1886 Diary of Charles Luke Keith Jr.

1886 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH, JR.[1]

Luke wrote his entries for 1886 in three different diaries: it appears that he first wrote the January 1-30 entries in the back of his 1885 diary, then January 31 to March 31 in the back of his 1881 diary. On March 4^th he bought an 1886 diary and started to copy all those entries, but only copied January 1-9, left the following pages blank and then started entering daily on April 1 through the end of the year. As the January 1-9 entries in his 1886 diary are shortened versions, I have used the 1885 version.

Jan 1 – Mercury 36. Very nice day no snow. Went over to Lois[2] to a New Years dinner me self and Sarah,[3] Hannah,[4] Lou,[5] Mrs Brown,[6] Jim,[7] Ethan,[8] Will Clark.[9]

Jan 2 – Mercury 41. Filed saw for Jim. Cut and drew two loads wood and one load corn. Rainy day.

Jan 3 – Mercury 43 no snow, rainy morning. At home all day.

Jan 4 – Mercury 38. No work but chores. Ethan went over to Foundry to work.

Jan 5 – Mercury 30 snowey. Ethan went to Kalamazoo. D.[10] came home with him.

Jan 6 – Mercury 11 Abz.[11] Lou and D. went home. Mr Lanfor Burdick Died Six Oclock this morning.[12] Went down to Mr Randals got Butter. Cold wind. Fanny Town[13] called in.

Jan 7 – Mercury __4. Took Hannah over to the burg[14] in morning. Choring around. Took saw up to Theodores[15] to be gumed[?]. Filed saw for Skinner[16] 25 cts.

Jan 8 – Mercury 16. Not much done. Very windy day. Mr Burdick buried to day.

Jan 9 – Mercury 18. Snowey and Blustring day. Drew two loads wood one corn. Theodore came down here.

Jan 10 – Mercury 14 in morning. At home. Cold snowey day about 4 inches snow. Husked some corn. Mercury 4 four below in Evening.

Jan 11 – Mercury 3 below in morning cold and blustring. Jim and Will Clark posting bills for H. A. Brown.[17]

Jan 12 – Mercury 6 Abz. At home doing chores.

Jan 13 – Choring, no work to amount to much. Cutting some wood. Went down to Randalls.

Jan 14 – Mercury 10 Abz. Cut and drawed three loads wood.

Jan 15 – Rainy. Drawed two loads corn.

Jan 16 – Mercury. Went over to burg in morning got glass for schoolhouse. Went and set them. 4 lights 40 cts. Got 3½ lbs Butter of Fanny Town.

Jan 17 – At home all day. No one here till just at night George and Evva Blake[18] called here.

Jan 18 – Mercury 32. Went up to mill. Ground my ax. Herb Earl and wife[19] stayed in their new House for the first time.

Jan 19 – Mercury 14 Abz. Husked some corn cut some wood. Went over to burg got some nails.

Jan 20 – 9 Abz. Went down to Katharines[20] and M. O. Streators.[21] Very stormy day snow all day.

Jan 21 – Made door to Egg cupboard.

Jan 22 – Mercury 1 below. Stormy. Painted cupboard.

Jan 23 – Mercury 15 below. Took Sarah down to Marts.[22] She went to Kalamazoo to see Ed Allen.[23] Very cold. Plenty snow but not very good sleighing.

Jan 24 – At home all day.

Jan 25 – Mercury 29. Went to Kalamazoo after Sarah. Stoped to Marts saw the mill run. Charley and Clara[24] stayed here.

Jan 26 – Mercury 26 Abz. Jim drawed 3 loads wood one corn. Hank, Lelah and Bes[25] came over they came to Lois.

Jan 27 – 30 Abz. Went over to burg. Took Clara up to Hats.[26] Charley went home. I shelled some corn. Filed saw for N L Randall.[27] Hank to work in galery at the Burg.

Jan 28 – Mercury 22 Abz. Went down to Marts to mill. Got six bushels corn and oats ground. Louese came home.

Jan 29 – Mercury 23 Abz. Took Lou over to burg to get pictures taken. Lou, Clara, Lelah and Bessey here stayed all night.

Jan 30 – At home all day. Lou here she went over and got negatives of the children. D came at night. Cold day.

Jan 31 – Lou went over to burg. Got pictures of the children. D came at night. Cold day.

Feb 1 – Cold good sleighing. No work but chores. Mr Albert Carletons House burned to day.

Feb 2 – Cold day. Took Hannah over to Mrs Sumners. D went up to Scotts.[28] Cold.

Feb 3 – Mercury 32 below zero in morning. Hank went to Kalamazoo. Theodore & Dick Barber[29] came down here. D. & Lou, Ethan and Hannah went down to Mrs Browns.

Feb 4 – Mercury 17 below. D. & Lou went home. Clear and cold. No work but chores.

Feb 5 – Cold day at home. Choring. Old Mr Bennet[30] killd at the burg by the cars.[31]

Feb 6 – At home, cold, bad getting around. Hank left for Galesburg Ill. on Evening Express.

Feb 7 – Mercury. At home. Will Aldrich here. Ethan and Hannah went down to Katharines. Mrs Joh Schrader called here.

Feb 8 – Mercury 40 Abz. Went over to Mr Towns[32] got 2¾ lbs butter paid $1.20 cts. Went over to burg in Evening after Hannah.

Feb 9 – Mercury 54. Drawed two loads corn. Jim drawed one Load wood. Hank and Nancy[33] came on noon Train.

Feb 10 – Mercury 44. Took sarah over to Mrs Watts[34] Funeral. Husked in fore noon. Went over in Evening got Nancys trunks.

Feb 11 – Mercury 45. Took Nancy down to Mrs Browns in morning. Took Sarah up to Mr Rogers in afternoon. I drew two loads corn in afternoon. Sprinkled some just at night.

Feb 12 – Mercury 35. Husked corn some. Worked round house and shop.

Feb 13 – Mercury 33. Choring, not much work. Hannah came home from Austin Peases place. Hank came home in Evening.

Feb 14 – Mercury 35. Hank, Nancy an children[35] here. Hank and Nancy went down to Mrs Browns.

Feb 15 – Mercury 27. Hank and Nancy went to Kalamazoo. Snows some. Edna Allen came to day.

Feb 16 – Mercury 5 Abz. At home. Took Nancy over to burg she went to Kalamazoo. Georde [sic] Tomlinson[36] came on noon train. Went down to Katharines.

Feb 17 – Mercury 23 Abz. Went over to Burg. George left for home on noon train.

Feb 18 – Mercury 38. At home. Worke in barn fixed stall for fan.[37] Ed and Madge[38] here.

Feb 19 – Mercury 23. Cut and drawed some wood. Cold wind.

Feb 20 – Mercury 12 Abz. Cut some wood. Hannah came home from Caywoods.

Feb 21 – At home. Ed and Mage here. Lelah and Bes here.

Feb 22 – Mercury 23. Took Hannah and girls over to cars. Lelah and Bes went home. Hannah went to Lous. I cut some wood.

Feb 23 – Mercury 21. O. M. Allen[39] came up to see Ed. Fan had a calf to day it droped 12 noon.

Feb 24 – Drawed load wood. Made pen for calf.

Feb 25 – Mercury 15 Abz. Cleaned up some wheat. Cold and snowey, high wind, very blustring.

Feb 26 – At work round Barn. Sawed some wood. Went over to burg went to mill.

Feb 27 – Drawed some wood. Not much snow. Very rough roads.

Feb 28 – At home. No one here Except the Allen family. O. M. came up in afternoon.

Mar 1 – Choring round as usual. Went over to Burg at noon. Got some medicin for Edna. Got Harness oil of Semour Miner.

Mar 2 – At home. Jim had Bill[40] to draw straw.

Mar 3 – Mercury 26. Cut some wood drawed some wood.

Mar 4 – Went to Kalamazoo. Went to Hanks. Bot Diary 75 cts.

Mar 5 – Mercury. Mended Kettle. Chored round. Very pleasant day.

Mar 6 – Cut and Drew two loads wood. Very nice day.

Mar 7 – Nice day. O. M. came up. Doc McBeth came over to see Edna. I went over in Evening after McBeth.

Mar 8 – Snows like fun. Doc came over in morning. Ethan sick.

Mar 9 – Mercury 32. A. R. Skinner cut wood part of the day. Fine day snowed some not very cold.

Mar 10 – Mercury 38. Went over after Lois in morning. Put clasp on Mrs Bradshaws album. Cow sick.

Mar 11 – Went over to burg bot medicine for cow. Drawed some wood and some corn. Cow sick.

Mar 12 – Mercury 38. Ben Smith Died shelby ville.[41] Snowed like Blazez. Went over after Del he came over to see cow. Charley Corey taking down the old Brick on corner.

Mar 13 – 30 Abz. Not very well. Went over to Burg got oil. Cow some better not much.

Mar 14 – At home all day. Mrs Hubberd Lewis marred to day.[42] Mr Benj Smith of Shelby Ville Buried to day.

Mar 15 – Went up to Mr Ridlers to by some wood. He Brot one cord wood $1.75.

Mar 16 – Cow sick. Went over to burg after Hanks things at Galery. Put handle in Spade.

Mar 17 – Went up to Jesse Earls[43] got vice of Theodore. Went to burg got some medicine for cow of Munger $1.00.

Mar 18 – Went down to Mrs Brown & got some potatoes. Glued Mrs Rogers chair. Mrs Bradshaw got her Album 25 cts.

Mar 19 – Mercury 70. Cut some wood. Filed saw for A. Kaywood. Put up iron vice. Clara Milham[44] here.

Mar 20 – At home. Cut some wood.

Mar 21 – At home. Filed saw for Dell Skinner.

Mar 22 – Went down to Mrs Browns got some potatoes. Snowed some cold March wind. Hannah came home from Shelby Ville.[45]

Mar 23 – Went over to burg after Cora Meridith.[46] She came stayed all night.

Mar 24 – Worked on Hat & Libs[47] cupboard. Cora went up to Jim Milhams.[48] Ethan took Hannah down to Smith Carletons.[49] Very nice day.

Mar 25 – Worked on cupboard. Fine day. Ina[50] came over stayed all night.

Mar 26 – Went over to burd [burg] in morning after Lumber to finish cupboard.

Mar 27 – Mercury 32. Worked on cupboard. Very nice day. Charley Town[51] finished fence on north side road. Hannah came home from Carletons.

Mar 28 – Went to Katharines. Cold East wind.

Mar 29 – Changed corn with W^m Rogers. They moved three Loads goods.

Mar 30 – Rainy day. Finished the cupboard. Mended spade for Jim. Jim bot Horse of Taylor Girls.[52]

Mar 31 – Mercury 41. Rainy fore noon. Davis Stafford and Mr Brown came down to see the Binder. I took the girls cupboard up to them. Mr W^m Rogers took the last load goods to day.

Apr 1 – Mercury 34 stormy snowey bad day. Shelled some corn. Doc McBeth[53] here morning and Evening.

Apr 2 – Mercury 24 some snow ground well covered. Filed saw for Jim. Went over to burg after Doc McBeth at noon Ed Allen Blowed out this evening.[54]

Apr 3 – Mercury 20 very pleasant morning. Cut and drew some wood one load corn. Lois came over.

Apr 4 – At home. Ethan took Hannah up to Scotts to Jon Powers.

Apr 5 – Nice pleasant day. Went to town meeting. Ed some better. Doc comes twice a day.

Apr 6 – Mercury 32 the wors Bluster of the season, snowed and blowed a perfect gale all day.

Apr 7 – Went over to burg in morning. Bot some maple shugar 48 cts.

Apr 8 – Mercury 25. Ethan and Lois went to Kalamazoo. Nancy gone up to Lous. Very nice day. I cut some wood. Bot can Honey of Mr Rainy[?].

Apr 9 – Drew two loads straw two loads corn one wood. Very pleasant day.

Apr 10 – Worked in woods and in shop. Ed not much better.

Apr 11 – Nice day. I husked corn all day. O. M. Allen came up. Rainy day.

Apr 12 – Nice warm day. Laid up fence on hill south of orchard. Went over to Lois just at night.

Apr 13 – Went to Kalamazoo. Lois went to see Nancy. Bot Hat $1.50. Paid for the Telegraph[55] one year $1.50. Nicholas Chilson Died to day Ae 80y.[56]

Apr 14 – Mercury 85 Abz very nice day. Drawed stone in forenoon. Took down some fence up by the woods in afternoon. Hannah came home from Scots.

Apr 15 – Moved some fence. Nice day. Drew some corn.

Apr 16 – Took down fence. Drew one load old rails.

Apr 17 – Husked corn in forenoon. Hot day had a thunder shower just at night. Hannah came from Em Ralphs.[57]

Apr 18 – At home. Ed some better. Bessie here. O. M. no come up to day. Theodore and Hannah went to W^m Rogerses.

Apr 19 – Very warm day. Went over to burg got groceries. Ed Rouland paid two Dollars for Repairing violin.

Apr 20 – Mercury 80 Abz. Drew 3 loads corn one load old rails. Jim commenced plowing on the hill for oats. Nice warm day.

Apr 21 – Mercury 84. Took Lois trunk to the Depo. She went to shelbyville. Husked some corn. Jim plowing. Bot 1½ bushel clover seed $10.50.

Apr 22 – Mercury 84. Husked some corn. Very nice day.

Apr 23 – Mercury 87. Ethan went to Kalamazoo after Nancy. The children came.

Apr 24 – Mercury 84. Jim finished plowing the oat ground drew in the corn all in. I dug out some stumps.

Apr 25 – At home. Nancy and children came up stayed all night. Very pleasant day. O. M. came up in afternoon.

Apr 26 – Nancy went home on 11 oclock run. Jim ploting oat ground. W^m Blake called in to see Jim. Rainy afternoon.

Apr 27 – Went up to M. O. Streators bot six bushels wheat 85 cts pr bushel. Took it over to mill in afternoon.

Apr 28 – Drew some stumps of south lot one load stone. Jim commenced Drilling oats.

Apr 29 – Jim finished drilling oats he plowed the garden.

Apr 30 – Went over to Burg in morning. Draged the garden and potatoe ground.

May 1 – Not mutch work to day. Rainy some. Went over to burg in afternoon.

May 2 – Nice day. Jim, Mrs Brown and Hannah went down to Nancys.

May 3 – Took Edna Allens trunk over to the Depo at noon. Got a draft cashed for her $50.22 cts. She went on the 9.20 train Evening.

May 4 – Went up to Mr Flanders[58] got ½ bushel potatoes 25 cts. Rained quite hard. Sarah went down to Mr Randals a dance to Mike Maloneys new barn.

May 5 – Went up to mill. Turned rooler for Mr Beals of Climax. Went over to Burg got Sarahs Dress and ticking.

May 6 – Husked corn in afternoon. Nice day.

May 7 – Finished husking corn. Mrs Brown and Bessie came up here. Bes stayed all night. Show at the burg I went saw murmaid.

May 8 – At home. Mended wire fence on East road spliced one wire. Rainy night. Hannah over to Nells.

May 9 – Went down to Katharines. Rained some not vey cold.

May 10 – At home. Worked round house and garden.

May 11 – Went over to burg in afternoon to the Band Torniment. Received postal from George.[59]

May 12 – Worked round choring. Went over to burg. Shelled corn in afternoon. Nancy and Mrs Wagner came up in afternoon.

May 13 – Mercury 81 warm day. Sarah went over to Hoags.[60] Ina went to Shelby Ville. I went to Milhams to mill.

May 14 – Mercury. Worked in garden some. Went over to burg. Bes here.

May 15 – Went over to Forbush in afternoon. Rainy.

May 16 – At home all day. Nice day.

May 17 – Went over got the Buggy thill[61] iron mended 85 cts. Lois came home from Shelby.

May 18 – Took Sarah over to Lois. I cut and drew one load wood plowed out corn in the garden went after Sara.

May 19 – Pleasant morning. At home working round house and garden. Jim plowed the corn ground.

May 20 – Went down to Mrs Browns got drag. Draged corn ground and floated it. Very warm day. Lois came over.

May 21 – Very warm day. Marked my corn ground. Went down to M. O. Streators got seed corn.

May 22 – Hot as blazes. Planted corn. Mr & Mrs Streato[62] and Mrs Brown here in Evening. Expected Forbush & Blakes folks here dey no came.

May 23 – Mercury 90 in shade. At home all day. No one here. Ethan took Lois and Ina home in morning.

May 24 – Planted potatoes covered them with straw. Nice day.

May 25 – Planted potatoes. Cool day north wind. Set hen to night in Bills west feed box.

May 26 – Not mutch done. Went over to burg. Nancy and girls came up this morning.

May 27 – Went over to burg in morning. Jesse Earls gray Horse died this morning. Ob Evens and Maty Carson married this Evening.[63]

May 28 – Went over to burg in morn sold 1400 & 60 lbs Hay to Met Thomas 50 cts pr 100. Took some things up to Wm Ralphs to go to Lous. Mr Williams of Berry died.

May 29 – Went over to burg twice. Worked in garden some cultivated corn and potatoes.

May 30 – Went up to Mr Levi woods. Syrus and Moridz Streator went had a good time. Nice day. Very dry.

May 31 – Worked in garden planted beans hoed corn plastered corn.

Jun 1 – Sarah went over to Mr Austins to a crazy quilt party.

Jun 2 – Went to Kalamazoo to get Sarahs teeth Extracted. Bot coat. Nice day very dry.

Jun 3 – Plastered corn. Hot day no rain.

Jun 4 – Painted Jims Buggy. Mr Wood and wife of Shelby here stayed all night. Charles Anderson came he went over to Mr Fords stayed all night.

Jun 5 – Charles came over in morning left on noon train for Battle Creek. Mr Woods folks left for home.

Jun 6 – At home. Very dry. Jesse Earl came down here. Walter Thresher and his uncle came over to see the binder.

Jun 7 – Very warm and dry. Made corn drag. Painted Jims Buggy boddy one coat.

Jun 8 – Mercury 84. Cultivated corn. Very hot and dry. Hannah went up to Mr Deweys at Scotts.

Jun 9 – Worked on buggy. Put last coat on boddy. Very hot and dry.

Jun 10 – Put leathers on thills. Cleaned the dash. Finished the buggy. Went down to Mrs Browns got my buggy.

Jun 11 – Mercury 90 in shade very hot. Cultivated corn. Went over to burg twice.

Jun 12 – Mercury 99 in shade. Cultivated corn in fore noon. Took Sarah down to Mrs Browns.

Jun 13 – Mercury 84. Sprinkle some in forenoon.

Jun 14 – Mercury 104 in shade. Got one tire set on carriage 35. Got Bridle mended 20¢. Charley cut Mrs Wrights grass. Cameron & George Barber[64] here.

Jun 15 – Mercury 90 very hot. Jim commenced cutting the grass in East lot. Had a nice shower just at night.

Jun 16 – Mercury 84. Ethan went to burg to pay Thresher for Enterprise.[65] Jim got cabbage plant.

Jun 17 – Mercury 83 pleasant nice day. Chored round in forenoon. Went down to Katharines in afternoon to see Mart. He is sick had his wens[66] cut out.

Jun 18 – Worked in garden and hay field. Went up to Herbs got cabbage plants.

Jun 19 – Jim finished cutting hay. Tip and Quin called in Evening to see Binder.

Jun 20 – At home. Nancy and Lelah & Bes here. Lois came over.

Jun 21 – Mercury 96. Worked in hay field all day finished. Ethan went to Kalamazoo took Nancy home. Took ook[?] his Knotter down to West.

Jun 22 – Mercury 84. Drew in some hay finished up. Had a nice rain.

Jun 23 – Worked in garden some. Mr Town and Fanny went to Kalamazoo. Hannah went up to Hat & Libs to sew. I cultivated corn some.

Jun 24 – Took Sarah over to Lois had a big rain. Mary Flanders[67] an her cousin Mrs Jackson came in stayed through the shower.

Jun 25 – Hoed in garden some. Plowed corn in afternoon.

Jun 26 – Took Sarah to Kalamazoo she went to Shelbyville. Claud[68] came home with me.

Jun 27 – At home. Lois and Ina came over. I finished plowing corn plowed out the potatoes up by the woods.

Jun 28 – I finished plowing corn plowed out the potatoes up by the woods.

Jun 29 – Hannah to Hats sewing. Hoed in garden some. Set out cabbage plants 77.

Jun 30 – Mercury 80. Hoed cabbage, chore round. Hannah went to Streators. Mr Erastus Stuart Died this afternoon.[69]

Jul 1 – Mercury 8 [sic]. Mr Streator came and got sewing machine.

Jul 2 – Hoed corn some cultivated potatoes up by the woods. Sarah came home from shelbyville. Maria Flanders buried to day.[70] Erastus Stuart buried to day.

Jul 3 – Went over to burg to celebration. Took dinner to Lois. Went over in Evening to the dance in Corey Block and at the rink.

Jul 4 – At home all day. Clara and Lee came up. Hanah went down to M. O. Streators. H. N. Tubbs buried to day.[71]

Jul 5 – Hot morning. Working in garden and choring round.

Jul 6 – Went over to burg. Hoed some. Went to M. O. Streators in morning and afternoon. Mr Streator sick.

Jul 7 – Went over to burg in morning. Sold Eggs 9 Doz. Took zinc back.

Jul 8 – Went to Kalamazoo after Hannah. Mr M. O. Streator Died 15 minutes past twelve noon.[72]

Jul 9 – Mercury 104. Hoed in garden some, chored around, set up wheat.

Jul 10 – Mercury 94. Plowed corn in forenoon and some afternoon. Very hot. Mr Burdick and Mr Wilson called here to show some violins.

Jul 11 – Mercury 90 very hot and dry. Mr M. O. Streator Buried to day.

Jul 12 – Mercury 84. Hoed in garden and chored round. Jim Drew in wheat. Fine day not so hot.

Jul 13 – Jim raked the wheat and

Jul 14 – Jim raked the wheat scatterings and drew them in. The Whiting family at the burg to day. I went over in Evening. Oliver Young died.

Jul 15 – Ethan, Hannah, Jim and Claud went to Kalamazoo to see Barnums show. Nice day Mercury 84.

Jul 16 – Plowed corn. Fine day. Went over to Burg in morning. Cyrus and Quincy Streator[73] called here.

Jul 17 – Hoed corn some in forenoon. Went over to burg at noon. Syrus & Quin called here jus at night. Some cooler.

Jul 18 – Mercury 74 some cooler. Katharine and Lee came up here.

Jul 19 – Lelah and Bess came on noon train. I went over and got them. Lois came over with me.

Jul 20 – Mr. Harry and Ed Rowland called here. Lelah and Bes here. Very smoky.

Jul 21 – Mercury 91. I went up to Levi woods with Cyrus Streator. Mrs M. O. Streator and Quin and Cyrus here to tea. Very dry.

Jul 22 – Mercury 94. Hoed corn and done the chores. Went up to Cullin Towns[74] afternoon.

Jul 23 – Mercury 93 very hot, dry and smoky. Hoed garden.

Jul 24 – Mercury 94. Hoed some corn and cabbage. Very hot day. Nancy came up.

Jul 25 – Mercury 104 in shade. At home all day. Ethan, Hannah and Hanks folk, Lizzie and Will[75] came to Mrs Browns.

Jul 26 – Mercury 69 rainy morning, rainy day. Nancy and girls went home.

Jul 27 – Took Sarah over to Lois. I worked in shop on axhelves.

Jul 28 – Made helve for G. A. Lockhart. Ethan took crank pattern over to Foundry. Rained some this morning.

Jul 29 – Mr Randal cut the oats. Mrs Ed Hoges Buried to day.[76] I worked in shop to day.

Jul 30 – Jim drawed oats. Fine hot day rained just at night.

Jul 31 – Mercury 94. Mr Johnson thrashed the wheat and oats 129 oats 46 wheat. Rained one ledl mite just at night. Very hot.

Aug 1 – Mercury 104. Hannah came home from Howlands Burg. I went down to Katharines. All well.

Aug 2 – Worked in garden some. Chored round most of the day.

Aug 3 – Went over to burg. Worked round house and garden.

Aug 4 – Cut weeds and grubs along the fence up the hill. Hot day. Allerton[77] thrashed. Ethan and Hannah went to Kalamazoo.

Aug 5 – Went down to Mrs Browns. Helped Jim clean up wheat. Rainy forenoon. Cut weed on hill.

Aug 6 – Went up to Mr Flanders in afternoon. Sarah went. Ed took pig down to Rial French.

Aug 7 – Took Fan up to Mr Flanders to get Jersey calf.[78] Went down to Katharines in afternoon after Hannah. Sarah went down to see Minnie Randal.

Aug 8 – Nice day. Jim and Hannah went to Kalamazoo to see Lou.

Aug 9 – At home choring. Not much work to day.

Aug 10 – Took Hannah down to Mate Fords.[79]

Aug 11 – Mercury 96. Mr Joseph Whitford buried.[80] Henry Crawford[81] came here this morning. He went home on the Eleven Oclock train.

Aug 12 – Ethan and Jim went to Kalamazoo after Lou. Robert Crawford[82] came to day. George Turner Buried to day.[83]

Aug 13 – Robert here. Went over to Burg after Lous trunk. Robert and I went around the squair. Rained in Evening.

Aug 14 – Cloudy some mist. At home. Robert here. Very warm.

Aug 15 – At home. Hot day. Robert and Sarah went over to cemetry.[84] Mary Ellen Allerton[85] and Carrie Plank[86] called here in Evening.

Aug 16 – Took Robert over to the train. Rainy morning. Robert left for Canada.

Aug 17 – Sarah and Lou went down to Mrs Browns. I helped Jim repair the grainry.

Aug 18 – Cut and drawed some wood. Ethan and Jim went to Kalamazoo to see the Sham Battle. Cord Beach got hurt.

Aug 19 – Took Sarah and Lou up to Em Ralphs. I Repaired chair for Em.

Aug 20 – At home. Went down to Mr Browns in morning.

Aug 21 – Harry Crawford[87] came on 7 Oclock train. Carrie Plank and Mary Allerton here in afternoon. Lois came over. D came. Went over to burg in Evening. Ha[d] a heavy shower rained in night.

Aug 22 – Cloudy looks like rain. Harry Crawford here. All well.

Aug 23 – Not much work to day. Jim commenced plowing East lot. George Hubbards baby died this morning.[88] Carry Plank here.

Aug 24 – Hannah and Carey went down to Mr Allertons. Lou and children went over to Lois. Oat Hills mother Died to day.[89]

Aug 25 – Took Lou over to Mr Ralph. Robert came back from Canada. Glen Keith[90] came on noon train. Mrs Hill buried.

Aug 26 – Ethan went to Kalamazoo. Harry went with him. Robert went up to Nelt Blass.

Aug 27 – Mercury 102. Took Robert over to burg he went to Chicago. Carrie Plank came here stayed all night.

Aug 28 – Mercury 99. Carrie went up to Gull Lake to attend the Grange Picknic. Jim plowing. Lou here.

Aug 29 – Had a heavy shower. Went down to Katharines.

Aug 30 – Let Jim have six bags full of corn. Mr Hampton here to dinner tin pedler. Hannah took Carrie Plank to Kalamazoo.

Aug 31 – Lou and children here. Jim plowing. Very warm.

Sep 1 – Jim plowing. Nice day. Lou here. I not very well. I commenced my last years work for H Cruttenden[91] 40 years ago to day.

Sep 2 – Took Lou to Kalamazoo. She stayed to Nancys all night. Very nice day.

Sep 3 – Jim plowing. Warm. Working round as usual. Some hot weather.

Sep 4 – Jim plowing. I cut load wood drew it down. Just at night had a heavy thunder storm. Lightning struck Cole Durkees hors Barn burnt it and straw stac.

Sep 5 – Mercury 80. At home. No one here but our own folks. Hannah came home this morning from Streators. She is making Mary Fishers wedding dress.[92]

Sep 6 – Mercury 93. Cut some corn. Jim floted wheat ground. Very hot day.

Sep 7 – Mercury 90. Cutting corn. Jim working for M. Caywood[93] cutting corn spec so.[94]

Sep 8 – Mercury 86. Cleaned wheat. Took 4 bushels to mill. Hot day. Rained in night.

Sep 9 – Mercury 69 some rainy this morning. Went down to Mrs Browns. Jim went to Kalamazoo. Cate Crawford[95] came home with him.

Sep 10 – Chored around house and shop. Not much done. Warm day.

Sep 11 – Worked in shop some. Went over to burg in afternoon. Cate went over with me. Rained in night.

Sep 12 – Nice morning. At home all day. Kate here.

Sep 13 – Work in shop some. Kate here. Ethan working on Knapps canal power. Got the sewing machine 60 cts Freight.

Sep 14 – Choring around. Cut some corn. Hannah & Nancy went to Jackson. Lelah & Bes came here.

Sep 15 – Took Ethan over to Burg. He went to Jackson to State Fair. Jim took Kate to Kalamazoo. Sarah went over to Mr Ralphs.

Sep 16 – Cut corn some. Fine day some wind. Blowed uncle Isaac Clarks[96] Barn down.

Sep 17 – Cut corn. Choring round.

Sep 18 – Finished cutting corn. Ethan came home.

Sep 19 – At home all day. Nancy came home to day.

Sep 20 – Fine morning. Jim dragging. I cut some wood and d[r]ew it down.

Sep 21 – Mercury 56 some lidle rany. At home. Jim dont be dragging to day some. Mr Franklin brot machine home.

Sep 22 – Mercury 67. Jim draging with spring tooth.[97]

Sep 23 – Went over to Burg in morning. Bot ½ bushel Timothy seed 1.13¢. Rainy lots Lightning & thunder.

Sep 24 – At home. Hannah came home sick from Mr Ogdens.

Sep 25 – Choring around. Put Beens in Barn and done various things. Mr Levy Woods folks came over. Stayed to Mrs Browns all night.

Sep 26 – All hands went up to Mrs Streators. Had a good time. Hannah some better. Rainy night.

Sep 27 – Rainy morning. Helped Jim. I went down to Katharines in afternoon.

Sep 28 – Helped Jim clean up wheat. Mr D. L. Tuttle buried at Galesburg to day.[98]

Sep 29 – Mrs Skinner Died.[99] Mrs Forbush and Eva Blake here in afternoon. Mrs Browns Jersey cow Died.

Sep 30 – Went down to Mrs Browns. Helped bury the cow.

Oct 1 – Cut some wood dug some potatoes. Lumis Robinson came here. He went home on nine oclock run.

Oct 2 – Went to Kalamazoo stayed all night. Went to the Accadamy of music** in Evening. Hank and Nancy went with us.

Oct 3 – Nice weather. At Browns. I went up to the Asylum in forenoon and then Hank and I went over to the water works. We came home at night. Old Mrs Daniels Died to day.

Oct 4 – Mercury 76 in shade. Fine day. Drawing rails for fence south of Barn next to the wheat.

Oct 5 – Laid bottom rails for fence. Fixed two saws for Allan Simmons. Jim and Charley Ford moved Rial French.

Oct 6 – Finished filing Simmons saws and turned driver for Bench Screw. Very nice day. Mercury up in the 70 & 80.

Oct 7 – Went over to burg in morning and down to C. Fords. Ethan picking apples down to Mrs Browns. Very nice weather.

Oct 8 – Mercury 80. Went up in woods cut some steaks. Went over to burg got band for sewing machine. Bot box Buggy greace. Lois came home. Nice weather.

Oct 9 – Mercury 84. Took Sarah over to Lois. I chored a round house and barn.

Oct 10 – At home all day. Lois and Ina came over. George Yeomans and Burt Burrell here.

Oct 11 – Jim came home from Shelby Ville. Jay[100] came home with him. Ethan went to Kalamazoo.

Oct 12 – Husked some corn. Very nice day very dry. Lum Robinson and wife here in afternoon.

Oct 13 – Built fence south of barn. Very nice day. Mrs Gilfus died to day. Jay here all right.

Oct 14 – Rainy day. No work. Rained and blowed hard all day. Blowed my corn most all down.

Oct 15 – Nice day. Finished my fence. No frost yet of any account. Dell and Sate[101] got home. 73 years old to day.

Oct 16 – Went over to burg. Bess and Jay went over to Lois. Nice day. Not much done. Rather lame. Old Pionere here to dinner.

Oct 17 – Mercury 69 pleasant some wind. Ethan, Hannah, Bes and Jay gone to Kalamazoo. George Yeomans and Burt Burrell here to day.

Oct 18 – Mercury 54 very nice day warm and dry. Husked corn. Jay here. Mr Knap here. Work on propeller.

Oct 19 – Mercury 57 very pleasant and dry. Husked corn. Mr Knap here to day working on propeller.

Oct 20 – Kalamazoo House Burned to day. Drew in my cornfodder in the morning. Went down to Mrs Browns got apples. Rainy. Went over to burg in afternoon. Not cold.

Oct 21 – Warm day. Choped some wood. Aunt Hannah Wilmarth[102] here to dinner stayed the afternoon.

Oct 22 – Nice day. Put apples in cellar. Drawed some wood in afternoon. W. H. Knap & Agent came over in afternoon.

Oct 23 – Fine day. Went to Kalamazoo with Jay. He went home. Claud went with him.

Oct 24 – Picked up Hickory nuts. Nice warm day. Jim went down to Hanks after Hannah. Lois went with him.

Oct 25 – Took the W. H. Knap Propeller up to Butterfield to try the Boats. Husked corn in afternoon. Cold day.

Oct 26 – Cool wind. Husked corn. Ethan dug potatoes. Hannah work for Fanny Town. Jim went to Kalamazoo with wheat.

Oct 27 – Husked corn. Cool day. Put potatoes in cellar. Jim went to Kalamazoo with wheat.

Oct 28 – Went to Mr Isaac Clarks funeral to day. Cool wind.

Oct 29 – Went up to Levy Woods. Mrs Streator and Mrs Green and Cyrus went.

Oct 30 – Husked some. Chored round. Put lights in windows to school House.

Oct 31 – At home. Picked up some Hickory nuts and cut some sage.

Nov 1 – Mercury 54. Finished husking to day. Sate worked for Hannah. Charley Smith came over after Sate.

Nov 2 – Mercury 55 nice warm day. Went over to Election. Levy Wood and wife here, Fanny Town and Mrs Pease.

Nov 3 – Drawed my cornfodder. Very nice day. Went over to burg at noon. Mr Knap an Ethan tried the Boat.

Nov 4 – Ethan and Jim Conky went to Kalamazoo. I dug some roots for Sarah. Cyrus and Mrs Streator. called. Tip Town[103] called.

Nov 5 – Worked round. Lelah and Bes here. Nancy came up. Sarah went down to Mrs Browns.

Nov 6 – Went over to burg. Took Nells dress over. Went to Lois. Saw Mary Hall. Nancy and girls went down to Mrs Browns. Snowed in night the first of the season.

Nov 7 – About ½ inch snow on the ground this morning. Jim Konky came got his camery. Hank came up here.

Nov 8 – Cut some wood. Nancy and girls went down to Mrs Browns.

Nov 9 – Drawed one load wood. Rained then snowed like fun.[104] Made stall for Peter. Not very cold. Will Brown moved to day.

Nov 10 – Doing chores. Made ladder or apart of one. Cold.

Nov 11 – Took Sarah over to Lois. Cut out rounds for ladder. Cleaned up some wheat.

Nov 12 – Went over to mill. Made cloths stick for Nancy.

Nov 13 – Nancy went home. Lou came home. She came up with Jim. I went over to Comstock. Sarah went down to Katharines.

Nov 14 – Pleasant day cool wind. Herb Earls Boy born this morning.[105]

Nov 15 – Put plank down at the west door at barn.

Nov 16 – Took Lou over to Lois and Mr Ralphs. Mr Knap and Ethan tried the Boat. Cold wind.

Nov 17 – Rainy day. Got pig of Jim. Went over to burg at night. Got oil. Lou went up to Jim Milhams.

Nov 18 – Mercury 25 cold and blustrous, snowey, cold. I worked in barn some.

Nov 19 – Lou and children[106] here. Cold wind. Ethan cut some wood. I drew two loads.

Nov 20 – Ethan choped some wood. I jointed boards for East side of barn. Doc Martin and wife called in Evening to see Hannah.

Nov 21 – At home all day. Pleasant. Lou went to Kalamazoo. Levy Wood and wife and Mrs Streator here.

Nov 22 – Boarded up East side barn. Nice day.

Nov 23 – Mercury 58. Repaired pump and well in barn.

Nov 24 – Mercury. Went over to burg got shugar and oder dings,[107] cinnamon and Raisins, oil &c.[108]

Nov 25 – Went over after Lois. Snows. Del came over got Horse and wagon. Took load stone over. Hannah came home.

Nov 26 – Ethan took Hannah down to Mrs Howlets. I got thirty Dozen Eggs of Fanny Town to send to Chicago. Cold day.

Nov 27 – Sent Eggs and Butter to Chicago to Hiram Crawford.[109]

Nov 28 – At home. Hannah went up to Herb Gilsons.

Nov 29 – Mercury 2 Abz. Not much done. Ed Schram called here. I hired him to cut some wood.

Nov 30 – Ethan went over got Lois in morning. She came over to wash. I went over to burg in Evening to get stove for Hanks folks.

Dec 1 – Mercury 8 Abz. Went to Kalamazoo took Hanks stove down to them. Mrs Brown went. Very Blustring. Jim and Bell Starr came up with me. Lum Robinson started for home. Saw Dob Zinsky[?].

Dec 2 – Cut some wood. Put ladder together in Evening. Cold and blustring he snow very hard some.

Dec 3 – Drawed two loads of wood on sleigh. Jim called here said he had sold his team to Will Brown. Ed chopping. Dr Babcock buried to day.[110]

Dec 4 – Ed chopping. Cold day. I drawed wood.

Dec 5 – Mercury 16 Below zero. Went over to burg in morning. Jim shingling for Dell. Ed Schram chopping.

Dec 6 – Mercury 2 blow zero. Went over to burg in morn. Jim shingling for Dell. Ed chopping.

Dec 7 – Drawed wood in forenoon. Went down to Marts in afternoon. Nice day.

Dec 8 – Fine day. Drawed wood. Ed no chop some. Fanny Town came over in afternoon.

Dec 9 – Drawing wood. Not much snow. Very nice weather.

Dec 10 – Drawed wood in forenoon. Got all down that was cut. Snow about gone. Leon[111] here stayed all night.

Dec 11 – Leon went up to Batey.[112] Glen came down with willow[?] in morning. Leon came back stayed all night. Dell put some shingles on Barn.

Dec 12 – Leon and Glen lef for home.[113] Rained some.

Dec 13 – Not much done but chores.

Dec 14 – Snowed and blowed hard. Very rough day. Went down to Caywoods and Mr Flanders. Paid Ed $— for butter. Mate Ford came here.

Dec 15 – Cold snow about — inches deep. Hannah went to Dr Ma– to sew. Took Sarah down to Mrs Browns. Filed saw for Jim. Hung ax for Herb Earl.

Dec 16 – Cold day. Worked in shop some. Smoothed up axhelves. Ethan went to burg in Evening.

Dec 17 – Finished up axhelves and chored round. Sarah went up to Ha–. I went up took tea with them. Snowed and blowed.

Dec 18 – Worked in shop some. Finished up my helves. Ed Schram called here.

Dec 19 – At home. Went over brot Lois over. Some stormy.

Dec 20 – Mercury at zero. Took Hannah over to train she went to Kalamazoo.

Dec 21 – Mercury 34 Abz. Went over to burg in Evening after Hannah and Lelah. Shelled corn for feed.

Dec 22 – Mercury 5 Abz. Went down to Mrs Browns. Took letter down to Lizzy with sample in. Hannah went up to W^m Ralphs.

Dec 23 – Went over to burg in morning paid my tax $6.78 cts. Went over at noon got money order cashed. Went over to Lois in Evening.

Dec 24 – Went down to Marts to mill. Took 7½ bushels corn and oats ground. Sent books to Claude, Lelah & Bes, Jay and Verne[114] and Marts children.

Dec 25 – Worked on toboggin for Claude. No good he break some. Not very cold.

Dec 26 – At home. No one here. Cold winter weather. Good sleighing.

Dec 27 – Mercury 13 Abz. Went up to Theodores got board for toboggin. Oscar, Mary Ann[115] and Glen here to day. They left for home.

Dec 28 – Mercury 3 below. Went over to burg. Got shoes for Sarah. Cold day.

Dec 29 – Mercury 3 Abz. Went over to burg in morning got calender. Mrs Beley Wright Died this morning 7 oclock.[116] Went over to burg in Evening.

Dec 30 – Mercury 15 below very much cold day. Sarah & I went to Kalamazoo she stayed to Nancys. Bot articks $1.25. Very cold. D. and Jim came.

Dec 31 – Mercury 13 below. Went over to burg in afternoon. Ina went home. Mrs Bela Wright buried to day. Very cold day. I done nodings not much to day ver mooch goot sleigh plendy snow some. Lou sent me money, pay some money. D went home on noon train.

——-

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

[2] His daughter, Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner

[3] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[4] His daughter, Hannah Keith

[5] His daughter, Louese (Keith) Harris

[6] His son-in-law Hank Brown’s mother, Matilda (Allen) Brown, who was also Luke’s neighbor

[7] His son, James Clinton Keith

[8] His son, Ethan Keith

[9] His grandson, William Clark

[10] His son-in-law, Louese’s husband Daniel Harris, Jr.

[11] Above zero

[12] The Michigan death record lists his date of death as January 21 (although it’s possible that the 1 in 21 is actually a 4) and there is a notation “Names added to list by Henry Laffitt [Labbitt] Undertaker Galesburg Michigan.” FindAGrave.com agrees with Luke’s entry of death on January 6, 1886, and shows he is buried in Lawler Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan. The January 9, 1886 edition of the Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph, p.3, noted: The funeral services of the late Langford [sic] Burdick of Galesburg were held in the Baptist church at that place yesterday, Rev. J. S. Boyden officiating, and were largely attended. The remains were interred in the cemetery in Charleston Township.

[13] His neighbor, Frances Towne

[14] Galesburg, Michigan

[15] Theodore Earl, neighbor and “shirttail relative”

[16] His son-in-law, Lois’ husband, Adelbert Skinner

[17] His son-in-law, Nancy’s husband, Henry Brown, who was a photographer. It appears Jim and Will were posting advertisements around town. The February 9, 1886 edition of the Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph, on page 6, reported the following: Henry A. Brown, photographer, recently of Galesburg, Ill., who has been taking all the pretty prizes in town (if each is left to be sole judge) for the past two weeks, will locate in Kalamazoo in the bank building, on the northwest corner of Main and Burdick streets.

[18] George & Mary Evelyn “Eva” (Forbush) Blake lived in Charleston, Michigan, which is about five miles east of where Luke lived

[19] His neighbor and “shirttail relative,” Herbert Earl, and his wife, Luella (Farr) Earl. Herb and Theodore (see footnote to January 7^th entry) were brothers

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

[21] Neighbor, Marius O. Streator

[22] His late niece Lucy (Lee) Milham’s husband, Martin Milham. Lucy was the daughter of his sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[23] His wife Sarah’s niece, Edna (Crawford) Allen. See also February 23^rd entry

[24] His grandson, Charles Clark, and his wife, Clara (Youngs) Clark

[25] His son-in-law and his daughters, Lela and Bess Brown

[26] Neighbor, Harriet Taylor

[27] Neighbor, Nathan L. Randall

[28] Scotts, Michigan

[29] Neighbor, Richard Barber

[30] Michigan death records show that F. K. Bennett was “run over by cars” in Galesburg, Michigan on February 5, 1866

[31] Train cars

[32] His neighbor, Albert Towne, who was the father of Fanny Towne (see January 6 & 16) and Charley Towne (see March 27)

[33] His daughter, Nancy (Keith) Brown

[34] Michigan death records reveal that Harriet Watts died February 8, 1886 in Otsego, Allegan County, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Lawler Cemetery, Augusta, Allegan County, Michigan

[35] Claude, Lela and Bess Brown

[36] George Tomlinson, the husband of Luke’s niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

[37] His cow

[38] Edna Allen and her daughter Madge

[39] Edna’s husband, Oscar M. Allen, Jr.

[40] His horse

[41] According to FindAGrave.com, Benjamin Smith died March 11, 1886 and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Wayland, Michigan

[42] Michigan marriage records show that Adeliza (Hubbard) Lewis, the widow of Franklin Lewis, married Charles Rimmey in Galesburg, Michigan on March 14, 1886

[43] Neighbor, and father of Theodore (see January 7^th entry) and Herbert Earl (see January 18^th entry)

[44] His great-niece, the daughter of Martin & Lucy (Lee) Milham

[45] Shelbyville, Michigan, where his daughter Louese lived

[46] Cora Meredith, his future daughter-in-law; she would marry his son Jim in June 1891

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

[48] Neighbor, James Milham, who was the half-brother of Martin Milham (see footnote to January 23^rd entry)

[49] Neighbor, Smith Carlton, son of Albert Carlton (see February 1^st entry)

[50] His granddaughter, Ina Skinner

[51] His neighbor, Charles Towne

[52] Hat and Lib Taylor

[53] From an ad in the October 23, 1880 Galesburgh Express: Wm. L. McBeth, M.D., PHYSICIAN & SURGEON. Office at Burdick’s drug store. Residence on Battle Creek street, two doors east of Bennett House. Calls attended to promptly at all hours. Galesburgh, Mich.

[54] Hard to decipher the order of his words as some were squeezed in between lines, so this may not be a true reading

[55] The Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph newspaper

[56] An old neighbor from when Luke lived in Covington, Genesee County, New York. The New York Death Index shows that Nicholas Chilson died in Batavia, Genesee County, New York and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in the Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York, although it shows his age as 77

[57] Neighbor, Emaline (Stone) Ralph

[58] His neighbor, Joseph Flanders

[59] George Tomlinson

[60] Neighbors, Abel & Sarah “Jane” (Mason) Hoag

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

[62] Marius O. & Laura Ann (Rawson) Streator

[63] Michigan marriage records show that Oliver Evans and Mary Carson were married in Richmond, Michigan on May 27, 1886

[64] His neighbor, the son of Richard & Mary (Knowles) Barber

[65] Kalamazoo County Enterprise newspaper

[66] Common fluid-filled growths (cysts) that form from hair follicles that are most often found on the scalp

[67] Neighbor, Mary (Smith) Flanders, the wife of Edwin Flanders

[68] His grandson, Claude Brown

[69] Michigan death records mistakenly show that Erastus Stewart died October 3, 1886 in Comstock, Michigan with the notation “Names added to list by Henry Laffitt  [Labbitt] Undertaker Galesburg Michigan.” Langford Burdick (see footnote to January 6^th entry), likewise added by Henry Labbitt, was also incorrectly entered. The Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph newspaper editions of July 1 and July 6 (both on p. 2) agree with Luke’s entry showing that Erastus Stewart died on June 30, 1886

[70] Maria (nee Thayer), who was the widow of James Flanders (the son on Joseph Flanders, see footnote to May 4th entry), married Victor Gardner. She is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan alongside her first husband, James Flanders

[71] FindAGrave.com reveals that Horatio N. Tubbs died July 2, 1886 and is buried in the Elmwood Cemetery, Wayland, Michigan

[72] Michigan death records show that he died in Comstock, Michigan on July 8, 1886 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan. Luke Keith’s diary entry of 10-18-1894 reads: Went down to Mrs Streators with Will Clark they took up Mr M. O. Streators remains and put them in the new cemetry at Galesburg

[73] Believe them to be the brother and son of Marius Streator

[74] Cullen Towne, the son of Albert Towne (see footnote to February 8^th entry)

[75] Willis & Elizabeth (Ogden) Brown; Willis was the son of Matilda Brown (see footnote to January 1^st entry)

[76] Michigan death records show that Adeline Hodges died July 27, 1886 in Galesburg, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[77] His neighbor, John T. Allerton

[78] Fan was his cow. Presume he was taking Fan to the bull

[79] Neighbor, Mary Ann “Mate” (Thompson) Ford

[80] Michigan death records show that Joseph Whitford died in Charleston, Michigan on August 10, 1886 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Lawler Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan

[81] His wife Sarah’s brother

[82] His wife Sarah’s brother

[83] Michigan death records show that George Turner died in Kalamazoo from a fall from a scaffold on August 10, 1886 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Michigan

[84] Most likely the Galesburg Old Cemetery where their mother, Nancy (Comfort) Crawford Betts, was buried

[85] The daughter of neighbors John & Caroline (Rapelje) Allerton

[86] Carrie Plank was the daughter of William & Harriett (Groat) Plank who had been neighbors of the Keiths in Comstock until they moved to Grand Rapids in 1873

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

[88] Michigan death records reveal that Floyd Hubbard, the six-month-old son of George & Alice Hubbard, died in Galesburg, Michigan on August 23, 1886

[89] Michigan death records reveal that Sarah (Watters) Hill died August 23, 1886 in Galesburg, Michigan

[90] His grand-nephew, the son of James “Oscar” & Mary Ann (Batey) Keith

[91] On July 25, 1847 Luke married his second wife, Jerusha Crittenden (she died September 23, 1848). Jerusha had a brother Henry; perhaps this is who he is referring to

[92] Mary Fisher married Marenus Caywood in September. Sadly, on March 4, 1887 Marenus was killed when his horses “run with him” according to Luke Keith’s 1887 diary

[93] Neighbor, Marenus Caywood

[94] Expect so

[95] Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford, the wife of Hiram Crawford, Jr., Sarah’s brother

[96] No relation is known at this time; however, often the parents of a husband or wife of a family member, or the parent of a neighbor, were referred to as Aunt or Uncle

[97] An outdated piece of farm equipment which used many flexible iron teeth mounted in rows to loosen the soil before planting

[98] FindAGrave.com shows that David Tuttle died in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 25, 1886 and he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[99] Sarah (Knight) Skinner, the mother of Del Skinner (see footnote to January 7^th entry). FindAGrave.com shows she died September 29, 1886 in Ceresco, Michigan and that she is buried in the Quaker Cemetery in Waterloo, New York

** See https://lettersfromthe1860s.wordpress.com/2019/10/25/academy-of-music-kalamazoo-michigan for more info on the Academy of Music

[100] His grandson, Jay Keith Harris, who was 3 years old

[101] Sarah Skinner, the sister of Del Skinner (see footnote to January 7^th entry)

[102] According to the 1880 census, Hannah was the sister of Luke’s neighbor, Joseph Flanders

[103] Neighbor, Eunice (Wood) Towne

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

[105] Royal J. Earl was born to Herbert & Luella (Farr) Earl

[106] Jay (3), LaVerne (just under 2) and Floyd (7 months) Harris

[107] Other things

[108] Etc.

[109] His brother-in-law

[110] FindAGrave.com shows that Isaiah J. Babcock died December 1, 1886 and is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[111] His grand-nephew, James Leon Keith, the son of James “Oscar” & Mary Ann (Batey) Keith

[112] Presumably to visit his grandmother, Betsy (Olds) Batey, in Pavilion, Michigan

[113] Bloomingdale, Michigan

[114] Lou’s children

[115] His nephew’s family; see footnotes to August 25^th and December 10^th entries

[116] Betsy (Fisher) Wright. Michigan death records reveal that she died in Galesburg on December 29 and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

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Luke Keith’s 1884 Diary

1884 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH, JR.[1]

Jan 1[2] – Mercury 1__º in morning. Made Bessey[3] stool. Cut down my Long Jointer. Lois and Nancy[4] came home from Shelbyville[5] to day. Very little snow, no sleighing not much.

Jan 2 – 16 Abz[6] about 10 inches snow, very blustrous. Drawed one load wood. Varnished Herbs[7] Lap boards. Jim[8] took Bessie home. Hannah[9] went up to Em Ralphs.[10] Charley Pierce got his sentence.

Jan 3 – At zero, very windy, snow drifting. Nothing but chores. Very cold, blustrous. Minerva Lockhart[11] died to day at Petesky.[12]

Jan 4 – 4 below zero gefired cold. No work but chores. Cold blustring, 16 below in Evening. Lois and Ina[13] here.

Jan 5 – 14 below in morning. Jim and I cut tree on west line nex to Towns[14] cornfield. Drawed one load wood in afternoon. Very cold and blustring. Lois and Ina here. 4 above zero in Evening, about one foot snow.

Jan 6 – 14 below in morning. At home. Lois and Ina here. Cold.

Jan 7 – 10 below in morning, wind south west. Jim came down. We cut and drawed two loads wood. Ethan,[15] Lois and Hannah went down to Katharines.[16] Minerva Lockhart buried to day at galesburg cemetry.

Jan 8[17] – 7 below. Went over to burg in morning after chicken feed. Went over at noon. Bessey came home with me. Lois and Ina went home on noon train. Herb got lapboards. Old Mr Hawes died this morning.[18]

Jan 9[19] – Worked in shop on Derick cap. Not so very cold.

Jan 10 –18 Abz. Went over to burg in morning after Hanna. Mrs Ed Childs at Nancys. Worked some on patterns. Cut, drawed two loads wood in afternoon. Mr Hawes buried to day.

Jan 11 – Worked in shop, turned out Derick cap &c.[20]

Jan 12 – 17 Abz. No work to day only chores. Ethan went to Kalamazoo to see Smith & Woodard one of the windmill Firms. They wanted to get him to make Patterns for them.

Jan 13 – 37 in morning Abz. At home all day. Went over to Nancys in Evening Bessy sick. Bill[21] got a way went down to the church. Lou Bristol[22] and Dell Strait caught him and drove him back to Hanks.[23]

Jan 14 – 20 in Evening Abz, nice day. Cut and drawed two loads wood. Ethan went over to burg in Evening.

Jan 15 – 8 Abz. Turned lathe in forenoon, glued track circle in derrick cap. Hannah went over to burg. Mr Ed Lane buried to day.

Jan 16 – 12 Abz pleasant morning. Worked in shop on patterns. Mr Will Morton and Miss Mertie Barton wer Married to day.[24] Mr Porter Whitford and Zeak Halls widder wer married this Evening.[25]

Jan 17 – Went over to burg. Cut some wood drawed one load.

Jan 18 – Went over to burg. Took Lou[26] over to Douglass to get her teeth filled and cleaned. Got Eight Baskets of Ears corn. Will Clark[27] had Bill to go up to Russells. Mr John Baty Died.[28]

Jan 19 – Filed saw for Mr _______, works for Simmons. Mr Bela Wright Died to day.[29] Filed saw for Will Brown.[30]

Jan 20 – 6 Abz in morning. At home. Cold. Nancy and Lucy[31] here. Mr Wright Buried to day.

Jan 21 – 20 Abz in morning. Chored round not much work to day but chores.

Jan 22 – 22 Abz in morning. Took Lou over to burg in morning. Went down to Mr Ralphs with Lou. Got feather Bed for Lou of Sarah Struble.

Jan 23 – Cut and drawed one load wood. Went over to burg at noon. Took Lou up to Depo, she went home.[32] She had Jays[33] hair cut. Mr. Batey buried today.

Jan 24 – Choring. Fed de cow and hos. Cut some wood and so on.

Jan 25 – Worked in shop some, not much mabby[?]. Went over to burg. Mercury runs from ten to 20 Above.

Jan 26 – Cut some wood Jim drawed load wood. Went over to burg at noon after the Crawford boys,[34] they no come. Went over in Evening, they no come. Took Bess home.

Jan 27 – 20 Abz good sleighing. Hiram Crawford[35] came this morning.

Jan 28 – Went over to burg at noon. Hiram went with me. Ethan took Hiram over in Evening he left for home. Mrs Dunning Chipman Died to day.[36]

Jan 29 – Ethan and Hannah went over to burg in morning.

Jan 30 – Cut wood and chored round. Not very cold.

Jan 31 – Cut cherry tree on west Line nex to Towns cornfield, cut wood up in woods. Emmet Crawford[37] came here in Evening. Cold night.

Feb 1 – 19 Abz in morning. No work but chores. Emmet Crawford here. Filed saw for Mr Caywood.

Feb 2 – Cut and drawed wood. Not very cold. Emmet went home on Evening train.

Feb 3 – 19 Abz wind N.E. At home no one here Except those that was here.

Feb 4 – 21 in morning wind N.E. Bushed one roller to Mrs Browns Wringer. Not much cold, rainy day, rained all night.

Feb 5 – 36 Abz morning wind S.W., raining, very icy. Worked on Wringer.

Feb 6 – Choring in the biz niz now days. Finished Wringer.

Feb 7 – Work in shop some. Went over to burg in forenoon git sack flour.

Feb 8 – 19 Abz. Worked in shop some. Cut some wood. Not much sleighing.

Feb 9 – No work but chores. Thawing some. D[38] came down to day.

Feb 10 – 9 Abz. Went over to burg in morning after Hanks folks. D came over with me.

Feb 11 – D went back to day. I cut some wood drawed one load in afternoon. Rainy afternoon and Evening.

Feb 12 – Chored around some. Rainy day, very icy.

Feb 13 – Took Ethan to Kalamazoo. He went to Chicago to see a Doctor.[39] Snowed like fun[40] when I came home. Clarra[41] came home with me. Mart[42] went up to Wickwires to thrash.

Feb 14 – Not very cold. At home. Clara Milham here. No work but chores. Mary Starring Chase died this morning.[43]

Feb 15 – Worked in shop some on Ethans knife. Herb Earl came down here.

Feb 16 – 21 Abz. Worked on Ethans Knife some. Took Sally[44] and Mrs Elder Betts[45] down to Mrs Browns.[46]

Feb 17 – 40 Abz. At home. Not very cold, rather sloppy, snow going very fast.

Feb 18 – 42 Abz in Evening. Took Mrs Betts over to burg. Saw E. T. Mills. Went down to foundry to get them to come and get the patterns.

Feb 19 – Took Sarah[47] over to burg in morning went over with the buggy. Strait came over got the Patterns. I made cover to Nancys flour barrel. Clara came back with me. Put Ethans knife together. Rainy night. No go after Sarah. Snows and blows.

Feb 20 – 15 Abz. Took Clara up to Jim Milhams[48] in morning. Cold wind. Went over to burg. Carried Nancys cover to flour barrel.

Feb 21 – 19 Abz. Worked round Barn. Made sleigh rack. Hat and Libby Taylor here in afternoon.

Feb 22 – Went up in woods cut wood. Snowed like fun. Clara came back from Jims.

Feb 23 –11 Abz. Chored round sawed some wood. Made step for Nancy. Went over to burg in afternoon to see the wind mill company. No get any money. Nancy and children[49] went down to Mrs Browns.

Feb 24 – 15 Abz in morning snowed and blowed some. Clara here. Lucy and George[50] came up in Evening after Clara. Not very cold mercury 26 ½ past 7 seven in Evening.

Feb 25 – 26 Abz in morning. Went over to burg in morning bot sack patent roller Flour. Bessie came home with me. I chored round, sawed some wood. Snowed like fun in afternoon. Hannah went over to Burg. Bessie went home.

Feb 26 – 20 Abz no work to day. Got some hard cold. Filed crosscut saw for Will Brown. Mrs Pixley Judson Died to day.[51]

Feb 27 – No work but chores. Cold hangs on yet. Filed saw for Will Brown. Hannah over to Nancys, came home in Evening.

Feb 28 – 4 below this morning. Not very well. Windy. Cut splitum some wood not much. Some ledle better. Martin Turner[52] came here stayed all night. He had been to Charles Whitcombs Birth day party. Cold day.

Feb 29 – 4 below. Martin here all day until most night. He went home on Evening Train. Henry Crawford[53] came on Michigan City freight in Evening. Jim drawed Hannah cord of wood.

Mar 1 – 10 Abz. Went over to burg in morning after Nancy. H Crawford here all day. Jim drawed cord wood. Took Nancy home at night.

Mar 2 – 10 Abz. At home all day. Henry here all day. No one here excep Henry Crawford. 14 above in Evening.

Mar 3 – Took Henry over to train this morning he started for Auburn N.Y. Bessie came home with me. Jim drawed two loads wood from Mr Taylors woods. I got Eight Baskets of corn in the Ear of Will Clark. Cold day 14 Above in Evening.

Mar 4 – 5 Abz. Went up in woods in forenoon cut some wood. Went once to burg in afternoon. Called and saw Ida Hows twins.[54] Mart drawed one log for stone Boat[55] plank.

Mar 5 – 2 below. Went over to burg took Hannah over. Got oil and molasses. Cut one load wood and drawed it down.

Mar 6 – 24 Above in Evening. Sawed wood in forenoon. Went over to burg at noon after Nancy. Sawed some wood in afternoon. Will Brown took Nancy home at night.

Mar 7 – 20 Abz in Evening. Not very well no work but chores. Went over to burg afternoon after Lelah. Bessie not very well.

Mar 8 – 16 Abz in morning hard cold some. Filed saw for Sam Barton old shitlick went over to burg afternoon. Carried draft Board over to the Strait windmill Co.

Mar 9 – 18 Abz. At home. Cold winter weather. Hank and Nancy came over and got Lelah. Very good sleighing.

Mar 10 – At home. No work but chores. Not very well, hard cold.

Mar 11 – 42 Abz. Choring round. Thawing snow went off very fast. Went over to burg at noon got Lelah and Bessey took them down to Mrs Browns. Road full of water. Rainy night high wind.

Mar 12 – 30 High wind cold. Mrs Betts had a bad spell this morning. Jim went over to burg got Bottle white Pine syrup for her. Libby Taylor came down. Dance to burg to night. Hank & Nancy gone to the Creek.

Mar 13 – 40. Went over to burg. Took Hannah over to Mr Ralphs & Blakes. Theodore came down and Repaired cistern pump. M. O. Streator and wife[56] here in afternoon.

Mar 14 – 27 Abz. Went up to pump shop. Took note up to Theodore. Cora Harris[57] came over to have dress fitted. Hank Brown went to Chicago on the night Express.

Mar 15 – Took Hannah over to Nancys. She took Ida Howes Boy with her. She will keep him while she stays there.

Mar 16 – At home all day. No one here. Not very cold no snow.

Mar 17 – 40 Abz. Took Mrs Betts over to burg in morning. Hannah came back with me. Sarah and I went up to Mr Flanders in afternoon. Hannah went to Mr Sumners in afternoon. Went over to burg after Mrs Betts.

Mar 18 – Chored round. Repaired manger. Turned one plunger for Theodore Earl.[58] Rainy day or afternoon rather.

Mar 19 – Rainy day. No work. Went over to Burg in afternoon got an order of Barlow on Theodore Earl for Eight Dollars. Presented the order got the cash on it $8.00. Dod Sumner brot Hannah home.

Mar 20 – Filed two saws for Dod Sumner. Went over to burg took Hannah over to burg. She went to Geo Blakes. Jim went to Comstock to mill. Sent corn by him.

Mar 21 – Pleasant day. Made lapboard for Nancy. Went over to burg at noon. Sent letter to Hiram. Mrs Betts had a bad time with her throat this morning. Hard work to breathe.

Mar 22 – Took down old fence west side of garden. Cut some wood and done the chores. Fine day.

Mar 23 – 55 Abz. Nice day looks very much like spring. Wheat looks green. River very high. Went over to Nancys after Hannah.

Mar 24 – Went up to Jesse Earls[59] to see Barbed wire fence. Went up to the Burying ground up by Staffords to see that wire. Went to see Mr Carrs fence. Mate Ford[60] and Tamer Addams[61] called here. Mr Joseph Flanders[62] and Aunt Hannah[63] called.

Mar 25 – 50 Abz rainy. Rainy day. No work but chores. Story Sleeper[64] set fire to a straw stack, crawled into it and burnt up with it. Rained all night. Nell Stanford[65] here in afternoon.

Mar 26 – 40 Abz Cloudy. Cloudy morning pleasant afternoon. Went up to Mr Flanders after post hole digger. Got Rooster Plymouth rock variety. Paid Will Clark $3.00.

Mar 27 – __8 Abz, still. Went over to burg in morning. Dug out posts west side of garden. Took down Hen yard. Drawed some stone. Mrs Brown and Bina Earl[66] here in afternoon. Very fine day. Story Sleeper Buried to day.

Mar 28 – Rainy forenoon cleared of. Drawed brush in afternoon on west line. Charley Town commenced plowing for Oats in west lot. Commenced raining just at night. Prince Leopold Died.[67]

Mar 29 – Windy. Went over to burg in morning after Nancy and children. Sarah & I went down to Marts. Jim and Hannah went over to burg in Evening to hear the McGibbiny family Discourse a few music. Mr John Flint Died to day.[68]

Mar 30 – 32 Abz pleasant. Nice day. At home all day. Jim and Libby Taylor went up to Frank Bronsons.

Mar 31 – Chored round. Not much work done.

Apr 1 – 45. Jim came down in morning helped me saw up cherry tree on west line. Charley plowing. Theodore shingling his shop on north End of mill. I went over to burg in afternoon. It rained some. Mr John Seeley Buried to day at Galesburg.

Apr 2 – 32 Abz. Snows and blows this morning. Kate Isherwood came down after Hannah. Jim pitching shit for Dea Randall. Mrs Ben Jacobs buried to day.[69]

Apr 3 – Took Hannah over to burg in morning. She went to Mrs Hannah Wilmarths. Nice day.

Apr 4 – Went over to burg in morning. Chored round some. Went over in Evening got wall paper.

Apr 5 – Went over to burg after Hannah. Put ___ps on wall they put paper part way around. Saw Riley Coe. Nell and Harry[70] here in Evening.

Apr 6 – 53 in morning, pleasant. Nice morning. At home no go to church to day.

Apr 7 – Went over to burg in morning after Nancy. Went over at noon to vote. No work to day. Went took Nancy home in Evening. Snowed and rained. P. S. Carmer[71] Left for Otsego. W. A. Blake[72] Elected Supervisor.

Apr 8 – Took Hannah over to Mr Ralphs in morning. Snowed some stormy day rain and snow.

Apr 9 – 33 Abz ground covered with snow. Robert Crawford[73] came this afternoon.

Apr 10 – Robert here. Went up to Charley Fords[74] in afternoon to get a place for Harry Crawford.[75]

Apr 11 – Went over to burg in forenoon after Hannah. Robert went over. I went over at noon after clover seed bot ½ bushel $3.25. Jim working for Harry Streator.

Apr 12 – Charley Town sowed Rye and Oats, Timothy and Clover seed to day. Took Robert over to burg he went to Battle Creek. Ed Schrams Baby died.[76]

Apr 13 – Hannah and Jim went up to Mr Flanders to see if they would take Harry Crawford.

Apr 14 – Went over to burg got pattern to change for Knapp.

Apr 15 – Went over to burg after Nancy. Rainy. Went down to Katharines to see how she was, she sick. Very rough rainy day. Took Nancy home in Evening.

Apr 16 – Cold rough morning snows some. Chored round. Worked some in shop on pattern. Robert started for Home on noon train.

Apr 17 – Cold raw day. Worked on pattern some. Sawed out strip for W^m Ralphs[77] frames for Bee Hives. Mrs William Carey Died.[78]

Apr 18 – Finished Mr Knapps pattern took it home over to him. Took Mrs Betts over to burg. Spencer Peat got load Hay.

Apr 19 – Pleasant day. Trimed Blackberry and Raspberry bushes. Ed Flanders[79] and Aunt Hannah called here just at night.

Apr 20 – Cloudy day. Hannah came home from Scots. Mrs W^m Carey Buried.

Apr 21 – Charley Town drawing manure putting it on hill south of orchard. Will Clark commenced work to day moving and laying up fence on hill. Very high wind.

Apr 22 – Charley finished drawing manure. I drawed stone for fence corners and some old rails. Hard wind very much high wind cold.

Apr 23 – Pleasant day no wind. Will Clark working for Charley Town.

Apr 24 – Frost. Chored round. Worked some in garden. Went over to burg in Evening took over Eleven Doz Eggs 15¢ pr doz.

Apr 25 – Got Jesse Earls wagon. Took my wheels over to Lockhart got tyre put on paid him $3.00. Picked up brush in orchard and burnt it. Mr Leonard Evins fell of load hay and Broke his Arm.

Apr 26 – Frost. Burnt brush heap in front yard.

Apr 27 – At home all day. Very high wind. Rev. H. B. Ewell of Pavillion Genesee Co N.Y. Died this morning.[80]

Apr 28 – Will Clark cutting brush on hill fixing to build wire fence. Went over to burg got my wagon wheels. Paid Edwin Flanders $1.96 cts for wheat.

Apr 29 – Went over to burg got Grub hoe repaired 20¢. Will grubbing fence row on the hill. Edwin brot Grist 2 bushels Graham flour $1.96 cts.

Apr 30 – Finished Hanks pattern. Went over to burg in afternoon took Hanks pattern over. Mrs Betts went over with me. Will cutting and burning brush on hill. Mrs Selind Davis Died to day.[81] A fine shower.

May 1 – Rainy morning. Went to Kalamazoo after Ethan. Rained all day. Mrs Davis Buried to day. Stephen Comfort[82] came to day.

May 2 – Worked on hill in afternoon cut one large tree. Fine day. Went over to burg in Evening.

May 3 – Pleasant morning. Worked on hill cut the big Grapevine tree an two others. Very fine day. Burnt brush. Mrs Malony Buried to day.[83]

May 4 – Rainy day not very cold. At home all day. Stephen here.

May 5 – Put cow out to pasture. Worked on hill most of the day cut some trees. Charley Town began plowing corn ground south of orchard.

May 6 – Went over to burg in morning ordered my wire for fence. Had a nice shower about Eleven oclock A.M.

May 7 – Painted my wheels over. Cut some brush on hill. Took Mr Stephen Comfort over to Nancys in Evening.

May 8 – Mr Comfort left on 7 AM run for Canada. I went down to M. O. Streators to get Jim to help Will Clark saw. Will sowed the clover seed.

May 9 – Painted wagon gearing blacked bands on wheels. Will cut brush and burnt some. I went over to Burg in Evening.

May 10 – Will split posts. I took Locust post up to corner. Cullen and Bert[84] planted the south lot to corn. I went up to Mr Flanders got poshole digger, some potatoes, Harness, one pig. Rained before I got home. Rainy night.

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

May 12 – Will Clark planted corn for Ed Schram in forenoon, for Mr Streator in afternoon. I went over to burg in Evening to see if my wire had come. Rained in night.

May 13 – Jim and Will sawed wood and posts on hill some in forenoon and afternoon. Rained some. I set the corner post up at the corner towards Taylors.

May 14 – Drawed manure six loads. Will planting for Harry Streator. Mr McKay buried to day.[85]

May 15 – Sawed pickets for Hen park. Got out manure in afternoon. Went over to burg in Evening. Mr Conrad buried to day.[86] Will Clark planted for Mr Franklin.

May 16 – Pleasant morning. Got out manure put it on garden.

May 17 – Built Hen Park. Very fine day. Went over got my wire, 403 lbs, 5 lbs staples $24.48. Mrs. M. Sprague[87] came on noon train to Nancys. Came over here in Evening.

May 18 – Pleasant day. Ethan and Patty went down to Katharines.

May 19 – Not very well. Got out some manure on garden.

May 20 – Worked up on Hill some set some posts East side of wheat lot. Will Brown plowed garden.

May 21 – Went down to Will Browns got his Thomas[?] Harrow to drag garden. Will burning brush and distributing posts.

May 22 – Worked on hill set posts. Got Tom Brown[88] drawed some rails.

May 23 – Jim came down with team drawed rails and wood with both teams.

May 24 – Katharine and Geo Worked on fence some.

May 25 – Katharine and George came up here. Alvin and Julia[89] here. George Tomlinson,[90] Ogden Tomlinson, wife and daughter[91] came here.

May 26 – Rainy some. George Tomlinson went to Battle Creek came back went down to Katharines with Orrin Starr.[92] I took Patty down to Katharines. Rainy.

May 27 – Will working on hill throwing up rige on the line of the fence. I went down to M O Streators got some potatoes.

May 28 – Cold north wind no frost. Working on hill throwing up ridge.

May 29 – Worked on fence tightening posts. Will throwing up ridge.

May 30 – Put wire on fence, put up 60 rods, 4 wire fence.

May 31 – Cleaning up and grading.

Jun 1 – At home. Ethan went down to Marts after Patty. Lucy brot her home.

Jun 2 – Went over to burg in morning. Went up to George Billingtons to see Patent fence.

Jun 3 – Went over to burg in morning got some flour some Bran. Found calf with Fan this morning. Not much work to day. Mr Barber and Will setting Posts for Hat and Lib Taylors[93] fence. Rained just at night. Mr Flanders called in.

Jun 4 – Sarah and her Mother went over to Nancys in morning. I drawed some stone from corner. Went over to burg in Evening after Sarah and her Mother got home about ten Oclock. Mrs Betts Died about Eleven Evening.[94]

Jun 5 – Went over to burg in morning to get casket and make arrangements for funeral. Hiram and Kate[95] came in afternoon, D. and Lou came in Evening. Pro

Jun 6 – Took Box over to cemetry, got Mr Miner to dig the grave. Box came this morning. Mrs Betts Buried to day.

Jun 7 – Henry came this morning from South Bend.[96] They all left for home on the 11 Oclock train.

Jun 8 – At home all day.

Jun 9 – Moved fence East of house. Had Tom and Bill.[97]

Jun 10 – Set fence posts on the road east of House.

Jun 11 – Jim came down plowed for the ditch on the road East of house. Skinner[98] had Bill, drew load wood to Hank. I filed saw for Erastus Stewart.

Jun 12 – Will shoveled the dirt up to fence posts. Ethan and I put on one wire in forenoon worked on the ridge in afternoon.

Jun 13 – Strung wire on fence East of House and finished grading.

Jun 14 – Took Sarah and Patty over to burg in morning. Took back wire $3.96. Drew stone from road in afternoon. Skinner came up got shovle plow in morning.

Jun 15 – At home. Ethan took Patty down to Katharines.

Jun 16 – Chored round house and garden. Cut out stuf for screen frames for Hat and Lib.

Jun 17 – Worked on road. Very hot day.

Jun 18 – Worked on road cut weeds and leveled up. Lois and Nancy came over Charley and Clara[99] came. Rained just at night. Took the girls over in Evening.

Jun 19 – James Krum called here in morning he went to Kalamazoo with Ethan. He went down after Jesse. I finished working on road. P. S. Carmer Died to day at Otsego.[100]

Jun 20 – Very hot. Went up to Taylors got size of windows cut one frame. Worked for Charley Town in afternoon. Cut out window on west side of Kitchen. Had a shower in afternoon.

Jun 21 – Ethan took Lou to Kalamazoo she goes home on the afternoon train. Very hot mercury 98 in shade at one oclock P. M.

Jun 22 – At home all day. Very hot day. P. S. Carmer Buried to day at Otsego.

Jun 23 – Went over to M. O. Streators got two bushels wheat took it over to mill. Turned six pins for Will Brown. Brot over some Lime over for C. I. Clark.

Jun 24 – Very hot. Took Hannah over to Mr Ralphs. Charley Clark went to Kalamazoo after his goods. I fitted frames to windows at Taylors House. Rained in Evening.

Jun 25 – Rainy day. Went over to Hanks after Charleys folks took them up to the House.

Jun 26 – At home choring. Went round the squair with Patty. Called to Mr Flanders. They wer at work on cellar wall.

Jun 27 – Worked in shop some on plow. Very hot.

Jun 28 – Worked in shop some. Took the folks over to cemetry. Katharine came up. Patty, Katharine and Sarah went over.

Jun 29 – At home. Very hot. Killed two hens, one Rooster. R. E. Strait came over.

Jun 30 – Patty and Hannah started for Perry, Wyoming County, N.Y.[101] Ethan took them to Kalamazoo. Very hot mercury 100 & 4 in sun at 9 A.M.

Jul 1 – Woodded Will Browns Plow. Extracted tooth for John Isherwoods girl she paid 25 cts. Hot day.

Jul 2 – I took Sarah and Jesse over to Burg in morning. Ethan turned one plunger for Theodore. Put the cow back in pasture to day.

Jul 3 – Painted Will Browns plow over in morning. Rained some ledle much.

Jul 4 – Jim had Bill to go to Gull Lake. I chored round picked some berries. Charley Town cut some wheat in lot North side of road. Rained in night. Aunt Celia Keith Uncle Ozens wife Died to day.[102]

Jul 5 – Windy. Went down to Marts, Frank Burlingham thare, Net Cory also. High wind some cooler. Lois came over stayed all night.

Jul 6 – At home all day. Hanks folks called here at night. Mr Randall got his Reaper Knives he paid 50 cts.

Jul 7 – Went down to Charley Fords bot five bushels Oats 40¢ pr bushel $2.00. Chored round.

Jul 8 – Went down to Charleys got bag I left there when I got the oats. Turned two plungers for Theodore.

Jul 9 – Went over to burg with Charley Clark got some boards to make cupboard. Took Sarah over in afternoon. Rainy. Charley Town commenced cutting wheat.

Jul 10 – Charley finished cutting East lot. Will Brown cut my grass. Fine day.

Jul 11 – Went down to Mrs Browns got Tom and wagon. Drawed in my hay. Very nice day. Charley Clark helped me get it in.

Jul 12 – Picked some berries, done chores, cut the wheat next the fence East of house that the Binder left. Will Clark cut his wheat to day. The Mankin show in town this Evening.

Jul 13 – At home. No one here except those that was here. Charley Town cutting wheat for Cull.

Jul 14 – Show in burg to night. Cut weeds up and down the hill on both sides of fence. Went over to burg in afternoon. Took Sarah over to Hanks. Bot gloves 75¢. Went over in Evening af Sarah. Herd the band play.

Jul 15 – Finished cutting weeds on road. Set up wheat in East lot in afternoon. Charley and Will Crittenden drawed in the girls wheat, Hat and Libs. Rained some in morning.

Jul 16 – Went over to burg in morning. Went up to Mr Flanders got some sed to sow on my fence bank East of house. Show in town to night.

Jul 17 – Ethan went to Kalamazoo with Jesse. She went to shelby ville. I worked in garden some. Very fine weather. Filed saw for Hat and Libby Taylor.

Jul 18 – Chored round. Worked some in shop ledle some.

Jul 19 – Charley Town drawed in the wheat in forenoon. Drawed some of his in afternoon. Very nice weather.

Jul 20 – Went down to Marts in afternoon. Found Toot[103] not some better.

Jul 21 – Took Lois over to burg in morning. No work but chores. Charly drawing wheat up to Culls. Stranger took dinner here, a Mr Goodrich, a Frenchman, said he lived at Sharlotte Michigan.

Jul 22 – Took Sarah over to burg in morning. Chored round. Went up to mill to see if I could get something for gate posts. Tim Whitcomb raked wheat stubble. Mrs Harvey Freer died to day.[104]

Jul 23 – Went over to burg in morning after some whortleberries.[105] Had a nice shower in morning rained hard cleared of about 9 AM. Put in three cradle fingers for Mr Caywood. Ethan took Sarah down to Mrs Browns in afternoon.

Jul 24 – Had a nice rain agan this morning. Repaired Charley Clarks buck saw frame. Charley Town commenced cutting the oats. Mrs Harvey Freer buried to day.

Jul 25 – Turned over the rakings in east lot. Jane Hoag[106] came over to day. Abel[107] went to Vicksburg to Odfellows Picknick. Very hot day. Charley cut some oats, drawed in some of his wheat on north side.

Jul 26 – Went over to burg in morning after Lelah and Bessey. Hank and Nancy went to Toledo. Hot weather mercury 96. Charley town drawing wheat.

Jul 27 – Mercury 94 not much wind. Home all day, Hank & Nancy at Toledo. Ethan & Clark went down to Marts. Bessey & Lelah here.

Jul 28 – Not very well, no work. Charley Town finished cutting oats. Nancy came home. Jim got home.

Jul 29 – Chored round. Got ready for thrashers. They thrashed to Mrs Browns & Mr Randalls. Came up here and set machine.

Jul 30 – Thrashed my wheat & oats 93 bushels oats, 140 bushels wheat. Will Johnsons machine. Had a nice shower just at night. Mr Baptist minister called on my wife dont know what they said or done some not much.

Jul 31 – Went over to burg took 4 bushels wheat to mill.

Aug 1 – Took 4 bushels wheat to mill. Charley brot Bed tick down to be filled, took bags home. Cut weeds on on east fence up the hill.

Aug 2 – Cut weeds on road East of house. Took old violin to pieces. Chored round some. Hot day. Hat and Lib commenced cutting their oats.

Aug 3 – At home. Went over to burg in morning after Lelah & Bessey. Hank, Nancy, Mrs Brown & Sarah went up to Mr Levy Woods.

Aug 4 – Went over after Nancy and the girls in morning. Nancy came over to help Quilt. I done some turning for Oat Hill. Cool day.

Aug 5 – Rainy forenoon. Went to Kalamazoo in afternoon to see about Jessie coming home. She will come tomorrow on noon train. Will Clark bot buggy to day.

Aug 6 – Choring. Jessie no come. George Ives here to Dinner. Took Sarah over to burg in afternoon to see about getting Jessie home. Union[?] Picknic at  Gull Lake to day. Edna and Jes came on the 6 oclock run all right.

Aug 7 – Cloudy morning. Oiled Harness and got things redy to go to shelby.[108]

Aug 8 – Started for Shelby ville 5 oclock AM got to Orangeville at 12 arrived in Shelby ½ past 3 P.M all right. Left my Halter where I fed the Horse at Orangeville.

Aug 9 – At Shelby. Fine morning. Made screen for west window in dining room.

Aug 10 – At Harris House all day. Quite warm. D., Lou and Jay took Bill and their carriage went out riding.

Aug 11 – Some rain this morning at Shelby. Made window Screen. Bot 10 cent Hat 60 cent Rubbers.

Aug 12 – Left Shelby for home about Eight oclock AM got home ½ past five P.M. Kate Crawford came on noon train. She came out after Jes. Very hot day. I was sick in night.

Aug 13 – Not very well to day. Book agent called here. Kate and Jes left for home on noon train.

Aug 14 – Not very well to day. Diavolus Bolus[?]. No work. Clara here all day.

Aug 15 – Sick. Very hot and dry mercury 100 in shade ½ past Eleven A.M.

Aug 16 – Not well, no work. Hot and dry. Ethan and Will Clark went to Kalamazoo. Mercury 97 in shade.

Aug 17 – Mercury 101 in shade. At home. Ethan and Hanks folks gone to Gull Lake. Charley and Will went to Evenges.

Aug 18 – Not much work. Very hot and dry. Mended Rocking chair.

Aug 19 – Went and got Theodores pump tongs repaired pump. Went over to burg in Evening.

Aug 20 – Mr Barney Seely Buried.[109] Went over to Burg after mail, no got him. Went up to Mill. Theodore gave me a big string of fish. Went down to Marts to see Lucy. She not some better ledle mite. Rained some in night.

Aug 21 – Cloudy and some cooler. Jim gone to Battle Creek to the Encampment. Will Clark thrashing to David Bronsons.

Aug 22 – Jay Barton Died.[110] Put violin together I think the Illick violin. Ethan turned out two stand tops for Herb Earl.

Aug 23 – Went over to burg got Nancy and girls. Ethan went over at noon got the James girls, Laura & Rosa.[111] They came from Kalamazoo.

Aug 24 – Fine pleasant morning no frost.

Aug 25 – No work. Went to burg at noon Laura went with me. Ethan and the girls went around the squair.

Aug 26 – Nice morning. Sarah went over to burg. Not much work pulled some weeds in corn, not much.

Aug 27 – No work very much rainy day. Lois and Ina came over in Evening. Took Sarah over to burg. Pulled weeds in corn field.

Aug 28 – No work. Rainy day rain all day. Lois and Ina came over in Evening. Ethan turned Stand top for Laura & Rosa James.

Aug 29 – Went down to Katharines with Lois found Lucy some better I think. Barnums Show in Kalamazoo to day.

Aug 30 – Turned 3 pump handles for Theodore. Laura & Rose here. Fine day. Went over to burg in Evening took the Illick violin over.

Aug 31 – Nice pleasant day some cooler than it was once. Ethan and the girls went out riding.

Sep 1 – Very pleasant morning. The girls left for Jonesville, Laura and Rose James. Turned 12 pump handles for Theodore, 3 tops, one stand top.

Sep 2 – At home. Not very well no work but chores.

Sep 3 – Went down to Katharines to see Lucy. Worked on violin.

Sep 4 – Choring round. Very hot and dry nead some rain considerable.

Sep 5 – Cut out neck for violin. Very hot day. S. Struble threshed for the Taylor girls.

Sep 6 – Hot mercury 95 in shade. Worke on violin neck. Will Clark came here helped Ethan turn stand top.

Sep 7 – At home no one here. Very hot.

Sep 8 – Will Clark commenced cutting corn. I chored round watched cow.

Sep 9 – Martin Turner came here on his way home from Ohio. I took him over to burg. Went down to Katharines found Lucy no better. Very hot mercury 100 in shade. Wes[112] came on Michigan City freight.

Sep 10 – Mercury 102 at noon. Went over to burg at noon to meet Hannah she came on 11.15 train. Saw Wesley.

Sep 11 – Went over to burg after Nancy and children. Hannah & Nancy went down to Katharines. Ethan & Wesley went down to Marts in afternoon.

Sep 12 – Charley cutting corn. Wes here.

Sep 13 – At home. Chores. Laura and Rose came on 9 oclock run from Kirkwoods.

Sep 14 – At home. Went down to Katharines.

Sep 15 – Worked round in shop some and [nothing further written]

Sep 16 – Worked round house and shop. Girls here. Went over after Nancy.

Sep 17 – Ethan, Nancy, Hannah and and girls went to State Fair to Kalamazoo.

Sep 18 – Went over to burg. Took after Nancy home. Took Hannah over to burg in Evening.

Sep 19 – Worked in shop some chored round done not much some dings. Mary Plank[113] and a Miss Hall came here stayed all night. Ethan and the girls all went over to the Rink in Evening, the Grand Opening.

Sep 20 – The girls went home in afternoon. Mary Ellen took them to Kalamazoo. Very nice day.

Sep 21 – It was me self and me woife wint down to see Lucy this after noon sur Lucy no better. Very dry no prospect of rain as yet.

Sep 22 – Went over to burg took Hannah over to Nancys. Wesley came up in Evening after Sarah. Lucy was faling she Died ¼ past to Eleven P.M.[114]

Sep 23 – Sprinkled a little this morning. Not very well. Mrs Aurilla Hood of Salt Lake City Died to day.[115] They found forty Eight Hundred Dollars in specie[116] in a matrass after she died in little bags.

Sep 24 – Rainy fore noon. Went down to Marts. Lucy Buried to day.

Sep 25 – Charley Clark husked corn for me to day. I cleaned out cornhouse. Sent a letter to Mark Lee.[117]

Sep 26 – Went over to burg after Charleys wagon at noon. Drawed in two loads corn in afternoon. Wesley and Adelphia[118] here to dinner. Warm day.

Sep 27 – Worked round cornhouse. Went down to Mrs Browns got some apples. Drawed one load corn. Charley husked corn in afternoon.

Sep 28 – At home. No one here. Nice day.

Sep 29 – Charley husked corn in fore noon. I drawed it in afternoon.

Sep 30 – Not very well no work but chores. Wes came from Scots.[119] Went over to Bill Blakes stayed all night. Old Mrs Schram died to Night.[120]

Oct 1 – Cloudy morning. Went over to burg in morning, No work not well.

Oct 2 – Went over to burg in morning to see Mr Knapp.[121] Went down to Katharines in afternoon. Mrs Schram Buried to day. Wes here to night.

Oct 3 – Went over to burg after Nancy. Chored some. Jim Conky came here to see about getting some sand for Butterfields. Mrs Brown came up. Mrs Forbush and Mrs Blake came over in afternoon.

Oct 4 – Not very well. Very nice weather. Lois and Dell came with one load goods. Very warm weather no frost yet. Grass look nice good feed. Mercury 94.

Oct 5 – Not very well. At home. Lois and Ina here. Very hot day. Will Clark took Jesse Milham[122] out riding.

Oct 6 – Took Lois over to Nancys in afternoon. Bot Boots $4.00.00. Nice day Mercury 84. Jim Milham cut wheat to day.

Oct 7 – Worked in barn some raised up south sill. Took Sarah over to burg. Hank went up to Seresco,[123] came back then he and Nancy went to Chicago. Charley Clark dug potatoes. Went over after Sarah in Evening. Rained in night.

Oct 8 – Some rainy cool wind. Not much done to day. Worked round Barn some. Mr David Bronson Died in night. He not Dead but very low.

Oct 9 – Worked in barn some raised the south sill some. Wesley came just at night. He went up to Ridlers stayed all night.

Oct 10 – Went over to burg in forenoon. Helped Charley and Will get Lois goods in to her House.[124] Bot plank for stable floor and some flooring for rincktum skatum[125] $9.76¢.

Oct 11 – Nice morning. Wesley went down to Katharines with Jesse Earl this morning. Mrs Laura Vancicle Hall Buried to day.[126] Mrs David Vosburg Died 4 oclock AM,[127] Mr David S. Bronson Died 1 oclock P.M.[128] Fine day. Went over to burg in Evening took Oatmans saws over to him.

Oct 12 – Cloudy morning not very cool Mercury 76. Went down to Katharines. All well as usual. Wes was there.

Oct 13 – D.B.S. Very pleasant day. Went to Mr David S. Bronsons funeral. Mercury 70 Abz at one P.M. Hank got home from Read City on night train.

Oct 14 – Nice morning. Went up to mill. Saw John Ralph. Got Theodores pump Tongs. Repaired my pump. Jesse Turner and wife[129] came at noon. Jes went over to burg with me. I went over to get pump rod welded. Wesley left Kalamazoo for home on morning Train.

Oct 15 – Pleasant morning heavy frost. Sarah went over to burg stayed all night. Nancy went up to Lous Jay is sick. Ethan took her to Kalamazoo. I am 71 years old to day.

Oct 16 – Worked in barn all day cleared out stable. Got ready to put in new[?] floor. Mr Skidmore Died to night.[130]

Oct 17 – Not very well. Not much work. Warm weather. Herb Clark and wife[131] at C. I. Clarks.

Oct 18 – Choring around. Went over to burg to get the mail. Jay not much better. Mr Zida Zardis Skidmore Buried to day.

Oct 19 – At home. Hank came over. Lelah & Bessey here. Harvey Keith[132] and Mother[133] came here from Mrs Bateys.[134] Ethan and Hannah went down to Katharines in afternoon. Nice day.

Oct 20 – Not much work. Took Hannah over to burg in afternoon. She went up to Tip Towns.[135] Warm nice day.

Oct 21 – Warm morning Mercury 91 Abz. Went up to Mill. Herb gave me string of fish. Ethan went over to Mr Knaps to do a job on his binder frame. Nancy up to Shelbyville. Cloudy. Went over to burg. Rained all afternoon. Nancy came home. Jay no better. Took some straw over to Lois.

Oct 22 – Took Sarah over to burg. Lelah and Bessy went home. Warm day. Not much work but choring.

Oct 23 – Snowed like fun. Went over to burg in morning to take plank over to Lois for side walk. Lost the cows rope. Clara and Edna[136] came down. Charley came down to supper. Charley put down the side walk.

Oct 24 – Went down to M. O. Streators. Made a man hole in the upper Hall. Cyrus and the Doctor wer there. Cool day. I got six large pumpkins.

Oct 25 – Dug potatoes in East garden. Took Hannah over to burg in afternoon. Ethan went over after her in Evening.

Oct 26 – At home all right. Jim and Will Clark here. Ethan went down to Alvin Lees.

Oct 27 – Cleaned out hen house. Took Hannah down to Mate Fords.

Oct 28 – Choring. Went over and got Nancy and Bessey. Ethan took them home in Evening.

Oct 29 – I took Sarah down to Kalamazoo. She went up to Shelby to stay with Lou a few days. Nice pleasant day.

Oct 30 – Went up to mill in morning. Sawed out stuf for Jims skate Box. Repaired check valve to pump. Ethan took Hannah over to the Rink. Nice day Mercury 50 Abz.

Oct 31 – Rainy. Went up to mill. Got Eight nice fish. Carried stable floor plank in barn.

Nov 1 – Went over to burg in morning after Nancy. She came over stayed all day. Went down to Mrs Browns at night. Ethan and Hank went to Kalamazoo in Evening to see a play at the Opera House.

Nov 2 – At Home no one here except our own family. Sarah up to Lous. Hank and Nancy and children down to Mrs Browns. Fine day.

Nov 3 – Rainy day went over to burg to Election. Worked round barn in forenoon. Went up to Mr Flanders in afternoon. Got load apples. Fine day.

Nov 4 – Rainy day. Went to Election[137] in forenoon. Worked on pigpen in afternoon some. George Milham here awhile. He took Mart up to Election.

Nov 5 – Mr Hill died.[138] Finished pen put Peter into it. Cold wind. Charley Clark had the wagon to carry Lois load wood.

Nov 6 – Went over to burg bot Glass and putty to repair windows to the school House 40 cts. Thomas paid me the balance due on wire $3.96 cts.

Nov 7 – Nice day. Repaired Kitchen floor. Charley Town drew his cornfodder. Charley Clark finished husking corn. Very pleasant nice day quite warm. Some ledle smoky just at night. Truman Dewey Died.[139]

Nov 8 – Put glass in windows at schoolhouse in forenooon. Went over to burg at noon after Sarah. She came from Lous. Drawed in corn in afternoon. Went over after trunk. Lois and Ina came over home with me. Dell came over stayed all night.

Nov 9 – Very pleasant day. Jim and Ed Streator[140] came down in morning. Dell left for home. Truman Dewey Buried to day just at night. Mercury __2 some like Indian summer. Clara, Nina and Gertie[141] came up just at night.

Nov 10 – Took Hannah over to Aunt Hannah Wilmarths came home took Sarah over to Mr Barbers.[142] Mrs Barber[143] sick. Went after her just at night. Hank and Dell went to Kalamazoo.

Nov 11 – Very nice weather. Worked in Barn raised up cross sill. Putting in new stable floor. Ethan went over to burg in Evening. Sent Enterprise[144] to George.

Nov 12 – Put partition in Peters pen made spout to turn his drink in. Ed Chadwicks Auction to day. Willis Brown married this Evening to Miss Lizzie Ogden.[145] Sarah has gone to set up with Mrs Dick Barber. Very nice warm day.

Nov 13 – Went over to burg after Sarah in morning. Fine day. Took Sarah down to Mrs Browns at noon. Worked in Barn some. Will and Lizzie came home just at night.

Nov 14 – Worked in barn putting in stable floor. Went over to burg. Took Hannah over.

Nov 15 – Went over to burg in morning after Hannah. Finished stable floor. Very nice weather. Indian summer, some smoky.

Nov 16 – Went down to Katharines. Marion Rice[146] and Mrs Gaffery wer there. Verry nice day. Rained some when we came home at night.

Nov 17 – Worked round house. Helped take up the carpet in East rom. Finished the stable floor. Pleasant day rather cold wind. Ethan and Nancy, Charley and Lois went to Kalamazoo to day.

Nov 18 – Chored house and barn. Filed croscut saw for H. D. Streator.[147] Charley Clark finished husking for Will Brown. Charley Town working on road.

Nov 19 – Cold morning Mercury 10 Abz in morning. Will Brown drawed his cornfodder. Sarah and I went down to Alvins. Nice dry day. Mr Vose building cellar wall for Alvin under Tenant House.

Nov 20 – Not very well to day. Tinkered round. Shelled some black Beans. Worked in Barn some. Kept Fan[148] at home to day. Sybil Austin called at the door a moment in Evening. Hannah at work to J. T. Allertons.

Nov 21 – Went over got some mortar to plaster East room. Charley came down and put some on. He had company come, Mrs Youngs.[149]

Nov 22 – Charley came down put on some more. I put on in parlor in afternoon. Charley came down shelled some corn. Rainy night.

Nov 23 – Rainy morning. Mercury 55 Abz in morning.

Nov 24 – Mercury ___ Abz morning, cold snowey day. Extracted tooth for C. I. Clark. Choring all day. Ethan made Bevel gear for W. H. Knapp.[150]

Nov 25 – Mercury 24 Abz morning. Cleaned up wheat & took to mill 4 bushels. Took over bag corn for Charley Clark. Ethan made Jims skate Box. Charley Town brot oats over 4 bushels. Cold and snowey, bad day.

Nov 26 – Went over to burg in morning after grist. Brot Charleys meal over. Some cold snow some. Mercury 19 Abz. Theodore and Charley came down to shop.

Nov 27 – Thawed or tried to thaw out pump at Barn. Not very cold.

Nov 28 – Turned five buckets for Theodore. Filed cross cut saw for Gus Gates 25 cts. Not very cold. Nelson Nichols called. Mr Barber called in shop. Lois and Ina came over stayed all night.

Nov 29 – At home doing chores. Gates boy got saw. Brot buck saw to be filed 20¢. Filed buck saw for Mr Randal 15¢.

Nov 30 – Pleasant day. Went down to Katharines. Not very cold nice wheeling.

Dec 1 – Turned 4 buckets for Theodore. Ethan and Jim went to Kalamazoo. Mercury 32 Abz, nicest kind of wheeling, very little snow on the ground.

Dec 2 – Mercury 33 Abz very nice day, nicest kind of wheeling, very little snow, bout a inch. C. I. Clark and Jim sawing wood for H. D. Streator. Mrs Youngs an Clara here this afternoon. Sky very red after sun down. Filed saw for Harry Streator.

Dec 3 – Filed saw for Harry this morning. Worked in Barn made mangers for Fan. Very pleasant day. Sarah went up to Hat Taylors in afternoon. Nice roads. Lots wood going into the burg. Nice moon light nights.

Dec 4 – Mercury 50 Abz very nice pleasant day. Worked in Barn fixing stable. Mr Gates paid 40¢. The Ladies Skating Trial came of this Evening. Ethan and Jim went over. Fine weather for December.

Dec 5 – Mercury 54 Abz quite warm rainy day. Put some shingles on Barn tightened boards on south End Barn. Charley had wagon to draw Lois load wood. Rained all night.

Dec 6 – Worked in Barn fixing well. Rainy day. Mercury 50 Abz. Hannah came home just dark. Grass green, feed first rate.

Dec 7 – Mercury 37 Abz rained all day. Ethan took Hanah down to Mr Caywoods at night. Strong south west wind no snow.

Dec 8 – Worked in Barn banked up barn on East side. Cool day.

Dec 9 – Chored round barn some in forenoon. Moved stove some ledle west. Went over to burg in afternoon with Will Brown. Got some lumber to seel East Bedroom 1.22¢. Ed Flanders paid $1.00 for repairs on schoolhouse. Paid Schroder $1.00. Paid Nelt Nickols $1.00.

Dec 10 – Mercury 34 Abz. Martin Turner called here this morning. Not much work to day. Ethan went down to Katharines in afternoon after Hannah. Stormy afternoon, snow.

Dec 11 – Went up got Theodores wenches to repair pump. Hannah went up to Mr Fishers. Nice day.

Dec 12 – Went up to mill got load sawdust to put in well. Extracted tooth for C. I. Clark. Repaired pump and well. Went over to burg in afternoon. Found out about my Taxes $8.72 cts. Paid Schroder & Olin 22 cts.

Dec 13 – Mercury 28 Abz. Went down to Katharines. Sarah went to fit Claras dress. Snowed very little first rate wheeling. Jim finished work for H. D. Streator.

Dec 14 – Went over to burg in morning after Nancy. She came over to help make cap. Snowed in night.

Dec 15 – Snow 8 inches mercury 30 Abz. Drove up to Charleys in afternoon. Will Brown got cutter to go to Kalamazoo to make out papers for the farm. Hank and Nancy went. Charley brot mustang down.

Dec 16 – Mercury 11 Abz. Chores to day. I turned 8 pump tops for Theodore. Lots snow. Charley Atkins brot cutter home in Evening. Making cap some out of my otter skin I got of Mark Lee.

Dec 17 – Cold mercury 10 Abz. Choring to day. Paid Nelson Nickols $1.40 cts. Sarah finished my cap to day. Mercury 3 Abz in Evening. Jim gone up to Bets[?].

Dec 18 – Mercury 13 Abz. Chores. Worked in house some. Jim took paper and lath of East room. I commenced putting on ceiling. Mercury 1 below zero at six Evening. Jim and Ethan gone to burg.

Dec 19 – Mercury 16 below zero 7 AM. Put ceiling on East room. Will Clark came down from Shelby ville to day. Very much cold. Jim and Bill gone over to burg to a dance. Good sleighing. Charley went to Kalamazoo after Will.

Dec 20 – Mercury 3 Abz. Finished ceiling the East room. Lots snow. Charley drawed load hay. Ethan and Jim went over to burg in Evening. Snowed like fun. Rough night to be out.

Dec 21 – Mercury 16 Abz. Jim went over to burg in morning got Lois and Ina. Hannah came home. I took Lois home in Evening. Ethan and Hannah went up to Charleys in Evening. Tip top sleighing. Mr John Hull leader of the Hull and Arnold Band Died to day.[151]

Dec 22 – Mercury 22 Abz. Very rough day snowed and blowed like fun. Worked in shop made churn dasher for C. I. Clark and family.

Dec 23 – Mercury 20 Abz. Went over to burg after Oil. Lelah and Bessy came over. Finished churn dash.

Dec 24 – Mercury 13 Abz very Blustrous day snows and Blows. Helped Ethan turn big wheel for Binder.

Dec 25 – Mercury 3 below. Went up to C. I. Clarks to dinner. Very cold. Ethan gave me a cap. Went over to burg in evening after border for East room. Mercury 8 below zero 8 in Evening.

Dec 26 – Painted ceiling in East room in forenoon. Sarah and Hannah papered East room. I went over to burg at noon got roll paper. Jim went to Pavilion. Will got Buckwheat ground. Mercury 22 below zero in morning. Elain Huntington Died to day.[152]

Dec 27 – Worked round house. Put up brackets in East room. Rainy day rained all night.

Dec 28 – Mercury 40 Abz. Went down to Marts. Met Rile Coe. Came home at night. Rained all the Evening. Found them all right. Mr Huntington buried to day.

Dec 29 – Mercury 50. Drawed in some cornfodder. Snow most all gone. Rile Coe here to dinner. Muddy going.

Dec 30 – Mercury 54 in morning. Took Peter over to Rennisons to be butchered. Rained like fun. Went over just at night after Peter. Paid my tax. $8.72.

Dec 31 – Mercury 36 Abz. Jim went to Kalamazoo after D. & Lou. They no come. Cold west wind. No dings but chores to day. Clara down here.

——-

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

[2] This transcription is taken from a very poor photocopy of the original, and although my mother Eda “Jean” (Mueller) Johnson made typewritten notes, it was extremely difficult to transcribe

[3] His granddaughter, Bess Brown

[4] His daughters, Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner and Nancy (Keith) Brown

[5] Shelbyville, Michigan

[6] Above zero

[7] Herbert Earl, his neighbor and “shirttail relative”

[8] His youngest son, James Clinton Keith

[9] His daughter, Hannah Keith

[10] His neighbor, Emaline (Stone) Ralph

[11] The only record of her death was found in the Oak Grove Cemetery online records which shows that Minnie Maria (Lockhart) Mosier died January 4, 1883; this could possibly be a clerical mistake in entering the date

[12] Petoskey, Michigan

[13] His granddaughter, Ina Skinner

[14] His neighbor, Albert Towne

[15] His son, Ethan Keith

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

[17] This was actually written in the January 9^th spot, with “Tuesday 8th” written in

[18] Michigan death records reveal that Lawrence Hawes died in Comstock, Michigan on January 8, 1884 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Mountain Home Cemetery, Kalamazoo, Michigan

[19] This was actually written in the January 8^th spot, with “Wednesday 9th” written in

[20] Etc.

[21] His horse

[22] Neighbor, and cousin of Henry Brown

[23] His son-in-law, Henry Brown

[24] Michigan marriage records show that William Morton and Myrtie Barlow were married in Galesburg, Michigan on January 16, 1884

[25] Michigan marriage records show that Porter Whitford married Mrs. Mary Hall on January 16, 1884 in Galesburg, Michigan. Her death certificate gave her maiden name as Porter. Research continues regarding her being the widow of Zeak Hall

[26] His youngest daughter, Louese (Keith) Harris

[27] His grandson, William B. Clark, the son of his daughter, Lois

[28] Michigan death records confirm that John Batey died on January 18, 1884 in Pavilion, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[29] Michigan death records confirm that Bela Wright died on January 19, 1884 in Galesburg, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[30] Willis Brown, neighbor and brother of Henry Brown, Luke’s son-in-law

[31] Lucy (Lee) Milham, his niece

[32] Shelbyville, Michigan

[33] Louese’s son, and Luke’s grandson, Jay Harris, who was about 8 months old

[34] His wife Sarah’s brothers

[35] Hiram Crawford Jr., Sarah’s brother

[36] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Betsey (Scramlin) Chipman, the wife of John Boardman Chipman, died on January 28, 1884 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan. The 1880 census shows them living in Comstock, Michigan

[37] Sarah’s nephew, the son of her deceased brother, Edwin Crawford

[38] His son-in-law, Louese’s husband, Daniel D. Harris Jr., otherwise known as D. or D.D.

[39] In Ethan’s 1884 diary he complains of his stomach and on February 2^nd he wrote: “Ma received a letter from Uncle Hiram. He wants me to come and try their Magnetic Healer. Aunt Kate wrote wrote also. They made me a very kind offer would be to all their expense.” He stayed until May 1^st when he returned home. It isn’t clear from his diary whether the treatments helped him

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

[41] Clara Milham, the oldest child of Martin & Lucy (Lee) Milham

[42] Martin Milham, the husband of Lucy (Lee) Milham, who was the daughter of Luke’s sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[43] Mary was the wife of Julius Chase who was Henry Brown’s first cousin. Michigan death records confirm that she died on February 14, 1884 in Kalamazoo and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Kalamazoo

[44] Nickname for his wife Sarah

[45] His mother-in-law, Nancy (Comfort) Crawford Betts, whose late second husband, Platt Betts, had been an elder in their local church

[46] Matilda (Allen) Brown, neighbor and mother of Henry and Willis Brown

[47] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[48] Neighbor, and half-brother of Martin Milham

[49] His grandchildren, Claude, Lela and Bess Brown

[50] George Milham, oldest son of Martin & Lucy (Lee) Milham

[51] Michigan death records confirm that Polly Ann (Johnson) Judson died on February 26, 1884 and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[52] His maternal first cousin

[53] Sarah’s brother

[54] Neighbor in Comstock, Ida (Barber) Howe. She had twins, Carrie and Charles Howe, on February 18th

[55] A type of sled for moving heavy objects such as stones or hay bales

[56] Neighbors, Marius O. & Laura Ann (Rawson) Streator

[57] Sister of Luke’s son-in-law, D.D. Harris

[58] Neighbor; Theodore was the brother of Herbert Earl (see footnote to January 2^nd entry)

[59] Neighbor; Jesse Earl, who was the father of Herb and Theodore

[60] Neighbor, Mary Ann “Mate” (Thompson) Ford

[61] Neighbor, Mary “Tamer” (Ford) Adams

[62] Neighbor, Joseph Flanders. After Luke’s first wife, Minerva (Payson) Keith died, Joseph and Amanda (Hobbs) Flanders cared for his son, Henry, for a period of time. The Flanders raised Henry even after Luke married his third wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith. They wanted to adopt Henry but Luke said no; however, it looks like Henry lived with them throughout his youth. This seems to be corroborated by the 1860 census showing “Henry L Flanders,” age 16, (who it is actually believed to be Henry L. Keith), living with Joseph & Amanda

[63] Joseph Flanders’ sister, Hannah (Flanders) Wilmarth. Luke often referred to older neighbors as Aunt or Uncle

[64] FindAGrave.com confirms the date of death and has a transcript of the newspaper account of his death. He is buried in Mountain Home Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Michigan

[65] Neighbor, Nellie (Underwood) Stanford; she was the niece of Marius O. & Laura (Rawson) Streator

[66] Neighbor Albina Earl, the daughter of Jesse Earl, and sister of Herb and Theodore

[67] From Wikipedia: Leopold George Duncan Albert (7 April 1853 – 28 March 1884) was the eighth child and youngest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Leopold was later created Duke of Albany, Earl of Clarence, and Baron Arklow. He had hemophilia, which led to his death at the age of 30

[68] Michigan death records confirm that John Flint died March 29, 1884 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in McDowell Cemetery, South Haven Highlands, Allegan County, Michigan

[69] Michigan death records show that Wealthy (Deney) Jacobs, died in Galesburg, Michigan on March 31, 1884 from consumption and FindAGrave.com shows she was the wife of Burban Jacobs and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[70] Neighbors, Nellie Stanford and her cousin, Harry Streator

[71] Neighbor, Peter S. Carmer

[72] Neighbor, William A. Blake

[73] His brother-in-law

[74] Neighbor, and husband of Mate Ford (see footnote to March 24^th entry)

[75] The son of Hiram & Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford (see footnote to January 27^th entry)

[76] Michigan death records show that Harry Schram, the 14-day-old baby son of Edgar & Netta Schram, died in Comstock on April 14, 1884 (not the 12^th) of blood poisoning

[77] Neighbor, and husband of Emaline (Stone) Ralph (see footnote to January 2^nd entry)

[78] Michigan death records show that Lydia (Phelps) Caray died April 14, 1884 (not the 17^th)

[79] Edwin Flanders, the son of Joseph Flanders (see footnote to March 24^th entry)

[80] FindAGrave.com reveals that Rev. Henry B. Ewell died April 27, 1884 in Pavilion, New York and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York

[81] Michigan death records show that Salina Davis died April 29, 1884 in Comstock, and the 1880 census listed her in the household of Isaac Wing as “aunt,” however no further information regarding her death has been found

[82] Nancy (Comfort) Crawford Betts’ brother

[83] FindAGrave.com shows that a Catherine Maloney, the wife of Michael Maloney, died in 1884 (no month or day listed) and is buried in the Riverside Catholic Cemetery in Kalamazoo. The 1880 census has a listing for Michael & Catherine Maloney living in Comstock, so it is assumed this is the Mrs. Maloney referred to

[84] Possibly Cullen Towne and his father Albert Towne. Luke’s son, Ethan, made the following entry in his diary for the same date: Charley Towne planted corn in our south lot to day. Charley was Cullen’s brother and Albert’s son

[85] FindAGrave.com shows that Thomas A. McKay was born in 1847, died in 1884 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan. While only the years of birth and death are given, the 1880 census also shows that he was born in 1847 and lived in Comstock not far from where Luke’s mother-in-law, Nancy Betts, was living

[86] Michigan death records show that Rev. Johannes Melchior Conrad died May 13, 1884 in Galesburg, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

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

[88] Believe he is referring to the Brown family’s horse, Tom

[89] Alvin Lee and his mother, Juliana (Davis) Lee. Julia was the widow of Luke’s paternal first cousin, Charles Lee

[90] George Tomlinson’s wife, Marion (Sprague), was the daughter of Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague, Luke’s sister

[91] Ogden, Mary (Wareham) and Cleo Tomlinson. Ogden and George were brothers

[92] Alfleda Starr was married to Luke’s late brother, Harvey Keith, but any connection between Orrin and Alfleda is unknown at this time

[93] Sisters, Harriet and Flora Elizabeth “Libbie” Taylor. Libby had been married to Isaac Schram, however by 1880 they were divorced and Hattie and Libby were living together

[94] Ethan’s diary entry shows that “Grandma was taken with one of her hard breathing spells and died at 11.15.”

[95] Hiram’s wife, Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford

[96] Henry Crawford lived in South Bend, Indiana

[97] Tom was the Brown’s horse and Bill was his horse

[98] His son-in-law (Lois’ husband), Adelbert “Del” Skinner

[99] His grandson and his wife, Charles I. & Clara (Youngs) Clark. See Ethan’s 1884 diary

[100] FindAGrave.com confirms that Peter S. Carmer died in Otsego on June 19, 1884 and is buried in Mountain Home Cemetery in Otsego, Michigan. According to the April 7^th entry he had just moved to Otsego

[101] Patty lived with her daughter and son-in-law, Marion (Sprague) & George Tomlinson, in Perry, New York. According to Ethan’s 1884 diary, Hannah stayed in Perry until September 10th

[102] Michigan death records and FindAGrave.com show that Cecelia (Stewart) Keith died July 4, 1884 in Pittsford, Michigan and is buried in Goodrich Cemetery in Pittsford

[103] Nickname for Lucy (Lee) Milham

[104] The Michigan death record and FindAGrave.com shows that Melissa (Powers) Freer died July 22, 1884 in Pavilion, Michigan and she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[105] Similar to blueberries

[106] Neighbor, Sarah Jane (Mason) Hoag

[107] Abel Hoag, Jane’s husband

[108] Shelbyville, where daughter Lou lived

[109] Michigan death record and FindAGrave.com show that Barna H. Seelye died August 14, 1884 in Kalamazoo, Michigan and he is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery in Comstock, Michigan

[110] Ethan Keith wrote in his diary on July 12: “Jay Barton took Paris green this evening but took too much so the Dr may save him.” The Michigan death record index shows that Jay Barten died in Galesburg, Michigan on August 22, 1884

[111] Sisters, Laura (James) Vair and Roselia James. They were the daughters of Luke’s maternal first cousin, John R. James and his wife, Elsie (Prentiss) James

[112] John Wesley Keith. According to the Keith Family Bible, Wesley was Luke’s adopted brother. A May 4th entry in Luke’s 1874 diary shows that “Wesley and family left for Kansas on the Eleven fifty Eight run”

[113] The daughter of William & Harriet (Groat) Plank. The Planks had been Luke’s neighbors in Comstock until 1873 when they moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan

[114] While no death record has been found, FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Comstock, Michigan. She left behind seven children, the oldest being 18 years old and the youngest 9 months old

[115] His first cousin, Aurilla (Lee) Hood. Utah death records show she died in Salt Lake City County, Utah, on September 23, 1884 and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery

[116] Coins; equal to about $125,000 in 2019

[117] His cousin, Marquis de Lafayette Lee, who was Aurilla (Lee) Hood’s nephew

[118] His great-niece, Marion Adelphia York

[119] Scotts, Michigan, which is about 10 miles south of Comstock/Galesburg

[120] Michigan death records reveal that Mary (Lester) Schram died September 30, 1884 in Comstock and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[121] Neighbor, William H. Knapp

[122] Neighbor, Jessie Milham, the daughter of Mathias & Azuba (Chadwick) Milham

[123] Ceresco, Michigan

[124] His son Ethan noted in his July 16^th diary entry that “Lois bought Geo Adams place on Grove St. [Comstock] Consideration $475.”

[125] Skating rink. Luke quite often used silly language in his diaries

[126] FindAGrave.com shows that Lora (VanSickler) Hall died in 1884 in Pavilion, Michigan and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[127] Michigan death records show that Sophronia (Loomis) Vosburgh died in Charleston, Michigan on October 11, 1884 and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[128] Michigan death records show that David S. Bronson died in Comstock, Michigan on October 11, 1884 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[129] Jesse & Sarah “Sally” (Davis) Turner. Jesse was Luke’s maternal first cousin

[130] Michigan death records show that Zardis Skidmore died October 16, 1884 and FindAGrave.com reveals he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[131] Charley Clark’s first cousin, Herbert Loren Clark & Mary (Legge) Clark

[132] His cousin, Harvey R. Keith

[133] Mary Ann (Batey) Keith

[134] Eliza “Betsey” (Olds) Batey, Mary Ann’s mother, who lived in Pavilion, Michigan

[135] Eunice “Tip” (Wood) Towne, the wife of Erasmus Towne

[136] Clara’s daughter, Edna Clark, who was almost 3 years old

[137] Grover Cleveland defeated James Blaine, becoming the 22nd president of the United States. He also was the 24^th president, the only president in American history to serve two non-consecutive terms in office (1885–1889 and 1893–1897)

[138] Michigan death records reveal that Andrew (not William, as noted in Ethan Keith’s diary) Hill died November 4, 1884 in Comstock, Michigan. Andrew was the father of Otis Hill

[139] Michigan death records show that Truman Dewey died November 8, 1884 in Pavilion, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[140] Edward Kent Streator, the son of Worthy & Sarah (Sterling) Streator. It is believed that Edward and Marius (see footnote to March 13^th entry) were brothers; research continues

[141] Clara Milham, the oldest of Lucy (Lee) Milham’s children, who was about 16 years old, and her two younger sisters, Nina, age 4, and Gertrude, age 2. Lucy died September 22, 1884

[142] Neighbor, Richard Barber

[143] Richard Barber’s wife, Mary (Knowles) Barber

[144] Kalamazoo County Enterprise newspaper

[145] Willis Allen Brown and Elizabeth Rebecca Ogden were married in Charleston, Michigan

[146] Believe he is referring to his maternal first cousin, Marion (Wolcott) Rice

[147] Harry Streator

[148] His cow

[149] Charley Clark’s mother-in-law, Rhoda (Wood) Youngs

[150] Neighbor, William H. Knapp

[151] Michigan death records reveal that John Hull died in Florence, St. Joseph County, Michigan on December 21, 1884 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Peek Cemetery, Constantine, St. Joseph County, Michigan

[152] No death record was found; however, FindAGrave.com shows that Elam G. Huntington died in 1885 and is buried in the Mountain Home Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Michigan with a note that the death certificate shows the year of death as 1884. The 1870 and 1880 census records list him as Elon G. Huntington and living in Comstock, Michigan

1884 Charles Luke Keith Jr Diary Scan