Luke Keith’s 1888 Diary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Apr 1 – At home all day. No one here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May 19 – Charley finished planting East lot.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jul 3 – 94 in morning, hot morning.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aug 5 – At home all day.

Aug 6 – Hannah went to Mate Fords to day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aug 26 – At Lous.

Aug 27 – At Lous.

Aug 28 – At Lous.

Aug 29 – At Lous.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sep 16 – Rainy all the forenoon rained hard.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nov 3 – Not much done. Chored around.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

——-

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

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

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

[4] His grandchildren, Claude and Bess Brown

[5] Neighbor, Eunice (Wood) Towne

[6] His daughter, Nancy (Keith) Brown

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

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

[9] His son, James Clinton Keith

[10] Hank Brown’s paternal first cousin

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

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

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

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

[15] Hank Brown’s brother, Willis Brown

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

[17] Above zero

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

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

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

[21] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

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

[23] Neighbor, Charles Towne

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

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

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

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

[28] Neighbor and “shirttail relative”

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

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

[31] Neighbor and uncle of D Harris

[32] One of Ethan’s inventions

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

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

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

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

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

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

[39] A seance

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

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

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

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

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

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

[46] His cow

[47] His neighbor, Joseph Flanders

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

[49] Neighbor, Laura Ann (Rawson) Streator

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

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

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

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

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

[55] Nickname for his wife Sarah

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

[57] These were the neighbors who attended the seance

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

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

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

[61] His horse

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[70] Other things

[71] His grandson, Charles Clark

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

[73] LaVerne and Floyd Harris

[74] D Harris’ sister

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

[76] From Covington, New York

[77] His wife Sarah’s brother

[78] Neighbor, Nathan L. Randall

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[87] Margaret “Maggie” (Kirchbaum) Powers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[97] Pavilion, New York

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

[99] His niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

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

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

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

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

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

[105] George and Ansel “Lee” Milham

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[114] His grandson, William Clark

[115] Shelbyville, Michigan

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

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Luke Keith’s 1878 Diary

1878 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.[1]

Jan 1 – Went over to burg[2] after Hannah.[3] Henry[4] came down went over got Nancy.[5] Jim[6] went over got Hank[7] at night. All here to supper. Davis Stafford and Mr Giddings called here.

Jan 2 – Drawed 4 loads wood. Carried Hannah down to Caywoods in morning. Ed Phelps buried to day.[8] Cold day, no snow.

Jan 3 – Pleasant clear morning, mercury 14 Abz[9] in morning. Went over to burg[10] in forenoon with M. O. Streator.[11] Bot two Diarys 40¢ one for Ethan.[12]

Jan 4 – Went to Comstock[13] to mill carried 4 bushels corn, two bushels wheat, two of Buckwheat. Snowed quite hard. Mr Barton[14] thrashed some wheat. Harry Streator[15] drawed load wood.

Jan 5 – Mr Barton thrashing. Mercury 12 Abz at noon. Worked in shop some. Put sills together. Some snow. Mr Burgess little boy buried to day.[16] Went over to burg got Katharines[17] carpet 7.85.

Jan 6 – Snows like fun[18] this morning. At home all day. Charley Whiting[19] got Ernests[20] cutter.

Jan 7 – Mr Barber[21] finished thrashing had Eight bushels wheat. Went up to Foundry in afternoon.

Jan 8 – Cleaned out Barn and chored round. Fastened[?] up north cellar windows. Spect Ida Allerton was married to day[22] dont know sartin.[23]

Jan 9 – Not very cold mercury 31 Abz at ten AM. Some sleighing. Dell and Lois[24] called here on their way to _____. Rained some.

Jan 10 – No sleighing, not very cold. Not very well. No work to day.

Jan 11 – No work, hard cold. Not much done, at home all day.

Jan 12 – Went over to burg in morning. Hannah and Mrs Betts[25] went over. Claud[26] came over with us. Mrs Betts stayed. Went down to Katharines just at night. Carried her carpet down. Stayed all night.

Jan 13 – At Katharines stayed all day. Came home at night. Snowed hard. Not very cold. Very good wheeling. Not much mud.

Jan 14 – Went over to burg in morning after Mrs Betts. Not much snow, not very cold. Sarah[27] went over to Hanks in Evening with Browns folks.[28] Mrs McKinney[29] there.

Jan 15 – Worked on boddy some. Not verry cold. Barber drawed some manure. Put one side on boddy.

Jan 16 – Worked in shop on boddy put sides on.

Jan 17 – Went to Comstock to mill carried 3 bushels wheat. Got my Buckwheat flour. Come back by Kates. Got some fresh meat. Dell and Lois came stayed all night. Fine day.

Jan 18 – Fine day. Not much done to day. Skinners[30] went home. Carried Sarah over to burg at night. Very pleasant day no snow.

Jan 19 – Worked in shop on Simmons buggy boddy. Not verry well. Carried Mrs Betts over to burg in Evening. Not very cold. Rained in night. Mercury 48 Abz. Stopt milking the cow.

Jan 20 – Rainy, Mercury 38 Abz in morning. Muddy as the Devil not verry deep however. Went over to burg took Hannah over got Sarah and Mrs Betts. Rainy night.

Jan 21 – Rainy morning. Jim commenced going to School to _____ at the burg. Carried Hannah machine over to burg. Paid N. L. Randal[31] two Dollars for order.

Jan 22 – Worked in shop. Put seat bottom together. Not very well. Snows some. Not very well. Went down to Browns. Got some Hogs heads &c.[32]

Jan 23 – XX Carried Mrs Betts over to burg. No get some money. No work in shop much. Filed saw for Jo Flanders.[33] He brot some beef down. Freight train broke into on Prairie just at night.

Jan 24 – Worked on seat. Put the flare on seat bottom. Very pleasant day. Not very well now a days.

Jan 25 – Worked in shop some on Henrys thill.[34] Allen Simmons called here to see his buggy boddy. Bot shelf to stove pipe. Gave two bushels corn for it. Nice day, no snow.

Jan 26 – Put thills together. Fine day. Browns folks and Arthur Arms and wife,[35] Hank and Nancy all here in Evening. Josefine Whiting died in night at 12 oclock.[36]

Jan 27 – At home all day. Mr Barber and Ida[37] came over. Brot Mrs Betts home. Henry came down.

Jan 28 – Nice day. Carried Sarah and Mrs Betts over to burg. Henry came down brot money from Frank sent for belts. Josefine Whiting brot in from Chicago and buried.

Jan 29 – Worked in shop. Finished Henrys thill.

Jan 30 – Mercury 27 Abz. Very cold windy day. Worked on seat. No snow on ground. Hard on wheat.

Jan 31 – Worked in shop on boddy. Fine day. Snowy day.

Feb 1 – Went over to burg after money no get it. Worked in shop on buggy boddy.

Feb 2 – Went over and moved Hank into Schroeders house. Received of Township Treasurer 56 fifty six Dollars. Paid Minnie Randall 40 forty Dollars.

Feb 3 – At home all day. Mrs Betts went over to burg with Harry Streator. Mart, Lucy[38] and Jo York[39] came up after Hannah. Mercury 6 below zero.

Feb 4 – Mercury 10 below zero in morning. Filed saw for Erve Hall.[40] Went over to burg in afternoon.

Feb 5 – Drawed one load wood. Mr someboddy put shelf on Nancys stove.

Feb 6 – Worked in shop some. Made jacks for Simmons buggy. Charley Howlet called here from Perry.[41] Said the folks wer all well.

Feb 7 – Worked in shop some. Not very cold.

Feb 8 – Went to Comstock to mill. Carried 4 bushels buckwheat. Snowed like fun afternoon and Evening. Barbers folks[42] over here.

Feb 9 – Blustrous day. Sawed and drawed two loads wood. Hank and Nancy came over stayed all night. Dick Lamkins came down left his violin.

Feb 10 – Cold. Henry called here. He went up to Jo Flanders.[43] Ethan went over to Nancys.

Feb 11 – Worked on buggy pole for Will Brown.[44] Not very cold mercury at zero.

Feb 12 – Worked in shop some on pole. Dick Lamkin got his violin. Went down to A. Browns in afternoon. Some Snow. Folks draw some logs. Mrs Jane Sunderland died to day.[45]

Feb 13 – Fine morning mercury 28 A. Carried Sarah over to burg. Carried Alfleda[46] down to Browns. Worked in shop some. Had Ernests cutter. Ernest had my sleigh to go to Kalamazoo.

Feb 14 – Finished Simmons box to day. Not much sleighing. Filed saw for N. L. Randall. Hung ax for Ernest Whiting. Mrs Jane Sunderland was buried to day at Waukegan Illinois.

Feb 15 – Worked on my wheels. Put the bolt through the floor to hold wheels down. Mrs Sam Kingsley buried to day.[47]

Feb 16 – Went down to browns. Ground axes. Went up in woods sawed some wood. Mrs Betts went over to burg with Sarah Dunning. M O Streator and wife[48] here in Evening. Ethan came home.

Feb 17 – At home. Rain some snow some. Not very cold. No sleighing. Mart and Lucy called here in Evening on their way home from Jims and Puts.

Feb 18 – Went over to burg in morning after oil and paint for Simmons. Hung ax for E Whiting. Got hogs head and shoulder of Whiting. Went down to A Browns in Evening. Saw Skinner at burg.

Feb 19 – H. A. Taylor[49] came down here in morning. Hat and Lib[50] came down in afternoon. Jo York brot Hannah home. Painted buggy boddy.

Feb 20 – Jo went down to Katharines. Went over to burg. Hannah went over to Nancys. Painted buggy box over. Nigger concert at the Methods Epikettle Church this Evening.

Feb 21 – Rainy day. Not much done. Fixed new fiddle some. To paid T C Ford[51] $16 sixteen Dollars. Rained all night. Hank Johnson called here just at night. Rain. W^m Aldrich little Boy buried.[52]

Feb 22 – Rainy morning. Hank Johnson called her at night. Worked in shop some.

Feb 23 – Drawed three loads wood. Not very cold.

Feb 24 – At home all day. Henry came down. Hannah went down to Jacksons.

Feb 25 – Snowed some. Nancy and Claud came over stayed all day.

Feb 26 – Worked in shop on wheels. Fine day.

Feb 27 – Fine day. Finished my wheels. Eugene[53] came to Hanks.

Feb 28 – Very fine day. Went down to Comstock after my grist. Me no get him. Edna[54] came on noon train. Eugene came over with me. Sarah and hannah went over to burg.

Mar 1 – Went over to burg after the girls Nancy, Hannah and Edna. Drawed one load straw to Browns one for myself. Fine day. Ernest got my wagon to go to Kalamazoo with some beef.

Mar 2 – Carried Nancy home. Edna Crawford went home. Chored round all day. Mr Perry Cornell died to day.

Mar 3 – At home all day. Eugene here. All well. Claud went home. Will Brown carried him over. Mr Cornell buried to day.

Mar 4 – Eugene went to day. Ethan went over to burg with him. I choped all day. Fine pleasant day. Rev. Russell Tomlinson of Plymouth Mass Died to day.[55]

Mar 5 – Drawed some wood. Sarah went up in woods.

Mar 6 – Sawed wood in forenoon. Very fine day. Made blocks for Theodore at noon. Rained in afternoon.

Mar 7 – Chopt wood. Cut down black oak. Fine day.

Mar 8 – Carried Sarah and Mrs Betts over to burg. Barber came over. We pulled up the currant bushes. Warm day. Jim went down to Katharines.

Mar 9 – Mercury 74 Abz at noon. Worked in hogpen. Warm day. Went down to Browns at noon got butter and milk. Mart and Lucy came up got some pictures. Ida Barber came over stayed all night. Lucy stayed.

Mar 10 – At home 66 Abz. Lucy and Ida here. Alvin and Ida Lee[56] here. Went over to burg at night after Sarah and Mrs Betts. Ida went home. Rained like fun.

Mar 11 – ____ cut currant bushes in fore noon. Carried Lucy and Hannah over to burg at noon. Verry warm day.

Mar 12 – Worked round. Drawed apple brush out of the orchard. Ethan put up wind mill.

Mar 13 – Went up to Jo Flanders after currant and raspberry bushes. Took dinner at Flanders. Rained some. Ernest got his buggy. Left Skeleton buggy and took my watch.

Mar 14 – Worked round garden. Set currant bushes. Worked in shop some on wheelbarrow. Claud came over helped set currant brush.

Mar 15 – Worked in shop some. Went over to burg up in woods. Drawed some wood. Filed saw for Ernest.

Mar 16 – Made fence around west garden. Some misty. Mrs Ralph[57] here all day. Ernest got his Skeleton. Bot 21 lbs Soap grease of Whiting.

Mar 17 – Cloudy morning. Henry here. Hank Brown came over just at night.

Mar 18 – Drawed some wood. Chored round. Worked in shop some. Browns folks here in Evening.

Mar 19 – Trimed appletrees. Fine day. Had a big time at the burg red Ribbon gathering.

Mar 20 – Fine. Pleasant morning. Drawed brush out orchard[?]. Rained some in night.

Mar 21 – Shelled some corn. Turned cloths stick for Nancy. Libby and Emma Allen[58] here to day. They went up to Jim Milhams[59] at night.

Mar 22 – Cloudy morning. Went up to Henrys to mill. Ethan and Claud went. Carried five bushels corn. Very fine day. Jim went down to Howlets schoolhouse to hear Mr Ross read.

Mar 23 – Went over to burg after Nancy. Mrs Betts went over with me. Went to Comstock after my Buckwheat. Fine day. Lois and Will came. Henry came down stayed all night.

Mar 24 – Will carried Mrs Betts over to church. Cold day some snow flying. Henry went up to Mr Flanders. Jim and Will went down to A Browns. Jim got Kicked by a colt.

Mar 25 – Cold morning. Chored round. Allen Simmons brot wheels here to have boxes set. Lois and Will here. Made over Fathers[60] old Jack plane.

Mar 26 – Went over to burg in morning. Got rimmer. Set boxes in wheels. Night Express off the track between Galesburg and Kalamazoo.

Mar 27 – Went over. Carried rimmer home. Got Nancy and Claud. Simmons got wheels. Carried our folks down to A Browns. Warm day. Pulled grubbs some in afternoon west of garden.

Mar 28 – Snowed like fun. Not much done. Lois went over to Nancys at noon. Will went up to Harts. Miner Bellringers in galesburg to night. Blocked out axhelves.

Mar 29 – Worked in shop some. Pulled grubs west of garden. Broke whiffletrees.[61] Sarah went to burg. Lois and Will came back. The publicans caucus to day.

Mar 30 – James went down to Browns got his team. Rolled west lot. Finished pulling grubs in west lot. Democratic caucus to day. Snowed like fun in afternoon.

Mar 31 – At home all day. Lois and Will went home. Not very cold. Isaac Hizer came down to see about trading buggy for watch.

Apr 1 – Went over to burg in afternoon to town meeting. Mrs Betts went over. Fine day. Hannah went down to A. Browns.

Apr 2 – Made soap in forenoon. Burnt brush in afternoon. Very nice day. Went up to mill. Got load bark.

Apr 3 – Pleasant morning. Made soap in forenoon. Chored round in afternoon. Went up to mill. Put in guide. Got some posts. Fine day.

Apr 4 – Worked round. Went up to mill. Put in guide. Got some posts. Went down to Katharines.

Apr 5 – Mended Browns drag. Jo York, Hellen[62] and Katharine came up here. Very fine day. Perry A Pier died this Friday night.

Apr 6 – Went over to burg in morning. Got two ^2/” Dollars for Alfleda four ^4/” for Sarah. Doc Burrows paid me $19.50¢ for county order. Went over to burg at noon. Alfleda went to Waverly. Sarah and Mrs Betts went over to burg.

Apr 7 – Fine day. Carried Claud home just at night. Mrs Nancy B. Betts of Galesburg came home with me. Rev Platt Betts Lady formaly of Omro Wisconsin.[63]

Apr 8 – Pleasant morning. Made guides for Theodore[64] in morning. Went down to M O. Streators got four bushels wheat paid him ten Dollars. Rained in night.

Apr 9 – Rainy morning. Went to Comstock to mill. Rained. Carried four 4 bushels wheat 5½ five and half corn.

Apr 10 – Drawed brush in west lot. Hannah and Nancy came over in morning. Mrs Brown and Jule[65] came up here. Got Whiffletrees mended. Nell Tomlinson married to day.[66]

Apr 11 – Worked round yard and garden. Carried Nancy home at night. Extracted two teeth for Mr George Ralph he paid me two one Dollar.

Apr 12 – Killed my pigs. A Brown helped me. Fine day. Cut up the pigs. Will Wagner here. Jim and Abby had a flare up.

Apr 13 – Went over to burg in morning. Carried Hanks barrels over. Made some soap. Salted my pork. Went over to burg in Evening after Hank and Nancy. They came over stayed all night.

Apr 14 – Hank and Nancy here. Henry came down. I carried Hannah down to Katharines in afternoon. Rained all the while I was gone. Carried Nancy and Claud home in Evening.

Apr 15 – Got out manure. Very fine day. G. A. Lockhart and Will started for Kansas. Lou Bristol[67] went with them. Mrs Randal and Mrs Wagner here in Evening.

Apr 16 – Got out manure. Nice day. Mrs Wagner went home. Mr Browns folks went over to burg in Evening. Jim went over after medicine.

Apr 17 – Pleasant day. Mr Daniels called here to see Ethan. Finished getting our manure. Mr C. S. Haskins brot trees and Raspberries paid him $1.65.

Apr 18 – Set out trees. Barber came over. We plowed gardens. Warm day. Mrs Forbush and Mrs Blake came over here in afternoon.

Apr 19 – Worked round garden. Set out rasberry bushes.

Apr 20 – Cleaned out yard. Cultivated garden. Dug out Elder roots. Mercury 85 Abz 80 Abz.

Apr 21 – Carried Mrs Betts over to burg. Warm morning. Went down to Katharines in afternoon. Nancy here. Hank and Claud went up to Armes.

Apr 22 – Cloudy looks like rain. Jim plowed in forenoon. Rained in afternoon. No plow.

Apr 23 – Rainy. Went over to burg in morning. Bot springs for wagon seat 2.25. Bot oil and lead 65¢. Bot one bottle Kenady 1.25. Warm.

Apr 24 – Warm. Some rain. Worked round. Painted wheelbarrow. Rany.

Apr 25 – Worked in shop some. Tinkered round house and garden.

Apr 26 – Not much done to day. Worked round choring &c. Wet.

Apr 27 – Some rainy. Drawed out Buckwheat straw. Put it on hill South East of barn.

Apr 28 – Cloudy and some rainy. At Home all day. No one here. All well as usual. No bellyache. All able to eat Heggs[?] &c.

Apr 29 – Charles Lee[68] and Alvin came up in morning. Extracted tooth for Charles. Alvin got one helve. Jim got Tom Brown and plows in forenoon. Brown planted potatoes down North.

Apr 30 – Went down to Charles Lees got 4½ bushels potatoes ½ bushel beets ½ bushel turnips. Got some sage roots of old Mrs King. Dick Barber got two bushels corn he paid one Dollar. Will Brown got Eight bushels corn.

May 1 – Very pleasant morning. Worked round house and garden.

May 2 – Dragged garden west side house. Seeded croquet ground and draged it. Harry Streator and Hellen Randall married this Evening.[69]

May 3 – Planted some potatoes. Henry and Davis Stafford called here. Some rain. Hannah and Katharine came up. Barber plowed some.

May 4 – George plowing some. Planted potatoes up south. No rain to day. Claud and Nancy here. Hank came over. They went down to Mr Browns. Henry came down stayed all night.

May 5 – Henry here to day. I carried Katharine home in afternoon. Cool wind. Carried Mrs Betts over to burg in morning.

May 6 – Dug out five stumps south of barn. Barber plowed. Cow calved in night.

May 7 – Chored round. Burnt cornstalks out by barn. Barber plowing. Rain some. Jim went to work for Mr Streator.

May 8 – Rainy morning some thunder. Filled up stump holes South of Barn. Sarah went over to burg with Barber. Claud here. He came over with me in morning.

May 9 – Work round. Split up oak timber. The jobs let to day to fill up north sluice this side river and build bridge across mill brook by Jesse Earls.[70] McLewis builds bridge $153.00. W^m Aldrich fills sluice $16.50 (16.50).

May 10 – Put heads in mawl. George Ives called here. Went up in woods cut some wood. Barber finished plowing. Fine day. Hannah went up to T Fords stayed all night.

May 11 – Frost this morning. Cut some wood drawed two loads. Mrs Betts went over to burg with Doc Wightman[71] in afternoon. Tamer[72] carried Hannah over to Nancys.

May 12 – At home all day. Went over to burg at night after Hannah and Mrs Betts. Browns folks here in Evening. Frost this morning.

May 13 – Frost this morning. Hoed in garden some. Barber draging. Cool day. Mrs Wightman[73] here. Ida Wing came up after Hannah.

May 14 – Chored round in forenoon. Barber draging. Went to Mr Simmons raising in afternoon. He raised a big barn.

May 15 – Chored round. Worked in garden and shop some. Sarah and Mrs Betts went down to Mr Browns.

May 16 – Marked corn ground East of house. Jim came home from Streators. Barber planted corn. Went up to Foundry to see waterwheel.

May 17 – Finished marking corn ground and planted East of house. Barber finished planting. Carried Nancy and Claud home.

May 18 – Went to Kalamazoo to attend a Greenback Convention.[74] Fine day. Rained in Evening. Rainy night.

May 19 – At home. No one here. Some rainy. Hank came over in afternoon.

May 20 – Marked Jims corn ground and planted it. Made calf yard. Hoed strawberries and currant bushes.

May 21 – Worked round hoed some and tinkered round generaly.

May 22 – Repaired wheel. Put in two felloes and set tire.

May 23 – Went up in woods. Sawed some wood. Hoed corn and beans. Jim Ralph brot his buggy down. Worked on that some. Bot suspenders 50¢. Gloves 1.35.

May 24 – Drawed 3 three loads wood. Finished Ralphs spring bar. Painted windmill. Mr Brown got some cabbage plants.

May 25 – Hoed in garden some. Went over to burg. Received twenty 21 one Dollars of Township Treas. Hannah came home. Nancy came over stayed all night.

May 26 – Pleasant. Hank and Nancy went down to Browns.

May 27 – Went up on hill got load sand. Went over to burg. Got lime and hair.[75] Mrs Betts went over to burg.

May 28 – Went over to burg. Got link twister made. Mrs betts came home. Sarah went over. Claud came home with me. Went over at night. Brown plowing south lot.

May 29 – Went over to burg after chain and link twister 30¢. Rained hard. Not well.

May 30 – Sick. Hard cold. No work to day.

May 31 – Shelled lot corn. Went over to burg. Got link hook made. Went down to Browns. Got some wheat 64 and 72 bags in all.

Jun 1 – Fine morning. Went to Comstock to mill 5½ corn 2 Wheat. Mr Brown finished plowing west lot. Went over to burg at night. Took Hank, Hannah & Claud over.

Jun 2 – Cloudy look like rain. At home all day. Not very well. Hard cold.

Jun 3 – Sick. Not much done. Jim plastered corn. Eugene went home on night Express Eugene came on

Jun 4 – Jim cultivated corn. Made new side piece to cultivator. Eugene went home on night Expr. Henry and Davis called. Ethan sent moddle to Washington. Claud went to Coggins to party.

Jun 5 – Hoed some. Plastered corn in garden. Douglass drawed logs for Henry. Mr Brown sowed Hungarian grass. Mrs Skinner and Mr Smiths folks went up to Mr Flanders.

Jun 6 – Worked round house and garden. Went down to Browns got buggy. Went over to burg in Evening.

Jun 7 – Went out to Skinners. Rained some. Found them well. Sarah sick. To paid Susan Giddings $5 five Dollars.

Jun 8 – Dell and I went up to Marshall.[76] I saw the Cleveland wheel. Rainy day.

Jun 9 – Dell and I went over to Whites station and Ceresco.[77] Saw lots of big wheat. Lois and I went over to Mr Coles just at night.

Jun 10 – Traded watch and wheel for buggy. Started for home. Sarah went on cars from Ceresco to Galesburg. I came with the buggys. Got home about 4 oclock. Sarah stayed to burg. Mrs Deyo buried to day.[78]

Jun 11 – Went over to burg after Sarah in morning. Worked in garden some.

Jun 12 – Went over to burg. Got Harness repaired 1.20¢. Hoed some.

Jun 13 – Cultivated corn East of house. Hannah came home.

Jun 14 – Finished cultivating corn. Hoed. Jim put plaster on his corn. He paid Abby Jackson 16 sixteen Dollars.

Jun 15 – Sick. No work. Pedler here to dinner. Lois, Will and Ina[79] came out brot 2 pigs. Mrs Ford, Mrs Perry and daughter called here. Had a fine shower. Warm night.

Jun 16 – Fine morning. Mercury 75 Abz. Lois and Will here.

Jun 17 – Stephen Daken died to day.[80] Hoed corn some. Lois and Will went home. Took calf and wheels.

Jun 18 – Painted buggys. Hoed some corn. Barber cultivating.

Jun 19 – Painted buggy. Stephen Daken buried to day. Mr Browns cousin George Wells[81] here.

Jun 20 – Rainy morning. Worked on buggys.

Jun 21 – Finished varnishing buggy. Rainy day. Put pigs in yard. Harry Streator got hurt. Fell from a tree. Cow went to Bull.

Jun 22 – Rainy morning. Mrs Betts sic. Went over to burg in morning. Old Mrs Beakes[82] Died this morning. Nancy came over.

Jun 23 – Ida Wing came here brot Hannahs things. Hank and Nancy here. Henry came down got violin. Will Brown got his buggy. Nice day. Mrs Betts sick yet.

Jun 24 – Fine morning. Jim gone down to Mr Kings to work. Mr Wells started for home, Mr Browns cousin.

Jun 25 – Mowed grass along the fence up to the woods. Hoed some corn. Went up to mill with Mr Flanders. Saw Mr Cleveland. Went over to burg in Evening. Got Tea from New York.

Jun 26 – Cloudy morning. Hoed some. Ridler got. Went to Kalamazoo in afternoon with Jim. He went down to get some cloths.

Jun 27 – Worked round. Hoed some corn. Barber Sowed Buckwheat. Very hot day 90 in shade. Ethan oiled harness.

Jun 28 – Went up in woods. Got poles to poll beans. Drawed down hay up towards the woods. Mercury 94 in shade.

Jun 29 – Mercury 99 in shade noon. Finished hoing East of house. Ethan went to Mill. Hannah went over to Nancys. George and Marion[83] came on noon train.

Jun 30 – George and Marion here. Carried George down to Katharines. He goes to Chicago. Mrs Barnum died.[84]

Jul 1 – Put Poison on potatoes. Plowed some corn hoed some potatoes. Rained in night. Marion here.

Jul 2 – Rainy morning. Went down to M O. Streator got Six bushels wheat. Shelled some corn. Mrs Barnum buried.

Jul 3 – Rainy. Went to Comstock to mill 4 bushels wheat 8 corn.

Jul 4 – Plowed and hoed corn. Worked round garden. Marion here. Had no doings to Galesburg. Jim and Ethan went to Kalama[zoo].

Jul 5 – Finished plowing corn in East lot. Went up to Henrys mill with Marion. Charley Town[85] cutting wheat.

Jul 6 – Worked round. Went down to Browns in morning got some peas. Old Mrs Lord Died.[86] Carried Marion down to Katharines in afternoon.

Jul 7 – Rainy morning. Mrs Lord buried to day. Henry Rogers called here a while.

Jul 8 – Put Parris Green on potatoes. Had a heavy shower. Lou Burgess drove into Barn. Went over to burg in Evening.

Jul 9 – Mercury 94 at noon. Ethan took Hannah over to burg. Hoed corn and potatoes on hill. Bela Wright cutting wheat. Had a wind storm in night. W^m Blake started his self Binder.

Jul 10 – Hoed some in East end of corn. Put poison on potatoes.

Jul 11 – Went over to burg in fore noon. Ethan and Hannah went down to Katharines. Mrs Lydia barber[87] here to dinner.

Jul 12 – Went down to Katharines. Very hot day. Marion here.

Jul 13 – Marion goes to Vicksburg. Plowed out corn and potatoes on hill. Carried Sarah and Mrs Betts over to burg. Tamer Ford here. Ethan went over to burg after the whimmen. Charley Baker called here in Evening.

Jul 14 – At home all day. Ethan and Hannah went over to burg just at night. Hot day. Blake cutting wheat with the Gordon binder.

Jul 15 – Cloudy morning. Finished plowing Jims corn. Plowed some of mine.

Jul 16 – Mercury 98 100. Hoed in garden in forenoon. Had a heavy thunder shower in afternoon. Rained very hard blowed corn down.

Jul 17 – Mercury 98. Spliced my old violin bow made two rings. Barber came over. Hannah went over to Nancys at night.

Jul 18 – Hoed some. Very hot day. Wright drawing wheat. Went down to A Browns got some peas. Jule not much better. Made ring. Went over to burg.

Jul 19 – Mercury 96. Hoed corn in south lot on hill. Went over to burg took over butter and Eggs.

Jul 20 – Hoed corn on hill. Very hot day. Albert Warren called here to see about getting a leg repaired.

Jul 21 – Cool wind. Went down to Katharines after some vinegar. Went up to mill. Saw new waterwheel run. Went by burg took Hannah home.

Jul 22 – Chored round in forenoon. Worked on Albert Warrens leg. Warren here to supper. Mercury 84.

Jul 23 – Finished Warrens peg leg in forenoon. Not very hot 86 in shade at noon.

Jul 24 – Big show at Kalamazoo. Hank Brown and Hannah had Bill[88] and buggy to go to Kalamazoo to show. Mrs Betts went over to burg.

Jul 25 – Hoed corn all day, finished. Sarah, Mrs Betts and Alfleda went down to Browns. Hot day. Put in cradle finger for Mark Simmons. Rained aall night.

Jul 26 – Rainy morning. Cleared off in afternoon. Went over to burg bot cloth for overhalls. Got big Pictures of Sarah and Luke.[89]

Jul 27 – Pleasant morning. Mercury 79. Plowed out potatoes and corn on hill. Ethan and Henry went down to Katharines. Hannah and Claude came over. Stayed all night. Cool.

Jul 28 – Cool. Mercury 75 in morning. At home. Went over to burg after Sarah.

Jul 29 – Worked round shop and house. Went over after Sarah. Hannah and Claud went home.

Jul 30 – Cleared out old shop and chored round. Went over to burg in Evening after hoop iron.

Jul 31 – Put hoop on pork barrel. Chored round. Put beam in Browns two shovel plow. Cut grass for bill.

Aug 1 – Worked round garden and house. Went up in woods got load wood. Ethan and Mrs Betts went over to burg.

Aug 2 – Went down to Katharines after Blackberries. Got a good lot. Very hot day. Mart cutting grass.

Aug 3 – Not much work to day. Henry Crawford[90] came on noon train. Ethan and Henry went over to Nancys in Evening. Jim went up to Shermans lake to a picknic.

Aug 4 – At home. Henry Crawford here. Very warm day. Carried Henry Crawford to Kalamazoo in afternoon.

Aug 5 – Hoed corn in East lot and pulled weeds. Went over to burg in Evening. Bot boots $3.75 three Dollars and seventy five cents.

Aug 6 – Hoed and pulled weeds. Hank and Nancy came over just at night. Had Isaac Odells Horse and buggy.

Aug 7 – Hoed corn East of garden. Henry got Bill and Buggy to go to Marshall.

Aug 8 – Hoed some in forenoon. Took west side of from west well house. Had a nice shower in afternoon. Mr Flanders took lumber up for Drum to waterwheel.

Aug 9 – Hoed corn East of garden. Henry got home with Bill and buggy. Lois and Dell came out.

Aug 10 – Finished hoeing. Dell, Lois and Harts folks went up to Flanders. I went down to Kings after Jim.

Aug 11 – At home all day. Henry down here. Dell went home. Lois over to Hanks. Dell and Lois no come here.

Aug 12 – No work to day. Not very well. Henry called here. Mr Isaac Clark called here a while. Not very well. Went over to burg in Evening to temperance lecture. Fred Farland lectured. I D L Schram[91] thrashed wheat.

Aug 13 – Worked round house and garden. Nancys girl[92] Born to day about noon. Bird Abbott called here to see about putting in pump. Jim Bayl came with him.

Aug 14 – Carried Sarah over to Nancys. Claud and Ina here. Went up to mill. Got some plank for platform to well. Mrs Betts leg very big some.

Aug 15 – Worked round. Mrs Burdick and Mrs Blake called here. Went over to burg in Evening after rollers. Baker Stilsons[?] Barns burned to day.

Aug 16 – Went up to A. McLarrys after rollers. Got some plank up to Earls. Went up to Henrys in afternoon to see water wheel. A. Brown thrashed wheat.

Aug 17 – Got some wood. John Allen[93] came down to Mr Towns.[94] Tried the Lansing plow. Went down to Kings after Jim.

Aug 18 – Cloudy morning. At home all day. Mrs Betts went to burg. Ethan took her over.

Aug 19 – Barber came over and helped move the old cornhouse. Jim stayed and helped.

Aug 20 – Worked round cornhouse. Went over to Andrew McLarys. Carried rollers up in Evening. Carried Jesses plank home. Henry went to Marshall.

Aug 21 – Worked on buggy house. Put in floor at south End. Ethan went over to burg. I. D. L. Schram had bill to go to Picknic to Shermans Lake. Warm day.

Aug 22 – Mr Norman Durgy Died this morning. Blocked up buggy house. Mr Schram came down to see if he could get Bill to go to Kalamazoo. Mrs Bronson here. Mrs Barber and Ida[95] came over to see about going to Schoolcraft. Becky P[96] died to day. Brown drawed in Hungarian grass.

Aug 23 – Worked round house and buggy house. Wheeled some dirt. O. D. Schram[97] had Bill and wagon to go to Kalamazoo with load onions. Fine day. Mr Durgy buried to day.

Aug 24 – Cloudy morning. Worked round. Got ready to go to Schoolcraft. Fine day. Henry came down stayed all night. Rebecca Plank buried to day. Stephen Loveland[98] died to day.

Aug 25 – Henry and Stafford here. Went over to Schoolcraft to spiritual meeting. Went to Mr Arms,[99] left horses, took the cars to Schoolcraft. Speakers York, Mrs Shephard, Farland, Doctor Thomas, &c. Got home about Eleven. Brown, Streator, Mrs Barber and Ida.

Aug 26 – Ethan went down to Browns after Hannah. Took her over to Nancy. Very fine morning. Stephen Loveland buried to day.

Aug 27 – Went over burg in morning. Carried papers over to Vanburen. Shelled some corn. Repaired wagon wheel. Went over in Evening after Sarah and Lois.

Aug 28 – Went to Comstock to mill. Lois and Ina went down to Katharines. Had a good shower. Got wet some. Got home noon. Lavina York[100] died this morning 5 oclock Am.

Aug 29 – Went to Kalamazoo with Lois. Bot plasters for Ethan and Hannah. Stopt to Katharines. Bird Abbott put in pump.

Aug 30 – Went down to graveyard down by Daleys. Vinny York buried to day. Went over to burg in Evening. Mrs Blake, Mrs Forbush and Mrs Henry Rogers here in afternoon.

Aug 31 – Rainy morning. Not much done to day. Went down to Henry Kings after Jim. Bus carried Mrs Betts over to burg. Claud came over stayed all night.

Sep 1 – Fine morning no rain. Went down to Katharines in afternoon.

Sep 2 – My office Expired as Assessor. Went over to burg. Got money on post office order $20.00. Received of Township Treasurer 48.25¢ forty Eight Dollars and twenty five cents. Paid Abby Jackson forty Dollars. To paid C. L. Keith[101] $2 Dollars. Helped Brown get up clover seed. Dell called here.

Sep 3 – Warm morning. Lois went home. Ethan took her over to burg. Paid T. C. Ford six Dollars and twenty five cents 6.25.

Sep 4 – Went up to Augusta to the Pionere picnic. Lois and Dell went home. Had a nice time. Fine day. Uncle Isaac Clarks Barn burnt, two buggys, lot wheat, &c.

Sep 5 – Pleasant day. Ethan carried some timber up to mill for Henry. Filed saw for Erve Hall.

Sep 6 – Not very well. Chored round. Went over to burg in Evening. Very hot day. Mercury 96 in shade. Ethan finished car.

Sep 7 – Worked on buggy house. Went over to burg at noon after Hite.[102] He no come. Went to see lumber man. Very hot day. Ethan took car over to Hank. Extracted tooth for J. Flanders. Mr Allerton[103] thrashing with steamer.

Sep 8 – Very hot. Carried Mrs Betts over to burg in morning to hear the gospel preached. Went over after Mrs Betts at night.

Sep 9 – Some cooler. Made tightner frame for Theodore Earl. Had a good shower in night. Steamer Billy Rice thrashing for Mr Simmons.

Sep 10 – Some rainy this morning. Went up to sawmill got two loads wood. Carried tightner up. Went down to M. O. Streators got some apples.

Sep 11 – Steamer Billy Rice at Towns to day. Went over to burg to see Barton about cutting corn. Went over after Nancy and Hannah. Fine day. Steamer went up to Jesse Earls.

Sep 12 – Dave and Jay cutting corn. Steamer Billy Rice thrashing up to Jesse Earls. Made steps to East door. Finished cutting corn. Fine day. Paid Barton $2.00 for cutting corn.

Sep 13 – Went over to burg in morning. Sarah and Mrs Betts went over. Got some nails. Went over at noon. Got some butter for Mrs Brown. Rained some. Carried Nancy down to Browns. Uncle Isaac Clark had my buggy to go to Kalam[azoo].

Sep 14 – Worked round. Got Ernests buggy. Hiram and family[104] came on night Express. Fine weather but dry.

Sep 15 – Hite and I went around the squaire. Went to Mr Flanders. Nice day.

Sep 16 – Went up to Henrys in forenoon. All went over to Nancys in afternoon. Hite went down on Night Express. Warm and dry. Bill Blake sowing wheat on North side.

Sep 17 – Went down to Katharines in forenoon. Hot and dry. Went over to burg in Evening after Kate and Hannah.

Sep 18 – Went up to uncle Isaac Clark in morning to carry harness. Carried Hannah up to Jesse Earls. Took Kate around the square. D. C. Crawford and family[105] came and Edna Crawford[106] from Omro.[107]

Sep 19 – Went over to burg. Got D. C. Crawfords Trunk. Hot day. No work.

Sep 20 – No work to day. Cloudy, some rain, high wind. David, Amanda[108] and Kate went to Kalamazoo.

Sep 21 – Nice day. Hannah and Edna went over to Hanks. I took Kate up to Scots station. She went to South bend.[109]

Sep 22 – Fine morning. David and I went up to Yorkville and gul Corners. Took dinner at Benja____ Fox.

Sep 23 – At home. Ethan and David went over to burg. Jim at home. A Brown commenced plowing west lot. Brown sold his hogs.

Sep 24 – Went over to burg in morning. Carried Sarah and Mrs Betts over. Carried Amanda and one trunk came back took David and trunk over. They all left for Dowagiac[110] on 12:52 train. Went over in Evening after Sarah. Fide Barber Died.

Sep 25 – Will Barber[111] cut Buckwheat. Rainy day. Edna here. Hannah sewing for Mrs Jesse Earl.[112] Mrs Henry Rogers[113] Died 2 oclock AM.

Sep 26 – Pleasant morning. Will finished cutting Buckwheat. Not very well. Not much work. Went over to burg in Evening after Edna.

Sep 27 – Ethan, Hannah and Edna went to County fair to Kalamazoo. Mrs Henry Rogers buried to day funeral at Methodist Church. Rev Henderson preached. The first time I was in the church.

Sep 28 – Edna Crawford started for Dowagiac Eleven oclock Am. Nice day mercury 65. Ethan, Hannah and Jim went over to Nancys. A. Brown carried some wheat wheat to mill. Will Brown sowed the west lot.

Sep 29 – Went down to Katharines. Came home by Bart gibbs and Flanders. Fine day. Frank Tomlinson[114] came.

Sep 30 – Went over to burg in morning with Frank. Helped J. T. Allerton drive sow and pigs over bridge. Frank and Hannah went down to Katharines in afternoon.

Oct 1 – Will and George Barber[115] came over and got some corn. Frank and Hannah got home before noon. Frank and Ethan went up to Henrys at noon. Mercury 88 At noon. Rained hard in night.

Oct 2 – Fine morning. Frank left on Accomodation 7 oclock 9 minutes AM. Herb Earl[116] brot wheelbarrow wheel down to be repaired. Carried Sarah over to burg at noon. Went up to Henrys mill. Henry came down with me.

Oct 3 – Rimed Jesse Earls wheelbarrow wheel. Jim cut up corn on the hill. Henry went up to Marshall. Mrs Earl and Theodore[117] started for Wisconsin to see Elva.[118] Henry went up to Marshall to see Mr Cleveland.

Oct 4 – Went down and helped Mart fix his cider mill. Cut of the vat. Mr Caywood made cider over to Comstock. Pleasant day.

Oct 5 – Rainy. Overhauled lumber in old shop to get floring. Went over to burg after Salla towards night. Hank and Nancy came over to Browns. Claud went down with Mr Brown.

Oct 6 – Pleasant morning. At home all day. Hank and Nancy came stayed all night.

Oct 7 – Went over to burg in morning after money on post office order. Abbot and Bolls came down and turned pump tops. Went over to burg. Took Nancy home.

Oct 8 – Went down to Brown in forenoon. Picked up apples. Will Barber came over and thrashed Buckwheat. Carried Hannah over to burg at night. She started for Chicago. Rained some.

Oct 9 – Worked round. Cleaned up Buckwheat. Had Eleven bushels. Hannah gone to Chicago. Jim dug potatoes. Fine weather.

Oct 10 – Went over to burg in morning. Got money on order from the boys $30.00. Put casing on wagon _____. Browns folks here in Evening. Went over to Bartons just at night. Rained in night. Jim helping Harry pick apples.

Oct 11 – Some rainy in morning. Hung the Doors to carriage house and put sill at the bottom.

Oct 12 – Ethan tore out Egg cupboard. I tore up floor to stoop and the top to cistern. Carried Sarah over to Nancys at noon. Kit Arms[119] came there. Went over after her in Evening. Jim picked Apples to Streators. Quin[120] came home.

Oct 13 – Went over to burg in morning to see if Hannah came home. Rained some. Mart came up. Katharine and Clara[121] came with him. Hannah came over with Mr Brown, Arthur and Kit.

Oct 14 – Went over to burg in morning. Got money on County Order $19.50¢. Nancy came home. Went up to sawmill got stick timber.

Oct 15 – Went over to burg in morning. Bot lumber siding, sheeting and seeling six Dollars fortyfive cents 6.45. Dave Barton[122] drawed it over. Bot lumber for Skinners wagon box $1.00. I am Sixty five years old to day.

Oct 16 – Window lime and nails 2.55. Went down to Marts after ladder. Jim went down to work. Claud went down to Mr Browns. Went over to burg. Got one stick timber, 4 sticks scantling (4×4) and joist (8×8) $1.40, one Door 150.

Oct 17 – Worked on frame. Framed sill and studding. Drawed some rails on hill put on fence. Solomon Youngs here to dinner. Henry came down stayed all night. Mrs Brown called in.

Oct 18 – Carried Sarah down to Mr Browns. She went to Kalamazoo. Bot stove four Dollars 4.00. Drawed two loads sand. Tore of lath and plaster under stoop.

Oct 19 – Went over to burg in morning. Got bolt to put through sill 20¢. Claud came home with me. Barber put up wall under stoop.

Oct 20 – Put in the studding. Ethan and Hannah, Claud went down to Charles Lees. Henry went up to Mr Flanders.

Oct 21 – Went over to burg. Got lumber studding and one joist, one plank for window sills, boards for casings $__.44¢. Put on sheeting. Mrs Elizabeth Starr came here.

Oct 22 – Went over to burg. Bot nails and irons for sills 36¢ thirty six cents. Finished sheeting and laid some floor. Rainy. Mrs Starr went over to see Cilia Newman.

Oct 23 – Went over to burg. Bot lock buts and screws 33 cents, three lbs nails 10¢ ““.[123] Carried Mrs Starr down to Katharines. Paid Barber fifty cents.

Oct 24 – Went over to burg in morning after Mr Byington. He came over and worked to day. Fine day.

Oct 25 – Hung doors. Went over to burg. Got one 4×4 scantling 16 cents, six lbs nails 21 ““. Carried Byington home in Evening. Paid Byington $2.00. Will and George drawed in buckw.

Oct 26 – Rainy day. Put on water table and sealed up East side of room. Jim came home. Snowed some just at night. Henry putting up his Cidermill at Theodores mill.

Oct 27 – At home all day. Stormy, snow fell about three inches, very damp. Corn all out, some potatoes not dug. Looks quite wintery.

Oct 28 – Went over to burg. Bot nails, can paint and putty 1.16, two bunches Lath. Bot soap and strap 22¢. Lois and Will came. Wiped my ass with a snowball the first time this fall.

Oct 29 – Saw Lind Matthews. Cold morning. Will and Lois here. Went over to burg. Paid for Lath 25¢. Saw quins Lamp. Lois and Alfleda went over to burg. Went down to A. Browns. Bot 12 bushels wheat 87 pr bushel.

Oct 30 – Sarah and Lois went down to T Fords. I worked worked on windows got them rady to case. Rainy afternoon snow all gone.

Oct 31 – Worked on room cased one window and put down base. Cyrus Streator and Franks girl called here. Cold windy day. Lois and Will went down to Katharines. Cap Hodges Buried.[124]

Nov 1 – Went up to Isaac Clarks to rais Barn. Mate Thompson here to day. Mrs Betts came over packed up her goods. She is going to live at the burg. Mr S. Streator called here. Lois here to night.

Nov 2 – Moved Mrs N. B Betts over to Burg. She moved into John Freers house. Pleasant day.

Nov 3 – Fine shiny day. Lois and Will started for home.

Nov 4 – Went over to burg in morning. Hannah went over to Nancys. Went up to Mr Flanders got load apples. Pleasant day.

Nov 5 – Made cider in forenoon. Went to Election in afternoon. Very fine day, pleasant. Went down to A. Browns got five bushels wheat.

Nov 6 – Went to Comstock to mill. Rained some. Katharine came up. Finished digging potatoes. Carried five bushels wheat, ½ bushel corn, two bushels buckwheat. Mrs Oakly died.[125] Katharine came up.

Nov 7 – Cut and drawed two loads wood in forenoon. Drawed three loads dirt. Put in the well.

Nov 8 – Drawed two loads dirt put in the well. Carried Sarah and Katharine over to burg. Mrs Oakly buried. Put on some siding. Barber and Will, Mrs King.

Nov 9 – Finished siding the house. Cloudy not very cold. Barber and Will husking. Quin Streator bot out Gus Osgood hook and line.

Nov 10 – At home. Went down to Milhams. Took Katharine and Hannah home. Brot sewing machine home from Mr Streators. Not very cold. Jim went back to Marts to work.

Nov 11 – Rainy day. Went up to pump shop. Got some boards for draft board. Got some vinegar. Came round by the burg. Bot paint brush 50¢. Mortered up hatchway. Went down to Browns got some lime.

Nov 12 – Put up stove in shop. Pointed wall outside and in celler. Went over to burg. Got lumber 16 feet 28. Got some for draft board for Ethan 16 feet 28¢. Paid R. G. Smith one Dollar and fifty cents one years subscription to Kal Gazette.

Nov 13 – Put some shingles on wagon house. Put down platform over well. Carried Sarah down to A. Browns. Went down after her at night. Will Brown drawing apples to cider mill.

Nov 14 – Drawed load dirt to back up well. Got load sand to plaster. Mary Crawford[126] came in afternoon. Nancy here. Hank came over stayed all night. Very pleasant day.

Nov 15 – Hank went Fox hunting in morning. See him Fox, no get him. Carried Sarah and Mary over to burg in morning. Bot two ventilators 75¢.

Nov 16 – Rainy day. Got out stuff for windows. Put stops in one window.

Nov 17 – At home all day. Put stops in one window. Warm day Mercury 46 about noon.

Nov 18 – Drawed in some corn. Carried Sarah over to burg in morning. Charles Lee died Went over to burg after Sarah at night. Turned out some plugs for Herb Earl in Evening. Herb pd me 75 cent for wheelbarrow wheel.

Nov 19 – Went up to shop with Henry in morning. Got some vinegar. Henry helped me put shingles on barn in afternoon. Warm day. Charles Lee died in night.[127]

Nov 20 – Went up to mill got bunch Shingles. Put some on barn. Henry went to Marshall. Sate[128] came here.

Nov 21 – Paid A. Brown fifty cents. Went over to burg. Bot some plastering hair 12¢, bot vest 1.50. Saw Dell. Sate went home. Went down to Charles Lees funeral in afternoon. Rainy. Saw Orrin Lee.[129] Mr dun preached mormon.

Nov 22 – Went over to burg in morning bot Put ventilators in to day. Mixed up mortar. Put the hair in. Ethan went over to Hanks.

Nov 23 – Went over to burg in morning after Barber. He came over plastered the new room.

Nov 24 – Went down to Katharines. Saw Orrin Lee. He gave me a picture of Marks[130] house. Bill runaway, broke the wagon. Jim took us home.

Nov 25 – Cleared of barn floor so Barber could put in the cornfodder. Fine day. Brown hulling Clover had the Steamer Billy Rice.

Nov 26 – Mr Brown finished his clover. Will and George Barber drawn in cornfodder. Cold raw wind. Henry came down from Marshall went up to Mr Flanders. Henry brot a pair of chickens.

Nov 27 – Went up to Henrys mill with Henry. Got some plank to repair wagon. Rained, snowed in afternoon. Not very cold. Henry went to Mr Flanders just at night. Got wall paper 76¢ cts.

Nov 28 – Some sleighing. Thanksgiving. Git no turkee. Sarah and Alfleda went over to Nancys. Henry came down. I went up to mill helped him load up his things. He moved to Marshall. I got iron wheel and vice screw. Went over to Hanks in Evening to an Oyster supper.

Nov 29 – Worked round house and barn. Put board on south end of Barn to shut Doves out. Filed saw for Erve Hall 20¢. Jim came home. Ethan over to Hanks. Hank went to Battle Creek. Not much sleighing.

Nov 30 – Jim and I went up in woods sawed and drawed two loads wood. Ethan came home. Jim went over to burg in afternoon.

Dec 1 – At home all day. Not very cold. Some snow on ground, no sleighing. Hank and Nancy went down to Kates. They had got the well one hundred and forty one feet.

Dec 2 – Husked corn. Cleared out the barn. Not very cold.

Dec 3 – Carried corn into cornhouse in morning. Drawed in corn in afternoon. Filled barn floor. Rained just at night. Not very cold.

Dec 4 – Husked corn. Cleared the barn. Very good day. Had 12½ bushels I think.

Dec 5 – Will and George came over and thrashed Buckwheat had 4½ bushels. We drawed in corn 24 stooks.

Dec 6 – Husked corn. Snowey day snowed all day. Claud here. Not very cold. Very rough day to be out.

Dec 7 – __s cut down tree on south line. Sawed two loads wood.

Dec 8 – Snowed and blowed all day. Carried Jim down to Katharines. He is going to school.

Dec 9 – Worked round house and shop. Filed saw for A. Brown. Put moulding on arch in East room. Shelled corn. Went down to A. Browns in Evening. Jim commenced school to day.

Dec 10 – Worked in shop some. Put moulding on arch in East room. Went down to A. Browns in Evening. Shelled some corn in afternoon Went to Comstock to mill.

Dec 11 – Went to Comstock to mill in forenoon. Got Buckwheat flour. Got corn ground. Not very good Sleighing not very good. Cut and drawed two loads wood.

Dec 12 – Worked in shop some. Filed and set two saws for Peter Hall, one for A. Brown, one of my own. Put base down in East room. Not very good sleighing.

Dec 13 – Worked round house. Chored round s [incomplete]

Dec 14 – Cut blackoak tree out the North East corner of my woods. Dam thing fell across the fence and broke it down &c.

Dec 15 – At home all day. Jim brot Hannah home. Orrin Lee came up with them.

Dec 16 – Went over to burg. Ethan and Orrin went. We went up to shop to get pattern plank. Orrin got negative. Bot oil and Turpentine 20¢ cents. Ethan painted some. I drawed load wood.

Dec 17 – Went over to burg in morning. Got glass 40 cts for south window. Orrin went up to Mr Flanders. I painted south Door. Henry came home stayed all night. Paid my tax $6.23 cents.

Dec 18 – Mercury 8 Abz cold day. Worked in shop some. Mad frame for small dore in Chamber. Henry went home. Very good sleighing.

Dec 19 – Mercury 14 in morning Abz. Put Door frame in up stairs. Very cold day. Ethan made Will Browns spear. Filed crosscut and buck saws for Will Brown.

Dec 20 – Went up in woods cut one load wood. Went down to A. Browns got Hogs heads and feet. Went over to burg in Evening. Carried 12 Doz Eggs 16 cts pr Doz.

Dec 21 – Very snowey day. Worked in shop made seat for sleigh.

Dec 22 – Went down to Katharine. Carried Jims Trunk. Storing blustring day snowed all day. Marts folks gone to Vicksburg. Orrin went with them.

Dec 23 – Mercury 4 below zero, very cold blustrous day. Not much driving about. One cutter went East. Will Brown drawed one load wood over to Hank.

Dec 24 – Cold and blustrous. No work but chores. Very rough.

Dec 25 – Still it keeps cold. No stirring around. Went down to A. Browns to a Christmas dinner. Very blustrous. Will Planks little girl died to day.

Dec 26 – Went up in woods cut some wood an shoveled snow to get to woods.

Dec 27 – Cold and snows like fun. Shoveled snow and drawed three or four loads wood. Bad day to be out. Ethan went over to burg.

Dec 28 – Worked round house and so forth. Cold day.

Dec 29 – At home all day. Fine day.

Dec 30 – Went to Kalamazoo. Cold day. Bot stovepipe, beadslead. Brot up frames for Hank. Henry came down from Marshall.

Dec 31 – Carried Hanks things over this morning. Went up to sawmill in afternoon. Carried up cross head. Sawed out pattern timber and cutter beams. Henry went over to burg.

Memoranda

Property traded to A R Skinner for Buggy

One silver watch $50.00

One set buggy wheels $14.00

One violin $25.00

One calf $4.00

One wagon box $6.00

——-

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

[2] Galesburg, Michigan

[3] His daughter, Hannah Keith

[4] His oldest son, Henry Lindsey Keith, by his first wife, Minerva Payson

[5] His daughter, Nancy (Keith) Brown

[6] His youngest son, James Clinton Keith

[7] Nancy’s husband, Henry Brown

[8] Luke’s 1877 diary entries show that on December 25^th, Ed’s “gun burst, blowed britch pin into his head.” He died December 31^st. FindAGrave.com reveals he was buried in Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[9] Above zero

[10] Galesburg, Michigan

[11] Neighbor, Marius O. Streator

[12] His son, Ethan Keith

[13] Comstock, Michigan

[14] Neighbor, Samuel Barton

[15] Neighbor, the son of M. O. Streator

[16] FindAGrave.com shows that Willie A. Burgess died January 2, 1878, at the age of 7, and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan. He was the son of neighbors, Erastus & Hattie (Shattuck) Burgess

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

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

[19] The son of his neighbors, George & Jane Whiting

[20] Believe this to be his neighbor, Ernest Whiting

[21] His neighbor, Richard Barber

[22] Michigan Marriage Records confirm the marriage date; she married Aaron H. Carr in Galesburg, Michigan

[23] Certain

[24] His daughter and son-in-law, Lois and Adelbert Skinner. Lois was his daughter by his first wife, Minerva Payson

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

[26] His grandson, Claude Brown, son of his daughter Nancy

[27] His third wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[28] Hank’s parents, Ambrose & Matilda (Allen) Brown

[29] Mary (Stephenson) McKinney, a former neighbor of Hank & Nancy Brown from when they lived in Lawton, Michigan, in 1876

[30] Lois and Adelbert Skinner.

[31] Neighbor, Nathan L. Randall

[32] Etc.

[33] Neighbor, Joseph Flanders

[34] The long shaft between which an animal is fastened when pulling a wagon

[35] Arthur & Caroline “Kitty” (Lockwood) Arms; Arthur was the nephew of Ambrose Brown

[36] FindAGrave.com reveals that Josephine (Whiting) Higgs died in Chicago, Illinois, and is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan. Josephine was the sister of Ernest Whiting who is mentioned quite frequently in Luke’s diaries

[37] Richard Barber and his daughter, Ida Barber

[38] His niece (Katharine’s daughter by her second husband, George Clinton Lee) and husband, Lucy (Lee) & Martin Milham

[39] Joseph York, the husband of Katharine’s daughter, Helen (Bradley) York, by her first husband, Ethan Bradley

[40] Believe this to be his neighbor, Irwin I. Hall

[41] Perry, New York, where George & Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson lived; Marion was his niece

[42] Richard & Mary (Knowles) Barber’s family

[43] 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

[44] Ambrose & Matilda’s son, Willis Brown

[45] Jane (Comfort) Nelles Sunderlin was his mother-in-law Nancy Betts’ sister

[46] Alfleda (Starr) Keith, the widow of Luke’s brother, Harvey Keith

[47] Michigan Death Records show that Betsy (Judson) Kingsley died February 13, 1878 in Comstock, Michigan

[48] Marius & Laura (Rawson) Streator

[49] Neighbor, Hannibal “Hat” A. Taylor

[50] Betsey (Clapp) Taylor

[51] Neighbor, Thomas Clark Ford

[52] FindAGrave.com records show that Fay Aldrich (born June 16, 1876), the son of William & Henrietta Aldrich, died on February 19, 1878 in Comstock, Michigan (which agrees with Luke’s entry and the Oak Grove Cemetery records) and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan. However, Michigan Births & Christening Index records show his date of birth as August 14, 1876, and Michigan Vital Records reveals that Fay C. Aldrich, same parents and same date of birth, died in Comstock from croup on February 14, 1879

[53] Eugene Crawford, the son of his wife Sarah’s late brother, Edwin Crawford and his first wife, Louisa Hall

[54] Edna Alice Crawford, the daughter of his wife Sarah’s late brother, Edwin Crawford and his second wife, Mary Hamilton

[55] Massachusetts Death Records confirm that Reverend Russell Tomlinson died in Plymouth, Massachusetts on March 4, 1878

[56] Alvan Lee was his first cousin and it is believed that Ida Lee was Alvan’s niece, the daughter of his deceased brother, John Warren Lee

[57] Neighbor, Emaline (Stone) Ralph

[58] The daughters of neighbors, John S. & Amanda Louise (Worden) Allen

[59] James Milham was the half-brother of Martin Milham (see footnote for February 3^rd entry)

[60] His late father, Charles Luke Keith Sr.

[61] 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

[62] His niece, and Katharine’s daughter, Helen (Bradley) York

[63] Presume he is being funny or sarcastic in regard to his mother-in-law. Rev. Platt Betts was her second husband; he died December 29, 1861

[64] Believe he is referring to his neighbor and “shirttail relative,” Theodore Earl,

[65] Matilda Brown’s sister, Julia Allen

[66] Nellie was the daughter of Luke’s niece and her husband, Marion (Sprague) & George Tomlinson; she married Walter Gillette

[67] Louis Bristol was Ambrose Brown’s grand-nephew

[68] His paternal first cousin, the son of Charles & Juliana (Davis) Lee

[69] Michigan Marriage Records confirm that Henry “Harry” Streator and Helen Randall were married May 2, 1878 in Comstock, Michigan

[70] Neighbor and “shirttail relative”

[71] Neighbor, George Ransom Wightman

[72] Mary Tamer Ford, the daughter of neighbors Thomas & Adelia (Tompkins) Ford

[73] Believe he is referring to Doc Wightman’s wife, Mary (Crandall) Wightman

[74] The Greenback movement (c. 1868–88) was a political campaign, largely by persons with agrarian interests, to maintain or increase the amount of paper money in circulation. Between 1862 and 1865, the U.S. government issued more than $450,000,000 in paper money not backed by gold (greenbacks) to help finance the Union cause in the American Civil War. After the war, fiscal conservatives demanded that the government retire the greenbacks, but farmers and others who wished to maintain high prices opposed that move. The party ran candidates in three presidential elections—in the elections of 1876, 1880, and 1884

[75] Lime plaster was used for exterior plastering and was composed of sand, water, and lime. Horse hair was added for reinforcement

[76] Marshall, Michigan

[77] Ceresco, Michigan

[78] Michigan Death Records show that Kezia (Lester) Deyo died in Richland, Michigan on June 9, 1878 and FindAGrave.com shows that she is buried in the Prairie Home Cemetery in Richland, Michigan

[79] Lois’ children: William Byron Clark (by her first husband, Byron Clark), and Ina Mary Skinner (by her second husband, Adelbert Skinner)

[80] FindAGrave.com shows that Maj. Stephen M. Dakin died June 17, 1878 and is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[81] Ambrose Brown’s aunt, Rhobe Brown, was married to a Joseph Wells; however, have not been able to make a connection between Ambrose Brown and George Wells or between Joseph & Rhobe Wells and George Wells

[82] Michigan death records show that Eliza Beakes, a widow, age 85, died in Comstock on June 22, 1878

[83] His niece and her husband, Marion (Sprague) & George Tomlinson

[84] Michigan death records show that Fanny (Taber) Barnum died July 1, 1878 in Pavilion, Michigan

[85] Neighbor, Charles; his daughter Hannah’s future husband

[86] FindAGrave.com records reveal that Prudence (Bishop) Lord died July 6, 1878 and is buried in the Comstock Cemetery, Comstock, Michigan

[87] Neighbor, Lydia (McClary) Barber, wife of Lewis Barber

[88] His horse

[89] Referring to his wife and himself

[90] His brother-in-law, Henry Clay Crawford

[91] Neighbor, Isaac D. L. Schram

[92] His granddaughter, Lela Mae Brown

[93] Neighbor, John S. Allen

[94] Neighbor, Albert H. Towne, who was the father of Charles Towne (see footnote to July 5^th entry)

[95] Mary (Knowles) Barber and her daughter, Ida Barber

[96] Michigan Death Records show that Rebecca Plank, age 27, died of consumption on August 22, 1878, and FindAGrave.com reveals that she is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Plank family had been neighbors until they moved to Grand Rapids in April 1873

[97] Neighbor, Orrin D. Schram, who was the father of Isaac D. L. Schram (see footnote to August 12^th entry)

[98] Michigan Death Records confirm that Stephen Loveland, age 60, died of consumption in Comstock on August 24, 1878

[99] See footnote to January 26^th entry

[100] Helen Lavinia York was the granddaughter of his sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee. FindAGrave.com shows that she is buried in the Schoolcraft Township Cemetery in Vicksburg, Michigan

[101] Himself

[102] Nickname for his wife Sarah’s brother, Hiram Crawford Jr.

[103] Neighbor, John T. Allerton

[104] Hiram & Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford Jr., and their two children, Harry and Jessie

[105] His wife Sarah’s brother, David Caleb “D.C” Crawford, his wife, Amanda (Thornton) Crawford, and their daughter, Ida Louise

[106] Edna Irene Crawford, the daughter of his wife Sarah’s brother, Robert Crawford

[107] Omro, Wisconsin

[108] See footnote to September 18^th entry

[109] His wife Sarah’s brother (and Edna’s uncle), Henry Clay Crawford, lived in South Bend, Indiana, so presume Edna was going to visit thei family

[110] Dowagiac, Michigan, to attend the wedding of Edna Alice Crawford, the daughter of Edwin (deceased) & Mary (Hamilton) Crawford. She married Oscar M. Allen, Jr. on September 25, 1878

[111] William H. Barber, the son of Richard & Mary (Knowles) Barber

[112] Mary (Clapp) Earl

[113] FindAGrave.com and Riverside Cemetery records show that Lucy (Harris) Rogers died September 26, 1878 and is buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[114] Frank John Tomlinson, the son of Luke’s niece and her husband, Marion (Sprague) & George Tomlinson

[115] The sons of Richard & Mary (Knowles) Barber

[116] Neighbor, Herbert Earl, the son of Jesse & Mary (Clapp) Earl

[117] Neighbors, Mary (Clapp) Earl and her son, Theodore Earl

[118] Daughter of Jesse & Mary (Clapp) Earl; she married Frank Crossfield in 1877 and the 1880 census shows them living in Oakland, Wisconsin

[119] See footnote to January 26^th entry

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

[121] Clara Almyra Milham, the daughter of Martin & Lucy (Lee) Milham

[122] Neighbor, David Barton

[123] The “ditto marks” were used to indicate a repetition of the word on the line above, which was “cents”

[124] FindAGrave.com reveals that George S. Hodges had been a captain during the Civil War and that he died of consumption on October 29, 1878 and is buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Michigan

[125] FindAGrave.com shows that Charlotte (TenBrook) Oakley died November 5, 1878 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[126] Believe he is referring to Mary (Hamilton) Crawford, the widow of his brother-in-law, Edwin Crawford

[127] His paternal first cousin, the son of Charles & Juliana (Davis) Lee; Michigan Death Records confirm that he died of pneumonia in Comstock, Michigan on November 19, 1878

[128] Believe he is referring to Sarah “Sate” Skinner, the sister of his son-in-law, Adelbert Skinner

[129] Charles Lee’s nephew, Orrin Strong Lee, the son of Ezekiel & Elizabeth (Strong) Lee

[130] “Mark” is referred to quite often in Luke’s earlier diaries and it is believed Luke is referring to his cousin, Marquis de Lafayette Lee, the oldest son of Dr. Ezekiel and Elizabeth (Strong) Lee. The Lees were Mormons and moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, and eventually to the Salt Lake Valley in 1850. Mark stayed behind to run his father’s farm and lived with his aunt, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee, until the Spring of 1870 when he moved to Utah