1885 diary of Charles Luke Keith Jr.

1885 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.[1]

The entries from January 1 through January 18 were first written in the back of his 1884 diary and are basically identical to what he then wrote in his 1885 diary. Anything from 1884 that clarifies the 1885 entries is noted in brackets.

Jan 1 – Mercury 2 Abz[2] Blustring. D & Lou [and children][3] came on noon train. Nancy [and children came over. Hank no come],[4] Will Brown and Lizzy,[5] Charley, Lois & Clara & Mrs Youngs,[6] Ella Allen.[7]

Jan 2 – 2 Abz. Went got Lous trunk. [Got Charleys pork barrel.] Ethan,[8] D., Hannah[9] & Jim[10] went down to Mrs Browns[11] in Evening.

Jan 3 – 12 Abz. D. & Lou here. Old Mrs Williams buried to day.[12] Dell[13] got ax in Evening. Em & W^m Ralph[14] here.

Jan 4 – Mercury 23 Abz. At home all day. [Mrs Youngs, Clara and Charley came down.] D. & Lou went up to W^m Ralphs. [Charley and Mrs Youngs went round the squair.]

Jan 5 – Mercury 34 Abz. Cut up Peter.[15] Went over to Burg got oil. [Lou and Jay and Vern.] D. went home. Dell paid for ax $1.00.

Jan 6 – Mercury 38 Abz. Took Hannah down to top of [Browns] Hill. Met Caywood he took her down to his House. Made two pulleys for Theodore.[16] [He sayed to supper. Theodore, Ethan and Jim went over to the Rink to see Burroughs, Austin, Wilson and Durkee skate.]

Jan 7 – Mercury 32 Abz. Sarah[17] and Lou went down to Mrs Browns. Got out stuf for Skinners Pie tongs.[18] [Made one. No storm some to day.]

Jan 8 – Mercury 34 Abz. Worked on tongs. Sarah and Lou went up to Claras. Lois came over after sausage cutter.

Jan 9 – Mercury 34 Abz. Worked on pie tongs. Cool wind no snow on ground.

Jan 10 – Mer 28 Abz. Went over to burg. Took Lou to Mr Ralphs. Got my glasses mended. Mr Randal paid 15¢.

Jan 11 – Mercury 37 Abz in mor. Took Hannah over to over to Lois in morning. Jim and Clark went down to Marts.[19] Rainy day.

Jan 12 – Mer 27 Abz [snows some. Mercury 40 in afternoon.] Went up to mill after oil [no got some]. Shelled some corn. Lou came home in Evening.

Jan 13 – Mercury 8 Abz. Snows some. Jim went up to Frank Bronsons after Hanks Horses. Cold day.

Jan 14 – Mercury 8 Abz. Jim went to Howlands mills. [No snow. Mrs Youngs, Clara, Lois and Charley here in afternoon.] Charley Town[20] drew some straw. Mrs Hitchcock Died [in night.][21]

Jan 15 – Mer 20 Abz. Snowed in night [snow about 4 inches. Went over to burg in morning to help Lou of.] Lou went Home. Hank went to Kalamazoo with her. [Got calendar. Ethan turned Herbs[22] Stand top.]

Jan 16 – Mercury 16 Abz. [Ethan went over to burg in morning to see about moulding his patterns.] Herb came down with his canvasing Book. Cold Blustring Eight inches snow.

Jan 17 – Mercury 10 Abz. Snows and blows snow about 12 inches on level. Cold rough day.

Jan 18 – Mercury 10 below zero. Very cold Blustring day. Mrs Hichcock Buried to day. [Bad day for man or beast to be out, say nodings aboud de vimmins.][23]

Jan 19 – Mercury 10 below zero. Took Hannah over to Lois in morning. Cold. Will Clark[24] called here at noon.

Jan 20 – Mercury 15 below zero. At home all day. Theodore and Ethan went to Burg in afternoon. Very cold day.

Jan 21 – Mercury 3 below. No clouds, pleasant, sun came out clear. Went over to Burg in afternoon. Cold and snows. Quite a blustring day.

Jan 22 – Mercury 10 below zero. Took up pork out of Barrel. Put some in crock. Made two Pie raisers. Very much winter.

Jan 23 – Mercury 8 Abz. At home most of the day. Went over to burg in afternoon. Uncle Pat Smith Died to night.[25]

Jan 24 – Mercury 26 Abz. Went over after Nancy in morning. C. I. Clark[26] went to Jackson.

Jan 25 – Mercury 16 Abz. Went down to Katharines.[27] Not very cold, good sleighing. Mrs Bee buried to day.

Jan 26 – Mercury 2 below. Very cold & blustring. Mr W^m Simonds buried to day.[28] Rough day to be out. No work to day a regular Perry[29] day.

Jan 27 – Mercury 3 below. Chored round some. Went over to burg.

Jan 28 – Mercury 11 below 7 P.M. Worked in shop on Herbs Book Box. Will Brown here making tent.

Jan 29 – Mercury 10 Abz in morning. Worked in shop some on Herbs Book box. Sarah went up to Jesse Earls.[30]

Jan 30 – Mercury 24 Abz. Worked on Box. Herb here. Cut out stuff for Box.

Jan 31 – Mercury 4 Abz. Turned pulley for Theodore. Worked on Box. Dick Lamkin came over got rags.

Feb 1 – Mercury 4 Abz. At home. Dell came over. Bess[31] here came over with Hannah last Evening. Pleasant.

Feb 2 – Worked some on Herbs Box.

Feb 3 – Ethan went down to Coes. Not very cold. Worked in shop on Box. Sarah went over to Mr Forbush.

Feb 4 – Mercury 32 Abz. Worked on Box put Box together. Shelled corn.

Feb 5 – Mercury 1 below at 7 PM. Put the Buttens in Herbs Box and smoothed it up. Sarah went over to Lois.

Feb 6 – Mercury 2 below zero. Cleaned out shop and moved the bench. Herb brot clasp for Box.

Feb 7 – Mercury 22 Abz. Jim went to mill. Snowed hard. Chored round. Fastened down Bench. Mr John Milham Died.[32]

Feb 8 – Mercury 7 Abz. Clara and Edna[33] came down. George and Clara Milham[34] came up. Very nice day any way.

Feb 9 – Mercury 4 Abz. Very blustring lots snow. No work but chores. Bad day to be out.

Feb 10 – Mercury at zero. Snows and blows very rough day. Mr John Milham buried to day.

Feb 11 – Mercury 24 below zero. Gefired cold day. No work to day. Snow from one to five feet deep round the house and Barn.

Feb 12 – Mercury. Very cold. At home. No got out some no how.

Feb 13 – Mercury 24 Abz. At home. Shoveled snow dug a road to Mrs Jones. Very cold day. Mr Merryman stayed all night.

Feb 14 – Mercury 22 below. Went up to mill got tongs to fix pump. Went over to burg. Ed Rumery Buried to day.[35]

Feb 15 – Mercury 24 Abz. Went Down to Katharines. Snowed all day. Came home at night.

Feb 16 – Mercury 14 below zero. Theodore came down in morning. Verry bad day, snows, blows. No teams out to day.

Feb 17 – Mercury 18 below in morning. Very blustrous, cold wind. Edwin Flanders[36] Brot glass for schoolhouse.

Feb 18 – Mercury 13 below zero. Shoveled path to Barn. Very much bluster, big snow.

Feb 19 – Mercury 5 below zero. Took Hannah down to Katharines. Very cold, south west wind.

Feb 20 – Mercury 12 below. No work not much. Filed cross cut saw for Jim.

Feb 21 – Mercury 14 below. Took Sarah over to burg. Set glass in school House in morning. Went over after her in evening. Mercury 17 below in Evening.

Feb 22 – Mercury 9 below. Pleasant day. Hanks folks went over to Mrs Browns. Ida Lewis Died about ten oclock PM.[37]

Feb 23 – Mercury 18 below. Spliced Bob pole for Will Brown. Took Hams down to Mrs Browns to smoke.

Feb 24 – Mercury 10 below. Made boulsters for Theodore. I went over to burg. Ida Lewis buried.

Feb 25 – Mercury at zero in morning. Took Sarah over to Hoags in morning. Repaired cutter.

Feb 26 – Mercury 26 Abz. Snowed some in forenoon. Thawing some.

Feb 27 – Mercury 15 Abz. Went up to mill. Theodores Brace and some bolts to Repair cutter beams[?]. Very nice day.

Feb 28 – Worked round. Done chores. Went over to burg. Took Sarah over to Mr Austins.

Mar 1 – Mercury 34 Abz. Went down to Katharines. Quite Blustrous. Dick Lamkins here in Evening.

Mar 2 – Mercury 26 Abz. Put trimmings on Herbs Box. Fixed Hallocks violin Box & and Bow.

Mar 3 – Mercury 15 Abz. Worked on violin and Bow some on Herbs Box.

Mar 4 – Mercury 33 Abz. Worked on Box oiled and varnished.

Mar 5 – Mercury 23 Abz. Varnished Herbs Box and smoothed it. Herb got his Box. Took Sarah up to Claras.

Mar 6 – Mercury 36 Abz. Mended chair some. Snowed. Went up to Claras in afternoon. Pulled Ethans tooth.

Mar 7 – Mercury 17 Abz. Went up to Hat & Libs.[38] Extracted tooth for Libby. Hannah came home. Hallock got his violin 50 cts.

Mar 8 – Mercury at zero. Very pleasant. Mrs Youngs and Clara came down.

Mar 9 – Mercury 24 Abz. Mr Chipman came down after Hannah. Will Clark sold his house to Jane Galligan.

Mar 10 – Mercury 17 Abz. Went over to Burg after Bob pole. Chored round. Dug ditch to Mrs Jones 4½ feet.

Mar 11 – Mercury 5 Abz. Took Hannahs trunk over to burg. She went up to Lous. Dell went up to Ceresco.[39]

Mar 12 – Mercury 15 Abz. Went down to Mrs Browns in morning. Took the Butter. Edna and Madge[40] came here.

Mar 13 – Mercury 21. At home. No work not much. Edna here.

Mar 14 – Mercury 22. Took Sarah and Edna over to Nancys. Edna went home on noon train.

Mar 15 – Mercury 21 Abz. Pleasant day. At home all day, no one here. Verien Youngs and wife[41] at Charleys.

Mar 16 – Mercury 7 Abz. Made whiffletree[42] for Austin Potts 25¢. Ethan went over to Burg got his patterns. Charley Towns man called here.

Mar 17 – Mercury 6 below zero. Made large pulley for Theodore. Cleaned up some wheat to send to mill. Ethan went to Comstock.

Mar 18 – Mercury 16 Abz. Took wheat down to Browns. Jim gone to mill. Charley went to Jackson.

Mar 19 – Mercury. At home, chores. Lois here coloring. Sarah went up to Rogers. Lois went to Charleys.

Mar 20 – Mercury 10 below. John Schroder came over after Lois. Nancy sick. Took Sary[43] over afternoon. Cold day. Lots snow.

Mar 21 – Mercury 13 below. Chores mostly to day. Cold raw weather very windy.

Mar 22 – Mercury. At home. Clara and Maud Addams here.

Mar 23 – Mercury At zero. Drew three loads Hay from Charleys. Went over to burg. Nancy was better. Ethan go castings.

Mar 24 – Mercury 29 Above. Snows and blows regular Blizzard. Mrs Philo Buried to day,[44] Sam Carsons Daughter.

Mar 25 – Mercury 10 Above. Ethan took castings over to Burg.

Mar 26 – Mercury 29 Above. Worked on violin some. Dell came over stayed all night.

Mar 27 – Mercury 38 Above. Worked on violin some. Ethan went to Comstock after castings. Clara and Mrs Youngs came stayed. Mrs Con Youngs Buried.[45]

Mar 28 – Mercury 33 Abz. Chored round cut some wood. Mrs Youngs and Clara here.

Mar 29 – Mercury 35 Abz. At home. Pleasant day.

Mar 30 – At home. Worked on violin some.

Mar 31 – Mercury 34 Abz. Choring round. Mrs Youngs and Clara here. Pleasant day.

Apr 1 – Mercury 31 Abz. Worked in shop some. Mrs Youngs and Clara here getting ready. Took goods over to Burg.

Apr 2 – Mercury 34 Abz. Took Mrs Youngs and Clara over to burg. They went to Jackson. Rained in Evening. Took the Beadstead up to the girls.

Apr 3 – Mercury 28 Abz. Took Sarah over to Burg in morning.

Apr 4 – Mercury 34. Went over to burg in morning. Got one Barrel salt $1.25. Saw D. Harris.

Apr 5 – Mercury __3. Pleasant day. At home. No one here. Strung new violin.

Apr 6 – Mercury 40. Went to town meeting. No work to day but cut one load wood.

Apr 7 – Mercury 35. Went up in the woods drawed one load wood two loads rails.

Apr 8 – Mercury 32 Abz. Took Sarah over to Nancys in morning. Cold North ____wind.

Apr 9 – Mercury 3__. Ethan went to Kalamazoo to get key seats cut. Charley Town drawed straw.

Apr 10 – Mercury 35. Went over to burg in morning. Took castings over. Got Charleys buggy down.

Apr 11 – Mercury 40. Cool damp wind. Charley Town commenced plowing south lot for oats.

Apr 12 – Mercury 34 cold north wind. Went over to Hanks, all there. Hank starts for Galesburg Ill on the 12.20 train Evening.

Apr 13 – Mercury 28. Went over to burg at noon after ___ stuf. Drawed some cornfodder. Charleys man plowing.

Apr 14 – Mercury 31. Cleaned out stable. Put cutter up over stable. Took one load out stable one out of the bay. Snowed like fun.[46]

Apr 15 – Mercury 49 snow about 2 inches deep this morning, all gone before night. Ethan got castings over for the binder.

Apr 16 – Not very well. No work, choring.

Apr 17 – Mercury 32. Went over to burg at noon after the stuff. Drawed some corn fodder. Charleys team plowing. Mr W^m Carey died to day.[47] Not very well. Work round barn.

Apr 18 – Mercury 31. Cleaned out stable. Put cutter up over stable. Drawed one load stuf from out the Bay to a ___. Went over to burg in morning. Went over after Nancy. Nancy and children came.

Apr 19 – Mercury 50. At home all day. Made Hammer Handle for Mrs Brown. Nice warm spring day.

Apr 20 – Mercury 81. Went over to burg. Took Binder castings over to foundry. They put Cell Straits[48] Engine in to Foundry.

Apr 21 – Mercury 66. At home. Worked round barn and garden. Florence and Ray[49] came to Kalamazoo.

Apr 22 – Mercury 75. Worked in shop some in yard and garden. Put some straw in Barn.

Apr 23 – Went over to burg bot ½ Bushel clover seed __3 oz. Charley sowed oats. Hannah and Lou came. Rained some in Evening.

Apr 24 – Charley Clark here to day. I made hoop for Verns[50] Jumping Jack.

Apr 25 – Worked on Herbs Boxes all day.

Apr 26 – At home all day. No one here.

Apr 27 – Worked on Herbs Boxes. Fine day.

Apr 28 – Worked on Herbs Box. Very fine day. Florence and Ray came to day.

Apr 29 – Finished Herbs Boxes this morning. Took Lou over to Mr Ralphs in morning.

Apr 30 – At home. Worked round done chores &c.[51]

May 1 – At home. Went over to burg. Not very well. Sowed clover seed on south lot.

May 2 – At work as usual around. Drawed some old rails of the hill. Put Fan in pasture to day.

May 3 – D. came over after Lou. Mrs John Luce buried to day.[52]

May 4 – D went home left Lou. Florence went home. D. took her down to Kalamazoo.

May 5 – Took Lous trunk over to burg. Rained hard. I went to Kalamazoo with Lou. She went home.

May 6 – Took Hannah over to Mr Ralphs. Bot cloths line 65 cts.

May 7 – Mercury 40 Abz. At home no work. Took finger board of the old violin raised it some higher. Sarah went down to Mrs Browns. Very high wind.

May 8 – Cut walnut tree on hill on road. Hannah and Lois came home. Snowed and blowed. High wind, cold. A Potter died.

May 9 – Cold wind, snows some. Worked round shop and house.

May 10 – Lois and Ina[53] here. Cold wind. Not very nice day.

May 11 – Went over to burg with Nancy. She went over to pay Interest on Mortgage.

May 12 – Went down to Caywoods got strawberry plants. Went down to M. O. Streators[54] got potatoes.

May 13 – At home working round house and garden.

May 14 – Working in garden some choring. Went over to burg.

May 15 – Went over to burg. Working as usual all around the yard and garden.

May 16 – Went down to Charley Fords got six hundred lbs Hay 40 cts pr Hundred ___ 40 cts. Fan went to Bull.

May 17 – Fine day. Went down to Katharines.

May 18 – Went and got Theodore to come down and repair Pumps.

May 19 – Theodore put down W^m Ralphs well. Took Nancys couch over to Burg in morning. Took chairs over at noon. Hat, Lib, Mrs Rogers and Mrs Bradshaw here. Charley Town planted corn.

May 20 – Went over to burg got some things from Hanks.

May 21 – Went over to burg in morning got loads of traps[?] from Hanks, some cider. Jim got stove. Got bark for Bill.

May 22 – Some ledle rainy. Not much work.

May 23 – At home working in garden some not much.

May 24 – Ethan and Hannah went down to Marts. Hailed & rained some, high wind.

May 25 – Mercury __8. Jim and Dell drew rails built fence across East lot at foot of big Hill.

May 26 – Skinner helped me draw rails and lay up fence around the south lot on hill. Jim and Hannah, Nancy and Mrs Brown went to Kalamazoo.

May 27 – Pleasant. Nancy came up here.

May 28 – Cleaned up 5 bushels wheat to take to mill. Went over to burg.

May 29 – Rainy day no go to mill. Went over to burg got screws for Lois doors. Got Ethans patterns.

May 30 – Rainy morning. Went up to Cooks to mill.

May 31 – At home all day. Two tramps stayed here all night. Some rainy day.

Jun 1 – Hot day. Took carpet yarn over to Mrs Atkins. Went round by Staffords. Went over after Sarah in Evening.

Jun 2 – At home. Worked in garden and shop some.

Jun 3 – Made some Lamberqua[?] shelves. Made soap down to Mrs Browns in afternoon.

Jun 4 – Painted chairs and two Boxes. Rained some in afternoon and Evening.

Jun 5 – Not much work. Went over to burg. Took Nancy over. Got lumber for Rack 3.24.

Jun 6 – Worked in garden some. Hot day.

Jun 7 – Hot day. Went up to Levy Woods had a good time. Mr Streator, Syrus and Mrs Streator and Mrs Brown went.

Jun 8 – Cut Dock in East lot and planted sunflower seeds. Went over to burg at noon.

Jun 9 – Worked in garden and round barn.

Jun 10 – Worked in garden and chored round.

Jun 11 – Hoed some. Painted screen doors for Lois. Went down to M. O. Streators to see Rack.

Jun 12 – Choring round. Went down to Mrs Browns got cultivator. Mrs Potts here. Fanny Town[55] called.

Jun 13 – Went on up to mill. Got plank for sawhorses. Went to burg. Hung Lois screen doors.

Jun 14 – Mercury 96. At home all day. No one here. Very hot day.

Jun 15 – Katharine and Mrs Gaffing came up. Jim and Florence came home from Shelby.[56]

Jun 16 – Worked on road[57] in afternoon on hill up by Schrams.

Jun 17 – Worked in garden some. Nancy and children left for Galesburg Ill.[58] Ethan went down brot Hellen[59] up. Florence went Home.

Jun 18 – Went over to Mrs Atkins to see about carpet.

Jun 19 – Warm nice weather. Worked in shop and garden. Went over to burg. Made sawhorses.

Jun 20 – Worked on Ed Rowlands violin. Sarah & Hellen went down to Mrs Browns. Mrs Sylvester Mills Buried to day.[60]

Jun 21 – Nice morning. Had a big rain at noon. Mr Osborns came in storm. Blowed hard.

Jun 22 – Worked on Rack. Went over to burg. Hellen here.

Jun 23 – Went over got bolts and straps. Put rack to gether. Nice day. Lois and Ina came over.

Jun 24 – Went over to burg got bolts. Finished Rack. Lois and Ina went down to Browns.

Jun 25 – Put Paris green[61] on potatoes. Hoed some in garden.

Jun 26 – Went down to Mr Streators to invite them _____ here sunday. Levi Woods and wife are coming down.

Jun 27 – Cut some grass in orchard. Chored round. Went over to burg to see Blake and Forbush. Mrs Burgess Buried to day.

Jun 28 – Mr Levy Wood and wife, Mr Pease and Miss Swift, Mr Streator & wife and Mrs Brown, Mrs Barber all here.

Jun 29 – Jim commenced cutting hay. Will Barber worked. Will mowed on hill. Mr G. F. Warren Buried to day.[62] Lydia Milham died.[63]

Jun 30 – Jim mowed west lot commenced East lot. Ground Mr. Randals knife and turned some pins and filed saw 160¢.

Jul 1 – Went down to Katharines with Hellen. Jim Drawing hay. Lydia Milham Buried to day.

Jul 2 – Went over to burg at noon. Mrs Forbush and Eva Blake came here.

Jul 3 – Mrs Brown went to Reed city.[64] George King Died this morning.[65] Marion Rice died this morning.[66]

Jul 4 – Went over to Burg. D. and Lou came. I bot Hat $1.75.

Jul 5 – George King Buried to day. Marion Rice Buried to day.

Jul 6 – Went over to Burg in morning. Got Jays[67] hair cut. D. went home. Rained hard at noon.

Jul 7 – Jim finished mowing drawed in some. John Williams Brot Bed spring 3.75 cts.

Jul 8 – Took Lou to Kalamazoo she went home. Jim finished Drawing in Hay.

Jul 9 – Chored round done most nodings some vend over mit Burg.[68]

Jul 10 – Charley Town cut some wheat to day. Some warm day. Made churn cover and dash for Katharine. Ethan and Hannah went to Burg.

Jul 11 – Cut some grass in hill lot, hoed some. Hat and Libby, Nell Steel and boy called here.

Jul 12 – Went down to Katharines. Fine day.

Jul 13 – Drawed in some hay from hill.

Jul 14 – Cut weeds round the wire fence. Lois came over.

Jul 15 – Worked round. Lois here. Got some stuf for [didn’t finish entry].

Jul 16 – Made mortar bed. Very hot day. Hannah came home in Evening. Jim left Bill[69] here.

Jul 17 – Sick some not much no work but chores.

Jul 18 – Drawed two loads sand.

Jul 19 – At home all day. Some little shower. Charles Whitcome came over to let me know that Martin Turner was dead.[70]

Jul 20 – Mercury 102 in shade at 2 oclock P.M. Went over to Burg got lime and sieve. Went down to Katharines after Hellen. Martin Turner Buried.

Jul 21 – Mercury 96 in shade. Made mortar.

Jul 22 – Mercury 99. Hoed in garden some. Jeneral U. S. Grant Died Eight forty oclock this morning.

Jul 23 – 96 Abz. Jeneral U S Grant Died 8.40.[71] Worked in garden some.

Jul 24 – Mercury 104 in shade. Not much work to hot. Hoed some. Ground Reaper Knife for N. L. Randal.

Jul 25 – Mercury 94. Took Sarah over to burg in forenoon. Got tyre set on one of the carriage wheels. Had a fine shower just at night. Cow went over the River.

Jul 26 – Mercury 90. Lee Milham came up here. Hellen over to Lois.

Jul 27 – 94. Took plastering of the front room. Jim helped some.

Jul 28 – Mercury 100. Finished cleaning out mortar. Jim and Hannah went to Kalamazoo. Harvey Keith Killed.[72]

Jul 29 – Mercury 102. W^m Ralph thrashed to day. Set some bean poles. Alvin Lee, Julia and Rhoda[73] and her boys here.

Jul 30 – Mercury 97. Set bean poles, hoed some. Went over to burg in Evening to Jim McLary. Very dry.

Jul 31 – Mercury 103 hot and dry. Hoed in garden some. Charley Town cut the oats.

Aug 1 – Worked over the mortar. Had a nice shower between ten & Eleven AM.

Aug 2 – At home all day. Very much rainy day.

Aug 3 – Jim came over put on first coat mortar. Rainy forenoon. Went over to burg at night to mill. Got Lime & stuco.

Aug 4 – Prepaired my Lime for my hard finish.

Aug 5 – No work except chores. Rainy. Charley Town drew the oats.

Aug 6 – Rained some. Not very well.

Aug 7 – Went over to burg in morning. Got paper. Took Sarah to Kalamazoo. She went to Shelby. Went to Katharines took dinner.

Aug 8 – Not very well. No work in particular. Had a heavy thunder shower in night. U. S. Grant Buried.

Aug 9 – Mercury 87. Ethan, Dell and Jim went to Gull Lake. Will Clark, Bill went up to W. W. R___.

Aug 10 – Jim came over put on the finishing coat of mortar. Paid him two Dollars.

Aug 11 – Mercury 100 at noon. Took Went over got Lois at noon. Took Hellen down to Marts in afternoon. Ethan putting on paper.

Aug 12 – Mercury 93. Ethan and Hannah papering front Room. Went over to burg at noon. Clara, Edna & Sam[74] came.

Aug 13 – Mercury 98. Went over to Burg took sive[?] home. B. A. Wing left for Hudson. Bina Earl[75] came down here in afternoon.

Aug 14 – Hellen and I went to to Shelby ville got there ½ past one P.M. Cool day.

Aug 15 – At Shelby. Not very well.

Aug 16 – At Harris House. Myron Rawson preaced there. We went up threw the Indian setlement.

Aug 17 – Went to Wayland to see the Rawson family. Saw Dr Wightman.[76]

Aug 18 – At Harris House. Went over to the mill. Saw them saw. Mr Dunning Died.[77]

Aug 19 – At Harris House as usual. They finished sawing cut all their Logs.

Aug 20 – At Harris House some. Not very well. Rather dull not mutch trade.

Aug 21 – At Harris House. Set some glass. Went up to Mr Woods in afternoon. Had a first rate visit.

Aug 22 – Left Shelby for home. Got home about ½ past three. Fine day rained in night.

Aug 23 – At home. Rainy day. Clara and Edna here.

Aug 24 – Rainy morning. No work. Harry Crawford[78] came here.

Aug 25 – Nice morning. Went over to burg with Clara. Harry left for home on two oclock run.

Aug 26 – At home. Not much work. Not very well.

Aug 27 – At home some nice weather.

Aug 28 – Choring round some work not much. Repairing Eds violin.

Aug 29 – Work on violin put strings on.

Aug 30 – Fine day. Went down to Katharines. All well. Will Brown and Lizzie at home.

Aug 31 – Nice day. Jim commenced plowing west lot. Hannah went to Mrs Browns.

Sep 1 – Very pleasant morning. No work. Not well.

Sep 2 – Sick. No work but chores. Lois and Ina came over.

Sep 3 – Lois and Ina here. Not much work. Lois and Ina went home.

Sep 4 – Not much done. Jim took load hay over to Cap Rowland.

Sep 5 – No work. At home. Mrs Skinner and Sate[79] came to Lois on Evening train. Em got Bedstead.

Sep 6 – At home all day. Ethan and Hannah went over to Lois. Sate and Lois went to church.

Sep 7 – Mercury 76 in shade. Hannah went to Mate Fords.[80] Ethan and I repaired wire fence in forenoon. Mrs Barlow Died to day.[81]

Sep 8 – Rainy morning cool wind. At home.

Sep 9 – Rainy day. Took Sarah over to Lois. Eleven telegraph men came here stayed all night.

Sep 10 – Jim drew one load wood. Eleven men here to Breakfast. Went over to burg in morning. Dell came back with me. Made Pie lifter.

Sep 11 – Went over to burg in morning after satchel. The boys are digging telegraph holes.

Sep 12 – Hannah went up to Earls. Went down to Schoolhouse got Blackboard cut it off. Mr Fullerton and Mr Nye plastering the House. Telegraph poles set to day _____.

Sep 13 – Mercury 76. Ethan and Hannah went down to Katharines. Rained in Evening.

Sep 14 – Went to Mr Flanders[82] in afternoon. Fine day.

Sep 15 – Mrs Streator came down in afternoon. Mr Streator went to burg.

Sep 16 – Nice day. Went up in woods got poles for fence steaks. Ina here. Ethan went over in Evening after Lois.

Sep 17 – Fine day. Ethan, Lois & Hannah went down to Kalamazoo to State Fair.

Sep 18 – Drawed some old rails from south fence laid some bottom rails. Went over to burg in Evening took some eggs 10 Doz & 9 ___ pr Dozen.

Sep 19 – Fine morning. Went to Kalamazoo after florence. She gone up on cars.

Sep 20 – Mercury 84. Florence here. Katharine, Adelpha[83] and George came up. Alvin and Julia called in.

Sep 21 – Mercury 84. Laid up some fence. Nice day. Went to burg after Hannah. She came from Lois.

Sep 22 – Mercury 84. Made some fence. Went over to Burg after Lou. Laid up some fence. Took Hannah up to Mr Flanders.

Sep 23 – Mercury 36. Hannah left for Galesburg Ill. Fine day. First frost. Florence came over.

Sep 24 – I took Florence to Kalamazoo. Nice day. Took dinner at Mr Ketchums.[84]

Sep 25 – Mercury 81. Very warm day. Not much work.

Sep 26 – At home choring. Lou and children here.

Sep 27 – Mercury 84. At home all day. Jim McGrady cut corn to day for me.

Sep 28 – Mercury 84. Picked up scatering corn. Jim finished sowing wheat. Lou went home.

Sep 29 – Mercury 89. Very dry. Sowed some grass seed. Toped some corn. Warm day.

Sep 30 – Mercury 85. Very warm & dry. Bound some corn and toped some. Finished in afternoon.

Oct 1 – Finished binding cornfodder. Rained some ledle mide.

Oct 2 – Took Sarah over to Hoags.[85] Went up to mill no see bub. Rained in night.

Oct 3 – Rainy morning. Went up to mill got some barposts. Went to the woods got some posts.

Oct 4 – At home. Some rainy. Jim had Hannahs carriage went up to Scots.[86]

Oct 5 – Cleaned up wheat. Went to mill.

Oct 6 – Made some bars to East lot. Cool day. Paid Charley Ford $2.40 cts for hay.

Oct 7 – Drew two loads pumpkins. Mary Austin and Mrs Gilbert called in afternoon. Rainy.

Oct 8 – At home. No work done Except chores.

Oct 9 – Nice day. Went to Kalamazoo to see Florence and Carry[87] they left on 2.15 train for home. Telegraph line cut. Heavy frost some ice.

Oct 10 – Pleasant. Picked one load corn.

Oct 11 – Warm pleasant day. Dod Sumners Baby buried to day. Telegraph wire repaired to day.

Oct 12 – Worked round barn some. Will and Lizzy went home to Reed City.

Oct 13 – Went down to Mrs Browns to get apples. To wet no got some. Jim drew two loads wood. Sarah went to Lois. Rainy day.

Oct 14 – Cleared out corn House. Husked load corn. Nice day.

Oct 15 – Not much work chored round. My Birth day 72 years old ___.

Oct 16 – Work round most Evry thing. Put apples in cellar. Went over to the Rink in Evening first time. Lou sent Neck tie. Sylvester sisters.

Oct 17 – Mercury 70. W^m Ralph picke the apples. Took them to cider mill. Very nice day. Mr Raneys team run a way.

Oct 18 – Very nice day. At home all day. No one here. Lots folks went to church.

Oct 19 – Rainy day. Worked in barn cleared out stable for new floor.

Oct 20 – Some rainy. No work out side. Took 10.85 lbs hay over to A. Hoag ½ ct pound $5.42½ cts.

Oct 21 – Went over to Burg in morning after Lois she no come over. Went over to burg in Evening got pay for hay. Paid Williams $3.75. Hoag paid $5.00.

Oct 22 – Went over after Lois she came over. Mrs Skinner and Sate came here. Drew two loads corn. Barkers went to Jackson to day.[88]

Oct 23 – Took Mrs Skinner, Lois and Sate over to burg. Husked some corn picked one load and drew it in. Very fine day.

Oct 24 – Finished picking corn drew it into the Barn. Very nice day.

Oct 25 – Very nice day. Sarah and I went down to Katharines in afternoon.

Oct 26 – Dug some potatoes. Husked ten Baskets corn put into cornhouse. Very nice day.

Oct 27 – Husked Eight Bushels corn put in cornhouse. Went up to Mr Flanders got load apples. Nice day.

Oct 28 – Took Sarah over to Lois. Sold 5 doz Eggs 15 cts pr Doz. Bot 1 bunch shingles 37½ cts put some on cornhouse. Went up to Flanders took Hannah home. Howell died to day.[89]

Oct 29 – Mr Howell taken to Battle Creek. Dell came over. I put some shingles on cornhouse. Worked some on inside.

Oct 30 – Worked on cornhouse in forenoon. Finished husking the corn in barn. Put some shingles on in afternoon.

Oct 31 – Worked on cornhouse in afternoon put on battens on inside. Nice day. Mr Woods folks came down to Mrs Browns.

Nov 1 – First snow 2 inches this morning. Went down to Mrs Browns had a seance.[90] Quin Streator[91] there. Mr Wood & wife there.

Nov 2 – Mercury 36. Dug out west end of stable. This is Fathers[92] 104^th Birth day. We have had sunshine, snow & rain a number of times to day.

Nov 3 – Mercury 47. Put down stable floor. Dell over here to day. Made some pye lifters.

Nov 4 – Mercury 56. Worked in barn in forenoon. Drew one load pumpkins two loads cornfodder. Rained some.

Nov 5 – Mercury 45. Put up cornfodder and pulled turnips. Rainy day. Put Hors and cow in sable.

Nov 6 – Mercury 46 rainy day. Pulled some turnips. Dell over here.

Nov 7 – Mercury 54. Chored round. Went down to Mrs Browns. Jim brot log jack here. Dell dug potatoes.

Nov 8 – Mercury 43. At home all day. Cool cloudy misty day. Sally,[93] my self and Ethan alone to day no one here.

Nov 9 – Mercury 44. Went down to river after prickley ash[94] no find him. Churned most of the day.

Nov 10 – Mercury 48. Went over to burg in morning after pattern timber. Sawed out stuff for Jims log jack.

Nov 11 – Mercury 61. Chored round in forenoon. Went down to M. O. Streators in afternoon. Got some apples.

Nov 12 – Went down to Marts in afternoon came home in Evening dark and rainy. Run into Franklins potato patch. D. A. Frink died at six AM.[95]

Nov 13 – Mercury 34 cold wind. Churned for four hours. Pedler here to dinner. Got two spools linnen cotton thread. Jim brot wood.

Nov 14 – Mercury 32. Chored round. Went over to burg in afternoon. Snow 2½ inches. Jim brot load wood.

Nov 15 – Mercury 32. Sloppy some snow.

Nov 16 – Worked for Skinner in forenoon. Worked on Jims log jack in afternoon.

Nov 17 – Mercury 35. Went to Kalamazoo for Mrs Brown, sent some Apples to Will.

Nov 18 – Mercury 55. Went over to burg in morn. Rainy day. Took my boots over got them tapt 70 cts. Very sloppy bad day.

Nov 19 – Mer 38. Worked in shop making axhelves for Mr Flanders. Mary Flanders[96] called here got some plants.

Nov 20 – Went up to Hat & Libs. Jesse Earl came home with me. Extracted two teeth for him. I went up to Herbs house.

Nov 21 – Mercury 38. Went over & got Lois in morning. I cut out some helves for Mr J Flanders. Will Clark here.

Nov 22 – Mercury 36 pleasant & clear in morning. Went down to Mrs Browns all hands. Cold wind.

Nov 23 – Mercury 35. Cleaned up wheat. Cool and cloudy. Jim took load hay over to Mr Smith Thomas.

Nov 24 – Took 5 bushels wheat to mill. Lois came over. Got corn of Wm Rogers. Changed corn with him.

Nov 25 – Mercury 25. Took corn and wheat over to mill. Got meal & and graham. Lois went home. Nice day.

Nov 26 – Put in thill[97] for Jim. Not feeling very well. Nice day.

Nov 27 – Worked on thill and whiffletree. Painted thill. Solomon Kingsley called here a few moments.

Nov 28 – Made lever to Jims lifting jack. Very fine day. Will Clark helped Jim draw cornfodder.

Nov 29 – Turned handle for Lous pie lifter. Hellen and Clara came here.

Nov 30 – Mercury 50. At home choring around as usual. Very pleasant day. Theodore came down.

Dec 1 – Took Sarah over to Lois. Oscar and Mary[98] came here. Hannah came home. Cool damp day.

Dec 2 – Mercury 34. Oscars folks went up to Mrs Bateys.[99] Lois came over. No snow.

Dec 3 – Mercury 30. Sawed out door stops for Mrs Browns doors. Oscar called here. Mrs Brown came up.

Dec 4 – Mercury 34. Hannah & Lois went down to Mrs Browns. I put sawdust in well. Mrs Bradshaw came down. Snowed just at night. Hannah went to M. O. Streators.

Dec 5 – Made table for Mr Caywood and chored round. Snowed and blowed like fun all night.

Dec 6 – Mercury 5 Abz at 5. At home. Very blustring. Snowed and blowed all day.

Dec 7 – Mercury 9 Below zero. At home. Snowed and blowed some not much. Hannah went to Kaywood.

Dec 8 – Mercury 13 Abz. Snowed very little. Will Clark came over. Rainy afternoon and Evening. Wm Vanderbilt died.[100]

Dec 9 – Mercury 43 in morning. Cold windy day. Went down to Mrs Browns. Put on door stops. Filed saw for Gallusha[?]. Cold night. Jim drew 5/8 cord wood.

Dec 10 – Mercury 18 Abz. Turned Plunger for Charley Towns cistern pump. Dell came over made some pie lifters.

Dec 11 – Mercury 10 Abz. Worked on pie lifters some. Cut out axhelve for Walter Thomson.

Dec 12 – Mercury 12 Abz. Cold day. Skinner came over in morning got his lifters. Two wagons broke down on hill in afternoon.

Dec 13 – Mercury 17. At home. Hannah sick. Cold some sleighing.

Dec 14 – Mercury 2__ Abz. Worked in shop. Made axhelve for Walt Thompson.

Dec 15 – Mercury 23. Made axhelve for mesilf _____ finished Jims log jack.

Dec 16 – Mercury 24. Finished Walts Axhelve. Went down to Marts afternoon. Not very cold.

Dec 17 – Mercury 29 in morning. ____ set saw. Sawed some wood. Went over to burg forenoon. Mercury 35 at night. Put front pannel in cutter.

Dec 18 – Mercury 35. Finished Streators cutter. Walter Thompson choped in afternoon. Nice day.

Dec 19 – Mercury 30. Fine day. Put in glass at schoolhouse in fore noon. Flanders paid one Dollar. Went over to see about tax 7.35.

Dec 20 – Mercury 3. At home. Nice day. Hannah went down to Caywood at night. Mr Hopkins buried to day, a colored man. Elder Hamlin Died.[101]

Dec 21 – Mercury 36 in morning. Very pleasant. Drawed one load wood. Not much sleigh.

Dec 22 – Mercury 39. Drawed one load corn from the field.

Dec 23 – Mercury 49 in morn. Took Hannah over to Lois. Fixed well at the Barn. Very nice day. Elder Hamlin Buried. Snow all gone.

Dec 24 – Mercury 23. Worked on well in afternoon. Took Sarah over to Hoags. Old Mrs Brigham died to day.[102]

Dec 25 – Mercury 20. Worked on well. Cold day. Finished well room. No snow on ground.

Dec 26 – Mercury 9 Abz. Went to Mrs Brighams funeral in forenoon. Went over to Burg in afternoon.

Dec 27 – Mercury 38. At home all day. Ethan and Hannah went down to Katharines. Nice day no snow.

Dec 28 – Mercury 34. Went to Kalamazoo after Lou. Saw Lum Robinson. Lost whip. Very foggy.

Dec 29 – Mercury 37. Went over to burg after Lous trunk. Drawed one load wood some corn. Some rainy.

Dec 30 – Mercury 36. Went over to burg. Chored round. Nice day.

Dec 31 – Mercury 36. Went took Sarah & Lou down to Mrs Browns. Went over to Burd after. Paid my tax 7.35 cts.

——-

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

[2] Above zero

[3] His daughter’s family, Daniel D. & Louese (Keith) Harris and their children, Jay and LaVerne

[4] His daughter’s family, Henry & Nancy (Keith) Brown and their children, Claude, Lela and Bess

[5] Hank Brown’s brother and sister-in-law, Willis & Elizabeth (Ogden) Brown

[6] His grandson, Charles Clark; his daughter (and Charley’s mother), Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner; Charley’s wife, Clara (Youngs) Clark; and Clara’s mother, Rhoda (Wood) Youngs

[7] Ella was Hank Brown’s maternal first cousin, the daughter of his Uncle Wilson Allen

[8] His son, Ethan Keith

[9] His daughter, Hannah Keith

[10] His son, James Clinton Keith

[11] Matilda (Allen) Brown; his neighbor and the mother of Hank and Will Brown

[12] FindAGrave.com shows that Louisa (Andrews) Williams died January 1, 1885 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[13] His son-in-law (Lois’ husband), Adelbert Skinner

[14] Neighbors, Emaline (Stone) & William Ralph

[15] His hog

[16] Neighbor and “shirttail relative”

[17] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[18] Apparatus for lifting hot pies out of the oven

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

[20] Neighbor, Charles Towne

[21] While the Michigan death records indicate that Sarah (Ridler) Hitchcock died in Pavilion, Michigan on January 23, 1885, FindAGrave.com shows her date of death as January 14, 1885, which agrees with Luke’s entry

[22] His neighbor and “shirttail relative,” Herbert Earl, who was the brother of Theodore Earl (see footnote to January 6^th entry)

[23] To say nothing about the women

[24] His grandson, the son of his daughter Lois

[25] While no death record has been found, FindAGrave.com shows that Patrick Smith died January 24, 1885 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan. Luke often referred to the parents of a husband or wife of a family member, or the parent of a neighbor, as Aunt or Uncle

[26] Charles Ira Clark (see footnote to January 1^st entry)

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

[28] No death record has been found, but FindAGrave.com shows that William Simonds died January 25, 1885 and is buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Comstock, Michigan

[29] Believe he is referring to Perry, New York, where his niece and her husband, Marion (Sprague) & George Tomlinson, lived

[30] Father of Theodore and Herb Earl (see footnotes to January 6^th and 15^th entries)

[31] His granddaughter, Bess Brown (see footnote to January 1^st entry)

[32] The father of Martin Milham. Michigan death records show that he died February 7, 1885 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Mountain Home Cemetery, also in Kalamazoo

[33] His great-granddaughter, the daughter of Charles & Clara (Youngs) Clark

[34] The children of Martin & Lucy (Lee) Milham (see footnote to January 11^th entry)

[35] Michigan death records reveal that Edmond M. Rumery, the 18-year-old son of Isaac & Cynthia Rumery, died on February 11, 1885 in Pavilion, Michigan. It is unknown where he is buried

[36] His neighbor

[37] While no death record has been found, FindAGrave.com and cemetery records show that Ida M. Lewis, the 21-year-old daughter of F(ranklin) R. & A(deliza Hubbard) M. Lewis, died February 22, 1885 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

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

[39] Ceresco, Michigan

[40] Edna (Crawford) Allen and her daughter, Madge Allen. Edna was the daughter of Edwin Crawford, the late brother of Luke’s wife, Sarah

[41] Varian & Libbie Youngs. Varian was the son of Rhoda (Wood) Youngs and brother of Clara (Youngs) Clark (see footnote to January 1^st entry)

[42] The pivoted horizontal crossbar to which the harness traces of a draft animal are attached and which is in turn attached to a vehicle or an implement

[43] His wife Sarah

[44] Oak Grove Cemetery (Galesburg, Michigan) records show that Martha Rebecca (Carson) Philow died March 21, 1885; she was the wife of Joseph Philow

[45] While no death record was found, FindAGrave.com revealed that Jennie M. Young, wife of Converse T. Young, died March 25, 1885 and is buried in Augusta Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan. Census records for Converse Young, living in Comstock, Michigan, list his wife as Jane in 1870 and Mary J. in 1880

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

[47] Michigan death records confirm that William C. Caray died in Charleston, Michigan on April 17, 1885

[48] Neighbor, Lacelle Strait

[49] His daughter-in-law and grandson, Florence (Stall) Keith and Arthur Raymond Keith

[50] His granddaughter, LaVerne Harris

[51] Etc.

[52] No death record was found, but FindAGrave.com shows that she died May 1, 1885 and is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery in Comstock, Michigan. A marriage record shows that Mary Pilot married John Luce on April 2, 1879 in Coldwater, Branch County, Michigan

[53] His granddaughter, Ina Skinner

[54] Neighbor, Marius O. Streator

[55] Neighbor, Frances “Fanny” Towne, Charley Towne’s sister

[56] Shelbyville, Michigan, where D. & Lou Harris lived

[57] See “Luke Keith’s Road Tax,”

https://lettersfromthe1860s.wordpress.com/2018/06/16/luke-keiths-road-tax

[58] According to a November 8, 1885 letter from Sarah Keith to Oscar & Mary Ann Keith: Henry Brown went to Galesburg Ill. Nancy and children followed in June. Henry lived out in a gallery for twenty five $25 per week for one year.

[59] His niece, Helen (Bradley) York

[60] Michigan death records show that Louisa (Terry) Mills died June 18, 1885 in Benton, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

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

[62] FindAGrave.com reveals that Julius F. Warren (believe Luke mistakenly wrote a G instead of J), who had been a neighbor of Luke’s, died June 27, 1885 in Petoskey, Michigan and is buried in Galesburg City Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[63] While the Michigan death record shows that Lydia (Turner) Milham died June 1, 1885 in Pavilion, Michigan, information at FindAGrave.com, along with the headstone, confirms that she died on June 29, 1885 and is buried in Indian Fields Cemetery, Portage, Michigan. Portrait and Biographical Record of Kalamazoo, Allegan and Van Buren Counties, Michigan, (Chicago, Chapman Brothers 1892, Page 235 & 236) states the following: Mr. [Ambrose] Milham was married May 18, 1854, to Miss Lydia Turner, who was a true and tender wife to him and devoted mother to their children, and their neighbors found in her a kind and sympathizing friend. She was born near Rochester, N.Y., December 29, 1829, and came to Michigan with her parents in 1843. She died June 29, 1885, after a happy married life of thirty-one years.

[64] Reed City, Michigan, about 125 miles north of Galesburg

[65] Michigan death records confirm that George T. King died July 3, 1885 in Galesburg, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com reveals he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, also in Galesburg

[66] Michigan death records confirm that Marion (Wolcott) Rice died July 3, 1885 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com reveals she is buried in Riverside Cemetery, also in Kalamazoo. Marion was Luke’s maternal first cousin

[67] His grandson, Jay Harris

[68] Luke quite often used silly language in his diaries. Possibly here it seems to mean something along the line of done most nothing, some went over to the burg

[69] The family horse

[70] While Michigan death records show his death as June 19, 1885, Riverside Cemetery records confirm that he died on July 19, 1885. Clipped newspaper obituaries show that he died on a Sunday — June 19, 1885 was a Friday; July 19, 1885 was a Sunday

[71] Ulysses S. Grant, 18^th President of the United States

[72] His grand-nephew, the son of James “Oscar” & Mary Ann (Batey) Keith. See newspaper accounts of his murder and the ensuing murder trial at https://lettersfromthe1860s.wordpress.com/2019/07/22/a-foul-murder

[73] Alvin Lee; his mother, Juliana (Davis) Lee (the wife of Luke’s first cousin, Charles Lee); and his sister, Rhoda (Lee) Wilcox

[74] His granddaughter-in-law, Clara (Youngs) Clark, and her daughter, Edna Clark; however, it is unknown at this time who Sam was

[75] Albina Earl, daughter of Jesse Earl (see footnote to January 29^th entry)

[76] His neighbor, George Ransom Wightman

[77] Levi Dunning. No death record has been found. While the online entry for FindAGrave.com shows he died August 18, 1886, the picture of his marker clearly shows the year as 1885. He is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[78] The son of Hiram & Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford; Hiram was the brother of Luke’s wife Sarah

[79] Adelbert Skinner’s (see footnote to January 3rd entry) mother and sister, Sarah (Knight) Skinner and Sarah “Sate” Skinner

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

[81] Believed to be Helen (Lindsay) Barlow. While no death record was found, FindAGrave.com shows Helen Barlow died in 1885 and is buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Jackson, Michigan. 1880 census records show Sidney & Helen Barlow living in Comstock, Michigan

[82] 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

[83] His sister Catherine’s granddaughter, Marion Adelphia York

[84] Justus Ketchum, the stepfather of his daughter-in-law, Florence (Stall) Keith

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

[86] Scotts, Michigan, which was about 8 miles south of Galesburg

[87] Believe this is referring to Florence’s sister, Carrie Stall

[88] October 22, 1885 Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph coverage of the murder of Harvey Keith relate that Marshall Barker was sentenced to “hard labor at Jackson for the rest of his natural life,” and his brother, William Barker, was sentenced to 25 years in the state prison

[89] Presumed to be Lavander S. Howell. FindAGrave.com shows that Lavander S. Howell died on October 29, 1885 and is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Battle Creek, Michigan

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

[91] Neighbor, John Quincy Streator, the son of Marius & Laura (Rawson) Streator

[92] Charles Luke Keith Sr.

[93] Nickname for his wife, Sarah

[94] Northern prickly ash bark and berries were used to make medicine to treat blood circulation problems, joint pain, cramps, low blood pressure, fever, swelling, toothache, sores, ulcers, and cancer, also for sweating out a fever

[95] FindAGrave.com shows that Daniel A. Frink died in Kansas City, Missouri on November 11, 1885; no death record has been found to date. According to the 1860 census, Daniel Frink had been Luke’s neighbor in Comstock, but by 1870 was living in Kansas City

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

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

[98] His nephew and his wife, James “Oscar” & Mary Ann (Batey) Keith

[99] Mary Ann’s mother, Eliza “Betsey” (Olds) Batey

[100] The American railroad magnate and philanthropist who nearly doubled the Vanderbilt family fortune

[101] Michigan death records show that E. H. Hamlin, a Baptist minister, died in Comstock, Michigan on December 20, 1885; no burial record has been found

[102] FindAGrave.com reveals that Marinda (Cole) Brigham, died December 25, 1885 at the age of 89 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in 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