1887 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.[1]
Jan 1 – Mercury 2 Abz.[2] Jim[3] went to Kalamazoo after Sarah.[4] Very cold day good sleighing. I not very well.
Jan 2 – Mercury 22 below zero. At home all day. Ethan and Hannah[5] went down to Marts.[6]
Jan 3 – Mercury 5 Abz. Went over to burg.[7] Went to Mr Ralphs. Bot violin strings 50¢. Hannah went up to cals[?].
Jan 4 – Mercury 5 below. Made wood box. Charley Rowland here in afternoon.
Jan 5 – Mercury 19 Abz. Pleasant. Hannah went over to Mr Ralphs. Lois[8] came over. Lizzie Crawford[9] came to H A Browns[10] to day from Chicago.
Jan 6 – Went down to Mrs Streators[11] took Hannah down there. Cold stormy day. Bes[12] here. Went down to Mrs Browns.[13]
Jan 7 – Mercury 15 below. Jim and Henry Webster went to scotts[14] to sell his Buggy. He no see Webster not much.
Jan 8 – Jim went to Kalamazoo took stove down to H A Browns. Cold day. Bessy here. Mr Clapp Died to night.[15]
Jan 9 – Jim and Henry Webster went up to Scots. Stor[m]ing day snowed all day. Some folks out to church.
Jan 10 – Mercury 8 Abz. No work to day. Cold day. Ethan went to Kalamazoo.
Jan 11 – Mercury 10 below cold and blustrous quite a blizzard. Theodore[16] called in in fore noon. Cold blustring day. Mr E. M. Clapp buried to day. Ethan came home.
Jan 12 – Mercury 26 Abz in morning. Jim went up to scotts to take Harness to Webster.
Jan 13 – Mercury 33 Abz. Went over to burg in forenoon got Ethans shoes mended. Not so very cold some rain this Evening.
Jan 14 – At home. Not much work. Liz Crawford came.
Jan 15 – Went over to burg got my boots tapt 60¢. Henry Crawford[17] came from Jackson.
Jan 16 – Henry and Lizzie here. Hannah at home. George Blake and wife[18] here in Evening.
Jan 17 – Mercury 26 Abz stormy been mooch wind, snow flies, very much bluster. Henry went back to Jackson.
Jan 18 – Mercury 10 below. Cleaned up wheat. Very cold blustring day. Lizzie here. Lots snow hard sleighing. Gallusha braking road.
Jan 19 – Old Mr Schroder Died this morning.[19] Cap Rowlands sister Buried to day.[20] Went over to Mill took 5½ bushels wheat. Jerusha Rowland.
Jan 20 – Went over to burg in morning after grist. Ethan went over in afternoon. Bill[21] got down in snow drift broke harness.
Jan 21 – Went over in afternoon got harness mended. Old Mr Schroder buried to day. Jim and Lizzie went over to a dance.
Jan 22 – At home. No work to day. Not very well. Snow melting very fast.
Jan 23 – Mercury 53 Abz. Rainy day, very sloppy, snow running very fast.
Jan 24 – Hannah and Lizzy went to Kalamazoo.
Jan 25 – Went over to burg bot medicine 1.00. Not very well.
Jan 26 – Ethan went over to Burg. Paid Beckwith 1.00 one dollar for medicine Jo Smith chopping to day.
Jan 27 – Went over to burg in morning bot some lard and pork. Jo chopping. Lizzie came back to day.
Jan 28 – Jo chopping. Not very cold.
Jan 29 – Wright & Jim drew wood in afternoon. Nice day. Mr Flanders[22] got ax helves. Mrs Brown and Lizzie here.
Jan 30 – Mercury 19 Abz snows and blows like the mischief. No one here but Lizzie.
Jan 31 – No work. Not very well.
Feb 1 – Cold windy day. Took Lizzie over to cars. She went to Battlecreek to Mrs Grahams. Jim went to Kalamazoo.
Feb 2 – No work. Jim chopping for Mrs Brown.
Feb 3 – Went down to Marts. Nice day some wind. Mart grinding. Got letter from D.[23] Jay[24] very sick.
Feb 4 – Mercury 11 Abz. Jim took Hannah to Kalamazoo she went up to Shelby.[25] Jay very sick. Lois went up to Shelby. Edwin Flanders[26] brot me a Wiandot Rooster.
Feb 5 – Mr Right drew wood in fore noon paid him 75 cts. Hannah up to Shelby.
Feb 6 – At home. Rainy day. Jim went down to Alvin Lees[27] to see Julian Darling.
Feb 7 – Went over to burg after Hannah. She no come. Jay no better. Rany day no work.
Feb 8 – Mercury 55 Abz rainy day. Went over to the office got no letter. Hannah no come. Jim went up to Howlands Burg after Nellie Giddings. Some thunder in morning. Stranger got his violin.
Feb 9 – Mercury[28] very nice pleasant day. Went up to Levy Woods with Cyrus Streator. Nice October day.
Feb 10 – Went over to burg after Hannah. She no come. Fifty years to night I bot my violin paid $30.00.[29]
Feb 11 – Cold stormy day. Went to Shelby Ville. Found Jay no better.
Feb 12 – At Shelby Ville. Jay no better. Jay Died about five oclock P.M.[30]
Feb 13 – At Shelby. Cold day. Nancy[31] and Lois here.
Feb 14 – Left for home half past Twelve noon for home. Nancy went on Eight oclock train. D. started with Jay at twelve noon got home a bout six Evening.
Feb 15 – Jay Buried to day up East on the Old Flanders farm.[32] Ethan paid Mr Lewis $2.00 the minister.
Feb 16 – Pleasant cold day. Ethan, Jim and Lizzy went to Kalamazoo. Ethan and I went up to Jays grave in morning. Ethan paid Oatman $2.00 & Labit[33] $4.00. Mrs Rumry Buried to day.
Feb 17 – Not very well no work. Rainy day. No one here.
Feb 18 – Went up East to grave yard all right. Cold and stormy. Bot coffeepot of Dick Lamkins 80 cts.
Feb 19 – At home all day. Hard cold no work. Hannah came home in Evening.
Feb 20 – At home. No one here. Cool cloudy day.
Feb 21 – Not very well hard cold. Went over to burg in morning. Came around by the grave yard.
Feb 22 – Nice day not very cold. Went up to Levy Woods. Heard from Jay.[34] Old Mrs Olin buried to day. Mary Allerton Married.[35]
Feb 23 – Rather a cool day. Took Ethan over to burg he went up to Shelby Ville. Peat[36] one year old to day. Ed Schram got his ax.
Feb 24 – Not very well. No work but chores. Ethan and Jim up to Shelby Ville.
Feb 25 – Took Sarah over to Lois. No snow some wind.
Feb 26 – Cold stormy day. Hannah came home with Ed Flanders. I went over to burg with Ed after the mail.
Feb 27 – Mercury 13 Abz. At home. Cold blustring day. Mrs Quays team ranaway ran between the cherry tree and fence and stopt them. Schuyler had them.
Feb 28 – Mercury 11 Abz nice pleasant day. Harry[37] took Hannah to Kalamazoo.
Mar 1 – Mercury 46 Abz nice pleasant still day. Jim came home from Shelby Ville. Lou[38] and children[39] all right.
Mar 2 – Not very well no work. Ethan up to Lous.
Mar 3 – Jim went down to Kalamazoo after Hannah and Nancy. Very nice day.
Mar 4 – Pleasant day. Marenas Caywood Killed to day.[40] His horses run with him.
Mar 5 – Not very well no work. Ethan to Lous yet. Jim and Hannah down to Mrs Browns.
Mar 6 – Mr Orra Bush Died.[41] Marenas Caywood buried to day. Jim and Hannah went to funeral. Sate[42] stayed all night.
Mar 7 – I not very well. Jim drew load wood for A. R Skinner.[43] Jim took Sate home this morning.
Mar 8 – Took Nancy over to burg she went home. Took Hannah over to Nells at noon. Mr Lewis called here. Sold him some hens. Nice day. Henry W. Beohr[44] Died to day.
Mar 9 – Took five hens over to Mr Lewis this morning. Hannah went to Allertons.
Mar 10 – At home no work. Jim at home.
Mar 11 – Not very well. Ethan working on moddle.
Mar 12 – No work not much done.
Mar 13 – Cold windy day. Expected Hellen and Adelpha[45] here. No come.
Mar 14 – Hannah went up to Ras Towns.[46] I filed saw for John Wright one for Hat & Libby Taylor.[47]
Mar 15 – Nice pleasant day. Ethan and Jim went to Kalamazoo. Jim started for Dacota. Took Peter[48] up to culls to Bull.
Mar 16 – Went over to office get no letter from Lou. Floyd[49] some better. Rial Coe died to day.
Mar 17 – Went over to burg. Cold wind some dusty. Pleasant and dry. Ethan making moddle for Whitford.
Mar 18 – Cut some lims of the old apple tree. Went over to burg after mail. Cold wind. Ethan finished moddle.
Mar 19 – Not very well. Not much work but chores. Pleasant weather dry and dusty.
Mar 20 – At home. Pleasant day. Ethan, Hannah and Lelah went up to cemetry where Jay was buried.
Mar 21 – Some colder, rain some in afternoon. Went over to burg. Hannah went to Caywoods this morning.
Mar 22 – Took Sarah to Kalamazoo she went up to Lous. Cold wind disagreable day to be out.
Mar 23 – Pleasant morning. At home not very well. Went over to burg in afternoon.
Mar 24 – No work to day. Cold wind. Sarah up to Lous. Hannah down to Mr Caywoods.
Mar 25 – Cool wind. Went down to Marts to Mill. Hellen and Adelpha. Saw Ruthann York.[50] A. Simmonds paid 25¢.
Mar 26 – At home. No one here but Ethan and my self. Hannah came home in Evening.
Mar 27 – Cold blustring day, snow and wind.
Mar 28 – Mercury 7 Abz. Hannah went up to Net Towns in morning. I put top on violin.
Mar 29 – Cold, mercury 1 below zero at six morning. Ground covered with snow. Clara[51] came down in afternoon.
Mar 30 – Clara went home. Sarah came home. Got one bushel potatoes of Town. Jesse Crawford[52] came up in Evening.
Mar 31 – Not very well no work. Pleasant nice weather.
Apr 1 – Went over to burg. Del and Lois went out to their farm.
Apr 2 – Went over to burg after the mail. Jesse here.
Apr 3 – At home. Hellen, Clara and Adelpha came up.
Apr 4 – At home. Very blustrous, snows and blows like the mischief.
Apr 5 – Cold wind. No work. Jesse here.
Apr 6 – Jesse went home. Claud[53] here. Sate and Delpha came. Sate came over to help Hannah.
Apr 7 – Very nice pleasant day. Albert Town[54] here with Claud. Ethan took Delpha down to Katharines.
Apr 8 – Trimed Trees. Nice pleasant day. Got letter from Lou. Children better. Set Hen to day.
Apr 9 – Nice pleasant morning. At home all day. No work. Not very well. Mary Randal Died to day.[55]
Apr 10 – Went down to Katharines. Nice day. Had some warm Shugar.
Apr 11 – Nice pleasant day. Mary Randal Buried to day.
Apr 12 – Chored round. Repaired pump at barn. Nice warm day. Bot clover seed $2.25 cts.
Apr 13 – Nice pleasant day. Mr Wm Scott Buried to day.[56] Dell came over ground tools. Ethan sowed clover seed.
Apr 14 – At home. Trimed some trees. Went over got Lois. Expected Katharine up she no come. Charley Cory came over.
Apr 15 – Lois here. Trimed some trees. Not much work. Not ver well.
Apr 16 – Not much done but chores. No one here.
Apr 17 – Went to Kalamazoo to Lou she was at Nancys. Some cool wind.
Apr 18 – Pleasant Except cold north East wind.
Apr 19 – Cut some brush in orchard. Ethan went to Kalamazoo. Nettie Bradley died in night.[57]
Apr 20 – Del came over and got out manure. Some rain not much.
Apr 21 – Trimmed and grubed out some old peach trees. Ethan went to Kalamazoo with C. Town.[58] Nancy sick.
Apr 22 – Nettie Bradley Today buried to day. Mr Ogden got my Buggy. Hannah went to Pattersons. Whitford got the Eggs $1.30¢ 13 Doz.
Apr 23 – Blustrous morning some snow.
Apr 24 – At home all day. No one here. All well as usual. Nancy sick.
Apr 25 – Not much work chored round some milk cow feed de pig. Cold wind.
Apr 26 – Went to Kalamazoo. Nancy some better.
Apr 27 – Worked roun. Repaired door out the Barn yard. Will Brown[59] plowed garden. Pleasant day.
Apr 28 – Pleasant nice day. Went up to Mr Flanders in afternoon.
Apr 29 – Cleaned up orchard. Took out berry bushes and trimed some trees.
Apr 30 – Burned Apple Tree brush. Charley commenced plowing for corn. Mr Buthere Beckwith buried to day.[60]
May 1 – Had some thunder this morning rained some ledle.
May 2 – Dell came over in afternoon helped draw manure. Nice warm day.
May 3 – Dell came over in morning got the horse and wagon to draw manure.
May 4 – Warm day. Ethan and Hannah went down to Kalamazoo to see about Jesses dress. Put handle on fork.
May 5 – Worked round garden and in shop some. Spread manure on west garden.
May 6 – Charleys man plowed west garden. Ethan painting Blinds for Lois.
May 7 – Fan calve some time. Worked in garden some and went over got carriage repaired. Ethan finished painting Blinds.
May 8 – Mr Cornell Died this morning. I took Bess down to Mrs Browns. Will and Claud went fishing got some trout.
May 9 – Pleasant morning. Ethan and Hannah went to Kalamazoo to see Nancy. Lelah came home with them. Charley planted corn. Mr Byington Died in night.[61]
May 10 – Ethan cultivated strawberries this morning. Mr Cornell buried to day. Nancy had a Sirgical operation performed to day.[62]
May 11 – Not very well to day. Mr Imus buried to day.[63] Jesse Crawford here to day to have her dress made. She went home on 9 30 train.
May 12 – Ethan went to Kalamazoo after Lou. Nancy some better. Warm day.
May 13 – Went over to burg in morning after Lous Trunk and cab. Not much done to day.
May 14 – Hoed in garden in forenoon. Warm day. Mr George Stewart took morphine. He Died Ten Oclock P.M.[64]
May 15 – At home. Very warm and dry. Lou here. Very dry. Want rain. Ina[65] came over.
May 16 – Went over to burg got Postal from Mrs Brown. Nancy better. George Stewart Buried to day.
May 17 – Went over to burg hoed some not much.
May 18 – Plowed out garden and hoed it. Warm and dry we want rain. Wheat begins to show the want of rain.
May 19 – Sarah went to Kalamazoo to take care of Nancy. She went down with Will and Lizzy Brown.[66]
May 20 – Mercury 99 in shade nice warm morning. Hannah went down to Mr Franklins.
May 21 – Mercury 100 in shade at 2 PM. Went over to burg bot groceries. Hannah went to Isherwoods. Whitford got Eggs 9 Doz 90 cts.
May 22 – Mercury 98 in shade. Katharine and Clara came up. Had a nice shower in night. Lou and I went up to cemetry.
May 23 – Mercury 80 in shade some rainy day. Fan dropt a nice Jersey Heifer calf 10 oclock AM. Fan went 290 days.
May 24 – Lou here. I worked in garden. Warm day.
May 25 – Hoed some, killed some bugs. D. came over a while in afternoon. He went home on night train. Hannah came home from Tip Towns.[67]
May 26 – Lou and children went up to Em Ralphs.[68]
May 27 – Hoed some in garden. Cleaned out the cistern. Went over after Lois. Ina came over they stayed all night.
May 28 – Repaired fence up on west line west side of corn. Whitford got 6½ Doz Eggs 65¢. Lois one Doz 10¢. Lou went down to Mr Browns.
May 29 – Sarah came home Ethan went after her. Hiram[69] came with them.
May 30 – At home. Hiram here he left on night train for home.[70]
May 31 – I went and took Sarah back to Kalamazoo. Nancy was getting a long first rate.
Jun 1 – At home. Lou here. Not much done rainy day. Hannah over to Nells.
Jun 2 – Rainy. Lou and the children went over to Mr Ralphs and Lois.
Jun 3 – At home. Sarah down to Kalamazoo. Hoed some in garden. Got some cabbage plants of Hat and Lib.
Jun 4 – Shelled some corn cleaned out corn house. Whitford got 3 Doz and 4 Eggs 33 cts. H. D. Streator[71] paid 25 cts.
Jun 5 – At home all day. No one here. Sarah to Nancys yet. Nancy no better. Rained some in night.
Jun 6 – Mercury 84 in shade rainy some. Ethan and Lois went to Kalamazoo. Lee Milham came up after the long Ladder. 50 years to day I started for Michigan.[72]
Jun 7 – At [home] hoed some chored round. Got two bushels wheat of Charley Town took it to the new mill. Rained in night lightning struck Mr Smiths house.
Jun 8 – Went down to Katharines to see Hellen. She goes to Idaho.[73] Rainy day some.
Jun 9 – Cloudy some mist cool wind.
Jun 10 – At home. Hoed some in garden. Very warm.
Jun 11 – Some hot. Every thing growing very fast. Ina here. Lois to Kalamazoo.
Jun 12 – At home. Warm day, Ethan and Hannah went down to Alvin Lees.
Jun 13 – Very hot. Hoed potatoes. Some dry.
Jun 14 – Finished hoing potatoes in west lot. Will Brown and Fred Kranklin shearing sheep for Charley Town.
Jun 15 – Mercury 94 in shade very hot. Mr David Carson Buried to day.[74]
Jun 16 – Edna Henry and Loulu Crawford[75] came here. Warm very hot.
Jun 17 – Edna and Lu Lu here. Lizzie Crawford came. Had a rain and wind storm. Alvin and George called here.
Jun 18 – Lizzie and Lou went over to Lois stayed all night. Kate Crawford[76] came on noon train.
Jun 19 – Kate and Edna here. Lizzie and Lou over to Lois.
Jun 20 – Edna, Lizzie and Lu Lu here. Very warm. Old Mrs Smith buried to day.
Jun 21 – Cloudy. Lois and Ina here. Mr Peter Johnson Buried to day.[77]
Jun 22 – Edna, Lizzy and Lu Lu went to Battlecreek to day.
Jun 23 – Sarah and I went down to Nancys. Cool day. Nancy is doing well rather on the gain.
Jun 24 – Pleasant and cool in morning.
Jun 25 – Took Ednas trunks over to burg. The girls went up to Lous.
Jun 26 – Nice morning. Finished putting poison on the potatoes this morning.
Jun 27 – Took Sarah over to Lois. I hoed potatoes, cabbage and beans. Ground siccle for Mr Randal.
Jun 28 – Choring. Charley cutting wheat. Started the new Binder. Fixed spear for Morry Randal.
Jun 29 – At home. Not much done. Ethan and Sarah went to Kalamazoo. Hot day.
Jun 30 – Charley Ford cut the wheat East of Barn. Fine day shower in afternoon.
Jul 1 – Hoed some in garden. Warm day.
Jul 2 – Henry Webster and Clarence Thresher Drew in the wheat. Had a nice shower.
Jul 3 – Some rain warm. No one here.
Jul 4 – Went over to burg in forenoon after Lois. Took over 10¾ lbs Butter 10¢ pr lbs. N. L. Randal[78] paid 30¢.
Jul 5 – Very hot. Sarah went down to Mr Randals. I drew in six shocks wheat. Went over to burg.
Jul 6 – Worked in garden some. Lois and Charley[79] came over in afternoon.
Jul 7 – Went down to Mrs Browns got my plow. Ethan plowed out potatoes.
Jul 8 – Very hot. Not much done but chores.
Jul 9 – Hoed in garden some. Willie Giddings raked wheat stubble. Had a nice shower. Whitford got 11 Doz Eggs 10 cts pr Doz.
Jul 10 – At home all day. Not much done.
Jul 11 – Mercury 100 very hot. Hoed some. Very dry. Mr Isted cut Taylor girls wheat. Charley Ford drew in the rakings.
Jul 12 – Mercury 104 in shade. Went over to burg in morning. Got the Ring bolt to buggy mended 20¢.
Jul 13 – Mercury 106 in shade. Worked in shop some painted springs. Took out tooth for Theodore. Ethan, Will Brown and the girls went to Gull.[80] Lizzie Crawford started for Iowa on night train.
Jul 14 – Very hot and dry. Not much done. Dixie Harris[81] came over. D and Lou here. Hank and Nancy came up on Six oclock train.
Jul 15 – Nancy here feeling very comfortable. Very hot and dry Mercury runs from 93 to 104 now days.
Jul 16 – Mercury 105 in ___. Not much work now days. Pastures getting very dry.
Jul 17 – Mercury 108 in shade. Nancy and children here.
Jul 18 – Whitford got Eggs 10½ Doz 1.05. {Robbie Henry died to day.}[82] Hoed some in garden. Mr Pattersons Barns burnt this morning.
Jul 19 – Sick. No work to day. Very dry. Grass in yard all dried up.
Jul 20 – Mercury 100 in shade. Not very well.
Jul 21 – Took some corn to mill. Very hot. Not much done. Worked on cradle some.
Jul 22 – Finished cradle. Put springs on wagon seat. Nancy down to Mrs Browns.
Jul 23 – Nancy down to Mrs Browns. Hoed some in garden. Went over to burg at noon. Hot and very dry.
Jul 24 – Mercury 85 some wind. Hannah at home to day. Hannah went to Caywoods.
Jul 25 – 94 in shade. Went over to burg got tyre set on one of the carriage wheest [wheels] 80¢. Bot Horse Net 75¢. 40 Years to day Jerusha Cruttenden and I wer married in Covington Gensee Co. N Y.[83]
Jul 26 – Worked round house and garden. Very hot and dry hardly a green thing to be seen. Pastures all dried up.
Jul 27 – Cut drilled corn in forenoon. Went down to Katharines in afternoon. No rain yet some. Mercury runs high.
Jul 28 – Very hot 100 in shade. Not much work to day. Nancy and bes here. Ethan casting chain links for machine.
Jul 29 – 98 in shade hot and dry no rain. Pastures dry as a Powder house.
Jul 30 – 100 in shade. Mrs Freer here. I hoed some in garden.
Jul 31 – 100. Mrs Streator called here. Very hot day. All at home.
Aug 1 – 106. No work. Gefired hot. No signs of rain. Hannah over to Fans sewing for Nell Wilkins.
Aug 2 – 100 very dry hot as ever. Worked on Jims violin repairing top making it thinner. Went over brot Lois over.
Aug 3 – 98 very hot. Nancy went down to Mrs Browns at night. Hank came up. Ina over here.
Aug 4 – 100. Went down to Mrs Browns repaired her tables. Had a little shower.
Aug 5 – Repaired pump at Barn. Cooler in afternoon. Cloudy looks some like rain.
Aug 6 – Not much done. Worked in shop. Some cooler to day.
Aug 7 – At home all day. Worked on Jims violin.
Aug 8 – Took Eggs over 11 Doz 11 cts pr Doz. Bot Hat 20¢.
Aug 9 – 103, 2 PM in shade. Worked in Barn repairing floor. Hannah went up to Mr Powers. Mrs Randall here in Evening. Coes Barns Burnt this morning.
Aug 10 – 104, 2 PM in shade. Repairing Barn floor. Shortened Harry Streators Gun Stock. Had a nice rain in night.
Aug 11 – 80 in shade. Worked in barn. Cloudy rain some.
Aug 12 – Worked in Barn repairing floor. Warm and dry. Nancy came just at night.
Aug 13 – Will Johnson thrashed my wheat in afternoon 58 bushels. Nice day.
Aug 14 – Mrs Gilson Brot Hannah home. Had a heavy shower rained hard. Soaked the ground good.
Aug 15 – Nancy and children here. Choring round. Not very well.
Aug 16 – Cleaned up some wheat.
Aug 17 – Went to Mill. Worked round house and shop some.
Aug 18 – Worked in shop on Charleys wagon pole. Nice day.
Aug 19 – Went up to Augusta with Dell[84] to see a farm he talks of trading for.
Aug 20 – Put straw in Barn. Fine day.
Aug 21 – Nancy and children here. Claude not very well. Rained some. Hoed the cabbage.
Aug 22 – Worked in shop some on wagon pole. Hank and Will Plank[85] came on comodation at night.
Aug 23 – Took Hannah down to Katharines. Will and Hank went home. Rained some at night.
Aug 24 – Took Sarah and Nancy over to Barbers.[86] Nice cool day.
Aug 25 – Nancy and children over to Lois they came home at night. Hannah went up to Dar Russels.
Aug 26 – Dug my Early Rose potatoes. Katharine and children came up to day. Hannah came home. Stella came down just at night.
Aug 27 – All here Nancy and children. Nice day.
Aug 28 – Fine day. No one here except famlee &c.
Aug 29 – Went over to burg three times. Hannah went to Shelby Ville.
Aug 30 – Warm day. Cut weeds on East road up the hill. Taylor Girls thrashed their wheat and oats.
Aug 31 – Will Brown thrashed to day. Warm day. Nancy went home. Right got his saw 25¢. Mr Forbush Died in night.[87]
Sep 1 – The Boys cut the corn south of orchard to day.
Sep 2 – Some ledle rain this morning. Not much done. Mr Forbush buried to day.
Sep 3 – Choring round. Not very well.
Sep 4 – Went up to cemetry to Jays grave and to Lois.
Sep 5 – Went over to R. G Smiths office got some writing done.
Sep 6 – Ed Rowland got Eggs 8 doz 90¢. Sarah went up to Hats in afternoon.
Sep 7 – Took Sarah over to Hoags[88] in afternoon. Charly finished cutting the corn.
Sep 8 – Not much done fixed cutter and painted some. Nice pleasant day. Bina Earl[89] here in afternoon.
Sep 9 – Some rainy in morning. Not much work.
Sep 10 – At home. Went over to burg in fore noon.
Sep 11 – At home all day. Went down to Will Browns in morning he went to Kalamazoo.
Sep 12 – Went over to burg in morning at noon and at night got.
Sep 13 – Went over to burg. Got grapes of Mrs Blake. Went over at noon got thill[90] for carriage 40¢. Jo York hurt today.
Sep 14 – Put thill into the carriage. Mrs Hall called here. Ed Rowland go[t] 5 doz & 3 Eggs 63 cts.
Sep 15 – Fine day. Worked on cutter and carriage thill. J. M. York Died To day.[91]
Sep 16 – Put trimmings on carriage thill and painted cutter. Shanyard called here I gave him 20 cts.
Sep 17 – Painting some and choring round.
Sep 18 – At home. No one here to day.
Sep 19 – Painted cutter thills. Went over to burg at noon. Sold some Butter to Cord Beach for cash no trade.
Sep 20 – Pleasant morning. Working round choring and doing nothing.
Sep 21 – Went to Kalamazoo called on Jess Turner.[92] Rained some. Ida Newton Died this Morning.[93]
Sep 22 – Ida Newton buried to day. Pleasant afternoon.
Sep 23 – Nice day. Worked on road shoveled dirt all day.[94]
Sep 24 – Worked in shop on Caywoods machine. Worked on road in afternoon. Went over to Burg in Evening to Colin Concert[?].
Sep 25 – Went down to Katharines. Some cool. All well.
Sep 26 – Worked on road. Finished triming the trees on the crossing down near the Bridge.
Sep 27 – Worked round house and Barn. Husked some ledle corn.
Sep 28 – Sarah went over to Fan Towns.[95] I dug potatoes in afternoon.
Sep 29 – Not very well. Went up to Mr Flanders[96] got load Apples. Rainy night. Sarah went down to Mrs Browns.
Sep 30 – Not much work. Rainy day.
Oct 1 – Rainy not very cold. At home. All well.
Oct 2 – Sate came over at night to help Hannah.
Oct 3 – Went over to burg in morning after Lois. She came over to help Hannah.
Oct 4 – Hannah started for Ohio went with the Olin Excursion. She went to Ravana.
Oct 5 – Worked on hog pen. Ethan went to Kalamazoo with Charley Town after lumber for Binder frame. No got some.
Oct 6 – Very nice day. Worked in hog pen. Went over to burg in morning. Ethan went to Kalamazoo to Fair. Sold 7½ lbs Butter to Beach 20¢ pr lb.
Oct 7 – Mercury 74 in shade rainy forenoon. Sarah went over to Forbush.[97] I worked on Hogpen. Nice afternoon.
Oct 8 – Mercury 72 at noon. Put Dick in pen. I set glass in windows at school House in afternoon. Set 10 lights.
Oct 9 – At home all day. Not go to church to day. Rained hard all day.
Oct 10 – Went to Mill took four bushels wheat.
Oct 11 – Drew in corn and husked some. George Tomlinson[98] came stayed all night.
Oct 12 – Took George to Kalamazoo he went to Allegan.[99] We went up to the Asylum saw William Tomlinson.[100] Mary Plank[101] came up with _____.
Oct 13 – Husked some corn drew the pumpkins cut some wood and drew it down. Fine day. Sarah cleaning house. Took up and cleaned the carpet.
Oct 14 – Bot nine clamps 45¢. Dug potatoes in forenoon. Went over to burg. Let Beach have Butter and Eggs 7 Doz 15¢ pr doz Butter. Mary came up here.
Oct 15 – No work lame Back. Nice day. Mary went down to Mr Simmons in afternoon. I am 74 years old to day Got potatoes of from ____.
Oct 16 – At home Went to down to Katharines.
Oct 17 – Worked round barn husked some corn.
Oct 18 – Choring Around getting ready to go to Shelby Ville.
Oct 19 – Ethan took us to Kalamazoo. We went up to Lous in Evening.
Oct 20 – At the Harris House in Shelby Ville all right.
Oct 21 – At the Harris house. Split some wood done some chores.
Oct 22 – At Lous. Mrs Plank[102] came down on the One Oclock train.
Oct 23 – At the Harris House. Some windy. Mrs Plank here. Wind blew very hard in Evening.
Oct 24 – Mrs Plank went home on morning train. Nice day. Split some wood.
Oct 25 – At D. D. Harris in Shelby Ville. Boles making cheese. Ball play at Shelby to day.
Oct 26 – Split some wood carry some up stairs. Split some for Engin.
Oct 27 – Working on cupboard and doing chores. Nice day. Mr and Mrs Wood came down a while.
Oct 28 – Working on cupboard some. Warm day.
Oct 29 – Work on cupboard. All well as usual. Cheese factory shut down to day.
Oct 30 – Went up to Mr Woods had a good visit. Went home by the way of Selkirk Lake.
Oct 31 – Started for home on noon train. Went to Kalamazoo stayed to Nancys.
Nov 1 – Ethan came down with the horse. We came home with the horse. Ethan came on the cars.[103]
Nov 2 – I took Lois home in morning. No work to day but chores.
Nov 3 – At work round house and barn. Cut some wood drawed some down.
Nov 4 – Went down to Katharines. Put up her partition in parlor.
Nov 5 – Not mutch done. Very nice weather Indian summer. Very smoky.
Nov 6 – At home. No one here. Fine day. Hannah went up to Mr Flanders in Evening.
Nov 7 – Mrs Elan Huntington buried to day.[104] Worked in barn some. Made plant stand for Mrs Randal 50¢. Went over to burg in Evening to hear Mr Blair lecture.
Nov 8 – Took the old Farming Mill to peaces. Nice dry weather, smoky.
Nov 9 – Went up to the Mill. Got Theodores wrenches to repair the pump. Rain some. Fixed stables so could put the cows in.
Nov 10 – Sorted the Apples. Charley drew in corn and corn fodder. Cold wind.
Nov 11 – Nice pleasant day. Worked round barn. Stoped up some holes put on some shingles.
Nov 12 – Filed saw for I D L Schram.[105] Went up to the mill got load sawdust to put in well.
Nov 13 – Mr Daniels called here a while. Ethan and Hannah went down to H. A. Browns Kalamazoo. Nice pleasant day.
Nov 14 – Fixed the well at the Barn. Very nice day rained just at night. Drawed load of wood.
Nov 15 – Worked round barn some fixed pump. Hannah sewing for Mrs Olmsted.
Nov 16 – [no entry]
Nov 17 – Cut some wood. Went over to burg. Fix pump.
Nov 18 – Went over to burg got plank for platform. Lou came on six forty train.
Nov 19 – Filed saw for Mr Randal 15¢ one for Dod Sumner 15¢. Snowed in the night.
Nov 20 – 28 Abz about 3 inches snow. Nancy, Lelah, Lou, Vern and Floyd here. Mrs T. B. Lord died in the night.[106]
Nov 21 – Nancy and Lelah went home on 11.40 train. Cold wind.
Nov 22 – 38 Abz nice day, smoky. Put rivet in Jays knife one in Lous curling iron. H. D. Streator paid me 25 cts for cutting of gun stock.
Nov 23 – Lois and Sate here all day. Ethan took them home in Evening. Mrs T. B. Lord buried to day.
Nov 24 – Went over to burg in morning. Bot pork 1 barrel of Jo Smith 1.50. Some rainy day.
Nov 25 – Took Lou over to burg in forenoon. Jim came home to day.
Nov 26 – Rainy morning. Jim took Hannah down to Galushas in morning. I went over to burg at night after Lou. Rained hard all night.
Nov 27 – Snowed and rained stormy day. Oscar Caton Carleton and wife[107] called here to see Hannah.
Nov 28 – Cold wind snow some. Jim cut some wood. I drew two loads. Jim went down got cask to seald pigs in.
Nov 29 – Nice day. Killed Dick pig he weighed 282 lbs. Took cask home.
Nov 30 – Chored round. Jim cut some wood. I drawed two loads. Cold wind.
Dec 1 – Took Plymoth Rock Rooster over to Fanny Town and one Wyandot Rooster over for Erastus Town.[108] Charley and Mate Ford[109] here in Evening.
Dec 2 – Got Ethans watch. I cut of Fred Franklins gun stock. He paid 50¢. Went over to Burg at noon took letters over. Rainy day. Robert Emmet played at the Rink to night. Saw Jim Holden.
Dec 3 – Rainy day. Hannah went to Gus Gates to work. Jim cut some wood. I drew two loads wood.
Dec 4 – 54 Abz some sprinkly. Warm for December. Old Mrs Forbush Died this morning.[110] Emily McCausey Died this morning.[111]
Dec 5 – Tim Whitcomb brot 1970 lbs Hay. Nice day for Gustavus Gates.
Dec 6 – Very fine day. I paid Mr Gus Gates $11.75 cts for Hay delivered yesterday. Got Charleys Mill and cleaned up wheat. Mrs Em McCausey Buried to Day.
Dec 7 – Went to Mill took 4 bushels wheat. Bot midlings 75¢. Went to Mrs Forbush funeral in afternoon. Very nice day.
Dec 8 – Oat Hill and Jim chopping. Cut big oak tree. Nice day.
Dec 9 – Jim cut some wood I drew three loads. Nice day. Took Sarah down to Mrs Streators in afternoon. Mrs Hubbard Lewis Died.[112]
Dec 10 – Very stormy rained all day. Jim helped Will Brown Butcher. Mrs H Lewis Buried to day. Snowed in night. Galesburg Bank Burglarised. One man shot. Charley Cory shot one fo [sic] the gang.
Dec 11 – 34 snows some. At home all day. Big times at the burg to day.
Dec 12 – At home choring some. Ethan took Rooster down to Mrs Browns.
Dec 13 – Oat and Jim chopping. Fine weather. Shaved out helve for Fred. Mart called here in Evening Et supper.
Dec 14 – Oat and Jim chopping. Nice day. Went down to Mrs Browns took Hanks cask down to put his Beef in.
Dec 15 – Took [S]arah over to Lois. Ethan and Jim went to Kalamazoo. Ethans Knife came from Toledo.
Dec 16 – Jim Huling wood for Will Brown. Will Brown brot quater Beef this Evening. Jim Lawrence the Bank Robber that Charley Cory shot in the Burg Died to day.
Dec 17 – Drawed two loads wood. Jim worked for Arthur Armes.[113] The man that Cory shot went Anarbor on the night Express.
Dec 18 – Jim went to Augusta. Ethan went over to Lois.
Dec 19 – Drawed, worked round, worked round barn and house. The Burglar went to Anarbor to day.
Dec 20 – Went over to Burg took over Butter 4½ lbs 18¢ pr lb 1.91 cts for Butter and cream.
Dec 21 – B. Vosburg Died to day.[114] Went over to Burg in morning after Lois. Nice windy day very much cold. Hannah came home Mr H Gilson brot her.
Dec 22 – Cold snowey Blustring day. Dodings but chores to day. Charley Town got Peater to day. Peter had a calf to day.
Dec 23 – Cold blustrous day. Not much done to day.
Dec 24 – Took Hannah up to Mr Flanders this morning. Drawed two loads wood in afternoon. Barnard Vosburg Buried to day.
Dec 25 – At home all day. Not very cold.
Dec 26 – Worked on Theodores cross head. Bess came up here. Mary Ann and Inez[115] came. Charley Town paid $30 Dollars for Pete.
Dec 27 – 33. Took Mary up to Mrs Bateys[116] in morning. Went over to burg in afternoon. Snowed like fun.[117] Got sack Graham flour 25 ____ ____. Arthur Arms Killed Ring to day.
Dec 28 – 10 Abz very Blustrous day snows and blows snow flies. Drew two loads wood. Very cold day. Very few teams moving. Bes came up stayed all night.
Dec 29 – Lizzie came up after Bes. Went over to Burg Bot btl salt $1.00 Bot 88 Diary 25¢. Paid my Tax $7.71 cts.
Dec 30 – At home. Worked in shop some and chored round.
Dec 31 – Put cutter thills on. Went down after Bes. Mr Caywoods Brother road with me as far as Mrs Browns. Rainy afternoon.
MEMORANDA
Sir William Keith 3d Vol 186 Page
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[1] Charles Luke Keith Jr., known better, and referred to, as Luke
[2] Above zero
[3] His son, James Clinton Keith
[4] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith
[5] His son and daughter, Ethan Bradley Keith and Hannah Jerusha Keith
[6] His late niece Lucy (Lee) Milham’s husband, Martin Milham. Lucy was the daughter of his sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee
[7] Galesburg, Michigan
[8] His daughter, Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner
[9] Believe he is referring to Melissa Crawford, his wife Sarah’s niece. Melissa was referred to as Lizzie and was the daughter of Robert and Louisa (McCann) Crawford
[10] His son-in-law, Henry Ambrose Brown
[11] Neighbor, Laura Ann (Rawson) Streator
[12] His granddaughter, Bess Brown
[13] Henry Brown’s mother, Matilda (Allen) Brown
[14] Scotts, Michigan
[15] FindAGrave.com shows that Edwin M. Clapp died January 8, 1887 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan
[16] Theodore Earl, neighbor and “shirttail relative”
[17] His brother-in-law, Henry Clay Crawford
[18] Believe he is referring to George & Mary (Forbush) Blake
[19] Michigan death records reveal that William Schroder died in Comstock on January 19, 1887 and Oak Grove Cemetery records show his name as Wilhalm Schroder
[20] Oak Grove Cemetery records show that Jerusha Rowland died in 1887 and is buried in Lot 164; also buried in Lot 164 are Ezra C. (2-21-1824 – 11-25-1908) and Daniel T. (1825-1885). Since her brother Daniel was listed as “insane” in the 1880 census, it is assumed that her brother Ezra is the one referred to as Cap
[21] His horse
[22] His neighbor, Joseph Flanders
[23] His son-in-law, Daniel D. Harris, Jr., known as D or D.D.
[24] His grandson, Jay Keith Harris
[25] Shelbyville, Michigan, where his daughter Lou’s family lived
[26] Edwin Flanders, the son of Joseph Flanders (see footnote to January 29th entry)
[27] The son of Charles & Juliana (Davis) Lee. Charles Lee was Luke’s paternal first cousin
[28] Luke didn’t enter the reading of the thermometer
[29] Worth about $800.00 in 2019
[30] Jay Keith Harris was 3 years 10 months old when he died of scarlet fever. Michigan death records record his date of death as February 14, 1887 contrary to Luke’s entries. Jay was originally buried on “the Old Flanders farm” but later moved to Oak Grove Cemetery. Family story is that the quinine (I think it was) that they gave Jay during his illness preserved his body. Why they opened the coffin during the move is unknown, but his body was perfectly preserved. They wanted Louese to come and see him, but she refused
[31] His daughter, Nancy (Keith) Brown
[32] According to the Riverside Cemetery records on RootsWeb.com, Joseph & Amanda Flanders were the pioneer homesteaders of the property
[33] Henry Labbitt, the undertaker. See copy of his ad from the 10-30-1880 Galesburgh Express attached
[34] The Keith family, as well as several of their neighbors, were believers in Spiritualism and participated in seances, so it is presumed Luke is referring to his grandson who died on February 12th. See Nancy Brown’s February 26th letter which also seems to refer to this
[35] Michigan marriage records show that Mary Allerton married Addison Irving Plank in Galesburg, Michigan on February 22, 1887
[36] Luke’s diary entry for February 23, 1886 reads: Fan had a calf to day it droped 12 noon.
[37] Neighbor Harry Streator
[38] His daughter, Louese (Keith) Harris
[39] LaVerne and Floyd Harris
[40] Michigan death records confirm that Marenus Caywood died on March 4th in Comstock, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com shows he was buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Comstock, Michigan. Sadly, Marenus died only six months after his marriage to Mary Fisher
[41] Michigan death records show that Orra Bush died on March 7 in Kalamazoo, Michigan and FindAGrave.com reveals that he is buried in Lawler Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan
[42] Sarah Skinner, the sister of Adelbert Skinner, Luke’s son-in-law
[43] His son-in-law, Adelbert Skinner
[44] Hard to decipher the last name. Could possibly be Beach
[45] His niece, Helen (Bradley) York, and her daughter, Marion Adelphia York. Helen was the daughter of Luke’s sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley York, and her first husband, Ethan Bradley
[46] Neighbor Erasmus Towne
[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] See footnotes to February 23 and December 22
[49] His grandson, Floyd Harris
[50] Ruth Ann (Fletcher) York was the widow of Edwin York. Edwin and Helen (Bradley) York’s husband, Joseph York, were brothers
[51] Clara (Youngs) Clark, the wife of his grandson, Charles Clark
[52] His wife Sarah’s niece, the daughter of Hiram Crawford, Jr.
[53] His grandson, Claude Keith Brown
[54] His neighbor, Albert Towne
[55] Michigan death records reveal that Mary Randall, the 28-year-old daughter of Nathan & Jane Randall, died April 9, 1887 in Comstock, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan
[56] Michigan death records show that William Scott died in Galesburg of consumption at the age of 56 on April 18, 1887; this conflicts with Luke’s entry that he was buried on the 13th of April
[57] Michigan death records show that Nettie Bradley, the 16-year-old daughter of Samuel & Harriett (Burgess) Bradley, died of rheumatism of the heart on April 7 in Comstock. Rheumatism of the heart is a complication of rheumatic fever in which the heart valves are damaged. Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that begins with strep throat
[58] Neighbor Charles Towne, who was the son of Albert Towne (see footnote to April 7th entry)
[59] Hank Brown’s brother, Willis Brown
[60] Michigan death records show that Berthier Beckwith died in Charleston, Michigan on April 28, 1887 and FindAGrave.com, although it gives his date of death as May 1, 1887, shows that he is buried in Augusta Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan
[61] Michigan death records show that Randall Byington died May 8, 1887 in Galesburg, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Galesburg
[62] A note written by Nancy’s granddaughter, Dorothy (Recoschewitz) Langmayer, noted that Nancy had one of the first hysterectomies (perhaps in the area). It was performed with the use of chloroform in May of 1884 when she was 32 years of age. Seven doctors assisted in the operation which was performed in Henry and Nancy’s living room. While Nancy was 32 years old in 1884, it is not known if this is the surgical operation Luke wrote about and that Dorothy was mistaken with her information, or if this was some other operation
[63] FindAGrave.com reveals that Alonzo Imus died May 9, 1887 and is buried in Lawler Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan
[64] The Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph, May 14, 1887, p.2, reported that George Stewart, “age about 70”, died in Galesburg, Michigan, from an overdose of morphine. FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery
[65] His granddaughter, Ina Skinner
[66] Willis & Elizabeth (Ogden) Brown; Willis was Hank Brown’s brother and Matilda Brown’s son (see footnotes to January 5th and 6th entries)
[67] Eunice (Wood) Towne, the wife of Erasmus Towne
[68] Neighbor, Emaline (Stone) Ralph
[69] His wife Sarah’s brother, Hiram Crawford Jr.
[70] Chicago, Illinois
[71] Neighbor, Henry “Harry” Streator
[72] From New York
[73] According to the [September 1887] obituary of Helen’s husband, Joseph M. York, “His health was poor, and he went to Colorado eight years ago, and came here to Idaho with poor health. Mrs. York had remained in Michigan with her daughter all these years, partly to take care of her aged mother and sister’s children, hoping that Mr. York would regain his health and get located so that they would have a home to go to. The daughter had poor health and they made arrangements to come to Idaho, and arrived at Kuna on the 2nd of July last.”
[74] FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan
[75] Edna (Crawford) Henry and Lulu Crawford were the daughters of his wife Sarah’s brother, Robert & Louisa (McCann) Crawford
[76] Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford, the wife of Hiram Crawford Jr. who was the brother of his wife Sarah
[77] FindAGrave.com shows that Peter Johnson died in Galesburg, Michigan on June 18, 1887 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg
[78] Neighbor, Nathan L. Randall
[79] His grandson (and daughter Lois’ son), Charles Clark
[80] Gull Lake
[81] Believe he is referring to Dexa (Strait) Harris, who was the sister-in-law of D. D. Harris (see footnote to February 3rd entry)
[82] Robert E. Henry, the four-year-old son of Edna (Crawford) and Emmett Henry, and the grandson of Robert & Louisa (McCann) Crawford, died in LeClaire, Scott County, Iowa, from Summer Complaint, which was a major cause of childhood death in the late 1800s. It was usually the result of drinking spoiled milk and caused watery diarrhea and vomiting, bringing on severe dehydration. It occurred chiefly between the months of April and October
[83] Luke was engaged to Jerusha Crittenden/Cruttenden, but then Minerva Payson came to town and Luke broke his engagement to Jerusha and married Minerva on April 23, 1839. They had two children: Lois and Henry. Minerva died just four years after they were married. He then married his first love, Jerusha, on July 25, 1847, however she died just a little over a year later. Luke then married Sarah Crawford on November 14, 1849 and they had six children: Ethan, Nancy, William (died in infancy), Hannah, Louese and James. In the evenings Luke would go to the cemetery and play his violin at the graves of his first two wives
[84] His son-in-law, Adelbert Skinner
[85] The son of William & Harriett (Groat) Plank who had been neighbors of the Keiths in Comstock until they moved to Grand Rapids in 1873
[86] Neighbors, Richard & Mary (Knowles) Barber
[87] Michigan death records show that George Forbush died in Galesburg, Michigan on August 31, 1887 at the age of 81 and FindAGrave.com reveals he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg
[88] Abel & Sarah “Jane” (Mason) Hoag. Luke’s wife Sarah and Jane were good friends
[89] Neighbor, Albina Earl, who was the daughter of neighbors and “shirt tail relative,” Jesse & Mary (Clapp) Earl
[90] The long shafts between which an animal is fastened when pulling a wagon
[91] Joseph M. York, the husband of his niece, Helen (Bradley) York (see footnote to June 8th entry). According to his obituary, he was attempting to “fix his shoe to the hind wheel of the front wagon. While fixing the shoe to make the wheel run onto it, his horses started and in attempting to catch hold of the lines he made a misstep and fell under the wagon so that the hind wheel of his front wagon and both forward and hind wheels of the trail wagon ran over his legs, partially lengthwise, crushing both bones of his right leg just below the knee and crushing the thigh bone of the left leg. The wheels all ran over his legs in the same place, each one doing its terrible work in grinding the bones and flesh to a jelly. His right arm was caught some way, probably by the shoe, and the flesh torn on the inside from the elbow to the wrist, laying the cords all bare.”
[92] His maternal first cousin
[93] Ida (Lee) Newton, the granddaughter of his first cousin, Charles & Juliana (Davis) Lee
[94] The men of Comstock were required to work on the roads a certain number of days based on how many acres they owned. To see more, go to https://lettersfromthe1860s.wordpress.com/2018/06/16/luke-keiths-road-tax
[95] His neighbor, Frances Towne
[96] His neighbor, Joseph Flanders
[97] Assume he means Almira (Dane) Forbush, whose husband George had recently died (see footnote to August 31st entry)
[98] The husband of Luke’s niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson, who lived in Perry, Wyoming County, New York
[99] Allegan, Michigan
[100] William’s relationship to George Tomlinson is unknown at this time; research continues
[101] The sister of William Plank (see footnote to August 22nd entry)
[102] Harriett (Groat) Plank. (See footnotes to August 22nd and October 12th entries)
[103] Railroad train cars
[104] Minnesota death records show that Rebecca (Galusha) Huntington died November 4, 1887 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Mountain Home Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Michigan
[105] Neighbor, Isaac D. L. Schram
[106] Even though Michigan death records show the date of death as November 25, 1887, the grave marker has the date of death as November 20, 1887, which corresponds with Luke’s entry. FindAGrave.com shows that Mary (Hawes) Lord, the wife of Thomas B. Lord, died in Comstock and she is buried in Comstock Cemetery
[107] Neighbors, Oscar & Alzina (Rosier) Carleton
[108] Erasmus was the brother of Fanny and Charley, who were all children of Albert Towne
[109] Neighbors, Charles & Mary Ann (Thompson) Ford
[110] Michigan death records show that Almira (Dane) Forbush died in Galesburg, Michigan on December 4, 1887 and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg
[111] No death record was found for Emily McCausey; however, the notes at FindAGrave.com for her husband, Charles McCausey, show he married Emily Wheaton in May of 1865. Her date of death was listed as December 4, 1884, but believe this to be a typo
[112] Michigan death records show that Mrs. A. M. Lewis, a widow, died of Typhoid Malaria on December 9, 1887 in Galesburg, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows that Adeliza (Hubbard) Lewis is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg. However, Luke noted in his diary on March 14, 1886 that “Mrs Hubberd Lewis marred to day” to Charles Rimmey in Galesburg. It is unknown why she was referred to as Mrs. Lewis rather than Mrs. Rimmey; research continues
[113] Arthur Arms, paternal first cousin of Hank Brown
[114] Michigan death records show that Barnard Vosburg died in Comstock, Michigan on December 21, 1887 and FindAGrave.com reveals he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan
[115] Mary Ann (Batey) Keith and her granddaughter, Inez Randall. Mary Ann was the wife of Luke’s nephew, James “Oscar” Keith
[116] Eliza “Betsey” (Olds) Batey, Mary Ann’s mother
[117] Luke uses this phrase quite often. The Oxford Dictionary gives its meaning as “vigorously or quickly”
The Diaries of Charles Luke Keith Jr 