very cold no snow plenty wind. Lucy and Hellen[38] came up here.

Feb 27 – Worked on table some. Not very well some lame. Made rack for table leaves. Frank Tomlinsons Boy Born to day no live long.[39]

Feb 28 – Finished Table. Rainy day. Mrs Willard Mills Died at 12 Oclock to day.[40]

Mar 1 – Pleasant day mercury 60 Abz. Herb got Table. Sarah went down to Mrs Browns in afternoon. Mr Flanders[41] got croper tools.

Mar 2 – Jesse Earl paid me $9.00. Went to Kalamazoo to get Spring Mended. Jesse Earl went with me. Mrs Betts came home went over to Burg after Mrs Betts. Rial and Jim Chopping. Mrs Mills Buried.

Mar 3 – Chored round. Rial French choped with Jim.

Mar 4 – Theodore came down. Cut some washers for buggy. Rainy day.

Mar 5 – At home all day. Jim and Nancy went down to Marts.[42] Not very cold.

Mar 6 – Worked in shop made wiffletrees for Will Brown. Cool wind. Jim worked for Will Brown.

Mar 7 – Some cooler this morning no Snow.

Mar 8 – Worked in shop some glued dumb Bell together. Went over to burg bot pants 1.25. Ethan Turned heads for Charley Towns[43] Filter.

Mar 9 – Turned Dum bells. Rainy day rather cool. Dr Spinney Lecturing in Burg.

Mar 10 – Went down to Marts after Hannah. Took her over to burg. Mrs Betts went over with Mrs Brown.

Mar 11 – Went over to burg in afternoon girls all went to Lecture. Carried Jay Harris[44] pattern over. He paid 75 cts. Snowed in night.

Mar 12 – About two inches snow this morning. Went over to burg just at night. Took Hannah over brot Mrs Betts home. Very much muddy some.

Mar 13 – At home chored round worked in shop some. Sarah went over to Spinneys Lecture. Made stain.

Mar 14 – Made some stain to stain violin with. No good.

Mar 15 – About two inches snow. Went over to burg got some cochineal. Tried my luck a gain no get it right some no how. Jim went to work for Ed Flanders.[45]

Mar 16 – About two inches snow this morning Worked on violin some. Turned roller for Theodore $_____.

Mar 17 – Carried Sarah down to Mrs Browns to quilting. Nancy, Mrs Betts, Hannah and Lou went. Theodore and Jim Bartlett came down. Turned Brass pipe.

Mar 18 – Carried Sarah down to Mrs Browns to get quilt of. Mrs Siniska Tuttle Warren calld here.

Mar 19 – Ethan carried Hannah down to Katharines.

Mar 20 – Rainy day some. Swap Eggs with Patty[?] Earl. Saw Ciniska there.

Mar 21 – Hen commenced Sittin on the Earl Eggs. Snows and Blows quite hard.

Mar 22 – Around home choring some not much done. Went over to burg some.

Mar 23 – Worked round house and shop some. Not very well.

Mar 24 – Grubed out west garden along the road fence. Went over to burg in Evening to hear the Hurtt children sing.

Mar 25 – Went over to burg after Hannah Comfort.[46] Cold and snowey.

Mar 26 – At home all day. Hank and Nancy here. Rainy day. They stayed all night.

Mar 27 – Carried Nancy and children home in morning went over twice. Went down to Mrs Browns. No work some not much.

Mar 28 – Carried Katharine home in afternoon. Pleasant day. Smith Carleton and John Darling[47] making shugar sap run like fun.

Mar 29 – Carried Hannah over to Burg in morning. Chored round. Not very well hard cold.

Mar 30 – Rial French helped me draw wood. Cold wind.

Mar 31 – Made mallet for Allan Simmons.

Apr 1 – Chored round in forenoon. Grubed out Sassafras along the road West of garden. Ayres Raymond paid me 1.25 cts.

Apr 2 – Very warm day mercury 76 in shade at one o clock P.M.

Apr 3 – Went to Kalamazoo on Biz Niz. Fine Day. Jesse James the Train and Bank Robber Killed to day by Robert and Charles Ford[48] at St Joseph Missouri.

Apr 4 – Went over to burg to see D. Lamkin. Hen commenced setting on the Taylor Eggs. Will Brown commenced plowing for Oats. Rained all the afternoon and night.

Apr 5 – Rainy morning. Hannah Comfort went over to Nancys stayed all night. Dee Harris[49] came to day.

Apr 6 – Hannah Comfort started for home[50] this morning.

Apr 7 – Worked on box some. Ethan went over to burg. Charles P. Galligan Brot up to Galesburg and Buried.[51]

Apr 8 – Worked on Box put some Irons on side boards. Rainy.

Apr 9 – Jim went over brot Emma Allen[52] over. I went down to Mrs Browns. Mrs Albert Chase buried to day.[53]

Apr 10 – Worked in west garden raked up weeds and leaves burnt up the weeds and leaves.

Apr 11 – Worked in garden cleaned out sage roots.

Apr 12 – Worked in shop some on Box. Louese Married to day.[54] Fine day. Mr Van Blake came over in Evening. Carried Sarah over to Law Suit.

Apr 13 – Went over to Burg in morning. Worked in shop on Box. Will Brown plowing south lot for Oats.

Apr 14 – Worked on wagon Box some. Very nice day.

Apr 15 – Finished Box. Will Sowed the Oats. Lois and Ina[55] came on the noon train.

Apr 16 – Lois came over this morning. Fine day.

Apr 17 – Went down to Caywoods with Lois. Went up to Mr Flanders got some potatoes. Jim came home in Evening to see Lou and D.D.

Apr 18 – Went over to burg in morning with Trunk. D.D. and Lou started for Phoenix Northern Michigan in the copper mines.[56]

Apr 19 – Worked round some in shop in garden. Rainy and very windy.

Apr 20 – Some cold rainy and very windy some not much. Painted wagon box.

Apr 21 – Finished Wills Box. Fine pleasant day. Will plowed some. Lois went over to Nancys. Found calf in Barn this morning.

Apr 22 – Went over to Burg in morning carried Mrs Betts over. Will plowing. Very windy. Will got his Box. Cold bad day to be out. Lois went home[57] to day.

Apr 23 – At home all day. Went over to burg at night after Mrs Betts. Got 4 four bushels clover Seed of Mr Flanders.

Apr 24 – Dick Lamkins came over. Got out manure. Went over at noon with Hannah. She went to Vicksburg. Mrs Mary Crawford Died to day.[58] Dick had one bag corn.

Apr 25 – Dick and Boy drawing manure. Let Dick have one bag corn and fifty cents cash.

Apr 26 – Went down to M O Streators got some Turnips. Went over to burg in afternoon. Rained some.

Apr 27 – Sowed Clover seed on wheat lot south west. Mary Crawford Buried to day. Pleasant day. H. M. Shafter Died This Evening.[59]

Apr 28 – Finished Sowing clover Seed. Cold wind.

Apr 29 – Not much work to day. H. M. Shafter Buried to day. Cold wind in afternoon.

Apr 30 – At home all day. Nancy came over. Dick got bag corn.

May 1 – Worked round. Cold wind. Made some stove Boat[?]. Got some Rasberry roots of H. A. Taylor.

May 2 – Worked on Oats violin 2 Hours. Carried 1½ Bu corn to Mill.

May 3 – Pleasant day. Worked on violin. Let Dick have one Bag Corn. Went over to burg with Ed Flanders. See _____. Oscars Katey Died this Morning.[60] Rainy night.

May 4 – Rainy day. Went down to Mrs Browns in morning. Went over to burg in afternoon. Rainy got some wet. Planted potatoes in East garden.

May 5 – Nancy and Matilda Brown here. Cold wind. Planted some corn in west garden. Charley Town commenced planting to day.

May 6 – Went up to Scots after Hannah. Rained and hailed some.

May 7 – Went down to Katharines. All well. No rain.

May 8 – Went up to Mr Jo Flanders got 2½ bushels potatoes. Harry and Jo Darling plated and Harrowed corn ground. Charley Atkins Rolled East lot. Had a heavy rain.

May 9 – Went up to Mr Flanders got ½ bushel climax potatoes. Harry Draged and marked corn ground.

May 10 – Chored round. Some rainy day.

May 11 – Not much done. Cold rainy day. Wind North East.

May 12 – No work. Cold rainy day. Wind North East. Went over to burg in afternoon.

May 13 – Went over to Burg in morning to carry Hannahs cloak and Rubbers[?] over. Cold and rainy. North wind. Charley Camp Planting corn.

May 14 – At home all day. Ethan and Hannah went down to Katharines. Cold north East wind.

May 15 – Planted corn in west Lot. Harry, Oscar Darling, Ethan and meselfe soing Be Jabbers.[61] Will Brown sold Caty here in my yard for $90 Dollars. Swap Eggs with Fanny Town. Set hen.

May 16 – Put in back _____ Handle for Theodore. Got 12 bolts of Theodore. Pleasant day. Ethan and Hannah papering. Planted some potatoes. Thysa Youngs stayed here all night.

May 17 – Finished planting potatoes. Warm nice day.

May 18 – Hoed some in garden. Chored round generally.

May 19 – Worked round garden some. Went over to burg. Sarah went over to burg stayed all night.

May 20 – Went over to burg in morning after Sarah. Went over at noon to help Hank. He had got floor laid.

May 21 – Carried Mrs Betts over to Burg in morning to church to hear the gospel preached.

May 22 – Went over to burg in forenoon. Put in shelves in pantry. Hanks folks moving. Patty[62] came to day on noon train.

May 23 – Went over to burg got Pattys Trunk. Cold wind. No corn up yet not much.

May 24 – Frost this morning and some ice. Went over to burg. Mrs Browns Horses gone. Will had Bill[63] to find them. Carried Patty down to Katharines. Cold west wind. Had Jesse Earls ______ seat.

May 25 – Pleasant morning. Worked on violin some.

May 26 – Went over to burg in forenoon. Put up shelf for Nancy. Finished Oats violin. Rainy night.

May 27 – Rainy day. No work to day out side.

May 28 – Went down to Katharines to see Patty and all the rest. Fine day.

May 29 – Warm day. Put the cow into Theodores Pasture. Planted cranberry Beans in west garden. Hoed some corn in East garden.

May 30 – Hoed potatoes. Fine day. Edwin Flanders brot some lumber for his rack. Sarah went down to Mrs Browns. Mrs Betts went over to Burg.

May 31 – Rained some in forenoon. Went down to Katharines in forenoon to carry letter and paper to Patty. Went over to Hanks fixed Screen doors. Mr Josiah Loveland Buried to day.[64]

Jun 1 – Went over to burg. Finished Hanks doors in forenoon. Harry cultivated corn. I hoed some in garden.

Jun 2 – Rainy day some. Cut out some stuf for Eds Rack 3 Hours. Rained all night.

Jun 3 – Rainy day. Not much work to day. Ethan carried Mrs Betts over to Burg to conveniest meeting.

Jun 4 – Rainy and cold wind.

Jun 5 – Cut out stuf for Eds Rack. Hoed some.

Jun 6 – 45 Years to day Started for Michigan.[65] Bot gold ring of __. Clark Batai___ worked on road north of corners. Fine day.

Jun 7 – Worked on road. Warm day west wind all day. Ethan went down to Katharines to carry Pattys mail.

Jun 8 – Worked on road in forenoon. Cut weeds. Hoed some in garden.

Jun 9 – Worked round garden some. Nells Baby Died to day noon[?].[66]

Jun 10 – Hoed garden and chored round.

Jun 11 – At home. Alvin and his Mother[67] came up. Patty and Katharine came up here.

Jun 12 – Went over to burg in morning. Hoed garden and chored round.

Jun 13 – Went over to burg in morning after Nancy. Went back got mail.

Jun 14 – Worked on Rack and Box some. Old cow out. Went to Burg.

Jun 15 – Went up to Mr Ralphs to see rack. Carried Patty over to burg. Went over to burg in Evening. Sold lot Iron to Dick Lamkin. I came to Comstock Forty Five Years to day.

Jun 16 – Went over to burg in morning after Patty. Hatty and Frank[68] came to day. Katharine came up with them.

Jun 17 – Frank and Hat left for home. Not much _____ work to day.

Jun 18 – Patty and I went down to Katharines. Sarah Sick. Mr Hoover Died in night.[69]

Jun 19 – Carried Pattys Trunk over to Burg in morning. Went over at noon with Patty. She left for home on 12.30 train.

Jun 20 – Worked in shop some. Hoed some.

Jun 21 – Hoed East garden. Worked in shop some not much. Mr Hoover buried. Hot day.

Jun 22 – Went up to Mr Flanders in morning put cleats on box. Went over to burg in afternoon got some bolts and screws. Drayton Smith called here in afternoon. Very Hot 96 Abz.

Jun 23 – Cloudy and warm after the rain. Worked in shop on Rack.

Jun 24 – Worked in shop on Eds Stock Rack. Some rain in afternoon had a thunder shower in night.

Jun 25 – At home all day. Jim carried Mrs Betts over to Burg in morning. Jim and Charley Camp went up to York ville to see Gull Lake.

Jun 26 – Went over to Burg in morning after Box irons no get him. Went over at noon got some. Bot violin string of Wilson 25¢. Worked on box some.

Jun 27 – Warm morning. Went over to Burg Sarah went over. Ethan carried Mrs Betts down to Mrs Browns. Ida Barber How moved to Lansing.

Jun 28 – Worked in shop on Rack. Hot day.

Jun 29 – Will Brown commenced cutting clover in East Lot. Ethan and Mrs Betts Crawford Comfort went down to Katharines. Rained in night.

Jun 30 – Guiteaus a____ Rainy morning. Put Rack together. Mr Fisher Brot Hannah home. Big Necktye[?] Social at Washington.

Jul 1 – Worked in shop on Rack. Ethan took Mrs Betts over to Burg.

Jul 2 – At home all day. No one here.

Jul 3 – Worked on Rack. Mr Flanders came down. Had a shower in afternoon. Commenced painting Rack.

Jul 4 – Finished Rack put it on wagon. A. Hoag, Mary Mason and Mrs Hale called here. Ethan went to Kalamazoo. Frank Austins Boy died to day.[70]

Jul 5 – Worked round shop and garden. Mr Flanders got the Rack.

Jul 6 – Went over to Burg in morning Brot Nancy over. Marion and Nell Bristol[71] came over here. Fred Austin Buried to day. Will Drawed in hay. Old cow out found her at ______ Barn.

Jul 7 – Will cutting and drawing hay. Had a shower in afternoon. Will Wightman Buried to day.[72]

Jul 8 – Rainy Day. Went up to Marshall to see Lois and the rest of the folks found them all well. Dell and I went to Ceresco in afternoon. Saw Mr Cole.

Jul 9 – At Skinners. Went over to Mrs Halls. Very Hot. Jimmy Goodrich Buried to day.[73]

Jul 10 – Went and saw Mr Coles folks in forenoon. Started for home ¼ past one P.M. go home about seven P.M. all right.

Jul 11 – Ethan took Hannah up to Em Ralphs.[74] He went to the burg. Will finished drawing hay in forenoon.

Jul 12 – Some rainy. Got 110 plants of Herb Earl. Turned 8 pins for Ayres Raymond 15 for Harry Streator.

Jul 13 – Chored round. Hoed some in garden &c.[75] Show in burg in Evening.

Jul 14 – Show went up the Hill[?]. Chored round. Hoed some in garden.

Jul 15 – Turned 35 pins for Jim Milham,[76] Orrin Knapp and John Culver. Cut wheat on hill south of corn.

Jul 16 – Mrs Abraham Lincoln Died to day. Carried Mrs Betts over to burg to hear and see the gospel preached. Went after her at noon. Charly Town commenced cutting wheat cross the road. Turned Fan and Bill in East Lot.

Jul 17 – Made soap in forenoon. Made fence East side of the Barn. Charly finished cutting this afternoon. Nice harvest weather dry not very hot.

Jul 18 – Hoed strawberries in the forenoon. Jim Milham got his pins. Put in cradle hinges[?] for Mr Flanders. Got Boards for door step.

Jul 19 – Hoed in garden some. Chored round. Mrs Abraham Lincoln Buried to day.

Jul 20 – Worked on door step some in afternoon. Will Brown drawed in the wheat.

Jul 21 – Finished Door step. Not very hot. Ethan went over to burg. Lelah[77] came home with him.

Jul 22 – Worked on Door frame some.

Jul 23 – At home all day. Ethan carried Hannah down to Katharines.

Jul 24 – Work on Door frame. Barber came over.

Jul 25 – Finished door frame put wire on. Went over to burg in Evening. Marion Bristol started for Massachusetts on one oclock train. Pet Beckwith married to night.[78]

Jul 26 – Very hot and dry. N. L. Randel[79] thrashing.

Jul 27 – Cut grass in orchard. Put paper on Mrs Betts room over head. Had a nice shower rained most of the night Thunder and Lightning.

Jul 28 – Put up Screen Door this morning. Chored round. Cow got out. Finished papering Mrs Betts room. Old cow went to Bull about 4 oclock P.M. sharp.

Jul 29 – Repaired cow poke. Old cow got out. Had a Divle of a time to get her. Found her up by Davis Staffords in Evening. Grange Meeting at Bert Staffords. Jesse Crawford[80] came.

Jul 30 – At home all day. Kept Fan in Barn all day. Ethan went down to Marts after Hannah.

Jul 31 – Cut hole into west Leanto attic. Rainy some rained some in night. Hannah went Down to Streators in Evening to make Dress for Mrs Streator.[81]

Aug 1 – Put frame into the Partition. Rainy afternoon warm. Ban Jacobs hors in pasture.

Aug 2 – Worked round shop and house. Sawed out violin tops. Rained in night.

Aug 3 – Put violin top together. Rainy day some. Not feeling very well.

Aug 4 – Cloudy some sprinkle not much. Cats came back this morning.

Aug 5 – Worked on violin top some. Nancy and children came over. Nel Bristol came over with them.

Aug 6 – Ed Flanders paid me $5.00. Rainy afternoon. Jim carried Mrs Betts over to Burg. Jim went up to Jo Smiths in afternoon.

Aug 7 – Worked in shop some. Chored round. Some rainy.

Aug 8 – Went down to Mrs Browns got Horse and wagon. Went over to Burg got lumber to seel the west bedroom over head. Mr Kent commenced cutting the oats. Charley Town cutting Oats.

Aug 9 – Went over to Burg in morning got paint and paper for Bedroom. Mr Kent cutting oats. Some rain.

Aug 10 – Put on seeling. Kent finished cutting oats. Old Mr Patterson Died.[82] Cool wind cloudy.

Aug 11 – Repaired Bills Poke in morning.

Aug 12 – Finished putting on seeling. Worked in shop some. Florence and Boy called here in Evening.

Aug 13 – At home all day. Hank here to Breakfast. Carried Mrs Betts over to Burg. Ethan and Hannah went down to Mrs Browns.

Aug 14 – Went over to burg in morning after mortar no got some. Whittled some on violin neck. Charley Town thrashed his wheat. Austin Potts was de man.

Aug 15 – Went over to burg after mortar got him. Very hot. Got Barbers trowel.

Aug 16 – Put on mortar. Mary Flanders[83] and Florance came here. Mr Flanders here to tea.

Aug 17 – Painted some in west bedroom &c.

Aug 18 – Went over got oil. Painted seeling in west bedroom &c. Thysa Youngs and Daughter Elsie called here.

Aug 19 – Painted sash &c. Rained in afternoon. Went down to Katharines stayed all night.

Aug 20 – Went over to Mr Elwoods in fore noon with Mart came home at night.

Aug 21 – Painted seeling in west Bedroom. Whittled some on violin. Theodore and Orrin Schram drawed away the stone pile out by the Buggy House.

Aug 22 – Went over to burg got my new trowziz [trousers?]. Nell Bristol came over and helped paper the west Bedroom. Rained in the Evening warm rain.

Aug 23 – Cloudy 73 Abz in morning. Chored round. Worked in shop some. Florence came down just at night.

Aug 24 – Florence here. Ethan went to Kalamazoo to see Dr. Spinney. Florence went over to Nancys just at night. Bessy sick.

Aug 25 – Worked in shop some. Chored around some.

Aug 26 – Went over to burg in morning. No work to day. Hiram and family[84] came to day. Hite[85] sick.

Aug 27 – Hite some sick. Ethan gone after Nancy. Bessy sick she no come. Jim and Florence went up to Gull Lake. Edwin and Mary and children[86] went also.

Aug 28 – Hites folks started for home left here about ten A.M.

Aug 29 – At home. Chored round. Went down to Katharines in afternoon with Hannah. She went down to fit Clarras[87] dress.

Aug 30 – Choring around. Paint some.

Aug 31 – Went up to Mr Flanders carried some cucumber. Got some apples. Ed & Mary and Mabel went to Vicksburg to Pioneer Picknic. Nell Stanford[88] here.

Sep 1 – Carried Mrs Betts over to burg she went up to Augusta. Carried Sarah over in Evening she stayed all night. Paint some. Mrs Jones killed two Cats.

Sep 2 – Cut corn in garden. Painted seat to Mrs Jones.

Sep 3 – At home all day. Rained in afternoon.

Sep 4 – Hannah went to Mr Franklins. Mrs Betts came home from Augusta. I went over to burg after her.

Sep 5 – Chored around. Worked on Blackboard some. Fine weather. Edwin Flanders called here in Evening.

Sep 6 – Worked round shop some. Went over to burg. Worked on Green board some.

Sep 7 – Put cleats on Green board. Turned out box for Town pump at Galesburg.

Sep 8 – Ethan, Mrs Brown, Nancy, Hannah and Nell Bristol went over to Schoolcraft to Spiritualist Meeting.[89]

Sep 9 – Foggy. Worked round house. Painted Kitchen and some oder dings.[90]

Sep 10 – Foggy morning. At home all day. Ethan took Mrs Betts over to burg to hear the Gospel talked about.

Sep 11 – Commenced Topping corn. Fine warm day.

Sep 12 – Topping corn some. Fine day.

Sep 13 – Topping corn and choring round. Florence and her mother came here stayed all night. Edwin and Mary came down.

Sep 14 – Topping corn. Florence and mother went home over to burg in afternoon.

Sep 15 – Toped corn. Warm day very dry.

Sep 16 – Toped corn. Hot and dry. Sarah went down to Mrs Browns. Mrs Betts went over to Burg with Mr Bronson.

Sep 17 – Hank and Ethan went up to Edmon Chase[91] after crab Apples. They went with Bill. Very hot and dry.

Sep 18 – Worked in corn some. Fine day.

Sep 19 – Went over to burg. Got Hook made for stone boat.[92] Mr Taylor sick.

Sep 20 – Topt some corn. Chored round.

Sep 21 – Topt corn put in stack[?]. A. R.[93] and Lois came stayed all night. Will Brown thrashed wheat and oats had 48 Bushels wheat 60 bushels oats.

Sep 22 – A. R. went to _____. Ethan went down and got Nancy and Hannah. Took up the Milham Note $26.32 cent. Got the money of Hank Brown.

Sep 23 – Ethan and Hannah went to Kalamazoo to see Florence. Cut some corn. Nell came over. Nancy went home. Mrs Ira Clark Died this Morning.[94]

Sep 24 – At home all day. Edwin and Mary Flanders called here just at night.

Sep 25 – Topt corn. Warm day. _____ paid Hank $___.00 cash.

Sep 26 – Finished my corn. Cut up sweet corn. Quite warm.

Sep 27 – Made cross Head for Theodore. Dick Lamkins brot his organ over had it cleaned and new knees well made. He and his wife here to dinner. They went after Elder berries.

Sep 28 – Pickd beans. Went down to Katharines in afternoon. Florence left for California. Louese and D. came on Evening freight.

Sep 29 – Went over to Burg in morning to mill. Got slating for Black board. Went over to burg after Louese. Not much rain.

Sep 30 – Some cloudy. Went over to burg in morning got glass and putty. Set glass in windows at School House. Lois and Ina came in Evening.

Oct 1 – At home all day. Lois and Ina here, D. and Lou, Hank and Nancy.

Oct 2 – At home. Put slating on Black Board. Cow got out went after her at night.

Oct 3 – Lou and I went to find cow went up to Nelt Blasses in forenoon up to Oatmans in afternoon no find her.

Oct 4 – I went up East in forenoon found her at Marhops. Dug some potatoes in afternoon.

Oct 5 – Dug some potatoes. Very warm and dry. Erve Stilwell thrashed his Buckwheat on Wrights place had 126 Bushels. Jim came home sick some. No work.

Oct 6 – Dug potatoes. Warm and dry very much. Lou up to Mr Ralphs. Mr Wm Blass Died to day[95] been out of health some time some _____. Not much done.

Oct 7 – Dug some potatoes husked some corn. Ethan and Nell went to Kalamazoo. Mrs Betts went over to burg Stayed all night to Hanks.

Oct 8 – Hank and Nancy, D. and Lou, Hannah and Jim went up to Scotts. Nell and Lelah & Bessy stayed here. Mr Wm Blass Buried to day.

Oct 9 – Made Box for stone Boat. Ethan dug potatoes in afternoon.

Oct 10 – Finished Box. Mr Knapp came over. Drawed down the potatoes. Ethan dug some in forenoon. Barber here to dinner. Had a good rain in afternoon.

Oct 11 – Dug potatoes drawed some down put them in cellar.

Oct 12 – Drawed down some potatoes. Dug in afternoon. Ethan took Sarah over to burg. Lelah came back with him. Cora Harris[96] came stayed all night. Mr John Allen Died.[97]

Oct 13 – Dug potatoes and drawed down some. Had a heavy shower. Dug some in afternoon.

Oct 14 – Finished digging potatoes got them in the cellar. Ethan went over after Sally[98] in Evening. Mr John Allen buried to day.

Oct 15 – Went over to burg in morning after Hoops for Mary Fisher. D.D.[?] came home this morning. I got a nice present This morning from the children a nice Nicle plated clock as a Birth day Present. I am 69 years old this fifteenth day of October 1882.

Oct 16 – Worked round barn and house. Shelled sunflower seeds.

Oct 17 – Ethan went to Chicago. Put some batten[99] on corn house. Went over to burg in morning.

Oct 18 – Went over to burg in morning. Worked on corn house put on battens patched roof some. Smith Carleton came up after Sarah in night for Lucy.

Oct 19 – Went over to burg. Took Hannah over to Erve Blakes. Toots[100] girl Born This morning.[101] Husked some corn.

Oct 20 – Husked corn. Fine day. Went down after Sarah.

Oct 21 – Husked corn part of the day. Went to mill. Took Lou over to burg in Evening and Hannah down to Mrs Browns. Ethan got home from Chicago.

Oct 22 – At home all day. Newton McLarry buried to day.[102]

Oct 23 – Husking corn. Warm and dry.

Oct 24 – Husking corn. Warm.

Oct 25 – Sick no Husk to day. Warm nice day.

Oct 26 – Husking corn. Edna Allen came here to day. Nice pleasant weather.

Oct 27 – Husked corn. Fine day.

Oct 28 – Husking corn. Edna here.

Oct 29 – At home all day. Edna here.

Oct 30 – Husked corn picked some. Rainy night.

Oct 31 – Warm mercury 66. Finished picking corn. Took Lous things over to burg. Lou moved to Shelbyville[103] to day.

Nov 1 – Husked corn some & cut some wood.

Nov 2 – Drawed some wood. Fine day. Ethan carried Mrs Betts down to Mrs Browns to see Lois.

Nov 3 – Finished Husking corn. Very pleasant weather. Plained out step for Nancys plant stand in Evening.

Nov 4 – Chored round. Not much work done. Went over to burg.

Nov 5 – Went down to Katharines. Some cold. Went over to Burg after I got home after Mrs Betts.

Nov 6 – Worked in shop made mallet for Mr Chester[?]. Cold rainy day some.

Nov 7 – No work to day. Went over to Election. Broke Buggy thill.[104] Ethan went over in Evening carried Tools over to do some work for Hank.

Nov 8 – Shelled some corn. Picked out some spokes for my wheels. Mr Jacob Fancher buried to day in Galesburg cemetry. He died in dacota.

Nov 9 – Drawed some lidle wood. Got my hickory stick out East side of East lot. Theodore went out with me. Turned some for Theodore. Mr Flanders brot ____ rack. Sarah went down to Mrs Browns to see Lois.

Nov 10 – Went over to burg in morning. Got thill for buggy. Sick all day and all night. Mr Streator (illegible). Jim husked corn. Warm day.

Nov 11 – Harry got home they all came down. Husked in forenoon. Harry finished in afternoon. Not very well. Went and put stops in windows at schoolhouse. Ethan and Sarah went over to burg in afternoon.

Nov 12 – Jim took Mrs Betts over to church in morning. He went up to Scotts.

Nov 13 – Not very well no work to day only chores.

Nov 14 – Went over to burg to mill carried wheat and corn. Mrs Brown got home.

Nov 15 – Stephen Withey[?] Died to day. Choring. Hannah came home from Gibsons. Ethan took her down to Caywoods. Not cold. David Powlison Died This morning.[105]

Nov 16 – Went over to burg after meal. Broke thill iron again. Mr Flanders brot wagon down. Rainy night.

Nov 17 – Carried Sarah over to burg got flour. Not much work to day. David Powlison buried to day.

Nov 18 – Mr Flanders brot Lois and Ina down. Chored round.

Nov 19 – Lois, Jim and Will here today. Pleasant day no snow no frost in ground.

Nov 20 – Worked in shop some. Put thill in buggy.

Nov 21 – Worked in shop some. Chored round. Ethan made some castings.

Nov 22 – Carried Lois over to burg in morning. Turned out some pump stops for Theodore.

Nov 23 – Some rainy. Ethan, Sarah, Lois and Hannah gone to Kalamazoo. I filed buck saw.

Nov 24 – Worked in shop some (illegible). Broke _____ on auger. Elva Crossfields here. Herb came down in Evening.

Nov 25 – Drawed some wood in sleigh. Abrose Milham and wife,[106] Zeak and Kate Davison called here awhile.

Nov 26 – At home all day. Lois and Ina here. About 4 inches snow.

Nov 27 – Lois and Ina went home. Hank & Nancy Home. Ethan, ____, ____ and Jim went to Kalamazoo to theater in Evening. Bessie stayed here all night Lelah went to Shelbyville. James Nobles died to day.[107]

Nov 28 – Ethan took Hannah down to Mate Fords.[108] Took ____ over to Burg in forenoon.

Nov 29 – Not very well not much work but chores. James Nobles buried to day.

Nov 30 – Worked round barn cleared out so as to put fodder in.

Dec 1 – Jim and Will got in corn fodder. Warm day. Mr Charles Dibble Buried to day.[109]

Dec 2 – Went over to burg in morning got auger mended. No sleighing. Jim sawing wood for Bill Ralph. Will to work for Harry Streator cleaning wheat.

Dec 3 – At home all day. Clarra, George and Lee came up here to day. Not very cold no snow of any account.

Dec 4 – Shelled some corn carried it to mill. Jim and Will went hunting.

Dec 5 – Went over to mill in fore noon. Took the old wagon wheels to pieces. Mrs Clinton here in afternoon. Bot Diary for 1883 45 cts.

Dec 6 – At Home. Some cold. Carried some potatoes over to Hanks. Snowed in night.

Dec 7 – Mercury 6 Abz. Finished boring standards for rack. Snows about 4 inches deep.

Dec 8 – Mercury 5 below zero in morning.

Dec 9 – Worked in shop some chored round.

Dec 10 – At home all day no one here. Mrs Betts went to Burg to church.

Dec 11 – Worked in shop some ledle unto. Cold some sleighing. Mended Clauds skate.

Dec 12 – Went over to burg in morning with cutter. Sarah went over stayed to Nancys. Went over after her in Evening.

Dec 13 – Cold and blustrous. Carried Hannah down to M. O. Streators in afternoon. Hat Allen left for Niles.

Dec 14 – Went over to Burg after Nancy. Chored round worked in shop some.

Dec 15 – Carried Hannah down to Katharines. Cold snowed some. Jim and Will chopping. Very good sleighing.

Dec 16 – Shelled corn in forenoon carried corn and oats to mill. Repaired violin for Young Fay. Paid my Tax $5.82.

Dec 17 – At home all day. Jim went over to Burg. Took Nancy and Bessey out riding.

Dec 18 – Mercury 9 Below zero. Jim and Will drawed wood. Ethan casting.

Dec 19 – Mercury 20 Above zero. Went over to Burg after grist. Bot Mittens 50 cts. Rained some in Evening.

Dec 20 – Mercury 30 Ab zero. Jim and Will chopping. Rainy day some.

Dec 21 – Not much work but chores. Snow all gone.

Dec 22 – Not very well. Worked some in shop not much.

Dec 23 – Went over to Burg carried over my Receipt for High way work. Lou & Cory came on the noon Train. Ethan went to Kalamazoo.

Dec 24 – Carried Mrs Betts over to Burg to Bap Church. Brot Lelah and Bessy over took them Back at night. Jim took Charley Camp up to Scotts.

Dec 25 – Went over to Hanks to dinner. Very much wet snow. Had a Lottery sold two Bibles. Oat Hill got the Large one $.12 Burt Warren the other.

Dec 26 – Good sleighing this morning. Went over to burg in morning got Bessey. Bot Boots paid 4.00.

Dec 27 – Went over to burg took Bessey home. Old Mrs Ralph came here. Dell & Mr Smith here to Dinner. Mr Ralph took dinner. Sarah & I went up to Mr Flanders in Evening.

Dec 28 – Worked in shop some on Jims Violin Trunk. Hannah sewing to Mr Towns.

Dec 29 – Worked on Trunk all day. Not very cold. Hannah came home to night.

Dec 30 – Worked round some in shop some on corn shelter[?]. Not very good sleighing. Took Lou up to Mr Ralphs in Evening.

Dec 31 – At home all day. D. came this morning. He went after Lou in Evening. Stella Milham[110] and Emma Allen called here to see Lou in afternoon.

Memoranda

Cure for Small Pox
Sulphate of Zinc 1 Grain
Fox Glove 1 Grain
Half Teaspoon Sugar mix with two Tablespoonful water
when thoroughly mixed ad four ounces water
Take a Spoonfull every Hour. For a child – smaller dos according to age

To Kill Cabbage Worms Persian Insect Powder

325 Bushels Oats from 3 & ¼ acres of ground the Oats was of the Blu___ or Poland variety

——-

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

[2] His youngest son, James Clinton Keith

[3] Willis Brown, the son of Ambrose & Matilda (Allen) Brown and the brother-in-law of Luke’s daughter, Nancy (Keith) Brown

[4] Above zero

[5] Henry Brown, his daughter Nancy’s husband

[6] Galesburg, Michigan

[7] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith; the 2019 equivalent of $5.00 is just under $125.00

[8] Neighbor, Matilda (Allen) Brown (see footnote to January 3^rd entry)

[9] Neighbor and “shirttail” relative

[10] Henry & Nancy (Keith) Brown and their three children: Claude, Lela and Bess

[11] No records confirming his death or burial were found

[12] Scotts, Michigan

[13] His daughter, Hannah Keith

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

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

[16] Lyceums flourished in the U.S. before and after the Civil War. During this period hundreds of informal associations were established for the purpose of improving the social, intellectual, and moral fabric of society. The lyceum movement featured lectures, dramatic performances, class instructions, and debates, by noted lecturers, entertainers and readers. They would travel the “lyceum circuit,” going from town to town or state to state to entertain, speak, or debate in a variety of locations, never staying in one place for too long. Their appearances were open to the public, which caused them to contribute significantly to the education of the adult American in the 19th century

[17] His neighbor and “shirttail relative,” Theodore Earl, and brother of Herb Earl (see entry of January 6^th)

[18] Neighbors, Harry Streator (son of Marius & Laura [Rawson] Streator), and his first cousin, Nellie (Underwood) Stanford

[19] His son, Ethan Keith

[20] No death record was found for Clarissa (Whitcomb) Turner, however FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Kalamazoo, Michigan

[21] Neighbor, Frances Towne, the sister of Charles Towne who would become Hannah Keith’s husband

[22] Neighbor and “shirttail” relative; father of Herbert and Theodore Earl mentioned earlier

[23] Michigan death records list James Ralph’s date of death as January 9, 1882 (not January 18) in Pavilion, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in the Cook Cemetery, Pavilion, Michigan, showing his date of death as “Jun” 9, 1882

[24] Ax handles

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

[26] The husband of Luke’s niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

[27] Michigan death records show that Hamlin Holmes died in Comstock, Michigan on January 24, 1882 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[28] Michigan death records show that Austin Odell died in Comstock, Michigan on January 24, 1882 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[29] His niece, Lucy (Lee) Milham

[30] For more about the binder machine see my blog post at https://lettersfromthe1860s.wordpress.com/2018/11/15/ethan-keith-inventor

[31] His neighbor, Marius O. Streator

[32] Neighbor, Mary Ann (Thompson) Ford

[33] Michigan marriage records show that C. Eugene Howe and Ida Barber were married in Galesburg, Michigan on February 15, 1882

[34] FindAGrave.com shows that Ananias E Caray (A. Ell Caray in the 1880 census) died February 16, 1882 and is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[35] Michigan death records show that Maria (Mills) Upjohn died February 17, 1882 in Richland, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Mountain Home Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Michigan

[36] Michigan death records confirm that he died on February 18, 1882 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[37] A whiffletree is 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

[38] His niece, Helen (Bradley) York. Lucy and Helen were half-sisters, both daughters of Luke’s sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[39] Frank was Luke’s grand-nephew, the son of George & Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson. No records confirming the birth/death or name of the baby were found

[40] Maria (Root) Mills. FindAGrave.com confirms her date of death as February 28, 1882; she is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[41] Most likely his neighbor, Joseph Flanders

[42] Martin Milham, the husband of his niece, Lucy Lee

[43] Neighbor Charles Towne, who would marry his daughter Hannah

[44] Neighbor Jay Ralph Harris

[45] Edwin Flanders, son of Joseph Flanders (see footnote to March 1^st entry)

[46] Nancy Betts’ niece, Hannah Marie Comfort

[47] Neighbors, Smith Carlton and John Darling

[48] Jesse James was shot to death by Robert Ford, a member of his gang who hoped to collect the bounty on Jesse’s head. Charley was Robert’s younger brother and also a member of the James Gang

[49] Neighbor, Daniel D. Harris Jr. He was referred to as D.D. or D.

[50] Ontario, Canada

[51] Michigan death records show that he died in Waverly, Michigan on September 13, 1880; FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[52] Neighbor Emeretta Allen

[53] Possibly Louisa (Stewart) Chase, the widow of Albert Chase; research continues

[54] His daughter, Louese, married Daniel D. Harris Jr. (see footnote to April 5^th entry)

[55] His granddaughter (Lois’ daughter), Ina Skinner

[56] D.D.’s family had a general store in Phoenix and he and Louese were moving there to work the store

[57] Ceresco, Michigan which was about 25 miles from Comstock/Galesburg

[58] Mary was the widow of Edwin Crawford who was the brother of Luke’s wife Sarah. FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac, Michigan

[59] Michigan death records confirm that Hugh M. Shafter died on April 27, 1882 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in the Shafter Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[60] Catherine (Keith) Randall, the daughter of Luke’s nephew, James “Oscar” & Mary Ann (Batey) Keith. Michigan death records reveal that she died at the age of 20 of consumption on May 3, 1882 in Bloomingdale, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com shows that she is buried in Covert Cemetery, Covert, Michigan

[61] Bejabbers is a euphemistic alteration of bejesus (or by Jesus), and was used as a mild oath expressing astonishment, dismay, disbelief, or the like

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

[63] His horse

[64] Michigan death records show that Josiah Loveland died in Comstock, Michigan on May 29, 1882 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in the Comstock Cemetery, Comstock, Michigan

[65] From Covington, Genesee County, New York

[66] Unknown at this time; research continues

[67] His cousins, Alvin Lee and Juliana (Davis) Lee

[68] Frank & Harriet (Root) Tomlinson

[69] Oak Grove Cemetery records show that John J. Hoover died June 18, 1882

[70] Michigan death records reveal that Fred Austin, age 17, the son of Franklin & Gertrude (Quick) Austin, died on July 4, 1882 and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[71] Sisters, Marian and Helen “Nellie” Bristol, were cousins of Henry Brown

[72] Michigan death records reveal that William Wightman died July 6, 1883, however FindAGrave.com gives his year of death as 1882, which agrees with Luke’s diary entry, and shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[73] Michigan death records show that James Goodrich, age 33, died in the asylum in Kalamazoo County, Michigan on July 8, 1883; however, FindAGrave.com gives his year of death as 1882, which agrees with Luke’s diary entry, and shows he is buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Comstock, Michigan

[74] Neighbor, Emaline (Stone) Ralph

[75] Etc.

[76] Neighbor, and half-brother of Martin Milham (see footnote for March 5^th entry)

[77] His granddaughter, Lela Brown

[78] Michigan marriage records show that Alice Bell Beckwith married Richard Wesley Wells in Galesburg, Michigan on July 25, 1882; Alice was the daughter of neighbors Ezra & Amelia (Anderson) Beckwith

[79] Neighbor, Nathan L. Randall

[80] Jessie Crawford, the daughter of Luke’s brother-in-law, Hiram & Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford

[81] Neighbor, Laura (Rawson) Streator, the wife of Marius O. Streator (see footnote to February 9^th entry)

[82] Michigan death records reveal that Orrin Patterson, 70, died of pneumonia in Comstock on August 10, 1882. FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[83] Mary (Smith) Flanders, wife of Edwin Flanders

[84] His brother-in-law and family: Hiram & Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford, and their children, Harry, Jessie and Blanche

[85] Nickname for Hiram

[86] Edwin, Mary, Mabel and Wilbur Flanders

[87] Possibly Catherine’s granddaughter, Clara Milham, the daughter of Martin & Lucy (Lee) Milham

[88] Nellie (Underwood) Stanford

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

[90] Other things

[91] Edmund Chase, Henry Brown’s uncle

[92] A type of sled for moving heavy objects such as stones or hay bales

[93] Adelbert R. Skinner

[94] Angeline Clark, the mother of Luke’s daughter Lois’s first husband, Byron Clark. Unable to confirm date or place of death

[95] Michigan death records confirm that William Blass died in Comstock on October 6, 1882. His cause of death was listed as softening of the brain. FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Lawler Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan

[96] D.D. Harris’ sister

[97] Michigan death records confirm that John S. Allen died in Comstock on October 12, 1882 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[98] Nickname for his wife Sarah

[99] A long, flat strip of squared wood or metal used to hold something in place or as a fastening against a wall

[100] Lucy (Lee) Milham’s nickname

[101] Gertrude Irene Milham

[102] Michigan death records confirm that John N. McClary died in Detroit, Michigan on October 20, 1882 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[103] Shelbyville, Michigan

[104] The long shaft between which an animal is fastened when pulling a wagon

[105] Michigan death records confirm that David Powlison died in Comstock, Michigan on November 15, 1882 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[106] Ambrose & Lydia (Turner) Milham. Ambrose and James Milham (see footnote to July 15^th entry) were brothers and they were half-brothers to Martin Milham

[107] FindAGrave.com shows that James Nobles died in Pavilion, Genesee County, New York on November 27, 1882 and is buried in Maplewood Cemetery, also in Pavilion. James was a cousin of Luke’s wife Sarah

[108] Neighbor, Mary Ann “Mate” (Thompson) Ford

[109] FindAGrave.com reveals that Charles Dibble died November 28, 1882 and is buried in Cook Cemetery, Pavilion, Michigan

[110] The daughter of James Milham (see footnote to July 15^th entry) & Ellen Adams

Luke Keith’s 1881 Diary

1881 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.[1]

Jan 1 – Went over to Burg[2] in morning Evening. Bot sack Buckwheat flour.

Jan 2 – Went down to Marts[3] in afternoon. Not so very cold. Ed Hoges came over to see Pete.[4]

Jan 3 – Carried Sarah[5] down to Mrs Browns[6] to help Butcher, they no Butcher some. I went down just at night got 4 four bushels wheat.

Jan 4 – Received a letter from Mrs Whitmore of Cal-a. Carried Sarah down to Mrs Browns, they Butchered. Carried wheat to mill. Mrs Betts[7] went over to Nancys[8] to see Doctor, she saw him some.

Jan 5 – Jim[9] commenced work for Harry Streator.[10] He took Pete with him. Went over to Burg in afternoon to see Nancy. Old Mrs Ralph came here. Extracted two teeth for Mr Ralph.

Jan 6 – Went over to Burg. Got county order. Not much done only chores.

Jan 7 – Cold and some Blustring. Drawed six loads wood and chored round. Alfleda[11] sick unto life, me spec so sum.

Jan 8 – Mercury one below zero at seven Am. Not much done but chores. Went over to Burg in Evening got oil. Nancy some better.

Jan 9 – At home all day. Mercury 4 below zero in morning. Very good sleighing about 4 inches snow. Alfleda sick. Hannah[12] over to Nancys.

Jan 10 – Drawed two loads wood in forenoon. Mercury 18 B. Went over to burg in afternoon. Old Mrs Stannard buried to day. Dee Dee Harris[13] left on night train for Phoenix.[14]

Jan 11 – Went down to Browns in morning. Mercury 4 below zero.

Jan 12 – Mercury 10 below zero. Worked in shop on patterns.

Jan 13 – Worked in shop on patterns.

Jan 14 – Worked in shop on patterns. Catharine[15] came up stayed all night.

Jan 15 – Carried Mrs Betts over to Hoags. Worked on patterns. Sarah, Katharine and Ethan[16] went over to burg in Eve.

Jan 16 – Mercury 2 below zero in morning. took down Went down to Katharines carried her home.

Jan 17 – Worked on patterns in afternoon. Cleaned out stovepipe in forenoon.

Jan 18 – Carried Sarah over to burg in morning went after her at night. Mrs Dick Barber[17] very sick.

Jan 19 – W^m Batt called here. Filed crosscut saw for Ayres Raymond. Strait here. I worked on patterns in afternoon. Charley, Mate and Tamer[18] here in Evening.

Jan 20 – Worked on patterns. Finished core Box. Mr Knapp came over. Ethan and Sarah went over to burg in Evening. Took Lelah[19] home.

Jan 21 – Worked some on patterns. Turned 33 pump tops for Theodore.[20] Hawley turned the Lathe. Barber[21] came over.

Jan 22 – Worked on patterns all day. George Barber[22] came over to see patterns. Mrs Barber some better to day.

Jan 23 – At home. Julia and Alvin Lee[23] here. Sarah and Mrs Betts went down to A. Browns[24] with them when they went home. Good Sleighing.

Jan 24 – Snowey day. Raised the Lathe Power in fore noon. Chored round. Cut some wood in afternoon. Yound Doc Upjohn[25] called here.

Jan 25 – Snowey. Went over to burg in morning took Hannah over. Hung ax for Mr W^m Batt. Snowey day very good sleighing.

Jan 26 – Worked round chored &c.[26]

Jan 27 – Cut wood in forenoon drawed two loads in afternoon. Went over to burg after Hannah.

Jan 28 – Worked on patterns. Pleasant, good sleighing.

Jan 29 – Made door for Alfledas Room. Carried Sarah over to Burg in Evening. Mrs Holcomb Died to night.

Jan 30 – Rial French came here. I went down to Katharines, Rial went down with me. Went over after Sarah.

Jan 31 – Cut wood in forenoon drawed wood in afternoon. Carried Hannah down to A Browns. Ethan went up to Staffords.

Feb 1 – Very Blustrous day. Went over to Burg in morning Bot one Barrel Salt $135 cts. Brot Mrs Browns Sister Margaret[27] over took her down to Browns.

Feb 2 – Made stall for for the Cow in west End of stable. Very cold.

Feb 3 – Cut oak tree in road up towards the corner. Made wash bench in Evening. Claud[28] here. Mercury 11 below zero in Evening.

Feb 4 – Very cold mercury 22 Abz.[29] Went up in woods. Cut wood in forenoon, drawed wood.

Feb 5 – Chored around. Carried Mrs Betts over to Burg in afternoon.

Feb 6 – Went over to Burg in Evening after Mrs Betts. Went down to Mrs Browns in Evening.

Feb 7 – Nancys girl Born this morning about five oclock. Rainy day. Name Bessey Ray.[30] Rainy day. Jim stayed home to cut wood, no cut some.

Feb 8 – Went over to Burg in morning. Rainy. Cut and drawed some wood.

Feb 9 – Don nodings[31] all day cept went up to valley garden got some cabbage 85 heads one cet pr head. Rainy day rained hard in night.

Feb 10 – Rainy. Fan calved a Bull clf about half past Eight this morning.

Feb 11 – Carried Sarah and Mrs Betts over to the burg in morning. Hawley chopping. I chopped in afternoon cut up two trees on hill. Very icy.

Feb 12 – Cut Road to wood that Hawley and I cut in fore noon. Drawed four loads wood in afternoon. Went over to Burg in Evening after Sarah. Mrs Betts no come home. Old Mr York died to day.[32]

Feb 13 – Cold and Blustring. Jim home a while. Harry went to church.

Feb 14 – Worked on patterns for Strait worked 7 hours.

Feb 15 – Worked in shop on patterns worked 7 hours.

Feb 16 – Worked in shop on patterns worked 7½ hours. Whiting got the calf.

Feb 17 – Worked on spider pattern. Bot fence lock. Ed Wilcot[33] came here stayed all night. Snowed in the night.

Feb 18 – Snowing like fun.[34] Ethan carried Ed down to Marts. I went over to Burg in Evening. Whiting paid for the calf.

Feb 19 – Split wood and chored around in fore noon drawed four loads wood in afternoon. Some cold.

Feb 20 – At home all day. No one here.

Feb 21 – Drawed four loads wood. Worked worked in shop some.

Feb 22 – Worked on spider in forenoon. Charley Town[35] filed his saw. Barber drawed some corn. Made frame for picture for Mr Jackson.

Feb 23 – Worked on patterns in forenoon 1½ hour. Charley Clark[36] came over in afternoon.

Feb 24 – Worked round house and shop. Charley Clark came over here.

Feb 25 – Worked in shop some. Went over after Clara Clark.[37] Jeddadiah Walker of Covington Genesee Co N.Y. died to day Ae. 71 Years.[38]

Feb 26 – Worked round sawed some wood. Got 31 Heads cabbage of Herbert Earl[39] got them out of the snow.

Feb 27 – At home all day. Rainy day. Charley and Clarra here.

Feb 28 – No work much to day. Charley and Jim choped some. Marvin Pond called here in afternoon.

Mar 1 – Chored round. No do much work some where.

Mar 2 – Cleaned out Barn. Spected load straw, he no cum. Charley went over to burg. Jim let me have twelve shillings.[40]

Mar 3 – Some thunder and Lightning, snows like fun. Harry Streator Brot load straw. I went down to Streators in afternoon got four bushels wheat paid $2.00 on it.

Mar 4 – Lois,[41] Charley and Clara and Ina[42] went up to Mr Lemuel Bronsons. Mr O. D. Schram Died this morning.[43] Old Mrs Thomas Died this Evening.[44]

Mar 5 – Went up to Howlands to mill in forenoon. Snowes like fun.

Mar 6 – At home all day. Lois and Charleys folks came back to day. Very Pleasant day. Mr O. D. Schram Buried to day.

Mar 7 – Went over to Burg in morning got boards plain for Jules cradle.[45] Made cradle. Charles, Lois and Clarra went down to Marts. Old Mrs Thomas Buried to day.

Mar 8 – Chored round drawed some wood. Carried Lois and Hannah up to Mr Flanders.[46]

Mar 9 – Sarah went down to Mrs Browns. I brot cradle back cut it off one foot, took it back. Charly went to Kalamazoo.

Mar 10 – Carried Lois, Hannah and Louese,[47] Clarra down to Mrs Browns in morning.

Mar 11 – Not very well. Mrs Browns Auction to day. Cold wind. Mr J. D. Adams died this morning.[48]

Mar 12 – Snows like fun very Blustrous. Lois and Ina went home to day.

Mar 13 – Went down to Katharines went with sleigh.

Mar 14 – Cut down cherrytree East of house. Charley and Ethan cut it. Filed crosscut saw for Harry Streator 25 bucksaw for N. L. Randall[49] 15¢.

Mar 15 – At home all day not much done. Charley left for Jackson. Mrs Woolcuts Auction to day.

Mar 16 – Hawley chopped wood for me to day. I got out rim for Hawleys wheel.

Mar 17 – Choped wood to day. Hawley worked with us cut two large trees. Filed saw for Will Brown.[50] Set saw for Mr Taylor. Mrs Isaac Cory Died.[51]

Mar 18 – Chored round. Sawed some blocks of the cherry tree.

Mar 19 – Stormy day snowed and rained all day.

Mar 20 – Some snow some rain. Hannah came home. Will Brown went over after Hank[52] and Nancy.

Mar 21 – Not much work done to day. Henry[53] came home to day went up to Mr Flanders in Evening.

Mar 22 – Went over to Burg in afternoon. Got our pictures taken for Henry.

Mar 23 – Went over to burg got pictures taken.

Mar 24 – Em Daken married to night at home. Sawed out stuff for herbs stuff for frames. Net Rowland married to night.[54] Henry and Florence Stahl married this Evening.[55]

Mar 25 – Dressed out stuff for frames. Henry and Florence here to day. Pleasant day muddy as fury. Mrs Betts went over to burg with Ed Flanders.[56]

Mar 26 – Finished Herbs frames. Henry and wife went to Kalamazoo in Evening.

Mar 27 – At home all day. Sold Jim my glass. Ethan, Hannah and Louese went down to Katharines. Stella and Mary[57] went down.

Mar 28 – Choring round. Snow most all gone off. Went over to burg in Evening got money for Alfleda on order.

Mar 29 – Pleasant morning sun came out nice. Mr David Snow Died to day at Pavilion NY Ae. 88 years.

Mar 30 – At home no work to day not very well. Snow fell about 3 inches not very cold thawes some. Ethan went over to burg to send letter to West.[58]

Mar 31 – Drawed some wood on sleigh. Went down to Mrs Browns.

Apr 1 – Worked in shop some. Not very cold. Mrs Lankford Burdick Died this morning.[59] Snow running some.

Apr 2 – Nell had a calf this morning. Ethan went to Kalamazoo to pay L. C. West $25.00 for patent which Henry agreed to pay.

Apr 3 – Carried Sarah and Mrs Betts over to Mrs Burdick funeral. Snowed like fun not very cold. Went over after them towards night.

Apr 4 – Went over to town meeting. Cold wind.

Apr 5 – Worked round shop and house some.

Apr 6 – Went over to burg. Sarah and Mrs Betts went over to see the Bramah girl.

Apr 7 – Chored round. Sarah washed to day I helped make water. Charley Town got hurt to day by a lim falling from a Tree.

Apr 8 – Pleasant morning. Worked in shop some.

Apr 9 – Went up in woods in morning. Cut road. Drawed load wood. Went over to burg after Nancy. Harry got Nells calf.

Apr 10 – Jim and Nancy went down to Katharines. Jesse Earl[60] called in here he was going over to see Charley Town. He got hurt by a lim of a tree.

Apr 11 – Went over to burg in morning. Sold Nell to Mrs Brown Will took her a way. Katharine and Hannah and Lou[61] came home. Snowed in night.

Apr 12 – Drawed load wood on sleigh this morning. Carried Sarah over to Nancys. Went over after them in Evening. Sarah went and Stayed with Jule all night.

Apr 13 – Mr Schuyler husking corn over in Browns lot. Carried Katharine home in afternoon. Pleasant day. Harry Streator brot Mrs Betts ½ cord wood.

Apr 14 – Chored round. Went over to burg.

Apr 15 – Snowed and rained. Drawed load wood. Carried Hannah and Lou to the burg in Evening. Henry sent Sarah 3 Dollars.

Apr 16 – Had a big run after the cow. She got in a darn Bulling Scrape. Lois and Dell[62] came stayed all night.

Apr 17 – Lois and Dell went home. Rainy morning rainy afternoon. Mrs Ellen Milham Died in night.[63]

Apr 18 – Went over to burg in forenoon. Lucy[64] and children came up. Went up to Jims.[65]

Apr 19 – Pleasant morning. Went to Ellen Milhams Funeral. She was buried in Oak Grove Cemetry.

Apr 20 – Very pleasant day. Drawed some wood. Got some boards of Theodore 60 feet Beech boards.

Apr 21 – Made Sparagrass ro bed set one hundred roots. Ethan took Lous trunk over to burg in Evening.

Apr 22 – Pleasant morning. Lou went to Chicago[66] went on 9.9 train AM. Alfleda went down to Bloomingdale.[67] Nice day. Julia Allen died eight oclock this Evening.[68]

Apr 23 – Carried Mrs Betts over to Burg. Went down to Browns after Sarah.

Apr 24 – Julia Allen Buried to day. Very hot day. Mrs Hicks of Battlecreek officiated.

Apr 25 – Went over to burg to see Dick Lamkins to get him to plow. He sick. Went up to Erve Halls got him and John Isherwood. Got out manure some. Erve went down to Streators.

Apr 26 – Erve and John commenced plowing. I got out manure. Fine day.

Apr 27 – Pleasant. Boys are plowing. Got out manure.

Apr 28 – Went down to Streators to get Drill. Got out some manure. Mr Simmons raised Barn. Got Mr Simmons Drill.

Apr 29 – Boys sowed oats and clover seed. Fine day. Finished sowing.

Apr 30 – Went down to streators. Carried Oats and Bags home. Got some potatoes of Mrs Brown. Hank, Nancy & Hannah went to Kalamazoo to show.

May 1 – Made casket for Ida Lees Baby. Will Johnson carried it down. Ethan and Jim went up to Staffords to see Steamer Lacell start for Battle Creek.

May 2 – Chored round. Drawed some wood. Went over to Burg took Back clover seed. Bot 3 bushels & 15 lbs wheat of Mrs Brown took it to mill.

May 3 – Worked round house and garden. Carried Hannah up to Jesse Earls. Got my grist. Sowed sum grass seed round East lot. Mart came up with colt. Had Bill[69] to go up to Jims.

May 4 – Carried Mrs Betts over to cars she go to Chicago. Cool wind. Fred came up got Bill to Plow left Caty. I went over to Burg after Sarah drove Caty. Burnt brushheap in south lot.

May 5 – Cloudy morning. Worked round house and garden.

May 6 – Spread manure in garden. Took up carpets helped round house. Ethan painted bedroom.

May 7 – Took up carpet in grannys[70] room put it down in our bedroom. Sarah and Ethan papered bedroom. Very hot Mercury 105 in sun at 2 oclock. Went down to Marts stayed all night.

May 8 – At Marts some. Hot day. Came home at night. Rained som ledle not much.

May 9 – Went over to burg got some cloverseed sowed it. M. O. Streator[71] plowed East garden. Hank traded of Caty Bine Durgy Cat Mrs Browns colt. Streator, Fred and Mrs Summers Father here during shower. Fine shower in Evening. Theodore and Bools[?] called.

May 10 – Cloudy some sprinkle in morning. Worked round house and garden took fence down south side orchard.

May 11 – Worked round garden and chored round generally &c.

May 12 – Went over to burg. Worked round house. Very hot some.

May 13 – Carried Sarah down to Mrs Browns to do some coloring. Went over to Burg bot tun Plaster of Ira Rogers $5.00 paid for the same. Mrs Brown paid $7.50 on heifer.

May 14 – Cleaned out cellar in forenoon. Hot day.

May 15 – Hank and Jim had Bill to go to Hickory corners. Jesse Earl and I went down to Marst after some Elicornpane.[72]

May 16 – John Isherwood and Erve Hall plowed my corn ground four acres $4.00 $1.60 cts back on oats. Put cow into Herbs pasture.

May 17 – Got Caty Brown and the float went over my corn ground. Mr Ford, John McNaughten covering J. T. Allertons[73] Barns.

May 18 – Marked my corn ground one way and part of it the other. Mrs Hank Potts[74] and Mrs John Freeer[75] here visiting to day. Hot dry.

May 19 – Finished marking my corn ground in fore noon. Went down to Mrs Browns got some seed corn. Jim planting corn finished planting before night.

May 20 – Planted some potatoes. Chored round. Mr Fisher came after Hannah just at night. Very dry.

May 21 – Thomas A. Scott Died to night. Went down to Mrs Browns got some potatoes brot sewing machine home. Ethan and I planted potatoes plowed a patch for Burbank Potatoes. Cow gone to night.

May 22 – Cow came home this morning. Hot & dry. I went up by Mr Ralphs. Wheelers and Flanders and Streators called at Browns. Arthur and Kit[76] there.

May 23 – Planted my Burbank potatoes. Erve & John sowed plaster on the oats. Very Hot and dry.

May 24 – Carried Sarah and Hannah over to Burg in morning went after them in Evening. Mary Fisher called here. Kate Cummings Died to day.[77] Hot and dry. Sent Dutch Cheese to Kate C.

May 25 – Hot morning. Fixed up Grape vine. Went over to burg at noon after Mrs Betts she came on one oclock train. Went over got 300 lbs salt $1.05.

May 26 – Very hot. Cut off rails to Hat Taylors Bedstead in fore noon. Kate Cummings buried to day. To hot for me to work out. Daniel Raymond Died to day in South Warsaw Wyoming County N.Y.

May 27 – Chored round. Very hot and dry.

May 28 – Drawed brush and chunks of wood up in woods and drawed 3 loads wood.

May 29 – Carried Mrs Betts over to church. Went up to D. J. Harts to see Lois. Mercury 105 in sun.

May 30 – Sowed plaster on corn in forenoon. Jim carried Sarah over to burg in morning. Cow got out lot. Went over to burg in Evening after Sarah, Mrs Betts and Hannah. Decoration day. Gefired hot.

May 31 – Cloudy morning. Finished sowing Plaster on corn ground. Very hot had a glorious rain rained all night.

Jun 1 – Some ledle rain this morning. Worked round. Got cabbage and tomotoe plants set them.

Jun 2 – Planted in corn. Very hot. Rained in night.

Jun 3 – Went over to Burg in morning after Lois. Worked on road in forenoon planted in corn in afternoon.

Jun 4 – Warm morning. Lois here. Went over to burg after Lois she came over stayed all night.

Jun 5 – Carried Mrs Betts Betts over to burg. Lois came over with Hank. Hank and Nancy went to Kalamazoo. Went over after Mrs Betts.

Jun 6 – Went over to burg after cultivator. Cultivated corn in afternoon. Rained all night. 44 years to day I started for Mich.[78]

Jun 7 – Rainy morning. Hank gone to Lawton.[79] Went down to Mrs Browns got some potatoes.

Jun 8 – Made cultivator frames for Herb Earl. Cool day. Ann McLellen Died ½ past nine P.M.

Jun 9 – Went down to Mrs Browns after boards to make Box for Jules Bureau. Edna Allen[80] came up on noon train went back on 9.

Jun 10 – Cultivated corn south of orchard. Ethan cultivated garden. Charley Town moving his Barn.

Jun 11 – Finished cultivating in forenoon. Worked on box in afternoon. Mrs Betts went over to burg to sell stove.

Jun 12 – At home all day. Ethan and Hannah went down to Marts. Rained in night some thunder. Ann McLellen Buried to day.

Jun 13 – Nice morning. Plastered corn. Ethan went over after Mrs Betts she no come no find him.

Jun 14 – No work to day not much. Went over to burg after Mrs Betts got him. Finished Mrs Browns Box.

Jun 15 – Went over to the burg Bot Paris Green. Carried Box down to Mrs Browns got Bureau down. Cultivated corn in afternoon sum. Back very much lame.

Jun 16 – Went down to Mrs Browns in morning. Nailed up Box sent it of to Iowa. Cultivated corn in forenoon. Very hot day. Ethan and Nancy went over to Burg in Evening.

Jun 17 – Fred Billington cultivated corn all day he finished one way.

Jun 18 – Plowed out Burbank potatoes hoed in garden sum. Hank and Claud came from Lawton. took Hank & Nancy down to Mrs Browns.

Jun 19 – Took Hank & Nancy down to Mrs Browns in morning. Hank cut my Hair. Jim and Bill went to Gull Lake.

Jun 20 – Worked round house and garden shop some. went up to Mr Flanders got some wheat.

Jun 21 – Worked in shop some on cradle. Went to mill.

Jun 22 – Mended Caywoods cradle. Carried Nancy down to Mrs Browns.

Jun 23 – Cultivated corn all day.

Jun 24 – Will Brown cut grass in forenoon I raked it up in afternoon.

Jun 25 – Rainy morning. Nancy went to Lawton on one oclock run. Mrs Brown and Mrs Cook[81] came home from Allegan on one oclock train.

Jun 26 – At home all day. Warm day. Put up my hay.

Jun 27 – Chored round. Turned out Break for wind mill.

Jun 28 – Very hot day. Went over to burg in morning after medicine. Mrs Brown and Mrs Cook here in afternoon. Mrs Cook left for Home[82] on night train.

Jun 29 – Had shower this morning Early. I bunched up my hay cocks before the shower. The Willard Tower on Paw Paw Hill Blowed down this morning.

Jun 30 – Will Brown finished cutting my grass in forenoon. The Propeller Lacelle passed here about ten oclock on her way to Long Lake. Captain Strait and Enginere Austin on Board.

Jul 1 – Went over to Burg in morning bot Rake 25 finished Raked up my Hay in afternoon. The folks ____ went up to Mr Ralphs.

Jul 2 – Went over to Burg in morning bot Rake 25 cts. Drawed in my Hay in afternoon.

Jul 3 – Jim took Mrs Betts over to burg. Sarah and I went down to Katharines. Mart and John drawed hay. I raked after the wagon &c. Berness Clark Died to day.

Jul 4 – Ethan took Hannah over to burg. Mrs Betts came home. Cows got of the lot went and got them back. Mrs Earl paid 40 cts for mending chair.

Jul 5 – Chored round. Very hot. Hoed some.

Jul 6 – Not very well. Hot and dry. Charley Town repairing Barn these days.

Jul 7 – Worked round picking Potatoe bugs. Rainy day.

Jul 8 – Worked round garden hoed some. So hot not so much.

Jul 9 – Not much work. Very hot day. Charley Town cutting wheat.

Jul 10 – At home. Hot as Blazes. Katharine, Clara and George[83] came up.

Jul 11 – Mrs Betts had a bad spell this morning. Carried Hannah down to Mrs Browns in afternoon.

Jul 12 – Very hot Mercury 112 in sun at nine am. Mate Ford[84] had a Boy this morning.[85] Strait came over.

Jul 13 – Went to Kalamazoo after Harry he came on the 1.38 Express.

Jul 14 – Took cow to Bull this morning. Repaired fence on river. Worked on Herb Earls cultivator some. Went down to Mrs Browns. Bessey sick.

Jul 15 – Worked on Herbs cultivators put the big one together. Went down to see Bessey in afternoon she got measles. Carried frames down. Deacon Havens Died.[86]

Jul 16 – Worked round. Finished Herbs cultivators. Filed saw for Theodore. Went over to burg in Evening bot Linnen pants 1.25 cts. Bot Oil Stove for Katharine Price $11.00 Eleven Dollars .

Jul 17 – Carried Katharines Stoves down to them. Deacon Jesse Havens buried to day.

Jul 18 – Worked in garden some hoed, plowed potatoes

Jul 19 – Worked in corn. Hot day.

Jul 20 – Worked in corn in forenoon. Turned out Steeples for Charley Towns Barn. Calvin turned the Lathe. Rainy afternoon. Mabel Powers Died.[87]

Jul 21 – Worked round. Barnums Show in Kalamazoo.

Jul 22 – Hank, Ethan, Nancy and Hannah went to Battlecreek to the great show. Mabel Powers buried to day. Worked some on Door frame.

Jul 23 – Worked on door frame some. Went over to Burg got Bolts one ¼ inch auger one small file 38 cts.

Jul 24 – Hank came over and got Bill to go up to Tip Towns.

Jul 25 – Worked on Door frame. John commenced cutting the oats with Royes Reeper.

Jul 26 – Mrs Corkins came here. Finished Door frame. Mr Streator got his Door. The Boys cutting oats. Bill Schroder put his Binder in just at night.

Jul 27 – Hoed potatoes in south lot. Dick finished cutting oats in forenoon. Put Rocker on Lelahs chair.

Jul 28 – Not very well. Went over to Burg got some Bolts to put in cross bar to Buggy thills[88] put them in.

Jul 29 – Repaired Theodores tacle Block in afternoon. Dick Lamkins and D. Wit Olin Drawed in the oats. Fine day.

Jul 30 – Sarah, Mrs Betts and Hannah went down to Mrs Browns in afternoon. I tinkered up one wheel to the wagon. Harry, Mr Rawson and Jim went to Gull Lake fishing.

Jul 31 – At Home. Warm day. I went in swimming to day. Had Geen corn for Dinner.

Aug 1 – Went over to Burg in afternoon to see Horse Show Professor Bristol.

Aug 2 – Chored round. Went over to Towns. Filed two saws for Charley Town set one for Mr Taylor. Went over to Burg in Evening.

Aug 3 – Tore up some things round the back stoop fixing to put in new sill. Went down to Mrs Browns to get wagon to hall my lumber on we get him. Augusta Burnt this morning.

Aug 4 – Worked round house in shop some. Went over to Burg in forenoon got stock timber for sill to back stoop and some boards &c.

Aug 5 – Barber helped put in sill and cleaned the old Rubbish. Very hot day Mercury in shade. Ethan and Sarah went over to Burg in Evening.

Aug 6 – Rainy morning. No work on cistern to day. Went up Theodores got stick for sill.

Aug 7 – Went down to Alvin Lees in afternoon. Took Nancy home in Evening.

Aug 8 – Went over to burg with W^m Ralph he brot over two Barrels lime, one stone, one water, Stone $1.15 cts, water 2.00. Went over got Mrs Betts.

Aug 9 – Ethan carried Mrs Betts over to burg in morning. Barber to work on cistern. I drawed two loads sand.

Aug 10 – Barber to work on cistern. Fine day. I draw sand &c.

Aug 11 – Barber to work on cistern. I draw sand &c. Went over to burg at night after children. Hank and Nancy gone to Battle Creek.

Aug 12 – Went over to burg in morning got one bunch shingles 50 cts. Myself, Barber and Ethan shingled Back Stoop. Went over in Evening got more lime. Joh Cary Died. Joh Cary Died to day.[89]

Aug 13 – Worked on cistern plastered wall to cistern.

Aug 14 – At home all day. Jim and Harry went to Goguac Lake to Spiritual Camp Meeting.[90]

Aug 15 – Put the water Lime cement on cistern. I went over to Burg got plank to cover cistern $1.75 cts

Aug 16 – Worked round. Leveled the dirt round house. Bessy sick.

Aug 17 – Worked round house. Went over to burg at noon to see if I could get floor boards Planed some day. Put Evetrough[91] through well house.

Aug 18 – Worked round house, cistern and oderdings.[92]

Aug 19 – Worked round on cistern. Put in joists.

Aug 20 – Leveled up joists put down some floor. Louese and Jesse[93] came on noon train.

Aug 21 – Daniel Whitmore came. Hannah and Jim went to Goguac Lake to Spiritual Camp Meeting. Fine day.

Aug 22 – Mrs Sarah Ralph died to day.[94] Went down to Katharines in morning with Daniel. Mart thrashing to Smiths. Mamy Young Died.[95] Hank, Nancy and Hannah came home on noon train. Carried Daniel over to Hanks. He goes on the 9 oclock run.

Aug 23 – Laid some floor in back room. Went up to mill got pump.

Aug 24 – Laying floor. Took pump back to get it finished.

Aug 25 – Went down to M O Streators. Got five bushels wheat took it to mill. Went over to burg in Evening 11 doz ½ eggs 12¢ pr doz.

Aug 26 – Worked round house laid some floor. Theodore put in cistern pump.

Aug 27 – Put up the Doors and some partition. Went over to burg in morning after Nancy. Ethan carried Mrs Betts over to burg.

Aug 28 – At home all day. Harry Streator called here just at night got some mellon. Mrs Brown came up in Evening. Mrs Hartwell died this morn.

Aug 29 – Put down threshhold to well room door. Chored round. Went over to burg in Evening got joists for back stoop. Mrs Betts came home. Sent Alfledas trunk of.[96] Old Mrs Hartwell buried to day.

Aug 30 – Worked round put joists in back stoop. Cleaned up Barn floor.

Aug 31 – Thrashers here thrashed oats had 206 bushels. Put straw in Barn in afternoon.

Sep 1 – Jim came down and helped put in straw. Raind some. Got it all in in forenoon. Jim and Harry cut some corn. Amos Rogers girl died.[97]

Sep 2 – Put down floor on back stoop. Harry[98] and Jesse went home to day went on the 11.11 run AM.

Sep 3 – Worked on floor sum. Made trap doors to cistern. Lelah here. Hank came over got oil stove. Claud stayes all night.

Sep 4 – Had a time with granny this morning she got mad as a Cheshier Cat. Sarah and I went down to Katharines. Rained a little in morning.

Sep 5 – Very hot and dry Mercury 105 at noon in shade.

Sep 6 – Went to Kalamazoo after Frank & Hatty.[99] Very hot day. They stayed with Katharine all night.

Sep 7 – Mart brot Frank & Hat up to day. Mart stayed to dinner. Bessy very sick.

Sep 8 – Frank & Hatty left for Concord on the one oclock train. Will Brown commenced plowing to day for wheat in west lot. Hanks folks came over. Bessey sick.

Sep 9 – Worked round house and garden.

Sep 10 – Worked in shop some and chored round.

Sep 11 – At home all day. Mart and Katharine came up here.

Sep 12 – Barber and I cut corn in forenoon. Barber had Bill in afternoon to draw some wood. E. K. Haviland Died to day Ae. 81.

Sep 13 – Cut some corn and chored round. Some hot. Jeneral Ambrose E. Burnside Died to day.[100]

Sep 14 – Went over to Burg after Mrs Powers she came over stayed all day carried her Home at night. Mrs Brown came up. I cut some corn. Nancy and children went down to Mrs Browns.

Sep 15 – Rainy morning. No work to day chored round.

Sep 16 – Cut some corn. Very dry and hard. M Nancy down to Mrs Browns. Bessy sick a gain.

Sep 17 – Cut corn. Theodore down here to try his Gun he nice gun some.

Sep 18 – Sarah down to Mrs Browns. Mrs Betts went over to Burg. Ethan and Jim went down to Alvin Lees.

Sep 19 – Finished Cutting corn in fore noon. Made gun rod for Theodore. Hannah went over to Nancys. James A. Garfield Died 10 Oclock this Evening.[101] Mrs Betts came home.

Sep 20 – Went over to burg in morning took Lou over. Ethan and Hannah went to Loises. Will Brown sowed wheat.

Sep 21 – Worked round stoop some chored round.

Sep 22 – Carried Sarah over to burg in morning. Sis[102] came back with me. Worked on back stoop.

Sep 23 – Worked in shop some. Cleaned some cranberry beans. Paired on some apples. Hot day. carrie

Sep 24 – Chored round. Mr Maffit and Andrew called here. Theodore got his gun rod. Carried Mrs Betts over to Burg.

Sep 25 – Hanks folks went up to John Freers.[103] Alvin and Julia came here. Ethan and Hannah came on the 11.11 train. Katharine and Lucy came up just at night. I went to Augusta with Mr Streator to hear Burnham lecture.

Sep 26 – Had a nice shower this morning. Carried Sarah over to Burg. She and Jim went to Grand Rappids to Mrs W^m Planks.[104] Carried Jim over they went on the one oclock run. James A. Garfield Buried to day.

Sep 27 – Husked come ledle corn.

Sep 28 – Got Shingles twelve Bunches $6.00. Nancy came over. Mrs Blake and Mrs Forbush here in afternoon. Put up stagen on west side.

Sep 29 – Cut old Back House down. Not much work to day.

Sep 30 – Had a nice shower in morning. Teacher called in whilst it rained.

Oct 1 – Not much work to day. Sarah and Jim came home on the One Oclock train.

Oct 2 – At home all day. Rainy day.

Oct 3 – Cloudy no rain yet. Fixed roof some. Ed came over after Lou. Nancy sick. Went over after Mrs Betts. Old Mrs Luddington Buried to day.[105]

Oct 4 – Not much done to day not very well.

Oct 5 – Very fine day frost this morning first of the season. Worked on Herbs lap boards. Went up to J. Ridlers and over to burg. Fanny Whiting buried.

Oct 6 – Went up in woods cut some steaks. Worked on Herbs Lap Boards.

Oct 7 – Finished Herbs big lap boards. Cut out stuff for two small ones.

Oct 8 – Rainy morning. Worked round drawed two loads wood. Theodore and Alvin Holmes here.

Oct 9 – Went to Kalamazoo to get midicine for A. R. Skinner.[106] Saw Jesse Turner.[107] He had just got Home from Massachusetts.

Oct 10 – Work on cros Head for Theodore. Dont feel very well some.

Oct 11 – Made Herbs small Lap boards. Pleasant day. Ethan changed Mr Knapps Wheel. Bina Earl[108] here in afternoon. Em Allen[109] came stayed all night. Rainy night.

Oct 12 – Filed three saws for Erastus Stuart three for my self. Herb got his Lap boards. Em Allen went home in Evening. Very warm. Mrs Harry Rowland Died.[110] Rainy night.

Oct 13 – Cloudy damp day. Went down to Mr Streators got five bush wheat.

Oct 14 – Ethan carried or rather took Louese up to Put Milhams. Rainy afternoon. Carried wheat to mill. Mrs Betts went over. Mrs Harry Rowland buried to day.

Oct 15 – Rainy. Went over to mill got my grist. Sarah went over to Nancys. I am 68 years old to day.

Oct 16 – At home rainy. Hanks folks came over to Mrs Browns. I Killed Rooster. Went down to Marts in Evening very much dark.

Oct 17 – Rainy. Went over to burg. Filed saw for chroder & Olin.

Oct 18 – Went over to burg in forenoon took Hannah over. Nancy sick. Drawed some wood.

Oct 19 – Worked round at various kinds of work.

Oct 20 – Chored round until about 11 oclock then carried Sarah down to Katharines. They went to Bloomingdale to see Alfleda.

Oct 21 – Commenced shingling west leanto. Pleasant day.

Oct 22 – Finished shingling west side. Fine day.

Oct 23 – Took Mrs Betts over to burg. Nancy came over took Nancy home at night. Rainy. Mrs Betts came back.

Oct 24 – Rainy day. Went down to Marts after Sarah. Mart went to Kalamazoo after Katharine & Sarah got back 7 Evening. Stayed all night.

Oct 25 – Came home this morning. Went up to Ridlers he drew down load wood for Mrs Betts. Hannah and Lou went down to Mrs Browns.

Oct 26 – Pleasant. Drawed load wood. Put up stagen East side House.

Oct 27 – Shingled part of East wing. Put hair in two violin Bows for Ephraim Earl.[111]

Oct 28 – Put top on my new violin. Rainy day. Earl got his Bows they Play at Mr Maloneys to night.

Oct 29 – Chored round not much done. To wet to husk corn no shingle some nother. Earl brot violin Bow to put Hair in. Hank and Nancy stayed all night.

Oct 30 – Put Hair in bow and varnished new violin. Jim and Louese went down to Katharines.

Oct 31 – Not very cold. Patched corn House roof. Earl got his Bow.

Nov 1 – Jim and Will Brown drawed corn. Nice day. Ethan making machine for Hanks camry.[112]

Nov 2 – Patching cornhouse and Barn Roofs.

Nov 3 – Rainy day. Got new corn ground. Old cow over to Burg. Snowed some in night.

Nov 4 – Not much done to day. Snowey day about 3 inches snow very sloppy mud and water.

Nov 5 – Chored round as usual. Took Mrs N. B. Betts over to Burg brot Lelah back. Nancy and Claud went to Lois Skinners.

Nov 6 – At home all day. Jim at home he is done work for Harry. Ethan went over after Mrs Betts. Pleasant day not cold.

Nov 7 – Cleaned out cornhouse and chored round. Went over to Burg. Nancy and Claud came on Evening Train.

Nov 8 – Went over to Burg Sarah went over stayed. Repaired windows. Mrs Betts went down to Mrs Browns. Rainy afternoon. Paid for the Galesburg Express.[113]

Nov 9 – Worked round husked some.

Nov 10 – Shingled East side House. Bot some Shingles of Charly Town. Lucy came up. Our Knives and forks came from Toledo.

Nov 11 – Mr Ira Clark died.[114] Patched roof some. Snowed like fun in forenoon. Lucy went to burg. Rained hard in afternoon and Evening. Mary Crawford[115] came here in rain.

Nov 12 – Nice pleasant morning. Drawed some wood. Mary Crawford went home over to Nancys stayed all night. O. M. and Edna[116] called here.

Nov 13 – Mr Ira Clark buried. Mary Crawford went home to day. Lucy went to Jim Milhams.[117] Mart came up after them. Jesse Earl called here this Evening to day. Stormy Evening.

Nov 14 – Jim and Will finished drawing wood. Got some cabbages of Herb. I do not much some to day husked som corn. Went over to burg came back with Hank. He had O. M.s Horse.

Nov 15 – Worked on road in forenoon. Patched roof some. Nice day. Ethan and Hannah went over to burg in Evening. I am 800 & 17 months old to day.

Nov 16 – Worked round husked some corn.

Nov 17 – Husked corn some. Sarah went down to Mrs Browns. I went after her. Rained so hard we stayed all night. Jim up to Skinners.

Nov 18 – Came home this morning. Husked corn. Snowed in afternoon. Rained in Evening.

Nov 19 – Not very pleasant morning some snow on the ground. Old Mrs Stone[118] died this morning Em Ralphs[119] mother Ae 82. Jim came home on noon run. Rough blustrous afternoon.

Nov 20 – Pleasant some snow on ground. At Home all day. Jim went down to Mr Franklins to go to school.

Nov 21 – Chored round Husked some corn repaired manger. Put armes in Wily Beeches chair.

Nov 22 – Old Mrs Stone was buried to day at McCains Corners. I went as one of the Pall bearers, James Milham, Oreb Williams, & Nathan L Randall.

Nov 23 – Got sleigh out of cornhouse. Went over to burg Lois and Will came on 11.11 train. Not much dun. Hannah went up to Fishers. Snowed some.

Nov 24 – Worked round husked some and chored round. Went over to Hanks to dinner.

Nov 25 – Not much done no particular work. Mr Carmer and wife came over Brot Mrs Bennet over.

Nov 26 – Went over to burg brot Nancy over. Carried her home in Evening. Mrs Bennet went over to County House in Evening.

Nov 27 – At home all day. Jim and Will Clark[120] went up to Demus Jabus Harts.[121]

Nov 28 – Pleasant morning. Old Mrs Isaac Mason Died this morning.[122] Husked corn some. Fine day. Mrs Betts had a Cotillion to day on the soup Ladle. Mrs Town[123] died 10 oclock P.M.

Nov 29 – Rainbow this morning no rain much. Took Lois over to Nancys. Took Mrs Betts over to Mrs Masons Funeral. Went over after her at night.

Nov 30 – Husked some corn chored round. Fine day. Lois, Will and Ina[124] here up to Harts. Old Mrs Ives[125] Died to day at Vicksburg.

Dec 1 – Mrs Town Buried to day. D. K. Rogers Died this morning.[126]

Dec 2 – Went over to Burg in morning got meal. Husked some. Nice day not very cold no snow. Lois and Ina here Will also.

Dec 3 – Drawed corn. Fine Day. Ethan, Lou, Jim and Will Clark went down to Mrs Browns.

Dec 4 – Ethan and Lou went down to Katharines. Lucy and Delpha[127] came up here. D. K. Rogers Buried to day.

Dec 5 – Worked round husked corn &c.

Dec 6 – Drawed in corn. Not very cold no snow.

Dec 7 – Went over to burg got Nancy. Finished drawing in corn. Mrs Allerton[128] here. Carried Nancy home in Evening. Broke the Buggy.

Dec 8 – Some colder. Filed saw for Rily French one for Win Ford.[129]

Dec 9 – Worked on cradle, filed saw, dressed out stuf for cradle.

Dec 10 – Worked on Lelahs cradle. Filed saw for Rily French not very cold. Lois and Will went down to Katharines stayed all night.

Dec 11 – At home all day. Finished Lelahs cradle. Lois and Will came home. Snow some rained hard in night.

Dec 12 – Filed saw for N. L. Randall. Husk some corn. Rained in Evening not very cold.

Dec 13 – Worked round. Carried Lois over to burg.

Dec 14 – Went over to Burg in morning Hannah went over. Lois went home. Lockhart fixed Buggy Ex and thill 75 cts.

Dec 15 – Will Clark chopping. I went down to Mrs Browns got two Bushels wheat carried it to mill 1.25 or 30 cts pr bushel.

Dec 16 – Choped some grubs Nice day. Will Clark chopping. Mr Abijah Ives Died to day Ae. 75 yrs.[130]

Dec 17 – Chopping grubbs. Fine day. Ethan went to Battle Creek. Jim went to Kalamazoo to see Uncle Toms cabbin played.

Dec 18 – At home all day. Ethan took Mrs Betts over to church. Lucy and Youngens[131] here. Very fine day.

Dec 19 – Cut grubs. Pleasant nice day no snow Indian summer weather.

Dec 20 – Made Pole for Ayers Raymond. Rained some. Went up to Mr Taylors to see table. Herb Earl brot table down to get made into an Extencin table.

Dec 21 – Worked on Gunstock. Husked some corn. Rainy day not very cold

Dec 22 – Went over to Burg to Milhams Auction. Rained all day. Bid of cutter for Ethan and Jim twenty five Dollars $25.00.

Dec 23 – Went over to Burg in morning. Mr Brownell brot cutter over. He came over after ceder Tree for Christmass tree. Husked some in afternoon. Will Clark went to Kalamazoo.

Dec 24 – Went over to burg in morning to see Milham. Paid tax $5.03. Herb Earl here. No work sum not much. Husked some. Carried Hannah over to burg at night theater at M. E. Church this Evening.

Dec 25 – At home. Jim carried Mrs Betts over to Burg. Hanks folks went down to Mrs Browns. Hank Brot Mrs Betts home. I got cider Pitcher and neck tye presented by Claud an Lelah.

Dec 26 – Went over to Burg gave note for cutter. Hannah went up to Mr Flanders this Evening.

Dec 27 – Will and I choped some. Rained in afternoon. Will went down to Franklins. Rainy night.

Dec 28 – Choped round repaired stable floor some. Ed Gillis married this Evening to Miss Ida Milham.[132]

Dec 29 – Repaired stable floor. Jim and Will Clark went up to Jim Milhams.

Dec 30 – Drawed some wood on sleigh in forenoon. Will Clark went to Gasper to day. Snowed some to day.

Dec 31 – Snowey day. Not much work to day not very well. Took top off new violin. About two inches snow.

Memoranda

Cure for cancer one pint Skoke Berry juice put into one pint whiskey

Hugh McKee Kalamazoo Box 485

——-

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

[2] Galesburg, Michigan

[3] Martin Milham, husband of Lucy Lee, daughter of his sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[4] Believe Pete might be his horse

[5] His third wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[6] Matilda (Allen) Brown, his daughter Nancy’s mother-in-law

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

[8] His daughter, Nancy (Keith) Brown

[9] His youngest son, James Keith

[10] Neighbor, Henry “Harry” Streator

[11] Alfleda (Starr) Keith, widow of his brother, Harvey Keith. Harvey died in 1851 and the 1880 census shows Alfleda living with Luke and his family

[12] His daughter, Hannah Keith

[13] Future husband of his daughter, Louese Keith

[14] Phoenix, Michigan, where the Harris family had a general store

[15] His sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee. Sometimes he spells her name with a C and other times with a K

[16] His son, Ethan Keith

[17] Neighbor, Mary (Knowles) Barber

[18] Neighbors, Charles G. Ford, his wife, Mary Ann (Thompson) Ford, and his sister, Mary Tamer Ford

[19] His granddaughter, Lela Brown, the daughter of Hank & Nancy

[20] His neighbor and “shirttail relative,” Theodore Earl

[21] Neighbor, Richard Barber

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

[23] Possibly Julia (Davis) Lee and her son, Alvin Lee. Julia (also known as Juliana), was married to Charles Lee, Luke’s first cousin

[24] Ambrose Brown, his daughter Nancy’s father-in-law; Ambrose died October 27, 1880

[25] “Young Doc Upjohn” referred to his neighbor, Henry Upjohn, who was the son of Dr. Norah Upjohn

[26] Etc.

[27] Margaret (Allen) Stinehart, Matilda (Allen) Brown’s sister

[28] Claude Brown, his daughter Nancy’s son

[29] Above zero

[30] His granddaughter, Bess Rae Recoschewitz

[31] Means perhaps “done nothing”

[32] Samuel J. York, father-in-law of his niece, Helen (Bradley) York

[33] Edward G. Wolcott, his maternal first cousin

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

[35] Charles Towne was Luke’s neighbor in Comstock; he would marry Luke’s daughter Hannah in 1891

[36] Charles Ira Clark, his daughter Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner’s son by her first husband, Byron Clark

[37] Charles Clark’s wife, Clara (Youngs) Clark

[38] FindAGrave.com records show that Jedediah Walker died on February 23, 1881 and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York

[39] Neighbor and “shirttail” relative

[40] A shilling was a coin of Colonial America and varied between 12¢ and 16¢

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

[42] His granddaughter, Ina Skinner, Lois’ daughter by her second husband, Adelbert Skinner

[43] FindAGrave.com records confirm that Orrin David Schram died on March 4, 1881 and that he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[44] Oak Grove Cemetery records show that Jane (Havens) Thomas, the wife of John Thomas, died in 1881 and a search of Ancestry.com reveals an obituary for Mrs. John Thomas confirming the date of death

[45] Julia Allen, Matilda (Allen) Brown’s sister. Julia had breast cancer and this cradle was built for her as she found the rocking motion soothing. At times the pain would be so intense that she left fingernail marks in the cradle

[46] After Luke’s first wife, Minerva, died, Joseph & Amanda (Hobbs) Flanders took care of Luke’s son Henry until Luke remarried; it is believed that his daughter Lois went to live with Minerva’s parents during that same time

[47] His youngest daughter Louese Keith, also referred to as Lou or Sis

[48] Michigan death records reveal that Jervis D. Adams died March 11, 1881 in Climax, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Prairie Home Cemetery in Climax, Michigan

[49] Neighbor, Nathan L. Randall

[50] Willis Brown, the son of Ambrose & Matilda (Allen) Brown

[51] A search at FindAGrave.com shows that Eunice (Brown) Corey died March 17, 1881 and is buried in the Elmwood Cemetery in Cedar Springs, Michigan

[52] Henry Brown, Nancy’s husband, and the son of Ambrose & Matilda (Allen) Brown

[53] Henry Keith, his son by his first wife, Minerva Payson

[54] Michigan marriage records show that Annette Rowland married Cyrus W. Utley on March 24, 1881 in Galesburg, Michigan. Annette was the daughter of Henry “Harry” & Delilah (Dawley) Rowland

[55] Michigan marriage records confirm that his son Henry married Florence Stahl on March 24, 1881

[56] Edwin P. Flanders, the son of Joseph & Amanda (Hobbs) Flanders (see footnote for March 8 entry)

[57] Daughters of James and Ellen (Adams) Milham, his neighbors in Comstock. James was the half-brother of Martin Milham (son-in-law of his sister Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee, and Ellen (Adams) Milham was the sister of Charlana (Adams) Meredith, the grandmother of Cora Meredith who would marry Luke’s son James Keith in 1891

[58] Attorney Lucius C. West, who filed patents for Ethan

[59] Michigan death records confirm that Caroline (Toby) Burdick died April 1, 1881 in Comstock, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Lawler Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan

[60] Neighbor and “shirttail” relative, and father of and Theodore Earl (see footnote for January 21^st entry) and Herbert Earl (see footnote for February 26^th entry)

[61] Nickname for his daughter Louese; also referred to as Sis

[62] Adelbert Skinner, Lois’ second husband

[63] Ellen (Adams) Milham (see footnote to March 27^th entry). No death record has been found but a search of FindAGrave.com shows that James & Ellen Milham are buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan, however, no dates are included. A transcript of Oak Grove Cemetery records lists Ellen O. (Adams) Milham, wife of James, born May 31, 1832, died April 18, 1884. It is possible that there was a mistake in the records and/or that the stone did not have a date or was weather worn. Since Luke’s entries are so detailed as to her funeral and that she is buried in Oak Grove I have to assume that the year of 1884 is wrong

[64] His niece, Lucy (Lee) Milham

[65] Assume this is his son, James Keith. The 1880 Census shows him living in the household of Adelbert & Lois Skinner (Jim’s half-sister) and working as a farm laborer

[66] Louese had been attending school in Chicago and staying with her uncle and aunt, Hiram & Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford so presumably she was returning for more schooling

[67] Her son’s family lived in Bloomingdale, Michigan

[68] Michigan death records confirm the date of death and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Ford Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[69] His horse

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

[71] His neighbor, Marius O. Streator, and father of Henry “Harry” Streator (see footnote to January 5^th entry)

[72] Perhaps the herb Elecampane, the root of which was used to make medicine. It was used for lung diseases including asthma, bronchitis, and whooping cough and also to prevent coughing, especially coughing caused by tuberculosis

[73] Neighbor, John T. Allerton

[74] Neighbor; believe this is the second wife of Henry Potts, Elizabeth (Reed) Gillis Potts

[75] Neighbor, Georgianna (Potts) Freer, the daughter of Henry Potts and his first wife, Eliza (Marks) Potts

[76] Arthur & Caroline “Kitty” (Lockwood) Arms. Arthur was the nephew of Ambrose Brown (see footnote to January 23^rd entry)

[77] Neighbor, Catherine Comings. Michigan death records confirm that Kate Comings, age 22, died of consumption on May 24, 1881 in Comstock, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[78] He left New York on June 6, 1837

[79] Lawton, Michigan. Hank & Nancy had lived there in 1876

[80] Edna (Crawford) Allen, the daughter of Edwin and Mary (Hamilton) Crawford, was the granddaughter of Nancy (Comfort) Crawford Betts

[81] Matilda Brown’s sister, Margaret (Allen) O’Brien Stinehart Cook

[82] The 1880 census shows Margaret living in Kenny, DeWitt County, Illinois

[83] Clara and George Milham, Lucy and Mart Milham’s children

[84] Mary Ann (Thompson) Ford

[85] Thomas C. Ford

[86] FindAGrave.com confirms that Jesse Havens died on July 15, 1881; he is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[87] Michigan death records show that Mabel Powers, age 7, died of diphtheria in Galesburg, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[88] The two poles between which a horse is hitched to a wagon

[89] Michigan death records confirm that John Caray died August 12, 1881 in Comstock, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

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

[91] An eavestrough is a roof gutter

[92] Other things

[93] Assume that since Louese had been staying with Hiram & Kate Crawford, that this is their daughter, Jessie Crawford, who was 9 years old

[94] Michigan death records show that Sarah Ann (Tyson) Ralph, age 43, died of heart disease in Charleston, Michigan on August 22, 1881 and FindAGrave.com indicates that she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[95] Michigan death records confirm that Mamie Young, age 21, died of Typhoid Fever in Comstock, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows that she is buried in Augusta Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan

[96] It appears that Alfleda is moving to live with her son James “Oscar” Keith

[97] A search of Michigan birth and death records reveals that Mary E. Rogers, the daughter of Amos and Mary (Batt) Rogers, was born October 2, 1877, and died from diphtheria in Comstock, Michigan on September 1, 1881; FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[98] Luke’s July 13^th entry tells that he went to pick up Harry from the train; on August 20 Jessie came with Louese when she returned home, so it is assumed that this entry refers to Harry and Jessie Crawford, the children of Hiram & Kate Crawford

[99] His grand-nephew and wife, Frank & Harriet (Root) Tomlinson, who lived in Concord, Michigan

[100] From Encyclopedia Virginia: Ambrose E. Burnside was a major general in the Union army during the American Civil War (1861–1865). Instantly recognizable for his bushy sideburns (the term itself is derived from reversing his last name), [when] Burnside … did take command of the army, he led it into disaster at the Battle of Fredericksburg (1862), perhaps the Union’s most lopsided defeat of the war. After his corps was badly defeated at the Battle of the Crater (1864) he went home on a leave of absence from which he was never called back to duty. Burnside’s dismal reputation is probably unfair, however. He was an innovative engineer but an unlucky general who was often made a scapegoat for larger failures. He died on September 13, 1881, in Bristol, Rhode Island.

[101] The assassination of James Abram Garfield, the 20th President of the United States, began when he was shot at 9:30 a.m. on July 2, 1881, less than four months into his term as President, and ended in his death 79 days later on September 19, 1881. He was shot by Charles J. Guiteau at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C., and died in Elberon, New Jersey. Guiteau’s motive was revenge against Garfield for an imagined political debt. Focused on finding and removing the bullet, the doctors stuck their unwashed fingers in the wound and probed around, without applying any anesthetic. In late 19th century America, such a search was common medical practice for treating gunshot wounds. The doctors tortured the president with more digital probing and many surgical attempts to widen the three-inch deep wound into a 20-inch-long incision, beginning at his ribs and extending to his groin. It soon became super-infected and pus-ridden. Guiteau was later found guilty of murder and sentenced to death, even though he was one of first high-profile cases in American history to plead not guilty by reason of insanity. He was hanged on June 20, 1882, in Washington D.C. There is, indeed, a grain of truth to the assassin Guiteau’s claim “the doctors killed Garfield, I just shot him.” (Taken from Wikipedia and PBS websites)

[102] Nickname for his daughter Louese Keith

[103] Neighbor. Also, from Luke’s November 2, 1878 diary entry: “Moved Mrs N. B Betts over to Burg. She moved into John Freers house. Pleasant day.”

[104] Harriet (Groat) Plank, widow of William Plank. The Planks were Luke’s former neighbors

[105] Michigan death records reveal that Sally (Dunn) Luttenton died on April 2, 1881 and FindAGrave.com shows that she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[106] His son-in-law, Adelbert R. Skinner (see footnote for April 16^th entry)

[107] His maternal first cousin

[108] Believe he is referring to Albina Earl, the daughter of Jesse & Mary (Clapp) Earl (see footnote to April 10^th entry)

[109] Emeretta Allen, the daughter of neighbors, John S. & Amanda Louise (Worden) Allen

[110] Michigan death records show that Delilah (Dawley) Rowland died on October 12, 1881 in Comstock and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[111] Nephew of Jesse Earl (see footnote for April 10^th entry)

[112] Camera

[113] The local newspaper

[114] The father of Luke’s daughter Lois’s first husband. Unable to confirm date or place of death

[115] Luke’s wife Sarah’s sister-in-law, Mary (Hamilton) Crawford. She was the widow of Sarah’s brother Edwin Crawford

[116] Oscar M. and Edna Alice (Crawford) Allen. Edna was the daughter of Edwin & Mary (Hamilton) Crawford

[117] The half-brother of Martin Milham (see footnote for January 2^nd entry)

[118] Michigan death records confirm that Eleanor (Ward) Stone died November 19, 1881 in Comstock and FindAGrave.com records reveal that she is buried in Boughton Cemetery, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Luke’s reference to her being buried at McCain’s Corners is unclear at this time

[119] Emaline (Stone) Ralph, was the aunt of D. D. Harris (Louese Keith’s future husband)

[120] His grandson, William Byron Clark, son of his daughter Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner

[121] In previous diaries Luke refers to him as D. J. Hart

[122] Michigan death records reveal that Charlotte Mason died November 27, 1881; research continues

[123] Pamelia (Hosley) Towne, mother of Charles Towne (Hannah Keith’s future husband). Michigan death records confirm that she died November 28, 1881 in Comstock and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[124] His granddaughter, Ina Mary Skinner, daughter of his daughter Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner

[125] Michigan death records confirm that Ann Marie Ives died November 30, 1881, and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in the Schoolcraft Township Cemetery in Vicksburg, Michigan. She was the wife of Abijah Ives (see footnote to December 16^th entry)

[126] Michigan death records show that David K. Rogers died in Comstock on December 1^st and FindAGrave.com records show that he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[127] Marion Adelpha York, daughter of Joseph and Helen (Bradley) York. Helen was the daughter of Catharine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[128] Neighbor, Caroline (Rapelje) Allerton

[129] Neighbor, Winthrop John Ford

[130] Michigan death records confirm that Abijah Ives died December 16, 1881, and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in the Schoolcraft Township Cemetery in Vicksburg, Michigan. His wife Ann died just two weeks prior (see footnote to November 30^th entry)

[131] At this point, Lucy (Lee) Milham had five children ranging in age from 13 years on down

[132] Michigan marriage records confirm the date of marriage; Ida Eva Milham was the daughter of Richard & Hannah (Goodrich) Milham and Richard was the brother of James Milham (see footnote to the November 13^th entry) and the half-brother of Martin Milham (see footnote to the January 2^nd entry)

Luke Keith’s 1877 Diary

1877 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.[1]

 Jan 1 – At Tomlinson House.[2] Very blustring. Frank[3] and I took a ride out East in afternoon. Mercury 14 Abz.[4]

Jan 2 – Snows some. George[5] gone over to Mount Morris after Nell.[6] Bot this Diary in Perry.[7] Nell came home about two oclock. Went over to Nobles in Evening, saw fountain.

Jan 3 – Snows and blows, snow piled up, Mercury 14 Abz. Mr Braughton and Lady here. Marion[8] and I went to see the Waubinoes performe.

Jan 4 – Cold morning. Left Perry one oclock P.M., went over to Gainesville, took the cars[9] for Buffalo, arrived about six P.M., left Buffalo half past one for Detroit.

Jan 5 – Got to Detroit about 12 noon, left Detroit half past six, got to Galesburg about twelve night, got home about one.

Jan 6 – At home all day. Not very well. Found the folks all well. Mercury 45 Abz.

Jan 7 – Went down to Katharines.[10] All well. Not very cold.

Jan 8 – Went up to Skinners. Del[11] over to burg[12] to attend a lawsuit. All well. Sent letter to Patty.[13]

Jan 9 – Cold, mercury 4 below zero. At home, no one here. Filed three saws for Ernest 60 cts. Browns folks[14] here in Evening. Mrs Calkins[15] here with them.

Jan 10 – Went over to burg, carried Jims[16] Boots over, paid 60 cts. Mrs Ralph[17] here.

Jan 11 – Not very well. Went over to burg, got Jims Boots. Snowed like fun.[18]

Jan 12 – Cold, 2 below zero. Filed my Bucksaw. Major[19] killed to day. Hog hunt here.

Jan 13 – Cold day, Mercury 8 Abz above zero. Went up in woods, cut down one tree, drawed two loads wood. Snow very deep in woods.

Jan 14 – Ed Childs and wife here. Went down to Katharines in Evening. Henry[20] here stayed all night.

Jan 15 – Went up to Mr Flanders[21] with Henry. Snowed and blowed like the mischief.

Jan 16 – Very pleasant day. Shelled 3 bushels corn.

Jan 17 – Earnest[22] killed my hogs. Went over to burg after grist, no get him. Mercury 30 Abz. Went down to Browns in Evening. Mr Morrison and wife there.

Jan 18 – Mercury 30 Abz, ledle some rain in morning.

Jan 19 – Mr Ives and George called here. Sarah[23] and Mrs Betts[24] went to burg. Went to Barbers[25] in Evening. Put hair in one End of bow.

Jan 20 – Cold and blustrous Mercury 16 Abz morning. At home. Mrs Emeline Bradley[26] died to day.

Jan 21 – At home all day. Ethan[27] and Henry went up to Foundry. Cold day Mercury 2 below.

Jan 22 – Mercury 18 Abz in morning.

Jan 23 – Went over to burg with Henry. Mart, Ansil and Lucy[28] here. I went down to M. O. Streators[29] to see if I could get some straw.

Jan 24 – Pleasant cold day. Made saw Buck for Earnest Whiting.

Jan 25 – At home all day. Not much done.

Jan 26 – Went down to Katharines. Mrs Betts and Sarah went down to Browns.

Jan 27 – Drawed Straw from M. O. Streators, two loads for Brown, one for my self. Went up to Nathan Lamkins in Evening with Browns folks. Mrs Betts went over to Burg.

Jan 28 – Fine pleasant day Mercury 34 Abz.

Jan 29 – Drawed some wood. Went over to burg in Evening after Mrs Betts. No find him.

Jan 30 – Drawed two loads Straw from Streators. Went over to burg in Evening after Mrs Betts. Got him this time. Mr and Mrs Streator[30] called here no stop long. Rained in night. Sleighing thin.

Jan 31 – Not very cold snow melting. Drawed two loads wood. Went over to burg. Received of Township Treasurer one hundred and four dollars. Lois[31] came down.

Feb 1 – Went to Foundry. Boys making Cider. Got mawl.

Feb 2 – Carried Hannah[32] up to Mr Ralphs.[33] Went up to Foundry. Boys making cider. Filed saw for A Brown[34] by golly. Hall sent timber for two ax helves.

Feb 3 – Went up to Foundry. Got three bushels wheat of H. A. Taylor[35] 1.35¢ pr bus, paid him 3.05¢. Carried it over to burg. Sarah and Mrs Betts went over to burg. Carried Lois down to Browns.

Feb 4 – At home. Mrs Benjamin came down after Lois. Hannah went down with her. Not very cold. Went over to burg after Sarah and Mrs Betts.

Feb 5 – At home. Worked in shop some.

Feb 6 – Worked in shop on violin some.

Feb 7 – Worked in shop on violin. Charley called here to see about his violin. Fine day.

Feb 8 – Pleasant morning. Put Charley Gillis violin together. Ethan and Hannah went down to Mr Randal.[36] Ethan fixed their melodian.

Feb 9 – Cut wood, cut one tree. Ethan and Hannah went up to T. C. Fords[37] in Evening.

Feb 10 – Worked in woods cutting wood. Charley Gillis got his violin. He paid me two Dollars.

Feb 11 – At home all day. Put new finger board on my violin. Mrs Betts went to burg with Jacksons folks.

Feb 12 – Worked in woods cutting grubbs &c.[38] Fine day.

Feb 13 – Worked in woods. Ansil Lee called here. I cut his hair. Pleasant day. Two of Isaac Odels girls died to

Feb 14 – Pleasant day. Went up to woods, got one load wood. Filed saw for A. Brown. Ella and Minnie Randall, they stayed in Evening. Two of Isaac Odels girls Died to day.[39]

Feb 15 – Worked in woods some sawed some wood. Cut some grubbs. Odells girls buried to day. Pleasant day. Jim lost cold chisel. Ethan up to shop.

Feb 16 – Fine day no snow. Cut some grubs in after noon. Ethan up to shop.

Feb 17 – Ethan drawed wood. I shelled some corn and acarried corn and oats to mill. Carried Mrs Betts and Sarah over to burg. Fine day.

Feb 18 – Pleasant day mercury 27 Abz in morning. At home.

Feb 19 – Worked round shop some. At home.

Feb 20 – Worked in shop. Made cross head for Theodore Earl.[40] Fine day.

Feb 21 – Went up to Swaddles. Mrs Betts stayed up there. Warm day. Roads nice, dusty.

Feb 22 – Very smoky. Choped wood. Warm day. Cut some trees in in grove on hill South East of barn. Ebenezar Flanders died this morning.[41] Mercury 53 Abz.

Feb 23 – Went down to Catharines[42] to Auction sale. Bot ax and Iron mortar[?] of Ansil Lee. Went over to Henry Rogers[43] in Evening. Had a big time, lots there.

Feb 24 – Cloudy morning. Ethan drawing wood. Jule Allen[44] came up with Browns folks stayed the Evening. Ebenezer Flanders buried to day.

Feb 25 – At home all day. Jim went down to Katharines. Nice day. Rass[45] folks and Mrs Totty to Browns to day. Henry came here stayed all night.

Feb 26 – Fine pleasant morning Mercury 30 Abz in morning. Henry and Ethan gone up to shop.

Feb 27 – Worked in shop some. Went over to burg. Got pole for Streators wagon. Fine day. Went down to Browns in Evening Whitcom Blake Forbush &c.

Feb 28 – Put in pole for Streator. He paid me one Dollar $1.00. Very nice day. A. R. Shere to dinner. Sent Lois ham bone, sent Ina[46] sum nuts.

Mar 1 – Pleasant morning mercury 23 Abz in morning. Worked in shop some on violins. Rained in night. ____ Rowland buried to day.[47] Hannah went up to Lois to sewing.

Mar 2 – Worked on violins. Rainy day, snowed some, not very cold.

Mar 3 – Cold morning mercury 27 Abz. Put tops on two violins Talsimers[?] and Keans. Snowed all day snow fell 8 inches.

Mar 4 – Pleasant morning mercury 18 Abz in morning, lots snow.

Mar 5 – Carried two bushels corn to mill. Lost my tie strap. Mart called here. Carried hams down to Browns. Browns folks came up here in Evening.

Mar 6 – Mercury 14 Abz, cold, some sleighing. Made Herbert Earls[48] Oars. Worked some on violins.

Mar 7 – Worked in shop on patterns for binder. Rained in night. Made Ina a wash board. Mrs Betts got mad because Sarah let her hand go but she felt better after it. Rested[?] first rate.

Mar 8 – Worked on patterns. Snowed and blowed all day Mercury 17 Abz. Verry good sleighing. Hannah up to Lois to work.

Mar 9 – Cold snowy blustrous day. Making patterns. Mercury 15 Abz. Filed _____ saw for Ernest _____ Whiting brot it down. Jim went to burg with him.

Mar 10 – Mercury 6 Abz in morning. Rather a fine day. Worked on patterns in fore noon. Went over to burg in afternoon. Sarah and Mrs Betts went over. They went to uncle peats. They stayed all night in burg. Bot Box in post office 25 for one year Box 86[?].

Mar 11 – Fine day. Ansel and Katharine came up here. Went over to burg after Mrs Betts and Sarah. Henry here.

Mar 12 – Warm morning Mercury 31 Abz. One foot snow on ground. Worked on patterns. Snows and blows very blustrous day. Henry and davis Stafford called here. They had been to cut tree for shaft ____ water wheel.

Mar 13 – Very pleasant morning Mercury 5 Abz, not very cold. Went up to Lois in Evening. 13 inches snow. Carried Ina her washboard. Snowed in night.

Mar 14 – Snows some, blustrous morning, 14 inches snow. Worked in shop some. Drawed some wood. Will Planks[49] Girl born to day.[50]

Mar 15 – Fine day. Went up to Marshall with Dell Skinner to see his farm. Stayed all night. Found them well.

Mar 16 – Sarah and Mrs Betts went down to Browns[?]. Snows like fun. Dell went and saw Mr Stage abut taking the Hull farm. Left for home not far from 12 noon. Snowed hard. Called at Luke Smith took dinner. Got to Skinners about seven Evening. Ethan came up after me. Got home about Eight oclock.

Mar 17 – Fine morning mercury 7 Abz in morning. Worked in shop on patterns.

Mar 18 – Snowed in morning like fun. Not very well hard cold. Mrs Oakly[51] buried to day. Lots snow on ground.

Mar 19 – Snowing Mercury18 Abz at ten oclock A.M.

Mar 20 – Worked on patterns some. Filed saw for Win. Mart called here. Snowed hard. Dell and Lois drove in here. Drawed two loads wood. Snow very deep. Thundered and lightened in afternoon.

Mar 21 – Pleasant, sun came out, lots snow on ground, nearly 2 feet. Worked in shop on patterns. Henry here to dinner. Dell and Lois called here. Not very cold. Extracted two teeth for Mrs Wolcots hired man Emmet Emmons. He paid 50¢.

Mar 22 – Worked on patterns. Thawed all day. Win got saw. Sarah and Browns folks went over to tabernacle in Evening. Mr Sherwood Died this morning.[52]

Mar 23 – Worked in shop on patterns. Henry came down stayed all night.

Mar 24 – Worked in shop. Drawed two loads wood. Lots snow in woods. Stormy day. Mr Sherwood buried to day. Carried Mrs Betts and Sarah over to burg. Sarah rode home with Brown. Sylvester Mead[53] died 7 AM to day.

Mar 25 – At home. Snowey day. Went down to Katharines in afternoon stayed all night.

Mar 26 – At Marts. Mart scalded sap bucketts. Jo York came after Adelpha.[54] Got home about two Pm. Dave Barton[55] brot load hay, wheelbarrow &c. Sylvester Mead buried to day.

Mar 27 – Worked in shop some on wagon neap.[56] Turned some acorns for I. D. L. Schram.[57] Fine day. Hannah came home with him. Ina came with her.

Mar 28 – Worked in shop some. Drawed two loads wood. Went up to H. A. Taylors. Got one bushel potatoes paid one Dollar. Bot 4 bushels wheat paid 4 Dollars. Jo Kean paid me one Dollar.

Mar 29 – Worked in shop made neap for A. R. Skinners wagon. George ives called and got Taloimers violin. He paid 2.25. Ina here.

Mar 30 – Went over to burg in morning. Hannah went bot table spread. Sent letter for seeds. Sawed out stuf for wheelbarrow. Rained all night.

Mar 31 – Worked on wheelbarrow some. Filed saw for E Whiting. Rained in morning. Will Clark[58] came with two horses. Dell and Lois called got Ina. They went down to Browns stayed all night. Ida Barber[59] came over stayed all night. Mrs Betts went to Burg.

Apr 1 – Rained some in morning. At home all day. Dell and Lois came up just at night.

Apr 2 – Went over to Town meeting. Dell and I went up to Blanchards.[60] Got load stalks, straw and hay. Went after Sarah and Mrs Betts at night.

Apr 3 – Worked in shop some. Put rockers on Hat Taylors chair. Dell went to Kalamazoo. Ethan, Lois and Hannah went down to Katharines.

Apr 4 – Went up to Blanchards with Lois. They left for Marshall. Ethan went with them. Rained in Evening. Paid Hat Taylor 1.60 one Dollar and sixty cents.

Apr 5 – Ethan and Will came back from Marshall. Made pick handle for Herb Earl. Fixed Browns handle.

Apr 6 – Fine morning. Jim and Will left for Marshall. Went down to Katharines. Sarah and Mrs Betts went to eat new shugar, got some.

Apr 7 – Worked in shop on patterns. Mrs Betts went over to burg to hear the gospel preached. Ethan and Bill went down to Katherines. Henry went a long. Fine day.

Apr 8 – Warm looks some like rain, considerable wind. Mrs Betts came home.

Apr 9 – Ethan went up to Foundry. Sarah went over to burg stayed all day. Old Mr King[61] Died this morning. I worked on Skinners wheel barrow. Fine day high wind.

Apr 10 – Ethan gone up to shop after chain wheel pattern. Repaired Skinners wheel barrow.

Apr 11 – Will Brown[62] commenced plowing. Worked round house. Fixed my stove boat. Old Mr King buried to day. Elder Gage called on Mrs Betts. Went over to burg in Evening. Sarah went to Hoags.[63] I waited bout a our and half in the road.

Apr 12 – Made soap. Painted Dells wheelbarrow, Jims slead. Uncle Daniels lost wagon tyre. Cleaned out cellar. Looked over apples &c. Mrs Betts put her ward robe in her room. Mr Brown plowing to day.

Apr 13 – Worked round house and yard. Dell came down to Harts.

Apr 14 – Worked in yard trimmed some trees. Went down to Katharines in Evening. Browns folks went. Mrs Betts went over to burg. Henry stayed all night. Bill sick. Skinner called here got his wheelbarrow.

Apr 15 – At home all day. Henry went up to Flanders.[64] Fine day very dry.

Apr 16 – Worked in shop on patterns. Sarah went over to Janes[65] Stayed all night.

Apr 17 – Went over to burg after Sarah. Went over after Alfleda.[66] Mrs Calkins came home with her. Had a rainy night. Mrs Hennika[67] Died to day.

Apr 18 – Carried Mrs Calkins over to burg. Rained. Carried Hannah down to Browns. Rained hard. Filed saw for Erve Hall[68] 20¢. Man called here canvasing for Diary.

Apr 19 – Worked in shop on patterns. Charley Town[69] called in.

Apr 20 – Worked on patterns. Carried Hannah over to Barbers. Bot midlings[?] over to mill[?] 50¢. Bot one Bushel potatoes, one Dollar to be paid in work. Manne Hennikas[70] wife buried to day.

Apr 21 – Worked in shop on patterns. Mrs Betts went over to burg.

Apr 22 – At home all day. No one here.

Apr 23 – Worked in garden pulled grubbs. Hot day. Brown sowed oats. Carried Hannah over to aunt Peets. Sarah went over to Janes stayed all night.

Apr 24 – Went over to burg in morning after Sarah. Put fellow[71] in one wheel. Split some wood in afternoon. McNaughten boy[72] buried to day.

Apr 25 – Worked round. Got out manure. George Barber[73] helped all day.

Apr 26 – Got out two loads manure. Chored round. Spread manure on East garden. Cyrus Streator and Laura called here just at night.

Apr 27 – Carried some corn over to mill 2½ bushels. Spread manure on west garden. Earnest Whiting plowed garden. Rained just at night. Henry came down. Jo Kean paid 50¢ cts.

Apr 28 – Rained in morning. Not much done. Went over to burg in Evening after hannah. Got my meal.

Apr 29 – At home all day. Rainy day. Henry came down stayed all night. Snowed in night. Hailed in afternoon.

Apr 30 – Ethan and Henry gone up to shop. Hannah went over to Mr Johnsons.

May 1 – Cool day snowed and blowed some. Split some wood. Will Ridler[74] commenced plowing. Hannah came home. Got some lumber of Theodore.

May 2 – Commenced hen yard. Ethan went up to shop. Fine day froze ice.

May 3 – Cool, ice this morning. Put the cow in Browns lot to day. Ethan gone up to shop.

May 4 – Worked on hen yard. Fine day. Ridler plowing. Went up to Jim Spires[75] to raise Barn, big Barn.

May 5 – Worked on hen yard. Very pleasant day. Will Ridler finished plowing. Mrs Betts went over to burg to hear the gospel preached in the Babtist Church.

May 6 – At home all day. No one here.

May 7 – Trimed trees south side road. Sarah went over to burg. Mrs Betts came home.

May 8 – Worked round hen yard and house. Frost this morning.

May 9 – Went up to Foundry. Got chissel made for Binder. Got my grubb ax repaired. Mr daniels lost tire of one wheel. Fine day, cool wind, frost this morning.

May 10 – Frost this morning. Worked on hen yard some.

May 11 – Worked round yard and in garden.

May 12 – Worked on got two bushels potatoes of H A Taylor. Got some lumber up to mill 5 boards 14 feet long. Not very good. Went up to foundry after Ethan. Jim came home. Mrs Betts went to burg.

May 13 – Went down to Katharines. Jo Darling[76] maried to day. John Darling[77] was there. Fine day.

May 14 – Worked on hen yard. Will Ridler planted corn in south west lot. Herbert Earl helped him. Mrs Betts came home.

May 15 – Worked on hen yard put the gate up. Ernest plowed in afternoon. Jim went back to Marshall. Brown planting. Considerable wind.

May 16 – Rained in morning. Brown planting. I trimed some trees. Warm day. Brown put Snap and buggy in Barn.

May 17 – Went up to shop in morning with Ethan. Mr Ford and M O Streator came down and made out release on Mortgage. I went up to Streators. Got seed corn some potatoes of Brown.

May 18 – Mercury 90 in shade. Went up to shop in morning. Ground gr____ Ax. Hot day. Draged some of my corn ground. Jesse Earl[78] planting.

May 19 – Hot day. Carried Ethan up to shop. Finished draging corn ground. Jesse Earl planting. Ernest plowing his corn ground. Burnt brush East of Barn. Barber came over and started the plow.

May 20 – Very hot day Mercury 85 in shade. At home. No one here.

May 21 – Made corn Markers. Marked ground one way. Rained in afternoon. Paid Minnie Randall twenty Dollars.

May 22 – Rainy day. Barber came over. Plowed some moved old cornstalks. Went up to shop after Ethan at night.

May 23 – Carried Ethan up to shop. Barber plowing. Berban Jacobs and Brother called here a while in forenoon. Commenced planting corn East of house. Fine day cold East wind.

May 24 – Cold North East wind. Went up to Foundry. Mercury 50 Abz. Planted corn.

May 25 – Finished planting. Old Mrs Youngs buried to day. Henry Earl died this morning.[79]

May 26 – Went up to shop in morning with Ethan. Worked on hen yard some. Hoed in garden. Went up after Ethan at night. Sarah and Mrs Betts went over to burg stayed all night.

May 27 – Fine morning. Sun came out nice.

May 28 – Worked round garden. Went over to burg. Went up to Ridlers to see him about road work.

May 29 – Went up to shop in morning. Hoed some in garden. Went up to shop in afternoon. Hannah and Ida Barber went. Elward Agent called on the boys to see Binder.

May 30 – Working on road. Hot day. Went up to Foundry.

May 31 – Worked round garden. Worked on road.

Jun 1 – Hoed in garden. Mrs Betts went over to Mr Wi___ans to strawberry festival. Barber put on plaster in front room. Conk Smith here stayed all night.

Jun 2 – Hoed corn, beans and potatoes. Cultivated cabbage ground. Went up to Foundry after Ethan. He had gone by the burg have rode with Ed Flanders.[80]

Jun 3 – Some cloudy, no rain yet, very dry. Ethan and Hannah went down to Catharines. Hannah stayed. Little Dutch man stayed here all night.

Jun 4 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Marked out potatoe ground. Barber planted in some corn. Rained in night. Conk Smith stayed here all night.

Jun 5 – Cloudy some mist. Ethan set out some plants.

Jun 6 – Planted in corn. Mrs Betts went to Dowagiac.[81] Sarah went over to burg. Theodore put in bridge. Ethans patent papers came or a part of them.

Jun 7 – Finished planting corn. Put handle on Mr Taylors hoe. Hoed in garden some. Water wheel busted. Mrs Brown and Jule here in afternoon.

Jun 8 – Ethan and Henry at work on patterns. Plowed out potatoes. Rained in afternoon. Barber brot over some more ashes for corn.

Jun 9 – Cloudy morning, rainy day. Not much done. Cow out. Filed saw for Whiting.

Jun 10 – Cool wind Mercury 53 in morning. Went down to Katharines. Mrs Gaffing there.

Jun 11 – Put ashes on corn. Rainy afternoon. Ridler came down to work in corn.

Jun 12 – Cool morning Mercury 62. Went down to Katharines. Expected to go to Kalamazoo but no go. Came home and finished ashing my corn. Ezekiel Lee Died to day.[82]

Jun 13 – Hoed in garden some. Barber commenced plowing for Buckwheat. Ethan finished patterns. Cow out to night. Rainy night. Brown and I went to find Cattle no find him.

Jun 14 – Rainy morning. Found Cattle over by Rail Road. Had been in Whitbecks wheat. Worked in garden some. H. A. Taylor brot his buggy down to paint.

Jun 15 – Worked on Barbers cultivator. A. Browns folks came up in Evening. Mrs Semer came with them. Had a heavy shower rained all the Evening. They went home in the rain.

Jun 16 – Went up to Foundry. Henry went up to Battle Creek with patterns.

Jun 17 – At home all day. Mr Henry Rogers and wife[83] and Mrs Wilson here. Ethan carried Hannah down to Katharines. Dell came stayed all night.

Jun 18 – Dell went to Kalamazoo, had Bill.[84] Dell and Henry stayed all night. Finished Barbers Cultivator. George put ashes on corn. Painted cultivator. I painted Taylors buggy boddy.

Jun 19 – Painted Taylors buggy. Hoed in garden some.

Jun 20 – Rainy day. Not much done.

Jun 21 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Ansil, Catharine and Hellen[85] came up here. Ansil and I went up after Ethan.

Jun 22 – Fine morning. Henry came down to have pattern alterd some.

Jun 23 – Carried Ethan up to shop. I cultivated turnip ground. Barber Cultivated corn one way. Brown plowed Buckwheat ground. Henry got Castings. Lois came home in Evening. Went down to Browns in Evening. Alfleda down to Browns.

Jun 24 – At home. Mr Daniels called here a while. He went down to Browns. Ethan went down to Katharines carried some things to Hannah. Lois went with him. Had a heavy shower.

Jun 25 – Went up to shop. Very hot. Hoed in garden some.

Jun 26 – Went over to burg. Got wire for hen yard. Bot one Barrel plaster paid one Dollar for it.

Jun 27 – Put wire round Hen yard. Hot day. Sarah went down to Browns. Carried Hannah up to Mr Flanders. Ina here.

Jun 28 – Barber sowed Buckwheat. Hoed some in garden. Dell and Lois went home took Ina.

Jun 29 – Went up to shop with Ethan. Brown sowed Buckwheat. Hot day. I hoed potatoes. Got ½ bushel potatoes of H. A. Taylor. Ridler plowed out corn in south west lot. Mrs Benagar Dean[86] died.

Jun 30 – Carried Ethan up to shop. Sarah went to burg. I plowed potatoes and corn. Very high wind all day.

Jul 1 – Wind continues to blow. Mrs Dean buried to day also Mr Enoch Nap[87] of Comstock. Mart and Lucy came up here. I had a chill.

Jul 2 – Not very well to day. Went over to burg. Got dress for Hannah. Put new bridge on new violin. Rained a little in afternoon.

Jul 3 – Worked some in shop and garden.

Jul 4 – At home all day. Sarah went over to burg. Ethan and Hannah went over in Evening to see fireworks.

Jul 5 – Varnished Taylors buggy and turned some pins for _____. Had a hard blow in afternoon, blowed down our Locust tree in front yard.

Jul 6 – Finished Taylors buggy. Turned 6 pins for Jim Millham.[88] Hoed corn in afternoon some. Went over to burg after Sarah.

Jul 7 – Pleasant morning. Went up to shop. Took Mr Taylors buggy home. Hoed corn some. Hank and Nancy came home.

Jul 8 – Hank and Nancy* here. Ethan took Hannah down to Katharines. Hank and Nancy went down to Mr Browns.

Jul 9 – Worked in corn some.

Jul 10 – Plowed and hoed corn. Mrs Betts came home to day.

Jul 11 – Hoed corn. Brown cut wheat in west lot. Mr Barber commenced cutting wheat.

Jul 12 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Plowed and hoed corn.

Jul 13 – Finished hoing corn. Brown drawed one load wheat.

Jul 14 – Cleaned out Barn. Worked in potatoes some. Put paris green on them. Hot day Mercury 91 Abz.

Jul 15 – Very hot. Ethan took Mrs Betts over to burg. Ethan went after Mrs Betts at night.

Jul 16 – Went to Kalamazoo after Louese. Had Ernest buggy. Cows got in Whitbecks lot. Sold calf to Whitbecks for 4.00. Bot set Spokes $3.00 pr _____.

Jul 17 – Chored round house and garden. Run after cows and fixed fence.

Jul 18 – Made wheelbarrow for Claud K. Brown Esqr of Chicago.[89]

Jul 19 – Went Kalamazoo with Hank. He went to Chicago. Bot coat and pants $3.00. Dell and Lois came here. Mart and Lucy called here. Hannah went to Caywoods. Sis[90] went up to Milhams.

Jul 20 – Carried Ethan up to shop. Corked barn floor in forenoon.

Jul 21 – Hoed[?] corn some. Barton[?] thrashed some. Mrs Betts went over to burg.

Jul 22 – At home all day. Lois came back. Dell went home. Mr Clark called in a while.

Jul 23 – Barton[91] thrashed some. I plowed corn. Very hot. Ridler plowed corn. Finished plowing.

Jul 24 – Hot day. Plowed corn. Emma Allen[92] here. Twelve here to dinner.

Jul 25 – Rainy morning. Headache. Hoed some potatoes. Tamer Ford[93] here. Barber plowed some corn. Lois went up to Jo Flanders.

Jul 26 – Some cooler this morning. Spect had rain somewhere. Finished plowing corn. Mr Flanders came down got all the whimmen[94] took them up to their house. Had a heavy shower, rained and blowed hard. Mr Flanders had to drive in _____.

Jul 27 – Cloudy morning. Laid up fence in forenoon. Carried all the wimmin down to A. Browns in afternoon. Went over to burg. Received of Township Treasurer 36 Dollars. Rained hard in night. Adda Ralph here to day.

Jul 28 – Sun came out in morning, fine day, rained some in afternoon. Cow went to Bull. Mrs Betts went to burg.

Jul 29 – Hot day. Went down to Katharines. All well. Mrs Gaffing there.

Jul 30 – Made Ex for Skinners Democrat[?]. Jim came home. Sarah went over to burg. Mrs Betts came home. Mrs G____ preached at burg this Evening.

Jul 31 – At home. Worked worked in shop some.

Aug 1 – Worked on spokes some. Mrs Brown and Jule here in afternoon.

Aug 2 – Worked on spokes. Repaired Huntings guitar. Lois went home.

Aug 3 – Worked in corn some. Drove some spokes in afternoon.

Aug 4 – Drove some spokes in morning. Catharine and Mrs Gaffing came up. Mrs G. went up to Jim Milhams. Estella came down stayed all night. Hoed corn in afternoon.

Aug 5 – Katharine here. Hank and Nancy came up. Warm day.

Aug 6 – Hank moved his things over. Hoed corn. Sarah and Katharine went up to Jim Milhams. Hannah went down to A. Browns. Rained a very little towards night.

Aug 7 – Cloudy morning looks like rain. Finished hoing corn and potatoes. Katharine went home. Mrs Betts went to burg. Dr Upham came here stayed all night from Elkhart, Ia. Hot and dry.

Aug 8 – Cut weeds in yard hoed some. Sarah went to burg to meeting. Ethan came home in morning. Hot day. Babtist Association at Burg.

Aug 9 – Chored round. Belas calf got in corn lot. Went round woods put up some fence. Hoed some. Will Clark came. Ethan sick in night. Mrs Betts came home. A____ closed to day.

Aug 10 – Fine morning. Went up in woods. Plowed out the potatoes. Cut some grubbs in cornfield side road. Will Clark here.

Aug 11 – Hunt preaches in D K Rogers Saloon this morning. He paid five Dollars for the room. Drawed one load wood. Not feeling very well. Jim and Will went up to Henrys.

Aug 12 – Fine morning some cloudy. At home all day. Mrs Betts went burg on her own hook I guess some mad spose.[95] Peer Whitcomb brot her home. Hank and Nancy came up stayed all night.

Aug 13 – Some cloudy. Will Clark went home. I cultivated my corn one way. Had a good shower in afternoon rained hard. Nancy and Claud here all day. A. Browns folks went to Kalamazoo to Seance at Wagners.

Aug 14 – Killed 3 fowls, one white Rooster, old Speckled hen, one yellow hen. Nice morning. Went down to Katharines got 25 lbs flour. Had a heavy shower, rainy afternoon, rained all night.

Aug 15 – Rainy morning. Picknic at South Haven. Jim gone.

Aug 16 – Put rims on wheels. Ethan worked up to shop. Charles Lees[96] folks here came up with they new buggy. Mrs Betts, Nancy and Mrs Brown and Jule went up to Mr Ralphs.

Aug 17 – Work round, cut some wood, chored round. Mr Barber plowed corn. Sate Skinner[97] went up to Flanders. Henry came down in Evening.

Aug 18 – Pleasant morning. Cut some wood. Sarah and Mrs Betts went over to Burg to stay all night.

Aug 19 – At home all day. Very hot Mercury 92 in shade. Alvin, Ida and Henrys _____ _____ _____ ____ and Louese went over to Burg after Sarah and Mrs Betts.

Aug 20 – Not very well. Drawed one load wood. Nancy and Claud went down to Ambrose and Matildas to attend to business &c.

Aug 21 – Worked round garden pulled weeds in Strawberry patch. Rained in night.

Aug 22 – Went up to sawmill in morning. Some rainy. Worked round house and shop. Rainy afternoon and night. Ethan & Louese calculated to went down to Katharines but no go, to much rain.

Aug 23 – Rainy. Jim went over to Barbers after umbrella. Carried Ethan up to shop. Got Whitings buggy. Wedged two axes for E Whiting and mended pruning shears. Rainy day and night.

Aug 24 – Rainy morning. Mrs Skinner[98] and Sate came here stayed all night. Henry came down in Evening. Fixed Whitings buggy wheels.

Aug 25 – Went over to burg. Bot sack flour 90 cts. Bot oil, cheese, paper, Envelopes. Mrs Skinner and Sate went home. Henry here. W^m Gleason[99] died this morning. Went down to Katharines stayed all night.

Aug 26 – Went to Kalamazoo, took the cars. Went to Schoolcraft. Attended a Spiritual meeting. Left my horse to Jesse Turners.[100] Came back. Went up to Katharines stayed all night. Alfleda went down to Charles Lees. Mr W^m Gleason buried to day.

Aug 27 – Rained some. Came home at noon. Hank here to work. Not much done in the work line.

Aug 28 – Some misty. Not very well. Not much work don to day. Rained hard in night.

Aug 29 – Worked in shop some on cross head. Mart and Lucy, Delpha come up. Louese went home with them. I went over to burg in morning. Received of township treasurer $3.70 cts.

Aug 30 – Finished cross head. Went up to saw mill. Hannah went down to Browns. Mr Brown thrashed his wheat. Saw Mr Dilenbeck from Yorkstate. Martin Turner and wife[101] called here just at night. Brown thrashed.

Aug 31 – Hot morning Mercury 83 Abz. Carried Hannah down to Katharines. Louese came back with me. Rained some. Stoped to Browns.

Sep 1 – Cool morning. Town[e] thrashing. Chored round, drawed two loads wood. Louese and Stella went up to Sherwoods in afternoon. Rained some in night. Cool days.

Sep 2 – Henry came down in morning. Rainy.

Sep 3 – Chored round. Went up to Mr Flanders. Bot one bushel corn 60. Claud went with me. Jim helping Streator thrash.

Sep 4 – Went to Comstock to mill, carried 4 bushels wheat, one corn. Mrs Betts and Mrs Keith went over to burg on a visit.

Sep 5 – Chored round. Split some wood. Cool day. Ethan carried patterns up to shop. Rained some in afternoon. Commenced (indecipherable). Extracted two teeth for Herbert Earl.

Sep 6 – Pleasant morning but hot. Pioneer Picknick at Augusta. Drawed one load wood. Mr Browns folks and Mr Wagner here in Evening had a Circle. The Old Preach came Che Che would not let him talk.[102]

Sep 7 – Henry and Louese gone up to Marshall. Had Bill. Worked in shop some. Cut out sides for wheelbarrow. Ethan worked up to shop.

Sep 8 – Stript some corn. Nancy here. Ridler commenced cutting corn.

Sep 9 – All well at home. Hank and Nancy here.

Sep 10 – _____ worked in shop on mold pattern. Mart and Lucy came up. Rainy. Mart went to burg with Sewing Machine.

Sep 11 – Finished mold pattern. Rained in afternoon. Barber came up and cut some corn. I went down to Browns to tea. Hank and Will topping corn.

Sep 12 – Worked in corn. Mrs Betts and Nancy came back. Homes girl died.[103] Henry got home with Bill. Ridler cutting corn.

Sep 13 – Lottie Holmes buried to day. Ethan and Henry went up to shop. I toped corn all day. Ridler finished cutting. Barber cutting. Sarah, Mrs Betts and Nancy went up to Hanibals in afternoon. Boys made some cider.

Sep 14 – Pleasant morning. Finished cutting corn in fore noon. Set up cornfodder in afternoon. Hot day. Ancil got back from Salt Lakecity.

Sep 15 – Nice morning. Browns folks gone to Plainwell. Will came up to ___s after Louese. Ethan gone up to shop.

Sep 16 – At home all day. Ethan down to Browns. Mrs Betts went to burg. Louese came home from Marshall. Ancil and Lucy came up here in afternoon. Rainy night.

Sep 17 – Rainy morning. Sarah went over to burg in morning. Took old buggy to pieces. Went after Sarah and Mrs Betts. Mrs Betts (indecipherable) Eat to much Honey. Dell called here.

Sep 18 – Pleasant morning. Chored round. Made fire under Kettle[?]. Sarah colored lot cloth for Louese. Took the old buggy wheels to pieces. _____ up hubbs to get the _____ out. Ethan went up to shop. Sent my patterns _____.

Sep 19 – Made rack[?] for Cart to draw corn _____ on. Drawed some _____. Louese went up to _____ stayed all night. _____ stayed here with Jim.

Sep 20 – Sprinkled some. Took Ethan over to burg. He went to Jackson to State fair. Drawed two loads wood in forenoon. Went over Ethan in Evening.

Sep 21 – Hank and Will cut the Buckwheat. I made Claud a husking ____. Worked on wringer.

Sep 22 – Fine morning. Hank, Jim, Jule and Nancy gone to Skinners. Ethan gone up to shop. Mrs Betts gone to burg. Sarah and I went down to Katharines. Stayed all night.

Sep 23 – Went Came home in Evening all right.

Sep 24 – Worked round shop, cleaned out old shop. Barber husked little corn. Hank and all hands got home. Mrs Betts came home from burg.

Sep 25 – Ethan went shop. I husked some corn in forenoon. Sawed out felloes for Barbers wheel. Mr Orrin Case called here at noon to see about Sam Chichester stealing[?] hogs of Father.

Sep 26 – Finished Barbers wheel at noon. Ethan went up to shop. I worked round, picked apples up at the corner then went down to Jacksons. Stayed all night.

Sep 27 – Pleasant morning. Ethan went up to shop. I stript some corn leaves in forenoon. Mercury 88 at one oclock, very hot. Mrs Betts went over to burg Ethan took her over to hear the gospel preached once more in her life. Rained hard up to _____.

Sep 28 – Henry and Ethan went up to shop. Cloudy morning. Worked on wheel some. Asel left for home Titusville Pennsylvania.

Sep 29 – Worked on wheel finished one wheel. Husked some corn. Mr and Mrs Ira Clark[104] here to Dinner. Fine day. Claud went up to Rass Towns with Mr Brown, got some peaches.

Sep 30 – At home. Hank and Nancy here, Henry here. I went down to Katharines just at night after tea and butter.

Oct 1 – Sarah went over to burg in morning with Ethan. I put bottom in three peck basket. Picked lot corn. Hot day. Mercury 94 at one PM in shade. Husked some corn.

Oct 2 – Picked sixteen rows corn. Earnest brot Hogs head down in morning. Sarah, Mrs Betts and all the girls went up to Jesse Earls. I set tire on Barbers wheel. Very hot and dry.

Oct 3 – Warm and dry, 89 in shade. Repaired rake wheel for Jesse Earl in morning. Cut popcorn in west garden in fore noon. Jim and George Barber gone down to Jacksons to gather butternuts. Went down to Jackson after walnuts. Rained in night.

Oct 4 – Some rainy and very high wind. Picked some corn and husked some. Barber finished cutting Buckwheat.

Oct 5 – Carried Ethan up to Henrys. They went to Marshall, had Whitings buggy. I picked and husked some corn, drawed one load wood.

Oct 6 – Jim and I husked corn. Sarah and Mrs Betts went down to A. Browns. Mrs Betts was so lame she could not stay at home. She had been housed up for for four days, had not been visiting in four days. She thought it would do her good.

Oct 7 – At home all day. Not much rain.

Oct 8 – Worked round done chores &c. Went over to burg at noon. Sarah went over to get pattern for Hannah. We went down to Katharines stayed all night. Rained most all night.

Oct 9 – Went to Kalamazoo. Sarah Expected to go to Chicago.[105] There was no Excursion Train going so she no go. Came home in forenoon. Dell here to dinner. He went to Kalamazoo Sis went with him. Ethan came home.

Oct 10 – Rainy day. Husked some corn carried it in to corn house. Dell and Ethan went to burg in forenoon.

Oct 11 – Husked some corn. Ethan worked on patterns. Hank and Nancy moved over to burg. I carried over two loads.

Oct 12 – Hank cleaned out gallery. Worked round house and barn.

Oct 13 – Hank carried one load over to gallery. I finished husking my ____ corn. Ridler and Barber husking. Mrs Betts went over to burg. Ethan went up to Foundry.

Oct 14 – Hannah and I went around the Squair. Saw Bronsons, Burgess and Peet Milhams houses for the first time. Henry Rogers and wife and Mrs Wilson came over here.

Oct 15 – Cleared out corn house and sorted corn. Sarah went over to burg in morning. Barber husked some. I am Sixty four years old to day.

Oct 16 – Sorted corn some. Barber put in some. Nancy and Claud here to day. Ethan and girls went over to Nancys in Evening.

Oct 17 – Sorted corn. Ridler brot one load. Barber thrashed Buckwheat. Rained in afternoon. Brown Drawed his Buckwheat. Ridler finished drawing my corn.

Oct 18 – Sorted corn. Ridler took one load home the last. Minnie Randall here in Evening. Mrs Corkins came from Battle Creek. Rainy night.

Oct 19 – Rainy day. Sorted corn. Took Mrs Corkins over to burg at noon she went home on the 12.55 train. Mart and Jay Barton[106] thrashed wheat.

Oct 20 – Worked in corn some sorted some corn.

Oct 21 – Went down to Katharines after some butter.

Oct 22 – Chored round house and barn.

Oct 23 – Fixed up bin in cornhouse. Sorted some corn. Went over to burg. Got potato hook mended.

Oct 24 – Mr Chapin Died[107] to day. Took Hannah up to Jesse Earls and Ethan up to shop. Went down to M. O. Streators. Dug potatoes. Barber thrashed Buckwheat. I get three bushels B.wheat. To Browns to buy eleven bushels potatoes.

Oct 25 – Went down dug 3 bushels. Mr Streator raised his Hog pen and corn house. Floral[?] Hall burnt on the Galesburg Fair ground in Evening.

Oct 26 – Went over to burg in morning after Louese. Rained some. Barber came over and shelled some corn.

Oct 27 – Dug my potatoes up at the corner and put them in the cellar. Ethan, Hannah and Louese went down to Katharines stayed all night.

Oct 28 – Pleasant, nice day, some wind, Mercury 70 Abz at noon in shade.

Oct 29 – Husked corn some. Fine day. Husked about fifteen baskets and put it in corn house.

Oct 30 – Finished husking. Louese started for Chicago.[108] Sorted corn.

Oct 31 – Worked round house and barn. ____ some all day. Went up to shop with Ethan.

Nov 1 – Went up to mill got load _____ for fence got some steaks for fence.

Nov 2 – Went up to shop with Ethan. Rainy day. Brot sewing machine home from Earls. Carried it over to burg. Sarah went over bot warp for Katharines carpet.

Nov 3 – Carried Sarah down to Katharines. Clarra came home with me. Carried Mrs Betts over to burg. Made fence around the Strawberries. Susan Giddings[109] here to day. Whiting brot his cutter down.

Nov 4 – Carried Hannah and Clarra down to Katharines. Sarah came home. Rained quite hard when we came home.

Nov 5 – At home. Snowey day. Not much done but move stoves. Put stove in shop and in middle room. Cold night. Ethan and Jim went over to burg. Jim got boots. Mrs Betts came home.

Nov 6 – Not very well hard cold. Mercury 3 Abz in morning. No work to day.

Nov 7 – Mercury 10 Abz in morning. Husked popcorn &c. Rather disagreable day. Ethan went up to shop. Rained all night. Jim went up to Milhams stayed the night.

Nov 8 – Rainy. No work to day hard cold. Eugene Powlisons wife died.[110] Elva Earl Married[111] to day spec so maby some.

Nov 9 – Cut and drawed two loads wood. Hank and Nancy came over stayed all night. Walter Barton died to day.[112]

Nov 10 – Nancy gone down to Mr Browns. Fine morning. Put handle and heads in my mawl. Mrs Powlison buried to day. Fine pleasant day. Not much done, hard cold.

Nov 11 – Nice day. At home all day, not very well. Walter Barton buried to day.

Nov 12 – Went down to Katharines after tea and Hannahs cloths. Mrs Gaffing started for Tennessee.

Nov 13 – Pried up well room in forenoon. Worked on road in afternoon. Picked stone on the hill. Fine day.

Nov 14 – Patched the roof some. Chored round. Banked house some. Mr Mitchel called here. Dell and Lois drove in did not get out of the carriage. Rained some in after noon. Mr R Ransom died this morning.[113]

Nov 15 – Some rainy. Ethan went over got Nancy. I put up shelf on back roof to put iron ware on. Shelled some corn. Ethan made water spout.

Nov 16 – Went to Comstock to Mill got Buckwheat and corn ground.

Nov 17 – Went over to Burg. Sarah and Mrs Betts went over to burg. Sarah started for South bend.[114]

Nov 18 – Went over to burg after Hank and Nancy. Henry came down. Herbert Clark and Jimmy Millham[115] came down here. Very nice day. All well as usual.

Nov 19 – Fine day. Worked on Skinners buggy. Mr Barton and David thrashed. Lois and Hannah went down to Mr Browns. Ross Ingersoll died to day.[116]

Nov 20 – Nice morning. Lois and Hannah went over to Nancys. Mrs Betts came home to get ready to go over to Galesburg. Finished Skinners buggy.

Nov 21 – Repaired my wagon wheel in forenoon. Carried Alfleda down to Katharines. Rainy afternoon, rained in night.

Nov 22 – Cloudy morning, Ross Ingersoll buried to day.

Nov 23 – Lois and Will went home. I went up to James Ralphs. Took up two bushels Buckwheat, got almost three bushels and a half potatoes. Henry came down. Ethan went up to shop in Evening. Bot stove pipe. Old Mrs __oo___ died.

Nov 24 – Warm morning. Went up in woods got load wood. Went over to burg after Nancy. Mrs Betts went over with me. Extracted tooth for Jenny Giddings.[117] Had head ache in afternoon.

Nov 25 – Mercury 51 Abz nice warm morning. Mr Brown called in. Claud went home with him. Hank came over. Will and Jule came up here. Claud went down home with Jule stayed all night.

Nov 26 – Warm, mercury 49 Abz rainy morning. Cow gone, found her down on Randals. Dressed out cutter Knees. Rainy day. Claud went home this morning.

Nov 27 – Mercury 38 Abz in morning. Rained some in morning. Ethan went over to burg.

Nov 28 – Mercury 28 Abz in morning. Fixed up hatch way in forenoon. Snowey and blowey. Fixed up high chair in afternoon. Allen Simmons called here to get buggy boddy made. Cold day.

Nov 29 – Mercury 15 Abz in morning, cold and Blustrous, no snow. Filed buck saw for Whiting.

Nov 30 – Worked in shop on cross Head. Stormy.

Dec 1 – Finished cross Head in forenoon. Sawed out cutter Beams in afternoon. Mrs Betts went over to burg with A. Brown.

Dec 2 – Pleasant, Mercury 17 Abz. At home all day. Claud stayed here all night.

Dec 3 – Pleasant, sun out all day, warm. Carried Claud home. Mrs Betts came home. Drawed two logs down from the corner on sleigh.

Dec 4 – Rainy morning, not very cold, some snow. Worked in shop some on wheel barrow.

Dec 5 – Went up to mill in the morning. Worked on road some. Windy, not very cold. Jesse Earl and Burgess and Ed Schram worked. Drawed some dirt.

Dec 6 – Worked on road in forenoon. Snowey day. Went over after Sarah, she no come.

Dec 7 – Worked in woods in fore noon. Cut maple tree. Went over after Sarah, she come. Drawed some wood.

Dec 8 – Snowey. Jim and I cut some wood. Went over to burg in Evening after Hank and Nancy. Ethan carried Hannah down to Caywoods. She came home at night. Ambrose and Matilda here in Evening.

Dec 9 – At home. Hank and Nancy here. Fine day. Mart brot Alfleda home. Katharine came with them.

Dec 10 – Worked on bob patterns some. Barber came over shelled some corn.

Dec 11 – Took the carpet rags over to Mrs Semer. Katharine and Sarah went to Nancys. Mrs Betts went over to Mr Burdicks. Barber came over. I hung ax for him. He cut stub down for _____. I went over (indecipherable). Bot Horse Blankets.

Dec 12 – Fine day, mercury ____ Abz. Went up in woods cut some wood. Katharine, Sarah and Alfleda went up to Nichols. Byron Allen and wife, Cora, Ida and Emma[118] here in Evening. Henry took Claud home.

Dec 13 – Drawed three loads wood in fore noon. Went down to Marts. Katharine and Hannah went home. No snow, cold wind.

Dec 14 – Pleasant morning. Worked in woods, cut wood.

Dec 15 – Cut wood in forenoon, drawed some. Went over to burg carried Mrs Betts over. Sarah went down to Kalamazoo with Nancy to get stove and furniture. Jim went over got his over coat.

Dec 16 – Pleasant day. At home all day.

Dec 17 – Repaired guitar for Harry Streator.[119] Bot _____ of Whiting 8½ lbs 5 cts pr pound. Went over to burg after Mrs Betts. Warm day.

Dec 18 – Rainy morning. Worked in shop. Commenced Simmons buggy boddy. Browns folks and Sarah went over to Hanks in Evening. Rained in Evening.

Dec 19 – Cloudy, mercury 55 Abz in morning. Not much done to day. Worked in shop some.

Dec 20 – Sick, no work. Mercury 66 Abz.

Dec 21 – Fine day. Worked in shop in afternoon. Ernest brot shank. Plained board for Ernest.

Dec 22 – Not any work to day. Ethan carried Mrs Betts over to burg.

Dec 23 – At home. Not very well. Went down to Katharines. Took Hannahs things down, got tea. Lost Martingale ring. Warm day, rained in Evening.

Dec 24 – Worked some in shop on sills. Went over to burg with N. L. Randall. Received of Township Treasurer 40 forty Dollars. Paid Minnie Randall 40 forty Dollars.

Dec 25 – Rainy morning, not very cold, Mercury 46[?] Abz in morning. Went down to Browns in Evening. Ed Phelps got hurt, gun burst, blowed britch pin into his head.

Dec 26 – Worked in shop some. Carried Nancy home. Alfleda went over. Mrs Betts came home. Old cow out, found her at Blakes barn in galesburg. Filed saw for Erve Hall 15.

Dec 27 – Worked in shop some. Not very cold, 20.

Dec 28 – Filed saw for Erve Hall 20. Put in cross bar in Rand___ saw frame and filed saw 20. No frost, Mercury 50 Abz.

Dec 29 – Worked in shop some. Went over to burg in Evening. Mrs Betts went over with me. Hank and Nancy came over.

Dec 30 – Henry came down. Carried Hank and Nancy home in Evening. Mrs Betts came home.

Dec 31 – Worked in shop in forenoon. Mart came up with Hannah. Went over to burg, paid my tax 7.69 cts. Ed Phelps Died this morning.[120] Hannah stayed over to Nancys.

——-

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

[2] Luke had taken a trip back to New York and was presently staying with his niece and her husband, Marion (Sprague) & George Tomlinson

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

[4] Above zero

[5] George Tomlinson

[6] George & Marion’s daughter, Nellie Tomlinson

[7] Perry, New York, where the Tomlinsons lived

[8] His niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

[9] Train

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

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

[12] Galesburg, Michigan

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

[14] Neighbors, and his daughter Nancy’s in-laws, Ambrose & Matilda (Allen) Brown

[15] Matilda (Allen) Brown’s sister, Mary (Allen) Calkins

[16] His youngest son, James Clinton Keith

[17] Neighbor, Emaline (Stone) Ralph

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

[19] Believe this is one of his farm animals

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

[21] Neighbor, Joseph Flanders. After his 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

[22] Neighbor, Earnest Whiting

[23] His third wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

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

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

[26] FindAGrave.com shows that Emeline (Bigelow) Bradley is buried in Fairview Cemetery, Pavilion, New York

[27] His son, Ethan Keith

[28] Luke’s niece, Lucy (Lee) Milham, her husband, Martin Milham, and her uncle, Ansel Lee

[29] Neighbor, Marius O. Streator

[30] Marius O. & Laura Ann (Rawson) Streator

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

[32] His daughter, Hannah Keith

[33] Neighbor, William Ralph

[34] Ambrose Brown

[35] Neighbor, Hannibal “Hat” A. Taylor

[36] Neighbor, Nathan L. Randall

[37] Neighbor, Thomas Clark Ford

[38] Etc.

[39] Michigan Death Records confirm that both Jane Ann (Odell) Olin, age 30, and her sister Ellen Odell, age 25, died of consumption on February 13, 1877, and FindAGrave.com shows they are both buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[40] Luke’s cousin

[41] FindAGrave.com confirms that Ebenezer Flanders died February 22, 1877 and is buried in Roof Cemetery, Climax, Michigan

[42] In all his previous diaries up until 1875, Luke has spelled his sister’s name as Catharine. Since then he sometimes spells it starting with a K, as can be seen in previous entries for January, and other times starting with a C

[43] Neighbor, Henry D. Rogers

[44] Matilda (Allen) Brown’s sister, Julia Allen. She lived with Ambrose and Matilda

[45] Neighbor, Erasmus Towne

[46] His granddaughter, Ina Mary Skinner, the daughter of Lois & Del Skinner

[47] Michigan Death Records reveal that Harry M. Rowland, age 14, the son of Henry C. & Delilah Rowland, died February 27, 1877, and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[48] Luke’s cousin, and brother of Theodore Earl

[49] The Plank family had been Luke Keith’s neighbors in Comstock, Michigan, but on April 3, 1873, Luke noted in his diary that they had left for Grand Rapids, Michigan

[50] A search of the Michigan, Births, 1867-1902 index and images on Family Search listed a Gertie Plank born in 1877 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to William Plank and Mary Plank. The 1880 Census does not show Gertie so it is assumed that she had died

[51] FindAGrave.com records show that Emma (Scofield) Oakley, wife of Walter E. Oakley, died March 16, 1877 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[52] FindAGrave.com reveals that Cyrus Gould Sherwood died March 22, 1877 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[53] Michigan Death Records confirm that Sylvester Mead died March 24, 1877 and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Schoolcraft Township Cemetery in Schoolcraft, Michigan

[54] Joseph and Marion Adelpha York, the husband and daughter of Luke’s niece, Helen (Bradley) York

[55] Neighbor, the son of Samuel & Catherine (Knecht) Barton

[56] The pole or tongue of a cart or wagon drawn by two animals side by side

[57] Neighbor, Isaac D. L. Schram

[58] His grandson, William Byron Clark, the son of Lois and her first husband, Byron Clark

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

[60] Samuel & Lucretia (Judson) Blanchard

[61] Michigan Death Records reveal that Samuel A. King, age 72, died April 9, 1877 in Comstock, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[62] The son of Ambrose & Matilda (Allen) Brown

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

[64] Neighbors, Joseph & Amanda (Hobbs) Flanders

[65] Neighbor, Sarah Jane (Mason) Hoag

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

[67] Michigan Death Records confirm that Elwilda Henika, age 21, died April 17, 1877 and FindAGrave.com shows that she is buried in Mountain Home Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Michigan

[68] Believe this to be his neighbor, Irwin I. Hall

[69] Neighbor, Charles Towne. In 1891 Charles married Luke’s daughter Hannah

[70] Manuel Henika, the husband of Elwilda (see April 17 entry)

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

[72] Michigan Death Records show that Lafayette P. McNaughton, the 14-year-old son of Peter & Flora McNaughton, died on April 22, 1877 in Comstock, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com shows that he was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[73] The son of neighbors, Richard & Mary (Knowles) Barber

[74] Neighbor, William Ridler

[75] Neighbor, James Spier

[76] Census and FindAGrave.com records show that Joseph Darling was married to Anna, however no marriage record was found

[77] Joseph Darling’s father

[78] Neighbor and “shirttail relative”

[79] FindAGrave.com shows that Henry L. Earl died May 24, 1877 and is buried in Cook Cemetery, Pavilion, Michigan. Henry was the nephew of Jesse & Mary (Clapp) Earl

[80] Neighbor, Edwin Flanders

[81] Dowagiac, Michigan, where she had once lived and where her late son Edwin Crawford’s family lived

[82] His paternal first cousin

[83] Neighbors, Henry & Lucy (Harris) Rogers

[84] His horse

[85] His niece, and sister Catharine’s daughter, Helen (Bradley) York

[86] Michigan Death Records show that Angeline (Murray) Dean, the wife of Benajah Dean, died June 29, 1877 in Pavilion, Michigan with FindAGrave.com showing she is buried in Cook Cemetery, Pavilion, Michigan

[87] FindAGrave.com reveals that Enoch S. Knapp died June 29, 1877 and is buried in Mountain Home Cemetery, Kalamazoo, Michigan

[88] Neighbor; James was the half-brother of Martin Milham (see footnote for January 23 entry)

* His son-in-law and daughter, Henry & Nancy (Keith) Brown

[89] His 2-year-old grandson, Claude Keith Brown, Nancy & Hank Brown’s son

[90] Nickname for his daughter Louese

[91] His neighbor, Samuel Barton

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

[93] Mary Tamer Ford, the daughter of neighbors Thomas & Adelia (Tompkins) Ford

[94] Women

[95] Some mad I suppose

[96] The family of his cousin, Charles & Juliana (Davis) Lee

[97] His daughter Lois’ sister-in-law, Sarah “Sate” Skinner

[98] His daughter Lois’ mother-in-law, Sarah (Knight) Skinner

[99] Michigan Death Records show that William Gleason died August 25, 1877 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in the Comstock Cemetery in Comstock, Michigan

[100] His maternal first cousin, Jesse W. Turner

[101] His maternal first cousin (and Jesse Turner’s brother) and wife, Clarissa (Whitcomb) Turner

[102] Both the Brown and Keith families were believers in Spiritualism and participated in seances, or “circles.” Don’t know who the “Old Preach” was, but Chee Chee was Ambrose Brown’s Indian Spirit Guide

[103] Michigan Death Records reveal that Charlotte Holmes, the 16-year-old daughter of Hamlin & Jane (Abbott) Holmes, died September 11, 1877 from Typhoid Fever in Comstock, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[104] Believe this to be Ira & Angeline Clark, the parents of Lois’ first husband, Byron Clark

[105] Sarah’s brother, Hiram Crawford Jr., and his family lived in Chicago so perhaps she was going to visit them

[106] Neighbor, the son of Samuel & Catherine (Knecht) Barton

[107] Michigan Death Records reveal that Henry Chapin died October 23, 1877 in Battle Creek, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Battle Creek, Michigan

[108] Louese was attending school in Chicago and staying with her uncle and aunt, Hiram & Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford Jr.

[109] Neighbor, Susan (Ford) Giddings, the widow of Augustus Giddings

[110] Michigan Death Records show that Sarah (Wheeler) Powlison, age 27, died November 8, 1877 and FindAGrave.com shows she was buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[111] Michigan Marriage Records shows that Elva Earl married Frank Crossfield on November 8, 1877 in Galesburg, Michigan. Elva was the daughter of Jesse & Mary (Clapp) Earl

[112] Neighbor, the son of Samuel & Catherine (Knecht) Barton. Michigan Death Records confirm that Walter died November 9, 1877 in Comstock, Michigan, at the age of 21

[113] Michigan Death Records reveal that Roswell Ransom died November 13, 1877 and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[114] Sarah’s brother, Henry Clay Crawford, and his family lived in South Bend, Indiana

[115] Believe this to be neighbor, James Edgar Milham, the son of James & Ellen (Adams) Milham

[116] Michigan Death Records confirm that Ross A. Ingersoll, age 29, died November 19, 1877 in Comstock, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Comstock, Michigan

[117] Neighbor, the daughter of Augustus & Susan (Ford) Giddings

[118] Byron (& his wife, Ida Chittenden), Cora, Ida and Emma Allen, were the children of neighbors, John S. & Amanda Louise (Worden) Allen

[119] Neighbor, and the son of Marius O. & Laura (Rawson) Streator

[120] Michigan Death Records confirm that Edward Payson Phelps, age 19, died December 31, 1877 from explosion of gun (see December 25^th entry) and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in the Comstock City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

Luke Keith’S 1876 Diary

 1876 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.[1]

Jan 1 – Paid Clarrie E. Austin[2] order $11.00. Rained some in morning, mercury 60 fifteen minutes to nine, sun shone out warm. Went down to Browns[3] in afternoon stayed in evening. Hank[4] came home. Barbers folks came over. High wind all night.

Jan 2 – Pleasant morning, 39 Abz.[5] At home all day.

Jan 3 – Cut some wood in forenoon. Went to mill in afternoon. Got my Buckwheat flour. Cold, froze some. Henry[6] came down stayed all night. Hank and Nancy[7] here.

Jan 4 – Cold morning 18 Abz at nine oclock. Sarah,[8] Nancy and Hannah[9] went over to Barbers. I went up to Mr. Benjamins. Lois[10] came home with me stayed all night.

Jan 5 – Rained some in morning. Went up in woods cut one tree down. Drawed two loads wood. Browns folks came up here in Evening. Lois went home.

Jan 6 – Cool to snow ground, not froze any. Went over to burg[11] got paint for Katie. Went down to Kates[12] stayed all night.

Jan 7 – Went to work on closset. Worked all day. Fine day.

Jan 8 – Worked on closset. Work all day. Warm day. Old Mr Nelson died.

Jan 9 – Worked on closset. Rainy. Worked all day. Blowed and snowed all night, high wind. Mr Nelson buried.

Jan 10 – Wind blows yet. Put shelves in cellerway. Painted closset and door below. Came home. Very cold. Mart[13] took sawing machine in woods. Darling helped him saw.

Jan 11 – At home. Cold morning. Hannah gone up to Mr Taylors[14] to work on dress. Went over to burg, bot some dings.[15] Cold, snowed some. Had headache.

Jan 12 – Cold morning. Cut some wood. Hat, Libby[16] and their aunt Mrs Taylor here in afternoon. A. Brown and family here in Evening. Mr J Allen and girls here, Cora and Ida.[17] Mr Hu___ died at L. Barbers.

Jan 13 – Cold morning. Worked round choring mosof the day. Commenced lap board for girls.

Jan 14 – Not very well. Nancy and Hannah went to Lawton[18] on the one thirty seven run. Sarah went over to burg.

Jan 15 – Not very cold. Put gudgeons in Schrams machine rollers. Not very well, headache, hard cold. Old Mrs Sherwood[19] brot in and buried to day.

Jan 16 – At home. Not well, hard cold. No snow on ground, rained some.

Jan 17 – Damp day. No work to day. Mercury 49 Abz. Hard cold.

Jan 18 – Rainy morning, 51 Abz, rained all day. Husked some corn. Went over to burg in afternoon. Very muddy.

Jan 19 – Some colder, no snow. Mr Flanders[20] brot his wagon down to be mended.

Jan 20 – Pleasant day. No work. Not very well. Carried Sarah over to burg she stayed all night.

Jan 21 – Carried Sarah over to burg she stayed all night with Jane.[21]

Jan 22 – I went over to burg after Sarah. Rained. Not very well yet, cold hangs on yet. Not very cold, no snow.

Jan 23 – At home. All well but I.

Jan 24 – Went up in woods, sawed some wood. Went over to burg, bot Barrel salt $1.75 cts. Not very cold, ground froze. Rather rough wheeling.

Jan 25 – Pleasant but cool, no snow. Went down to Katharines[22] stayed all night.

Jan 26 – Painted closset in forenoon. Went to Kalamazoo in afternoon to see B. M. Austin. Fine day.

Jan 27 – Painted front room up stairs in fore noon. Came home in afternoon. Rained in night some. Went over to burg in Evening, got oil and Sellers cough syrup. Ancil Lee[23] came to Jos.[24]

Jan 28 – Some rainy in morning. Made cross head block for Theodore.

Jan 29 – Split and drawed wood some.

Jan 30 – At home all day. Went down to Browns in Evening.

Jan 31 – Fine pleasant day. Worked in shop. Put in reach in Flanders wagon. John Kirkwood and wife came here.

Feb 1 – Pleasant morning, mercury 36 Abz in morning. Went down to Katharines. Snowed and blowed when we came home. Saw Ancil Lee.

Feb 2 – Cold 3 Abz in morning. Alfleda[25] went down to M. O. Streators.[26] Frank called and got her. I finished Flanders reach.

Feb 3 – Worked on Earnests box all day. Browns folks here in Evening.

Feb 4 – Sick, no work to day. Snowed some.

Feb 5 – Pleasant day. Sawed and drawed some wood on sleigh.

Feb 6 – At home all day. Henry Rogers[27] here a while. Not very cold.

Feb 7 – Fine day. Went to Kalamazoo with Engine. Saw B. M. Austin and Gipson their fore man.

Feb 8 – Worked on Whitings box all right. Not very cold.

Feb 9 – Rainy day, some thunder, warm for the season.

Feb 10 – Worked on box some. Carried Sarah over to burg. Went over after her in Evening. Rainy, some thunder, mercury 60 Abz, some very sharp lightning.

Feb 11 – Sold cow to Earnest Whiting for $33.00 and if she weighs over 550 lbs he pays me 6¢ pr pound for what is over that weight. Mercury 44 Abz. Jo & Ancil Lee came up here. Jim Krom called here.

Feb 12 – Jo and Ancil here. Worked in shop some. Made churn cover for A. Brown. Put heads on Joes crutches. Browns folks here in Evening. Fine day.

Feb 13 – Pleasant, no snow, mercury 45 Abz in morning. Ancil and Jo went home. Mercury 63 2 oclock P.M.

Feb 14 – Finished Whitings box. The cow weighed 568 pounds.

Feb 15 – Cut one tree, drawed two loads wood. Snowed some, cold day, froze some.

Feb 16 – Snowed some. Went down to Fords to see cow. Went down to Browns in Evening.

Feb 17 – Worked round house some and shop some. At home all day.

Feb 18 – Went up in woods, cut some wood in forenoon. Nice day. Ernest brot some lard down in Evening 11½ eleven and half pounds.

Feb 19 – Pleasant morning, mercury 36 Abz. Went over to burg. Received of Township Treasurer $80.50.

Feb 20 – Went down to Katharines, Alfleda stayed. Warm day.

Feb 21 – Went over to burg. Came back with Charly and Em Spire. Paid Emma Spire one hundred and twelve Dollars 112.00.

Feb 22 – Went up to Skinners to see cow, made bargain for her. Cold night.

Feb 23 – Went up to Skinners, got cow, paid $35.00. Pleasant but cold wind.

Feb 24 – Went out to Taylors and Earls in morning. Carried Sarah went up to Earls. I went up to Mr Earls in Evening. Pleasant day. Drawed some wood.

Feb 25 – Fine morning. Paid Z. C. Durkee twenty 24.50 four Dollars and fifty cts.

Feb 26 – Warm and pleasant. Husked and drawed corn, drawed four loads. George Barber came over here. Jim[28] and Will Brown[29] went fishing up to East Lake. Rained in night.

Feb 27 – Stormy morning. Trees and fences covered with sleet and ice. A hard storm for cattle that have to be out, for Marts any way.

Feb 28 – Husked corn. Snowey day, not very cold. Wm Ralphs folks[30] here in Evening.

Feb 29 – Husked corn in morning. Finished what was in the barn. Snows some, not very cold, the most snow we have had any one time this winter. Went over to burg. Went down to Browns in Evening with sleigh.

Mar 1 – Snowes like fun.[31] Carried Sarah over to Burg.

Mar 2 – Shelled corn and put up grist 4 bushels wheat. Went over to Henry Rogers in Evening with Browns folks. Had a circle.[32]

Mar 3 – Went to mill in morning. Carried 4 bushels wheat, 4 Buckwheat, 2 corn. Nice sleighing. Carried Louese[33] up to Mr Ralphs.

Mar 4 – Fine day, snow most gone. Went down to Browns in Evening.

Mar 5 – At home. Lois and Will[34] came down here. Rained some.

Mar 6 – Snow about gone, rained some in morning.

Mar 7 – Not much done to day. Alfleda sick. Went down to Browns in Evening. No snow, all gone, freezing some bot[?].

Mar 8 – Got meat of Ernest 77¢. Worked round.

Mar 9 – Ancil and Jo came up. Went over to burg to buring ground.[35] Jim went home with them.

Mar 10 – Fine warm day. Drawed in and husked corn. Warm as summer, rained in night, some thunder.

Mar 11 – Ancil and Lucy[36] came up here stayed all night. Lois came down. Browns folks came up in Evening.

Mar 12 – Ancil went back. Snowed and blowed some.

Mar 13 – Carried Lucy up to Skinners. Cold wind. Got 8½ lbs Beef of Whiting 9¢ pr pound.

Mar 14 – Ernest had my wagon to go to Kalamazoo.

Mar 15 – Carried Lucy home. Very windy day. All right.

Mar 16 – At home, rainy day, hard storm, very icy.

Mar 17 – Not very cold, snowed. Went over to burg, got strap for Sis,[37] trunk patterns for Hannah. Louese left for Chicago,[38] stopt to Lawton.

Mar 18 – Pleasant day. Carried corn up in cornhouse, drawed some wood. Went down to Browns in Evening. Frank Tomlinson[39] came in Evening.

Mar 19 – I went up to Lois with Frank. Cold wind. Ethan[40] and Frank went down to Marts stayed all night.

Mar 20 – Ethan and Frank came home. Snowey day, cold.

Mar 21 – Frank left for Allegan. Went up to Lois, Ethan went with him. Pleasant day. Jim and I sawed some wood.

Mar 22 – Drawed some wood on sleigh.

Mar 23 – Finished drawing in corn. Fine day. Jim went up to Sherman Lake with Brown after Ice, got none.

Mar 24 – Finished husking corn. Snowed in afternoon and Evening, very damp snow.

Mar 25 – Carried corn in cornhouse. Some 4 inches snow.

Mar 26 – At home all day. Not very cold.

Mar 27 – Cleared out cornhouse. Theodore came down wanted crosshead made.

Mar 28 – Made crosshead for Theodore. Very stormy day, snowed all day, very blustring.

Mar 29 – Snows like fun. At home.

Mar 30 – Drawed one load wood. Not much work. Shelled 12 bushels corn. Skinner got two bags corn.

Mar 31 – Went over to Comstock to mill. Sarah went down to Katharines.

Apr 1 – Went over to burg in morning. Drawed one load wood. Browns and Streators[41] folks here in Evening.

Apr 2 – Pleasant and cold, lots snow.

Apr 3 – Went to townmeting. Very good day, some snow and very muddy.

Apr 4 – Cut and drawed some wood. Warm day.

Apr 5 – Fine day, very high wind.

Apr 6 – At home all day. Working round house and barn.

Apr 7 – Worked in shop some, chored round.

Apr 8 – Went to Comstock to mill. Pleasant day. Hannah and Nancy came home. Mr Rogers, Forbushs and Browns folks here in Evening.

Apr 9 – Ethan and Hannah, Jim went down to Katharines. Pleasant day.

Apr 10 – At home all day. Solomon Youngs and wife[42] here to Tea.

Apr 11 – Went down to Marts. Fine day, warm. Got some new shugar. Barton[43] got out manure.

Apr 12 – Sarah and Nancy, Ethan went up to Skinners. Rained in morning. Paid John Schroder 3 Dollars. Rained in night, some thunder. Mr Barton got out manure.

Apr 13 – Pleasant and hot. At home, all right.

Apr 14 – Hannah and Nancy here.

Apr 15 – Hank came up on 6 oclock freight.

Apr 16 – At home to day, not very well. Sarah and all went down to Browns. Ethan and Hannah went up to Skinners.

Apr 17 – Hank and girls went back on Evening freight. Went down to see Jo Lee. Cate came home with me.

Apr 18 – Went up to Skinners. Moved machine down to Foundry.

Apr 19 – Went down to Katharines to see about money of Jo Lee. Jo York[44] came here, stayed all night.

Apr 20 – Jo went home. Went up to Foundry and burg. Jo got malodion. Went over to burg with Eggs and after Ethan. Fine day.

Apr 21 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Fine day. Mr Barton commenced sowing oats.

Apr 22 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Jim and I sawed some wood. Pleasant day.

Apr 23 – At home all day. Pleasant.

Apr 24 – Worked round house and shop.

Apr 25 – Sorted over potatoes. Sold Mr Barton 3 three bushels corn.

Apr 26 – Went to Kalamazoo got $300 Dollars of Jo Lee. Pleasant day. Bot suit cloths $8.00, one Hat $2.00.

Apr 27 – Went over to burg after Mrs Betts[45] goods. Mr Barton bot them over. Went up to Skinners after Mrs Skinner[46] and Lois.

Apr 28 – Cut and drawed some wood. Went down to Lawton on Evening Freight got there about Eleven P.M.

Apr 29 – Went over to Paw Paw in morning. Paid C. P. Galligan[47] 285.84 to apply on mortgage. Went down to furnace in afternoon.

Apr 30 – At Hanks all day or most of the day. Went up to the Coal bins saw them Coal one Engine.

May 1 – At Lawton. Went up to Iron Works and run around town.

May 2 – Left Lawton on the 10.10 train got off at Kalamazoo. Went to Registers office got mortgage and note. Got home about 6 P.M. all right.

May 3 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Sarah went over to burg.

May 4 – At home. Worked in shop some. Filed saw for N. L. Randal,[48] one for Whiting & Smith. Browns folks here in afternoon. Rainy night.

May 5 – Rainy day. No work out side.

May 6 – Went over to burg after mortar. Barber came over, plastered bed room. Went over to train after Mrs Betts. She came on the 11.12 train. Let Mr Barton have 4 bushels corn.

May 7 – Cloudy and warm. At home all day.

May 8 – Rainy. plowed croca ground rained some. Mr Barton plowed in afternoon. At home. Cut some wood. Put cow in Browns lot[49] to day.

May 9 – Cloudy. Took boxes to pecies. Plowed croquet ground. Rained some. Mr Barton plowed in afternoon.

May 10 – Cloudy morning, rain. Worked round in shop some.

May 11 – Made bedstead for Jim, turned lathe some. Pleasant.

May 12 – Fine day. Plowed garden, had Bill Brown.

May 13 – Worked in shop. Killed Jenny.

May 14 – Lois and Mrs Skinner here.

May 15 – Worked in shop some on patterns. All well.

May 16 – Barton planting. Warm day.

May 17 – Barton planting. Worked on patterns. Had a heavy shower.

May 18 – Warm and cloudy. Worked in shop some on patterns.

May 19 – Worked on patterns some. Warm day. Shelled some corn.

May 20 – Worked on patterns. Carried Sarah and Mrs Betts over to burg. Let Barton have two bushels corn.

May 21 – Very hot day. Barton planting. Barton had seed corn, one bushel and half.

May 22 – Went to mill carried 4 wheat, 3 corn. Sarah went down to Katharines.

May 23 – Warm day. Made cover to flour barrel. Planted Early Vermont potatoes.

May 24 – Worked in shop on patterns. Fine day.

May 25 – Finished up patterns this morning. Warm. Barton commenced plowing for Hungarian grass.

May 26 – Worked on crosshead. Went up to Foundry.

May 27 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Cut some wood. Received $40.00 Forty dollars of township treasurer. Paid Sate Beckwith $25.00 twenty five Dollars.

May 28 – At home. Del[50] and Lois here.

May 29 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Warned folks out on road. George Ives tried his new plow.

May 30 – Worked on road.[51] Sarah and Mrs Betts went to Mr Ralphs.

May 31 – Worked on road. Had a fine shower.

Jun 1 – Worked on road some, picked out stone and leveled same, 4 hours. Went down to Katharines after Bedstead. Rained some.

Jun 2 – Cloudy morning. Worked round shop and garden.

Jun 3 – At home. Worked round house and shop. Hank came in Evening. Draged my potatoe ground.

Jun 4 – At home all day. Hank left for Birmingham.

Jun 5 – Dragged my corn and potatoe ground. Bushed my ground.

Jun 6 – Planted potatoes. Very hot day.

Jun 7 – Went up to foundry. Mrs Betts went over to burg got her teeth repaired.

Jun 8 – Went up to foundry in morning. Mrs Betts came home. She gave me one Dollar. Worked on patterns. Rained all night.

Jun 9 – Cloudy morning, cool wind. Worked round garden and in shop some. Mr Austin Wolcott[52] died this morning. Mrs Betts went to Lawton.

Jun 10 – Went up to Foundry. Varnished some patterns. They run of a heat.

Jun 11 – Went down to Katharines. Mr Wolcott buried to day. Very hot day.

Jun 12 – Sowed my corn. Hot day. Jim commenced work for ARS.[53] Jo Lee came up here after his pants. Sowed my corn.

Jun 13 – Cultivated and marked out my bean ground. Hoed garden. Had a heavy Shower in afternoon.

Jun 14 – Planted beans and pop corn and sow forth and some.

Jun 15 – Went down to Marts. Got some timber for slats for Binder. Went up to Foundry. Sawed out slats. Had a heavy shower, got wet.

Jun 16 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Some rainy. Not very well. Got letter from Hank Nancy.

Jun 17 – Went up to Foundry. Had a heavy shower. Del came here in rain.

Jun 18 – At home all day. Not very well.

Jun 19 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Ethan at work on Binder.

Jun 20 – Worke on binder. Ethan up to Foundry.

Jun 21 – Went up to Foundry. Not very well.

Jun 22 – Bent slats for Binder. Tried to make soap. Jo Lee came up here.

Jun 23 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Went over to Burg at noon after Mrs Betts, she no come. Had a wind and rain storm.

Jun 24 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Carried Mrs Betts over to burg. Saw Rufus Clapp. Mrs Betts went over to burg.

Jun 25 – At home. Mrs Semer came here. She paid me 50 cts. Browns folks came up in Evening.

Jun 26 – Carried Mrs Semer over to burg in morning. Worked in garden, plowed out potatoes, plastered corn in west garden. Had a shower. Went over to burg in Evening. Had a thunder shower, rainy night.

Jun 27 – Worked round garden some. Went over to burg after Hannah. Cars run of track at Comstock. No one hurt.

Jun 28 – Hung East door. Worked on Hills violin. Went over after Hannah, no come.

Jun 29 – Went up to Foundry in morning with Ethan. Not much work. Worked on Hills violin. Hannah came home.

Jun 30 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Put violin together to day. Hoed in garden.

Jul 1 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Not much work. Not well. Some rainy. Charley Town[54] bored his hubbs. Mrs Betts went over to burg.

Jul 2 – At home all day. Had a heavy shower. Lewis Barber and wife[55] here just at night.

Jul 3 – Fine morning, cool wind, sun came out, had a heavy shower in afternoon. Mr Rogers sowed Buckwheat. Cut down tree, drawed one load wood. Charley Town commenced cutting wheat.

Jul 4 – Rainy morning. Carried Sarah and Alfleda over to burg in morning, went over after them in afternoon. Carried Hannah over just at night.

Jul 5 – Put up leach. Carried Ethan up to Foundry in morning, went around by burg got Hannah. Hank and Nancy came home. High wind, no rain to day. Mrs Hank Potts[56] Buried to day.

Jul 6 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Cut out Gloves for D. D. Harris.[57] Very hot day. Nancy went down to Browns. Mr Brown commenced cutting wheat. Stafford cuting wheat.

Jul 7 – D. D. got his Gloves. At home. Went up to Foundry in morning. Hot 98 in shade.

Jul 8 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry.  Very hot 98 in Shade. Went up to Foundry at night, took machine home. Lois came down, stayed all night. Hannah, Nancy and all at home.

Jul 9 – Ethan and Hannah went down to Katharines. Hot 95 in Shade. Del came down after Lois. Jim went down to Jacksons to work.

Jul 10 – Very warm. Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Nancy here. Went after him at night. Claud[58] went with me. Jim to work for Jackson.

Jul 11 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Claud went up with me. Carried Sarah, Mrs Betts, Nancy and Hannah down to A. Browns in forenoon. Mrs Barton[59] came over, picked currants. Hot, had a shower.

Jul 12 – Very hot. Went up to Foundry. Very hot all day.

Jul 13 – Round home. Went up to Foundry. Worked in shop some on cart.

Jul 14 – Went up to Foundry. Plowed potatoes, beans and pop corn. Mrs Barber, Ida,[60] Mrs Brown and Jule[61] here. Brown finished his wheat.

Jul 15 – Plowed out, Sowed corn and some potatoes. Carried Sarah, Nancy and Mrs Betts over to burg. Went down to Browns in Evening. Hot day.

Jul 16 – At home all day. Ethan and Hannah went up to Skinners. Hank and Nancy went down to Katharines.

Jul 17 – Hank went home. Drove cow. I went up to mill to find timber to repair bridge and up to Schrams. Went over to burg in morning after Mrs Betts. Got Boiler.

Jul 18 – Went down to Mitchels. Alfleda went down to Katharines. Nancy went home.

Jul 19 – Went up to foundry in afternoon. Built fence around bridge. H. A. Taylor helped me.

Jul 20 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry in morning. Hoed some in garden, put up grist, shelled 3½ bushels corn. Paid Stella Milham five Dollars $5.00.

Jul 21 – Went to mill to Comstock. Carried 3 & ¼ bushels wheat, 3-2/4 corn. Ida Barber came over in Evening with Will Brown.

Jul 22 – Ethan went to Foundry. Hannah went home to Lawton. Mrs Betts went over to burg. Louese Crawfords girl Born to day.[62]

Jul 23 – At home all day. Jesse Earl[63] and R. S. Clapp here.

Jul 24 – Took Ethan to Foundry. Mr Barton cutting _____ oats.

Jul 25 – Went up to Foundry. Worked in garden some. Went over to burg and up to Foundry. Got new Boiler.

Jul 26 – Put flange on pattern. Went up to Foundry in morning. Mr Barton finished cutting oats. Went to Foundry, went to burg. Got five Dollars on postal order from Henry Crawford.[64]

Jul 27 – Went down to Katharines. Paid Jo Lee three hundred and seven Dollars and fifty cts $307.50. Had a fine shower.

Jul 28 – Went up to Foundry in morning and Evening.

Jul 29 – Carried Ethan to shop. They put Binder on machine. Mr Ives brot wheel to be repaired. Worked on road some, finished bridge.

Jul 30 – At home all day. Lois down here.

Jul 31 – Worked on Mr Ives wheel. Got out spokes and drove them.

Aug 1 – Went up to Foundry. Finished Mr Ives wheel. Mrs Clinton here. Carried her up when I went after Ethan.

Aug 2 – Went up to Foundry. The Boys cider press came. John Ives got his wheel, he paid 1.50. Paid Osgood 20 cts for repairing glasses.

Aug 3 – Went to Foundry in morning. Put in Plow handle for Caywood. Went after Ethan. Henry came down with us. He went up home. Mr Hobbs called here. Sawed out Marts runners.

Aug 4 – Went up to Foundry in morning.

Aug 5 – Went up to Skinners in Morning. Head ache all day. Sarah and Mrs Betts went over to burg, stayed all night.

Aug 6 – Let Bill[65] out in lot this morning. Went over to burg after the Whimmin[66] after noon.

Aug 7 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry in morning. Chored round. Went down to Browns. Made Claude Ball & Mallet. Sent them with carpet. Hot day.

Aug 8 – Went to Foundry. Chored round some. Mr Allen cutting grass. Hot day.

Aug 9 – Ethan worked on pattern. Allen finished cutting grass. I no do mutch. Hot day.

Aug 10 – Went up to Foundry and Skinners. Carried some apples. The Boys clearing out old press. Barton and Rogers put up hay. Had a fine shower in Evening.

Aug 11 – Rainy morning. Worked round shop and garden. Went up to Foundry.

Aug 12 – Went up to Foundry. Barton drawed hay. Mrs Betts went over to Mr Johnsons _____.

Aug 13 – At home all day. Lois went down to Katharines. Jim came home. Mr Terry came here, stayed all night.

Aug 14 – Went up to Foundry, came back. Carried Terry down to Mr Browns. Had a fine Shower. Mr Barton Seated two Chairs 75 cts. Ed Flanders[67] girl born.[68]

Aug 15 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Terry went up to Nathan Lamkins.

Aug 16 – Carried Ethan up to Foundry. Carried Osgood ½ bushel apples.

Aug 17 – 54.39. Carried Ethan to Foundry. Hot day. Paid Sate Beckwith $45 Dollars. Received of township Treasurer fifty four Dollars and thirty nine cts. Got some ash plank of Earl.

Aug 18 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Pulled black beans.

Aug 19 – Worked round repaired Miss Jones &c[69] Henry c

Aug 20 – At home all day. Lois came down.

Aug 21 – Worked on Skinners buggy. No go to Foundry to day.

Aug 22 – Worked on Ives violin some. Repaired Skinners buggy Boddy.

Aug 23 – Finished Skinners buggy, painted it some. Worked on violin. B. Hartwell called here. Hot day.

Aug 24 – Went over to Burg. Saw George Browns cancer.[70] Worked on Ives violin. Very hot.

Aug 25 – Duglass thrashed Bartons oats had 85 bushels. Very comfortable day. Finished Browns wheat. Charly Town paid 25 cts.

Aug 26 – Worked round shop and house. David Barton[71] drawed straw home.

Aug 27 – Went to Winslows Island to a Spiritual Meeting. Fine day.

Aug 28 – Chored round. Mr Ives brot violin to be repaired. Dave Barton got out manure. Jim and George Barber cut some corn fodder. Fine day. Douglass took his machine away. Had a good rain in night.

Aug 29 – Worked on violin some and had a good rain in night.

Aug 30 – Went up to Foundry. Carried some boards for apple gatherer. Mrs Hawver here to day. Turned wheel for Clauds wheelbarrow.

Aug 31 – Ethan went up to Foundry. Bot fingerboard for Ives violin. Got Bathric violin to Repair. Mrs Betts left for Chicago.[72]

Sep 1 – Worked on violin some. Ethan went up to Foundry. Had a heavy shower.

Sep 2 – Got five bushels wheat of M. O. Streator. Went to mill. Cleaned out Jo Lees stove &c. Jimmie Milham[73] stayed here all night.

Sep 3 – Rainy morning. At home all day.

Sep 4 – Worked round house and shop on violin.

Sep 5 – Went down to Marts. Got one bushel grass seed 1.75¢. Went up to foundry. Ethan stayed all night.

Sep 6 – Sawed out Herbert Earls oars. Put finger board on Mr Ives violin. Had a big rain.

Sep 7 – Went up to Foundry and Skinners. Got some crabbapples. Del gave me five Dollars.

Sep 8 – Went to Foundry with Ethan. Worked round. Dave finished sowing wheat.

Sep 9 – Went up to Foundry and down to A. Browns.  Repaired buggy wheel for M. O. Streator. Browns folks went to Lawton on Evening freight. Some rain.

Sep 10 – Cloudy damp morning. At home all day.

Sep 11 – Worked round shop and house. Worked on violin. Ethan went up to Foundry.

Sep 12 – Worked on violin some. Mr Ives called here. Ethan went to Foundry. Sarah, Alfleda and Bill went to Skinners.

Sep 13 – Worked on guitar and Bathrics violin. Ethan up to shop. Rainy night.

Sep 14 – Carried Ethan up to shop. Rainy. Worked on violin.

Sep 15 – Went up to Foundry in morning.

Sep 16 – Went up to shop. Went over to burg at noon after Mary and Carry Plank.[74] Frank Bird Died to day.

Sep 17 – Went to Foundry. Mary and Carry here. At home all day.

Sep 18 – Ethan went to Foundry. Carry and Mary went to Allertons.[75]

Sep 19 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Worked in shop some.

Sep 20 – Worked on Bartons box. Went up to Foundry.

Sep 21 – Went up to Foundry. Made Henry scraper they commenced making Cider. Layed up the first cheese. Finished Bartons box $2.00.

Sep 22 – Went to Foundry. Worked on Box, finished.

Sep 23 – Went up to Foundry. Got Strawberry plants of Charly Macomb.

Sep 24 – Went down to Marts. Mart and Lucy came up here. Lois here.

Sep 25 – Went to Foundry. Dave Barton made cider. Bot shingles for house 3.45 ct. Carry and Mary came back in Evening. Bot 5 lbs nails 5 cts. pr pound.

Sep 26 – Went up to sawmill got load slabs. Put on some shingles. Had a shower just at night.

Sep 27 – Shingling House. Had a shower at night. Girls went down to Browns. Finished Shingling.

Sep 28 – Ethan went to Kalamazoo to fair. Went up to Skinners in morning. Put on ridge boards and done some patching. Will Plank[76] came.

Sep 29 – Rainy morning. Ernest brot cider down. Got Whitings buggy.

Sep 30 – Went over to Vicksburg. Rainy day. Got there about sundown.

Oct 1 – At Jo Yorks. Went over to Old Mr Yorks[77] in Evening. Heard Oscar and Frank play the violin. Cow had a calf. Spect so.

Oct 2 – Came home. Fine day. Got home before night. Will, Mary and Carry Plank went home.

Oct 3 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Henry came home with us at night. Sarah went over to burg.

Oct 4 – At home. Chored round. Went up to Foundry. Sawed out stuf for steps to cornhouse. Put shingles on Barn and hogpen.

Oct 5 – Went up to shop. Drawed lot slabs from mill. Sent things to Hank.

Oct 6 – Went to shop in morning. Rainy day. No work to day. Patty[78] came at noon. I went over got her trunk. Went after Ethan at night.

Oct 7 – Cleaned out corn house and chored round some. Ethan not well.

Oct 8 – Went down to Katharines. Found Jo Lee sick.

Oct 9 – Made axhelves for Mart. Henry Seymore here.

Oct 10 – Went up to shop in morning. Joseph W. Lee Died this morning about Six. Hannah went up to Mr Taylors to work. Went down to Katharines stayed all night.

Oct 11 – Came home this morning in day. Went up after Ethan. Went down to Browns in Evening.

Oct 12 – Pleasant morning. Went down to Katharines. Jo Lee buried[79] to day. Ansel Lee came.

Oct 13 – Went up to Foundry in morning. Worked in shop some.

Oct 14 – Went up to Shop. Worked round house and barn. Chored.

Oct 15 – At home all day. Skinners folks called here. They went down to Browns. I am 63 years old to day.

Oct 16 – Barton got load apples for cider. Skinner sent load _____ down. Fine day.

Oct 17 – Went down to Charles Lees.[80] Catharine and Patty went down. Patty came home with us. Very fine day.

Oct 18 – Put up Stairs to corn house. Fine day. Ethan gathered apples. Pleasant.

Oct 19 – Not much done to day. At home.

Oct 20 – Worked round house and barn. In shop some.

Oct 21 – Worked in shop some and round barn. Lois brot Ina[81] here. She stayed all night.

Oct 22 – Lois and Dell went up to Flanders stayed all night.

Oct 23 – Worked in shop on cutter.

Oct 24 – Worked on cutter got out runners.

Oct 25 – Mortised runners. Ansel and Lucy came up. Went over to burg.

Oct 26 – Worked in shop some. Went over to burg. Lucy had teeth Extracted six. Lois came down stayed all night.

Oct 27 – Worked in shop on cutter. Lucy went home. Ansel came after her.

Oct 28 – Worked on cutter. Skinner Brot load hay. Lois went home. Mrs. Betts came home to day. Mercury 62 Abz.

Oct 29 – Cloudy morning. At home all day. Not well.

Oct 30 – Worked on cutter some. Went down to Marts. Patty came home with me.

Oct 31 – Worked on cutter. Mrs Betts went to Kalamazoo with Browns folks. Very fine day 78 Abz. Rained in the night.

Nov 1 – Cloudy morning. Worked in shop all day.

Nov 2 – Rainy forenoon. Ansel and Lucy came up to get her _______ _______ filled. Sarah went to burg with them.

Nov 3 – Worked in shop all day on cutter. Fine day. Repaired Jo Keenes violin.

Nov 4 – Went over to burg in morning. Carried new corn over to mill. Carried Jo Keenes violin over he paid me 75 cts. Osgood paid for Bathrics violin. Mrs Betts went over to burg.

Nov 5 – At home. Nancy went up to Rass Towns.[82]

Nov 6 – Worked in shop. Rainy day.

Nov 7 – Cool morning. Went over to burg to Election.[83] Got 4 four bushels wheat of Taylor 1.20¢ pr. Carried it to mill.

Nov 8 – No work in shop to day. Dr McKinneys[84] folks came up here. Fine day, cool.

Nov 9 – Fine morning. Sun came out nice and warm.

Nov 10 – Worked on cutter worked on road. Mrs McKinney[85] went home.

Nov 11 – Worked in shop all day. Mrs Betts went over to burg to stay over the Sabbath and go and hear the gospel preached. Fine day.

Nov 12 – Pleasant morning. Went down to Marts.

Nov 13 – Worked in shop on cutter.

Nov 14 – Worked in shop. Good weather.

Nov 15 – Worked in shop some.

Nov 16 – Worked in shop. Patty and Lucy came up here.

Nov 17 – Worked in shop all day. Charly Clark[86] _____ up to Skinners.

Nov 18 – Worked in shop on cutter.

Nov 19 – Finished Marts Cutter. Dell, Lois and Charley came down here. Rainy.

Nov 20 – At home all day. Dave and Walt[87] cut some wood. Cut the big maple in south part of the woods.

Nov 21 – Started for Perry.[88] Left Kalamazoo 2.40 PM, left Detroit 7 PM. Rainy night. Battlecreek 3 P.M., Marshall quater to four 4, Jackson quater past “[89] 4.

Nov 22 – Arrived in Buffalo ½ 5 AM. Rains. Left Buffalo 7.25 AM arrived in Perry ½ past 11 AM. Rained some, some flakes snow. Frank and George[90] working at cider mill.

Nov 23 – At Perry. Went down to Scrantons office in morning. Cool. Sent Postal home to day. Sarah Chaddock[91] Died This Evening about Eleven P.M.

Nov 24 – At Perry. Went up to Cidermill. Helped Frank screen some Beans. Mr Crane and wife came in in Evening.

Nov 25 – Snows some, quite cold. Went out through the country with Frank buying Apples. Snowey day Snowd hard in afternoon.

Nov 26 – Snows some, snow about 3 inches deep. Folks gone to church. Sarah Chaddock Buried to day.

Nov 27 – Churned in forenoon. Helped Frank Screen Beans in afternoon. Snowed some, not very cold.

Nov 28 – Nice morning, not very cold. At the Tomlinson House. Cut anchor for Nellie T.[92] Had oysters for dinner.

Nov 29 – At Perry. All well. Helped Frank Screen beans in afternoon. Rather cool.

Nov 30 – Mercury 18 Abz in morning. All well. Eight oclock Engine fireing up for the usual trip to Gainesville, leave nine fifteen A.M. arrive Eleven thirty 11.30 AM.

Dec 1 – Helped Scren Beans. Very cold, mercury 4 Abz in morning. Sent letter home to day.

Dec 2 – Screened Beans in forenoon. Went Down to Wykof & Olins Reaper Shops. Pleasant but cold. Washed in morning.

Dec 3 – At the Tomlinson House. Folks all gone to church. Hat Holbrook here. Mercury 17 Abz in morning.

Dec 4 – Frank and I went to Portage Bridge. Eat our lunch at lower falls at 12 noon. Went to middle fall. Saw Letchworths residence. Went up to Bridge across it, under it and all around. Went down onto the piers. From piers to deck 200 steps. Length of middle pier 200 feet.

Dec 5 – Cool morning. Went down to the High Banks with George in afternoon. Not well. George and Marion[93] went down to Leroy[94] just at night. Susan S[95] was faling fast.

Dec 6 – Went up to Been House helped Frank load car and Screen some beans. Hiram May[96] Died to day Aged 79 years.

Dec 7 – Helped Frank some at been house. Snowed some. George and marion dont get home.

Dec 8 – Snowed quite hard in morning. Mercury 20 Abz. Went up to beanhouse and cidermill. Had the last cheese on the press. Cold rainy night.

Dec 9 – Washing to day. Snows and blows, mercury 4 Abz. No cars[97] out this morning. Got a dispatch from George Sprague[98] Susan is gone.

Dec 10 – At Tomlinson House. Cold wintry day. George and Marion at Leroy.

Dec 11 – Pleasant morning Mercury 3 below zero. Got a dispatch from George that Willie[99] was dead.

Dec 12 – Susan and Willie buried to day.[100] George and Marion came home _____.

Dec 13 – Went over to warsaw saw Robers snow. Went to Pearlcrrk[101] saw T. Miller, Chancy Pond, then went on, saw Frank Clow. Went down to George Starrs[102] stayed all night. Went down past the Cruttenden home.

Dec 14 – Went over to Jasper Starrs saw aunt Polly. Went and see Mrs Crosman then went and saw W^m Crosman. Took dinner with him then went over to the old home then to Pavilion. Went to Mr Nobles found them all right then went over to Perry, got there 7 PM all right.

Dec 15 – Cool morning. Not very well hard headache in forenoon. Helped Screen Beans in afternoon. Quite cold. Man building stairs in bean House.

Dec 16 – Washed in forenoon. Very blustrous mercury 4 Abz in morning, very bad day. Cars no run, 4 below in afternoon and Evening.

Dec 17 – At Tomlinson House. At zero in morning. Folks all gone to church. Fine snow falling, are full frost.

Dec 18 – Screened Beans. Very blustrous. All at home. Mercury at zero in morning. Cold night. Cars could not get through. Mail went through on sleigh.

Dec 19 – Very blustring, mercury 12 Abz in morning, snow flying. At home all day. Made cloths stick. George Brown died to day.

Dec 20 – Not so cold. Went into mill. Repaired Mrs Jones door. Mr Rice came here. Went to Pavilion in afternoon. Stayed to Mr Nobles all night. Found them all well. George Brown buried.

Dec 21 – Went down to Crosmans shop. Saw sam. Called on Clarrissa Starr. Went into Burying ground. Went down to Mr Snows stayed all night. Saw Mary, Mr and Mrs Snow and Mrs How &c. Saw Dr Sprague.[103]

Dec 22 – Went down to Emeline Bradleys, saw her family, found them well. Called on W^m Bradley. Saw Esther Hill, called on Mr Gillmore, Mrs Syntha Sprague.[104] Left Mr Nobles about three P.M. for Perry, got there half past five P.M. Saw the Engine.

Dec 23 – Washing day. All well. Not as cold as some other Satur.[105] At home all day not much going on. Frank and Nell at church fixing for concert.

Dec 24 – Got present handkerchief. At home all day. Cold day. Went to Christmas Eve in Perry. Had a nice time. Concert went of firstrate. Heard the big Organ.

Dec 25 – Fine day, cloudy, not very cold. Nell gone to Rochester to see her chap.[106] George went to Leroy. Mrs Crack and Lizzy here to dinner spent the Evening.

Dec 26 – Very fine day. Frank and I Screened beans in forenoon.

Dec 27 – At home. Went up to bean house worked some. Went to see Mrs Cady and Mrs Scranton and Louisa in Evening, Mr Lewis. All well.

Dec 28 – Helped put the new Safe in the mill in fore noon. Nice one, weight 4000, cost $230 less than half price. Marion and I went over to Gainesville to Charles Browns, saw Lucinda. Found them well as usual.

Dec 29 – At Tomlinson house. Very blustrous. Worked in bean house Screened beans. Went to see the Wabinoes in Evening. Had a good show. A very stormy night, worse than they often see, snow just piled up.

Dec 30 – Washing. Very rough day. No getting out. As rough a storm as they see on the mountains of the west. At home all day, to stormy to be out.

Dec 31 – Very blustrous. No church to day. Mr Crane came in in the forenoon.

 

Memoranda
Occidental = western quarter of the hemisphere
Oriental = Eastern part of hemisphere

Hesperian
Western home

Farm Ballads
Farm Legends
By
Will Carleton[107]

Whittiers Poems

Macleans
Manual of the
Antiquity of man

Tomlinson made 4700 bbls cider 3000 on hand December 1st 1876. 40 cts pr Barrel for making. Sold 1700 bbls vinegar since January 76 ¢7 pr cask

One tank 16 feet high x 16 feet Bottom 600 bbls 3 thousand bushels apples made into cider

Hercules 325 feett long 97 feet circumference

Cars leave Perry 9.15 AM Leve 2.45 PM

Arrive 11.30 AM
Arrive 5.30 PM

Holloways Pills for Kidney Diseased ointment rubed on

Esther Allen[108] Died
August 3rd 1834 Ae 90 yrs

Abiah Sprague[109] Died
April 13 1841 Ae 77 yrs

James Sprague[110] Died
Oct 9th 1849 Ae 82 yrs

Dan Sprague[111] Died
March 31 1859 Ae 58 yrs

Elsie Smith[112] Died
April 7th 1841 Ae 27 yrs

Eunice Cruttenden[113] Died
July 1 1847 Ae 74

Jairus Cruttenden[114] Died
June 22d 1843 Ae 69 yrs

A. E. Cruttenden[115] Died
January 28th 1845 Ae

James Sprague Jr[116] Died
March 30th 1857
Ae 58 yrs

Ben Vail[117] Died
Sept 16 1834 Ae 29 yrs

——-

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

[2] Neighbor, Clara Austin

[3] Neighbors, and daughter Nancy’s in-laws, Ambrose & Matilda (Allen) Brown

[4] His son-in-law, Henry Brown

[5] Above zero

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

[7] His daughter, and Hank’s wife, Nancy (Keith) Brown

[8] His third wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[9] His daughter, Hannah Keith

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

[11] Galesburg, Michigan

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

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

[14] Neighbor, Hannibal A. Taylor

[15] Things

[16] Hannibal Taylor’s daughters, Harriett and Flora Elizabeth Taylor

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

[18] Lawton, Michigan, where Nancy & Hank lived

[19] FindAGrave.com reveals that Clarissa (Wilcox) Sherwood died January 10, 1876 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[20] Neighbor, Joseph Flanders

[21] Neighbor, Sarah Jane (Mason) Hoag

[22] In all his previous diaries up until 1875, Luke has spelled his sister’s name as Catharine. It now appears that he is sometimes spelling it starting with a K

[23] His paternal first cousin, Ansel Lee (son of Rhoda (Keith) and Charles Lee)

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

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

[26] Neighbor, Marius O. Streator

[27] Neighbor, Henry D. Rogers

[28] His youngest son, James Clinton Keith

[29] Willis Brown, the son of Ambrose & Matilda Brown

[30] Neighbors, William & Emaline (Stone) Ralph

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

[32] Both the Brown and Keith families were believers in Spiritualism and participated in seances, or “circles”

[33] His youngest daughter, Louese Keith

[34] His daughter, Lois, and her son, William Byron Clark

[35] Believe this is referring to the Galesburg City Cemetery where Ansel and Joe Lee’s mother, Rhoda (Keith) Lee, and their brother and his son, George Clinton Lee and James Sprague Lee, are buried

[36] His niece, Lucy (Lee) Milham, the daughter of his sister Catharine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[37] Nickname of his daughter Louese

[38] Louese lived with her uncle and aunt, Hiram & Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford, while attending school in Chicago

[39] Frank John Tomlinson, the grandson of Luke’s sister, Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague

[40] His son, Ethan Keith

[41] Marius & Laura Ann (Rawson) Streator

[42] Solomon & Theresa (Pond) Young

[43] Neighbor, Samuel Barton

[44] Joseph York was married to Luke’s niece, Helen (Bradley) York

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

[46] His daughter Lois’ mother-in-law, Sarah (Knight) Skinner

[47] Neighbor, Charles P. Galligan

[48] Neighbor, Nathan L. Randall

[49] Ambrose Brown owned a lot basically across the road from Luke’s home

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

[51] The men were required to work on the roads a certain number of days based on how many acres they owned. For more information, see https://lettersfromthe1860s.wordpress.com/2018/06/16/luke-keiths-road-tax

[52] Michigan Death Records reveal that Austin W. Wolcott, aged 49, died of “softening of the brain” on June 9, 1876, and FindAGrave.com indicates he was buried in the Prairie Home Cemetery, Richland, Michigan. Many diseases were labeled as softening of the brain including stroke, dementia, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s

[53] Adelbert Reuben Skinner

[54] Neighbor, Charles Towne. In 1891 Charles married Luke’s daughter Hannah

[55] Neighbors, Lewis J. & Lydia (McClary) Barber

[56] Michigan Death Records show that Eliza Potts, wife of Henry Potts, died July 3, 1876; FindAGrave.com reveals that she is buried in Roof Cemetery, Climax, Michigan

[57] Neighbor, Daniel D. Harris, who married Luke’s youngest daughter, Louese, in 1882

[58] His grandson, Claude Keith Brown, the son of Nancy & Hank Brown

[59] Presume this is Samuel Barton’s wife, Catherine (Knecht) Barton

[60] Mary (Knowles) Barber and her daughter, Ida Barber

[61] Matilda (Allen) Brown and her sister, Julia Allen

[62] Lulu Crawford was born to Luke’s brother-in-law Robert & Louisa (McCann) Crawford

[63] Neighbor and “shirttail relative”

[64] His brother-in-law

[65] His horse

[66] Women

[67] Neighbor, Edwin Flanders

[68] Mabel Ellena Flanders

[69] Etc.

[70] George Brown’s death record shows that he died of consumption

[71] The son of Samuel & Catherine (Knecht) Barton

[72] According to the October 1, 1876 letter from Robert Crawford, Nancy was living with Hiram & Kate Crawford in Chicago

[73] Believe this is referring to James Edgar Milham, the son of neighbors James & Ellen (Adams) Milham. James was the brother of Martin Milham

[74] The Planks had been Luke’s neighbors, but moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1873

[75] Neighbors, John & Caroline (Rapelje) Allerton

[76] William Plank; Mary and Carrie’s brother (see September 18 entry)

[77] Believe he is referring to Joseph York’s father, Samuel York, who had lived in Comstock until 1870 when he moved to Vicksburg, Michigan

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

[79] FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Indian Fields Cemetery, Portage, Michigan

[80] His cousin, the son of Charles & Rhoda (Keith) Lee

[81] His granddaughter, Ina Mary Skinner, the daughter of Lois & Del Skinner

[82] Erasmus Towne, the brother of Charles Towne

[83] Rutherford B. Hayes ran against Samuel Tilden and became the 19^th President of the United States

[84] Hank & Nancy’s neighbors from Lawton, Michigan, Martin VanBuren McKinney and his wife and son, Mary (Stephenson) and Don Clyde McKinney

[85] Mary (Stephenson) McKinney

[86] His grandson, Charles Ira Clark

[87] The sons of neighbors Samuel & Catherine (Knecht) Barton

[88] Perry, New York, where his sister Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague and her daughter and son-in-law, Marion (Sprague) & George Tomlinson, lived

[89] He used ditto mark to reference the word “four” from the line above

[90] Frank John Tomlinson and his father, George Tomlinson

[91] Sarah (Crittenden) Chaddock was the niece of Luke’s second wife, Jerusha (Crittenden) Keith. Michigan death records confirm that she died November 23, 1876 in Allegan, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com reveals that she is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Allegan, Michigan

[92] George & Marion Tomlinson’s daughter, Nellie

[93] His niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

[94] LeRoy, New York

[95] George Tomlinson’s sister, Susan (Tomlinson) Sprague

[96] Michigan Death Records reveal that Reverend Hiram May died December 7, 1876 in Lancaster, Erie County, New York, and is buried in Maplewood Cemetery, Pavilion, Genesee County, New York. Since Luke was originally from New York, it is assumed that he knew Rev. May

[97] Trains

[98] George Finley Sprague, Susan’s husband

[99] William Tomlinson Sprague, the two-year-old son of George & Susan (Tomlinson) Sprague

[100] FindAGrave.com shows that both Susan and Willie are buried in Pearl Creek Cemetery, Pearl Creek, New York

[101] Pearl Creek, New York

[102] George Noah Starr was the half-brother of Alfleda (Starr) Keith (see February 2^nd entry). George lived in Pavilion, Genesee County, New York

[103] Believe he is referring to Dr. William Bishop Sprague, a cousin of his second wife, Jerusha (Crittenden) Keith

[104] Believe his is referring to Cynthia (Bishop) Sprague, a cousin of his second wife, Jerusha (Crittenden) Keith, and the mother of Dr. William Bishop Sprague

[105] Saturday

[106] Nellie Tomlinson married Walter Gillett on April 10, 1878 so assume this is who Luke is referring to

[107] According to Wikipedia.com, William McKendree Carleton (October 21, 1845 – December 18, 1912) was an American poet from Michigan. Carleton’s poems were most often about his rural life. It also noted that with the Public Act 51 of 1919, the Michigan legislature required teachers to teach at least one of his poems to their students, and October 21 was officially named as Will Carleton Day in Michigan. Schools in Michigan named for him include Will Carleton Academy in Hillsdale, and Will Carleton Middle School in Sterling Heights. A section of the M-99 in Hillsdale is dubbed Will Carleton Road. The village of Carleton in Monroe County, Michigan, is named for him, and the road on Carleton’s northern border, separating Monroe and Wayne counties, is Will Carleton Road

[108] FindAGrave.com confirms that Esther (Hutchinson) Sprague Allen died August 3, 1834 and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York. Esther was the wife of William Sprague

[109] FindAGrave.com confirms that Abiah (Carpenter) Sprague, the wife of “Capt” James Sprague, died and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York

[110] FindAGrave.com confirms that “Capt” James Sprague died October 9, 1849 and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York. James was the son of William & Esther (Hutchinson) Sprague

[111] FindAGrave.com confirms that Dan Sprague died March 31, 1859 and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York. Dan was the son of Capt. James & Abiah (Carpenter) Sprague, and the husband of Mary (Collins) Sprague

[112] FindAGrave.com confirms that Elsie (Crittenden) Smith died April 7, 1841 and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York. Elsie was the daughter of Jairus & Eunice (Sprague) Cruttenden, and the wife of Homer B. Smith

[113] FindAGrave.com confirms that Eunice (Sprague) Cruttenden died July 1, 1847 and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York. Eunice was the daughter of William & Esther (Hutchinson) Sprague and the mother of Luke’s second wife, Jerusha (Crittenden) Keith

[114] FindAGrave.com confirms that Jairus Cruttenden died June 22, 1843 and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York. Jairus was the husband of Eunice, and the father of Luke’s second wife, Jerusha

[115] Unable to find any information on this person

[116] FindAGrave.com confirms that James Sprague Jr. died March 30, 1857 and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York. James was the son of Capt. James & Abiah (Carpenter) Sprague, and the husband of Luke’s sister, Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague

[117] FindAGrave.com confirms that Benjamin Vail died September 16, 1834 at the age of 29 and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York. He was the husband of Mary (Derby) Vail, but any relationship to Luke is unknown at this time