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 1887 Diary

1887 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.[1]

Jan 1 – Mercury 2 Abz.[2] Jim[3] went to Kalamazoo after Sarah.[4] Very cold day good sleighing. I not very well.

Jan 2 – Mercury 22 below zero. At home all day. Ethan and Hannah[5] went down to Marts.[6]

Jan 3 – Mercury 5 Abz. Went over to burg.[7] Went to Mr Ralphs. Bot violin strings 50¢. Hannah went up to cals[?].

Jan 4 – Mercury 5 below. Made wood box. Charley Rowland here in afternoon.

Jan 5 – Mercury 19 Abz. Pleasant. Hannah went over to Mr Ralphs. Lois[8] came over. Lizzie Crawford[9] came to H A Browns[10] to day from Chicago.

Jan 6 – Went down to Mrs Streators[11] took Hannah down there. Cold stormy day. Bes[12] here. Went down to Mrs Browns.[13]

Jan 7 – Mercury 15 below. Jim and Henry Webster went to scotts[14] to sell his Buggy. He no see Webster not much.

Jan 8 – Jim went to Kalamazoo took stove down to H A Browns. Cold day. Bessy here. Mr Clapp Died to night.[15]

Jan 9 – Jim and Henry Webster went up to Scots. Stor[m]ing day snowed all day. Some folks out to church.

Jan 10 – Mercury 8 Abz. No work to day. Cold day. Ethan went to Kalamazoo.

Jan 11 – Mercury 10 below cold and blustrous quite a blizzard. Theodore[16] called in in fore noon. Cold blustring day. Mr E. M. Clapp buried to day. Ethan came home.

Jan 12 – Mercury 26 Abz in morning. Jim went up to scotts to take Harness to Webster.

Jan 13 – Mercury 33 Abz. Went over to burg in forenoon got Ethans shoes mended. Not so very cold some rain this Evening.

Jan 14 – At home. Not much work. Liz Crawford came.

Jan 15 – Went over to burg got my boots tapt 60¢. Henry Crawford[17] came from Jackson.

Jan 16 – Henry and Lizzie here. Hannah at home. George Blake and wife[18] here in Evening.

Jan 17 – Mercury 26 Abz stormy been mooch wind, snow flies, very much bluster. Henry went back to Jackson.

Jan 18 – Mercury 10 below. Cleaned up wheat. Very cold blustring day. Lizzie here. Lots snow hard sleighing. Gallusha braking road.

Jan 19 – Old Mr Schroder Died this morning.[19] Cap Rowlands sister Buried to day.[20] Went over to Mill took 5½ bushels wheat. Jerusha Rowland.

Jan 20 – Went over to burg in morning after grist. Ethan went over in afternoon. Bill[21] got down in snow drift broke harness.

Jan 21 – Went over in afternoon got harness mended. Old Mr Schroder buried to day. Jim and Lizzie went over to a dance.

Jan 22 – At home. No work to day. Not very well. Snow melting very fast.

Jan 23 – Mercury 53 Abz. Rainy day, very sloppy, snow running very fast.

Jan 24 – Hannah and Lizzy went to Kalamazoo.

Jan 25 – Went over to burg bot medicine 1.00. Not very well.

Jan 26 – Ethan went over to Burg. Paid Beckwith 1.00 one dollar for medicine Jo Smith chopping to day.

Jan 27 – Went over to burg in morning bot some lard and pork. Jo chopping. Lizzie came back to day.

Jan 28 – Jo chopping. Not very cold.

Jan 29 – Wright & Jim drew wood in afternoon. Nice day. Mr Flanders[22] got ax helves. Mrs Brown and Lizzie here.

Jan 30 – Mercury 19 Abz snows and blows like the mischief. No one here but Lizzie.

Jan 31 – No work. Not very well.

Feb 1 – Cold windy day. Took Lizzie over to cars. She went to Battlecreek to Mrs Grahams. Jim went to Kalamazoo.

Feb 2 – No work. Jim chopping for Mrs Brown.

Feb 3 – Went down to Marts. Nice day some wind. Mart grinding. Got letter from D.[23] Jay[24] very sick.

Feb 4 – Mercury 11 Abz. Jim took Hannah to Kalamazoo she went up to Shelby.[25] Jay very sick. Lois went up to Shelby. Edwin Flanders[26] brot me a Wiandot Rooster.

Feb 5 – Mr Right drew wood in fore noon paid him 75 cts. Hannah up to Shelby.

Feb 6 – At home. Rainy day. Jim went down to Alvin Lees[27] to see Julian Darling.

Feb 7 – Went over to burg after Hannah. She no come. Jay no better. Rany day no work.

Feb 8 – Mercury 55 Abz rainy day. Went over to the office got no letter. Hannah no come. Jim went up to Howlands Burg after Nellie Giddings. Some thunder in morning. Stranger got his violin.

Feb 9 – Mercury[28] very nice pleasant day. Went up to Levy Woods with Cyrus Streator. Nice October day.

Feb 10 – Went over to burg after Hannah. She no come. Fifty years to night I bot my violin paid $30.00.[29]

Feb 11 – Cold stormy day. Went to Shelby Ville. Found Jay no better.

Feb 12 – At Shelby Ville. Jay no better. Jay Died about five oclock P.M.[30]

Feb 13 – At Shelby. Cold day. Nancy[31] and Lois here.

Feb 14 – Left for home half past Twelve noon for home. Nancy went on Eight oclock train. D. started with Jay at twelve noon got home a bout six Evening.

Feb 15 – Jay Buried to day up East on the Old Flanders farm.[32] Ethan paid Mr Lewis $2.00 the minister.

Feb 16 – Pleasant cold day. Ethan, Jim and Lizzy went to Kalamazoo. Ethan and I went up to Jays grave in morning. Ethan paid Oatman $2.00 & Labit[33] $4.00. Mrs Rumry Buried to day.

Feb 17 – Not very well no work. Rainy day. No one here.

Feb 18 – Went up East to grave yard all right. Cold and stormy. Bot coffeepot of Dick Lamkins 80 cts.

Feb 19 – At home all day. Hard cold no work. Hannah came home in Evening.

Feb 20 – At home. No one here. Cool cloudy day.

Feb 21 – Not very well hard cold. Went over to burg in morning. Came around by the grave yard.

Feb 22 – Nice day not very cold. Went up to Levy Woods. Heard from Jay.[34] Old Mrs Olin buried to day. Mary Allerton Married.[35]

Feb 23 – Rather a cool day. Took Ethan over to burg he went up to Shelby Ville. Peat[36] one year old to day. Ed Schram got his ax.

Feb 24 – Not very well. No work but chores. Ethan and Jim up to Shelby Ville.

Feb 25 – Took Sarah over to Lois. No snow some wind.

Feb 26 – Cold stormy day. Hannah came home with Ed Flanders. I went over to burg with Ed after the mail.

Feb 27 – Mercury 13 Abz. At home. Cold blustring day. Mrs Quays team ranaway ran between the cherry tree and fence and stopt them. Schuyler had them.

Feb 28 – Mercury 11 Abz nice pleasant day. Harry[37] took Hannah to Kalamazoo.

Mar 1 – Mercury 46 Abz nice pleasant still day. Jim came home from Shelby Ville. Lou[38] and children[39] all right.

Mar 2 – Not very well no work. Ethan up to Lous.

Mar 3 – Jim went down to Kalamazoo after Hannah and Nancy. Very nice day.

Mar 4 – Pleasant day. Marenas Caywood Killed to day.[40] His horses run with him.

Mar 5 – Not very well no work. Ethan to Lous yet. Jim and Hannah down to Mrs Browns.

Mar 6 – Mr Orra Bush Died.[41] Marenas Caywood buried to day. Jim and Hannah went to funeral. Sate[42] stayed all night.

Mar 7 – I not very well. Jim drew load wood for A. R Skinner.[43] Jim took Sate home this morning.

Mar 8 – Took Nancy over to burg she went home. Took Hannah over to Nells at noon. Mr Lewis called here. Sold him some hens. Nice day. Henry W. Beohr[44] Died to day.

Mar 9 – Took five hens over to Mr Lewis this morning. Hannah went to Allertons.

Mar 10 – At home no work. Jim at home.

Mar 11 – Not very well. Ethan working on moddle.

Mar 12 – No work not much done.

Mar 13 – Cold windy day. Expected Hellen and Adelpha[45] here. No come.

Mar 14 – Hannah went up to Ras Towns.[46] I filed saw for John Wright one for Hat & Libby Taylor.[47]

Mar 15 – Nice pleasant day. Ethan and Jim went to Kalamazoo. Jim started for Dacota. Took Peter[48] up to culls to Bull.

Mar 16 – Went over to office get no letter from Lou. Floyd[49] some better. Rial Coe died to day.

Mar 17 – Went over to burg. Cold wind some dusty. Pleasant and dry. Ethan making moddle for Whitford.

Mar 18 – Cut some lims of the old apple tree. Went over to burg after mail. Cold wind. Ethan finished moddle.

Mar 19 – Not very well. Not much work but chores. Pleasant weather dry and dusty.

Mar 20 – At home. Pleasant day. Ethan, Hannah and Lelah went up to cemetry where Jay was buried.

Mar 21 – Some colder, rain some in afternoon. Went over to burg. Hannah went to Caywoods this morning.

Mar 22 – Took Sarah to Kalamazoo she went up to Lous. Cold wind disagreable day to be out.

Mar 23 – Pleasant morning. At home not very well. Went over to burg in afternoon.

Mar 24 – No work to day. Cold wind. Sarah up to Lous. Hannah down to Mr Caywoods.

Mar 25 – Cool wind. Went down to Marts to Mill. Hellen and Adelpha. Saw Ruthann York.[50] A. Simmonds paid 25¢.

Mar 26 – At home. No one here but Ethan and my self. Hannah came home in Evening.

Mar 27 – Cold blustring day, snow and wind.

Mar 28 – Mercury 7 Abz. Hannah went up to Net Towns in morning. I put top on violin.

Mar 29 – Cold, mercury 1 below zero at six morning. Ground covered with snow. Clara[51] came down in afternoon.

Mar 30 – Clara went home. Sarah came home. Got one bushel potatoes of Town. Jesse Crawford[52] came up in Evening.

Mar 31 – Not very well no work. Pleasant nice weather.

Apr 1 – Went over to burg. Del and Lois went out to their farm.

Apr 2 – Went over to burg after the mail. Jesse here.

Apr 3 – At home. Hellen, Clara and Adelpha came up.

Apr 4 – At home. Very blustrous, snows and blows like the mischief.

Apr 5 – Cold wind. No work. Jesse here.

Apr 6 – Jesse went home. Claud[53] here. Sate and Delpha came. Sate came over to help Hannah.

Apr 7 – Very nice pleasant day. Albert Town[54] here with Claud. Ethan took Delpha down to Katharines.

Apr 8 – Trimed Trees. Nice pleasant day. Got letter from Lou. Children better. Set Hen to day.

Apr 9 – Nice pleasant morning. At home all day. No work. Not very well. Mary Randal Died to day.[55]

Apr 10 – Went down to Katharines. Nice day. Had some warm Shugar.

Apr 11 – Nice pleasant day. Mary Randal Buried to day.

Apr 12 – Chored round. Repaired pump at barn. Nice warm day. Bot clover seed $2.25 cts.

Apr 13 – Nice pleasant day. Mr W^m Scott Buried to day.[56] Dell came over ground tools. Ethan sowed clover seed.

Apr 14 – At home. Trimed some trees. Went over got Lois. Expected Katharine up she no come. Charley Cory came over.

Apr 15 – Lois here. Trimed some trees. Not much work. Not ver well.

Apr 16 – Not much done but chores. No one here.

Apr 17 – Went to Kalamazoo to Lou she was at Nancys. Some cool wind.

Apr 18 – Pleasant Except cold north East wind.

Apr 19 – Cut some brush in orchard. Ethan went to Kalamazoo. Nettie Bradley died in night.[57]

Apr 20 – Del came over and got out manure. Some rain not much.

Apr 21 – Trimmed and grubed out some old peach trees. Ethan went to Kalamazoo with C. Town.[58] Nancy sick.

Apr 22 – Nettie Bradley Today buried to day. Mr Ogden got my Buggy. Hannah went to Pattersons. Whitford got the Eggs $1.30¢ 13 Doz.

Apr 23 – Blustrous morning some snow.

Apr 24 – At home all day. No one here. All well as usual. Nancy sick.

Apr 25 – Not much work chored round some milk cow feed de pig. Cold wind.

Apr 26 – Went to Kalamazoo. Nancy some better.

Apr 27 – Worked roun. Repaired door out the Barn yard. Will Brown[59] plowed garden. Pleasant day.

Apr 28 – Pleasant nice day. Went up to Mr Flanders in afternoon.

Apr 29 – Cleaned up orchard. Took out berry bushes and trimed some trees.

Apr 30 – Burned Apple Tree brush. Charley commenced plowing for corn. Mr Buthere Beckwith buried to day.[60]

May 1 – Had some thunder this morning rained some ledle.

May 2 – Dell came over in afternoon helped draw manure. Nice warm day.

May 3 – Dell came over in morning got the horse and wagon to draw manure.

May 4 – Warm day. Ethan and Hannah went down to Kalamazoo to see about Jesses dress. Put handle on fork.

May 5 – Worked round garden and in shop some. Spread manure on west garden.

May 6 – Charleys man plowed west garden. Ethan painting Blinds for Lois.

May 7 – Fan calve some time. Worked in garden some and went over got carriage repaired. Ethan finished painting Blinds.

May 8 – Mr Cornell Died this morning. I took Bess down to Mrs Browns. Will and Claud went fishing got some trout.

May 9 – Pleasant morning. Ethan and Hannah went to Kalamazoo to see Nancy. Lelah came home with them. Charley planted corn. Mr Byington Died in night.[61]

May 10 – Ethan cultivated strawberries this morning. Mr Cornell buried to day. Nancy had a Sirgical operation performed to day.[62]

May 11 – Not very well to day. Mr Imus buried to day.[63] Jesse Crawford here to day to have her dress made. She went home on 9 30 train.

May 12 – Ethan went to Kalamazoo after Lou. Nancy some better. Warm day.

May 13 – Went over to burg in morning after Lous Trunk and cab. Not much done to day.

May 14 – Hoed in garden in forenoon. Warm day. Mr George Stewart took morphine. He Died Ten Oclock P.M.[64]

May 15 – At home. Very warm and dry. Lou here. Very dry. Want rain. Ina[65] came over.

May 16 – Went over to burg got Postal from Mrs Brown. Nancy better. George Stewart Buried to day.

May 17 – Went over to burg hoed some not much.

May 18 – Plowed out garden and hoed it. Warm and dry we want rain. Wheat begins to show the want of rain.

May 19 – Sarah went to Kalamazoo to take care of Nancy. She went down with Will and Lizzy Brown.[66]

May 20 – Mercury 99 in shade nice warm morning. Hannah went down to Mr Franklins.

May 21 – Mercury 100 in shade at 2 PM. Went over to burg bot groceries. Hannah went to Isherwoods. Whitford got Eggs 9 Doz 90 cts.

May 22 – Mercury 98 in shade. Katharine and Clara came up. Had a nice shower in night. Lou and I went up to cemetry.

May 23 – Mercury 80 in shade some rainy day. Fan dropt a nice Jersey Heifer calf 10 oclock AM. Fan went 290 days.

May 24 – Lou here. I worked in garden. Warm day.

May 25 – Hoed some, killed some bugs. D. came over a while in afternoon. He went home on night train. Hannah came home from Tip Towns.[67]

May 26 – Lou and children went up to Em Ralphs.[68]

May 27 – Hoed some in garden. Cleaned out the cistern. Went over after Lois. Ina came over they stayed all night.

May 28 – Repaired fence up on west line west side of corn. Whitford got 6½ Doz Eggs 65¢. Lois one Doz 10¢. Lou went down to Mr Browns.

May 29 – Sarah came home Ethan went after her. Hiram[69] came with them.

May 30 – At home. Hiram here he left on night train for home.[70]

May 31 – I went and took Sarah back to Kalamazoo. Nancy was getting a long first rate.

Jun 1 – At home. Lou here. Not much done rainy day. Hannah over to Nells.

Jun 2 – Rainy. Lou and the children went over to Mr Ralphs and Lois.

Jun 3 – At home. Sarah down to Kalamazoo. Hoed some in garden. Got some cabbage plants of Hat and Lib.

Jun 4 – Shelled some corn cleaned out corn house. Whitford got 3 Doz and 4 Eggs 33 cts. H. D. Streator[71] paid 25 cts.

Jun 5 – At home all day. No one here. Sarah to Nancys yet. Nancy no better. Rained some in night.

Jun 6 – Mercury 84 in shade rainy some. Ethan and Lois went to Kalamazoo. Lee Milham came up after the long Ladder. 50 years to day I started for Michigan.[72]

Jun 7 – At [home] hoed some chored round. Got two bushels wheat of Charley Town took it to the new mill. Rained in night lightning struck Mr Smiths house.

Jun 8 – Went down to Katharines to see Hellen. She goes to Idaho.[73] Rainy day some.

Jun 9 – Cloudy some mist cool wind.

Jun 10 – At home. Hoed some in garden. Very warm.

Jun 11 – Some hot. Every thing growing very fast. Ina here. Lois to Kalamazoo.

Jun 12 – At home. Warm day, Ethan and Hannah went down to Alvin Lees.

Jun 13 – Very hot. Hoed potatoes. Some dry.

Jun 14 – Finished hoing potatoes in west lot. Will Brown and Fred Kranklin shearing sheep for Charley Town.

Jun 15 – Mercury 94 in shade very hot. Mr David Carson Buried to day.[74]

Jun 16 – Edna Henry and Loulu Crawford[75] came here. Warm very hot.

Jun 17 – Edna and Lu Lu here. Lizzie Crawford came. Had a rain and wind storm. Alvin and George called here.

Jun 18 – Lizzie and Lou went over to Lois stayed all night. Kate Crawford[76] came on noon train.

Jun 19 – Kate and Edna here. Lizzie and Lou over to Lois.

Jun 20 – Edna, Lizzie and Lu Lu here. Very warm. Old Mrs Smith buried to day.

Jun 21 – Cloudy. Lois and Ina here. Mr Peter Johnson Buried to day.[77]

Jun 22 – Edna, Lizzy and Lu Lu went to Battlecreek to day.

Jun 23 – Sarah and I went down to Nancys. Cool day. Nancy is doing well rather on the gain.

Jun 24 – Pleasant and cool in morning.

Jun 25 – Took Ednas trunks over to burg. The girls went up to Lous.

Jun 26 – Nice morning. Finished putting poison on the potatoes this morning.

Jun 27 – Took Sarah over to Lois. I hoed potatoes, cabbage and beans. Ground siccle for Mr Randal.

Jun 28 – Choring. Charley cutting wheat. Started the new Binder. Fixed spear for Morry Randal.

Jun 29 – At home. Not much done. Ethan and Sarah went to Kalamazoo. Hot day.

Jun 30 – Charley Ford cut the wheat East of Barn. Fine day shower in afternoon.

Jul 1 – Hoed some in garden. Warm day.

Jul 2 – Henry Webster and Clarence Thresher Drew in the wheat. Had a nice shower.

Jul 3 – Some rain warm. No one here.

Jul 4 – Went over to burg in forenoon after Lois. Took over 10¾ lbs Butter 10¢ pr lbs. N. L. Randal[78] paid 30¢.

Jul 5 – Very hot. Sarah went down to Mr Randals. I drew in six shocks wheat. Went over to burg.

Jul 6 – Worked in garden some. Lois and Charley[79] came over in afternoon.

Jul 7 – Went down to Mrs Browns got my plow. Ethan plowed out potatoes.

Jul 8 – Very hot. Not much done but chores.

Jul 9 – Hoed in garden some. Willie Giddings raked wheat stubble. Had a nice shower. Whitford got 11 Doz Eggs 10 cts pr Doz.

Jul 10 – At home all day. Not much done.

Jul 11 – Mercury 100 very hot. Hoed some. Very dry. Mr Isted cut Taylor girls wheat. Charley Ford drew in the rakings.

Jul 12 – Mercury 104 in shade. Went over to burg in morning. Got the Ring bolt to buggy mended 20¢.

Jul 13 – Mercury 106 in shade. Worked in shop some painted springs. Took out tooth for Theodore. Ethan, Will Brown and the girls went to Gull.[80] Lizzie Crawford started for Iowa on night train.

Jul 14 – Very hot and dry. Not much done. Dixie Harris[81] came over. D and Lou here. Hank and Nancy came up on Six oclock train.

Jul 15 – Nancy here feeling very comfortable. Very hot and dry Mercury runs from 93 to 104 now days.

Jul 16 – Mercury 105 in ___. Not much work now days. Pastures getting very dry.

Jul 17 – Mercury 108 in shade. Nancy and children here.

Jul 18 – Whitford got Eggs 10½ Doz 1.05. {Robbie Henry died to day.}[82] Hoed some in garden. Mr Pattersons Barns burnt this morning.

Jul 19 – Sick. No work to day. Very dry. Grass in yard all dried up.

Jul 20 – Mercury 100 in shade. Not very well.

Jul 21 – Took some corn to mill. Very hot. Not much done. Worked on cradle some.

Jul 22 – Finished cradle. Put springs on wagon seat. Nancy down to Mrs Browns.

Jul 23 – Nancy down to Mrs Browns. Hoed some in garden. Went over to burg at noon. Hot and very dry.

Jul 24 – Mercury 85 some wind. Hannah at home to day. Hannah went to Caywoods.

Jul 25 – 94 in shade. Went over to burg got tyre set on one of the carriage wheest [wheels] 80¢. Bot Horse Net 75¢. 40 Years to day Jerusha Cruttenden and I wer married in Covington Gensee Co. N Y.[83]

Jul 26 – Worked round house and garden. Very hot and dry hardly a green thing to be seen. Pastures all dried up.

Jul 27 – Cut drilled corn in forenoon. Went down to Katharines in afternoon. No rain yet some. Mercury runs high.

Jul 28 – Very hot 100 in shade. Not much work to day. Nancy and bes here. Ethan casting chain links for machine.

Jul 29 – 98 in shade hot and dry no rain. Pastures dry as a Powder house.

Jul 30 – 100 in shade. Mrs Freer here. I hoed some in garden.

Jul 31 – 100. Mrs Streator called here. Very hot day. All at home.

Aug 1 – 106. No work. Gefired hot. No signs of rain. Hannah over to Fans sewing for Nell Wilkins.

Aug 2 – 100 very dry hot as ever. Worked on Jims violin repairing top making it thinner. Went over brot Lois over.

Aug 3 – 98 very hot. Nancy went down to Mrs Browns at night. Hank came up. Ina over here.

Aug 4 – 100. Went down to Mrs Browns repaired her tables. Had a little shower.

Aug 5 – Repaired pump at Barn. Cooler in afternoon. Cloudy looks some like rain.

Aug 6 – Not much done. Worked in shop. Some cooler to day.

Aug 7 – At home all day. Worked on Jims violin.

Aug 8 – Took Eggs over 11 Doz 11 cts pr Doz. Bot Hat 20¢.

Aug 9 – 103, 2 PM in shade. Worked in Barn repairing floor. Hannah went up to Mr Powers. Mrs Randall here in Evening. Coes Barns Burnt this morning.

Aug 10 – 104, 2 PM in shade. Repairing Barn floor. Shortened Harry Streators Gun Stock. Had a nice rain in night.

Aug 11 – 80 in shade. Worked in barn. Cloudy rain some.

Aug 12 – Worked in Barn repairing floor. Warm and dry. Nancy came just at night.

Aug 13 – Will Johnson thrashed my wheat in afternoon 58 bushels. Nice day.

Aug 14 – Mrs Gilson Brot Hannah home. Had a heavy shower rained hard. Soaked the ground good.

Aug 15 – Nancy and children here. Choring round. Not very well.

Aug 16 – Cleaned up some wheat.

Aug 17 – Went to Mill. Worked round house and shop some.

Aug 18 – Worked in shop on Charleys wagon pole. Nice day.

Aug 19 – Went up to Augusta with Dell[84] to see a farm he talks of trading for.

Aug 20 – Put straw in Barn. Fine day.

Aug 21 – Nancy and children here. Claude not very well. Rained some. Hoed the cabbage.

Aug 22 – Worked in shop some on wagon pole. Hank and Will Plank[85] came on comodation at night.

Aug 23 – Took Hannah down to Katharines. Will and Hank went home. Rained some at night.

Aug 24 – Took Sarah and Nancy over to Barbers.[86] Nice cool day.

Aug 25 – Nancy and children over to Lois they came home at night. Hannah went up to Dar Russels.

Aug 26 – Dug my Early Rose potatoes. Katharine and children came up to day. Hannah came home. Stella came down just at night.

Aug 27 – All here Nancy and children. Nice day.

Aug 28 – Fine day. No one here except famlee &c.

Aug 29 – Went over to burg three times. Hannah went to Shelby Ville.

Aug 30 – Warm day. Cut weeds on East road up the hill. Taylor Girls thrashed their wheat and oats.

Aug 31 – Will Brown thrashed to day. Warm day. Nancy went home. Right got his saw 25¢. Mr Forbush Died in night.[87]

Sep 1 – The Boys cut the corn south of orchard to day.

Sep 2 – Some ledle rain this morning. Not much done. Mr Forbush buried to day.

Sep 3 – Choring round. Not very well.

Sep 4 – Went up to cemetry to Jays grave and to Lois.

Sep 5 – Went over to R. G Smiths office got some writing done.

Sep 6 – Ed Rowland got Eggs 8 doz 90¢. Sarah went up to Hats in afternoon.

Sep 7 – Took Sarah over to Hoags[88] in afternoon. Charly finished cutting the corn.

Sep 8 – Not much done fixed cutter and painted some. Nice pleasant day. Bina Earl[89] here in afternoon.

Sep 9 – Some rainy in morning. Not much work.

Sep 10 – At home. Went over to burg in fore noon.

Sep 11 – At home all day. Went down to Will Browns in morning he went to Kalamazoo.

Sep 12 – Went over to burg in morning at noon and at night got.

Sep 13 – Went over to burg. Got grapes of Mrs Blake. Went over at noon got thill[90] for carriage 40¢. Jo York hurt today.

Sep 14 – Put thill into the carriage. Mrs Hall called here. Ed Rowland go[t] 5 doz & 3 Eggs 63 cts.

Sep 15 – Fine day. Worked on cutter and carriage thill. J. M. York Died To day.[91]

Sep 16 – Put trimmings on carriage thill and painted cutter. Shanyard called here I gave him 20 cts.

Sep 17 – Painting some and choring round.

Sep 18 – At home. No one here to day.

Sep 19 – Painted cutter thills. Went over to burg at noon. Sold some Butter to Cord Beach for cash no trade.

Sep 20 – Pleasant morning. Working round choring and doing nothing.

Sep 21 – Went to Kalamazoo called on Jess Turner.[92] Rained some. Ida Newton Died this Morning.[93]

Sep 22 – Ida Newton buried to day. Pleasant afternoon.

Sep 23 – Nice day. Worked on road shoveled dirt all day.[94]

Sep 24 – Worked in shop on Caywoods machine. Worked on road in afternoon. Went over to Burg in Evening to Colin Concert[?].

Sep 25 – Went down to Katharines. Some cool. All well.

Sep 26 – Worked on road. Finished triming the trees on the crossing down near the Bridge.

Sep 27 – Worked round house and Barn. Husked some ledle corn.

Sep 28 – Sarah went over to Fan Towns.[95] I dug potatoes in afternoon.

Sep 29 – Not very well. Went up to Mr Flanders[96] got load Apples. Rainy night. Sarah went down to Mrs Browns.

Sep 30 – Not much work. Rainy day.

Oct 1 – Rainy not very cold. At home. All well.

Oct 2 – Sate came over at night to help Hannah.

Oct 3 – Went over to burg in morning after Lois. She came over to help Hannah.

Oct 4 – Hannah started for Ohio went with the Olin Excursion. She went to Ravana.

Oct 5 – Worked on hog pen. Ethan went to Kalamazoo with Charley Town after lumber for Binder frame. No got some.

Oct 6 – Very nice day. Worked in hog pen. Went over to burg in morning. Ethan went to Kalamazoo to Fair. Sold 7½ lbs Butter to Beach 20¢ pr lb.

Oct 7 – Mercury 74 in shade rainy forenoon. Sarah went over to Forbush.[97] I worked on Hogpen. Nice afternoon.

Oct 8 – Mercury 72 at noon. Put Dick in pen. I set glass in windows at school House in afternoon. Set 10 lights.

Oct 9 – At home all day. Not go to church to day. Rained hard all day.

Oct 10 – Went to Mill took four bushels wheat.

Oct 11 – Drew in corn and husked some. George Tomlinson[98] came stayed all night.

Oct 12 – Took George to Kalamazoo he went to Allegan.[99] We went up to the Asylum saw William Tomlinson.[100] Mary Plank[101] came up with _____.

Oct 13 – Husked some corn drew the pumpkins cut some wood and drew it down. Fine day. Sarah cleaning house. Took up and cleaned the carpet.

Oct 14 – Bot nine clamps 45¢. Dug potatoes in forenoon. Went over to burg. Let Beach have Butter and Eggs 7 Doz 15¢ pr doz Butter. Mary came up here.

Oct 15 – No work lame Back. Nice day. Mary went down to Mr Simmons in afternoon. I am 74 years old to day Got potatoes of from ____.

Oct 16 – At home Went to down to Katharines.

Oct 17 – Worked round barn husked some corn.

Oct 18 – Choring Around getting ready to go to Shelby Ville.

Oct 19 – Ethan took us to Kalamazoo. We went up to Lous in Evening.

Oct 20 – At the Harris House in Shelby Ville all right.

Oct 21 – At the Harris house. Split some wood done some chores.

Oct 22 – At Lous. Mrs Plank[102] came down on the One Oclock train.

Oct 23 – At the Harris House. Some windy. Mrs Plank here. Wind blew very hard in Evening.

Oct 24 – Mrs Plank went home on morning train. Nice day. Split some wood.

Oct 25 – At D. D. Harris in Shelby Ville. Boles making cheese. Ball play at Shelby to day.

Oct 26 – Split some wood carry some up stairs. Split some for Engin.

Oct 27 – Working on cupboard and doing chores. Nice day. Mr and Mrs Wood came down a while.

Oct 28 – Working on cupboard some. Warm day.

Oct 29 – Work on cupboard. All well as usual. Cheese factory shut down to day.

Oct 30 – Went up to Mr Woods had a good visit. Went home by the way of Selkirk Lake.

Oct 31 – Started for home on noon train. Went to Kalamazoo stayed to Nancys.

Nov 1 – Ethan came down with the horse. We came home with the horse. Ethan came on the cars.[103]

Nov 2 – I took Lois home in morning. No work to day but chores.

Nov 3 – At work round house and barn. Cut some wood drawed some down.

Nov 4 – Went down to Katharines. Put up her partition in parlor.

Nov 5 – Not mutch done. Very nice weather Indian summer. Very smoky.

Nov 6 – At home. No one here. Fine day. Hannah went up to Mr Flanders in Evening.

Nov 7 – Mrs Elan Huntington buried to day.[104] Worked in barn some. Made plant stand for Mrs Randal 50¢. Went over to burg in Evening to hear Mr Blair lecture.

Nov 8 – Took the old Farming Mill to peaces. Nice dry weather, smoky.

Nov 9 – Went up to the Mill. Got Theodores wrenches to repair the pump. Rain some. Fixed stables so could put the cows in.

Nov 10 – Sorted the Apples. Charley drew in corn and corn fodder. Cold wind.

Nov 11 – Nice pleasant day. Worked round barn. Stoped up some holes put on some shingles.

Nov 12 – Filed saw for I D L Schram.[105] Went up to the mill got load sawdust to put in well.

Nov 13 – Mr Daniels called here a while. Ethan and Hannah went down to H. A. Browns Kalamazoo. Nice pleasant day.

Nov 14 – Fixed the well at the Barn. Very nice day rained just at night. Drawed load of wood.

Nov 15 – Worked round barn some fixed pump. Hannah sewing for Mrs Olmsted.

Nov 16 – [no entry]

Nov 17 – Cut some wood. Went over to burg. Fix pump.

Nov 18 – Went over to burg got plank for platform. Lou came on six forty train.

Nov 19 – Filed saw for Mr Randal 15¢ one for Dod Sumner 15¢. Snowed in the night.

Nov 20 – 28 Abz about 3 inches snow. Nancy, Lelah, Lou, Vern and Floyd here. Mrs T. B. Lord died in the night.[106]

Nov 21 – Nancy and Lelah went home on 11.40 train. Cold wind.

Nov 22 – 38 Abz nice day, smoky. Put rivet in Jays knife one in Lous curling iron. H. D. Streator paid me 25 cts for cutting of gun stock.

Nov 23 – Lois and Sate here all day. Ethan took them home in Evening. Mrs T. B. Lord buried to day.

Nov 24 – Went over to burg in morning. Bot pork 1 barrel of Jo Smith 1.50. Some rainy day.

Nov 25 – Took Lou over to burg in forenoon. Jim came home to day.

Nov 26 – Rainy morning. Jim took Hannah down to Galushas in morning. I went over to burg at night after Lou. Rained hard all night.

Nov 27 – Snowed and rained stormy day. Oscar Caton Carleton and wife[107] called here to see Hannah.

Nov 28 – Cold wind snow some. Jim cut some wood. I drew two loads. Jim went down got cask to seald pigs in.

Nov 29 – Nice day. Killed Dick pig he weighed 282 lbs. Took cask home.

Nov 30 – Chored round. Jim cut some wood. I drawed two loads. Cold wind.

Dec 1 – Took Plymoth Rock Rooster over to Fanny Town and one Wyandot Rooster over for Erastus Town.[108] Charley and Mate Ford[109] here in Evening.

Dec 2 – Got Ethans watch. I cut of Fred Franklins gun stock. He paid 50¢. Went over to Burg at noon took letters over. Rainy day. Robert Emmet played at the Rink to night. Saw Jim Holden.

Dec 3 – Rainy day. Hannah went to Gus Gates to work. Jim cut some wood. I drew two loads wood.

Dec 4 – 54 Abz some sprinkly. Warm for December. Old Mrs Forbush Died this morning.[110] Emily McCausey Died this morning.[111]

Dec 5 – Tim Whitcomb brot 1970 lbs Hay. Nice day for Gustavus Gates.

Dec 6 – Very fine day. I paid Mr Gus Gates $11.75 cts for Hay delivered yesterday. Got Charleys Mill and cleaned up wheat. Mrs Em McCausey Buried to Day.

Dec 7 – Went to Mill took 4 bushels wheat. Bot midlings 75¢. Went to Mrs Forbush funeral in afternoon. Very nice day.

Dec 8 – Oat Hill and Jim chopping. Cut big oak tree. Nice day.

Dec 9 – Jim cut some wood I drew three loads. Nice day. Took Sarah down to Mrs Streators in afternoon. Mrs Hubbard Lewis Died.[112]

Dec 10 – Very stormy rained all day. Jim helped Will Brown Butcher. Mrs H Lewis Buried to day. Snowed in night. Galesburg Bank Burglarised. One man shot. Charley Cory shot one fo [sic] the gang.

Dec 11 – 34 snows some. At home all day. Big times at the burg to day.

Dec 12 – At home choring some. Ethan took Rooster down to Mrs Browns.

Dec 13 – Oat and Jim chopping. Fine weather. Shaved out helve for Fred. Mart called here in Evening Et supper.

Dec 14 – Oat and Jim chopping. Nice day. Went down to Mrs Browns took Hanks cask down to put his Beef in.

Dec 15 – Took [S]arah over to Lois. Ethan and Jim went to Kalamazoo. Ethans Knife came from Toledo.

Dec 16 – Jim Huling wood for Will Brown. Will Brown brot quater Beef this Evening. Jim Lawrence the Bank Robber that Charley Cory shot in the Burg Died to day.

Dec 17 – Drawed two loads wood. Jim worked for Arthur Armes.[113] The man that Cory shot went Anarbor on the night Express.

Dec 18 – Jim went to Augusta. Ethan went over to Lois.

Dec 19 – Drawed, worked round, worked round barn and house. The Burglar went to Anarbor to day.

Dec 20 – Went over to Burg took over Butter 4½ lbs 18¢ pr lb 1.91 cts for Butter and cream.

Dec 21 – B. Vosburg Died to day.[114] Went over to Burg in morning after Lois. Nice windy day very much cold. Hannah came home Mr H Gilson brot her.

Dec 22 – Cold snowey Blustring day. Dodings but chores to day. Charley Town got Peater to day. Peter had a calf to day.

Dec 23 – Cold blustrous day. Not much done to day.

Dec 24 – Took Hannah up to Mr Flanders this morning. Drawed two loads wood in afternoon. Barnard Vosburg Buried to day.

Dec 25 – At home all day. Not very cold.

Dec 26 – Worked on Theodores cross head. Bess came up here. Mary Ann and Inez[115] came. Charley Town paid $30 Dollars for Pete.

Dec 27 – 33. Took Mary up to Mrs Bateys[116] in morning. Went over to burg in afternoon. Snowed like fun.[117] Got sack Graham flour 25 ____ ____. Arthur Arms Killed Ring to day.

Dec 28 – 10 Abz very Blustrous day snows and blows snow flies. Drew two loads wood. Very cold day. Very few teams moving. Bes came up stayed all night.

Dec 29 – Lizzie came up after Bes. Went over to Burg Bot btl salt $1.00 Bot 88 Diary 25¢. Paid my Tax $7.71 cts.

Dec 30 – At home. Worked in shop some and chored round.

Dec 31 – Put cutter thills on. Went down after Bes. Mr Caywoods Brother road with me as far as Mrs Browns. Rainy afternoon.

MEMORANDA

Sir William Keith 3d Vol 186 Page

——-

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

[2] Above zero

[3] His son, James Clinton Keith

[4] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[5] His son and daughter, Ethan Bradley Keith and Hannah Jerusha Keith

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

[7] Galesburg, Michigan

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

[9] Believe he is referring to Melissa Crawford, his wife Sarah’s niece. Melissa was referred to as Lizzie and was the daughter of Robert and Louisa (McCann) Crawford

[10] His son-in-law, Henry Ambrose Brown

[11] Neighbor, Laura Ann (Rawson) Streator

[12] His granddaughter, Bess Brown

[13] Henry Brown’s mother, Matilda (Allen) Brown

[14] Scotts, Michigan

[15] FindAGrave.com shows that Edwin M. Clapp died January 8, 1887 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

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

[17] His brother-in-law, Henry Clay Crawford

[18] Believe he is referring to George & Mary (Forbush) Blake

[19] Michigan death records reveal that William Schroder died in Comstock on January 19, 1887 and Oak Grove Cemetery records show his name as Wilhalm Schroder

[20] Oak Grove Cemetery records show that Jerusha Rowland died in 1887 and is buried in Lot 164; also buried in Lot 164 are Ezra C. (2-21-1824 – 11-25-1908) and Daniel T. (1825-1885). Since her brother Daniel was listed as “insane” in the 1880 census, it is assumed that her brother Ezra is the one referred to as Cap

[21] His horse

[22] His neighbor, Joseph Flanders

[23] His son-in-law, Daniel D. Harris, Jr., known as D or D.D.

[24] His grandson, Jay Keith Harris

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

[26] Edwin Flanders, the son of Joseph Flanders (see footnote to January 29^th entry)

[27] The son of Charles & Juliana (Davis) Lee. Charles Lee was Luke’s paternal first cousin

[28] Luke didn’t enter the reading of the thermometer

[29] Worth about $800.00 in 2019

[30] Jay Keith Harris was 3 years 10 months old when he died of scarlet fever. Michigan death records record his date of death as February 14, 1887 contrary to Luke’s entries. Jay was originally buried on “the Old Flanders farm” but later moved to Oak Grove Cemetery. Family story is that the quinine (I think it was) that they gave Jay during his illness preserved his body. Why they opened the coffin during the move is unknown, but his body was perfectly preserved. They wanted Louese to come and see him, but she refused

[31] His daughter, Nancy (Keith) Brown

[32] According to the Riverside Cemetery records on RootsWeb.com, Joseph & Amanda Flanders were the pioneer homesteaders of the property

[33] Henry Labbitt, the undertaker. See copy of his ad from the 10-30-1880 Galesburgh Express attached

[34] The Keith family, as well as several of their neighbors, were believers in Spiritualism and participated in seances, so it is presumed Luke is referring to his grandson who died on February 12^th. See Nancy Brown’s February 26^th letter which also seems to refer to this

[35] Michigan marriage records show that Mary Allerton married Addison Irving Plank in Galesburg, Michigan on February 22, 1887

[36] Luke’s diary entry for February 23, 1886 reads: Fan had a calf to day it droped 12 noon.

[37] Neighbor Harry Streator

[38] His daughter, Louese (Keith) Harris

[39] LaVerne and Floyd Harris

[40] Michigan death records confirm that Marenus Caywood died on March 4^th in Comstock, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com shows he was buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Comstock, Michigan. Sadly, Marenus died only six months after his marriage to Mary Fisher

[41] Michigan death records show that Orra Bush died on March 7 in Kalamazoo, Michigan and FindAGrave.com reveals that he is buried in Lawler Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan

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

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

[44] Hard to decipher the last name. Could possibly be Beach

[45] His niece, Helen (Bradley) York, and her daughter, Marion Adelphia York. Helen was the daughter of Luke’s sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley York, and her first husband, Ethan Bradley

[46] Neighbor Erasmus Towne

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

[48] See footnotes to February 23 and December 22

[49] His grandson, Floyd Harris

[50] Ruth Ann (Fletcher) York was the widow of Edwin York. Edwin and Helen (Bradley) York’s husband, Joseph York, were brothers

[51] Clara (Youngs) Clark, the wife of his grandson, Charles Clark

[52] His wife Sarah’s niece, the daughter of Hiram Crawford, Jr.

[53] His grandson, Claude Keith Brown

[54] His neighbor, Albert Towne

[55] Michigan death records reveal that Mary Randall, the 28-year-old daughter of Nathan & Jane Randall, died April 9, 1887 in Comstock, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[56] Michigan death records show that William Scott died in Galesburg of consumption at the age of 56 on April 18, 1887; this conflicts with Luke’s entry that he was buried on the 13^th of April

[57] Michigan death records show that Nettie Bradley, the 16-year-old daughter of Samuel & Harriett (Burgess) Bradley, died of rheumatism of the heart on April 7 in Comstock. Rheumatism of the heart is a complication of rheumatic fever in which the heart valves are damaged. Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that begins with strep throat

[58] Neighbor Charles Towne, who was the son of Albert Towne (see footnote to April 7^th entry)

[59] Hank Brown’s brother, Willis Brown

[60] Michigan death records show that Berthier Beckwith died in Charleston, Michigan on April 28, 1887 and FindAGrave.com, although it gives his date of death as May 1, 1887, shows that he is buried in Augusta Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan

[61] Michigan death records show that Randall Byington died May 8, 1887 in Galesburg, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Galesburg

[62] A note written by Nancy’s granddaughter, Dorothy (Recoschewitz) Langmayer, noted that Nancy had one of the first hysterectomies (perhaps in the area). It was performed with the use of chloroform in May of 1884 when she was 32 years of age. Seven doctors assisted in the operation which was performed in Henry and Nancy’s living room. While Nancy was 32 years old in 1884, it is not known if this is the surgical operation Luke wrote about and that Dorothy was mistaken with her information, or if this was some other operation

[63] FindAGrave.com reveals that Alonzo Imus died May 9, 1887 and is buried in Lawler Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan

[64] The Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph, May 14, 1887, p.2, reported that George Stewart, “age about 70”, died in Galesburg, Michigan, from an overdose of morphine. FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery

[65] His granddaughter, Ina Skinner

[66] Willis & Elizabeth (Ogden) Brown; Willis was Hank Brown’s brother and Matilda Brown’s son (see footnotes to January 5^th and 6^th entries)

[67] Eunice (Wood) Towne, the wife of Erasmus Towne

[68] Neighbor, Emaline (Stone) Ralph

[69] His wife Sarah’s brother, Hiram Crawford Jr.

[70] Chicago, Illinois

[71] Neighbor, Henry “Harry” Streator

[72] From New York

[73] According to the [September 1887] obituary of Helen’s husband, Joseph M. York, “His health was poor, and he went to Colorado eight years ago, and came here to Idaho with poor health. Mrs. York had remained in Michigan with her daughter all these years, partly to take care of her aged mother and sister’s children, hoping that Mr. York would regain his health and get located so that they would have a home to go to. The daughter had poor health and they made arrangements to come to Idaho, and arrived at Kuna on the 2nd of July last.”

[74] FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[75] Edna (Crawford) Henry and Lulu Crawford were the daughters of his wife Sarah’s brother, Robert & Louisa (McCann) Crawford

[76] Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford, the wife of Hiram Crawford Jr. who was the brother of his wife Sarah

[77] FindAGrave.com shows that Peter Johnson died in Galesburg, Michigan on June 18, 1887 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg

[78] Neighbor, Nathan L. Randall

[79] His grandson (and daughter Lois’ son), Charles Clark

[80] Gull Lake

[81] Believe he is referring to Dexa (Strait) Harris, who was the sister-in-law of D. D. Harris (see footnote to February 3^rd entry)

[82] Robert E. Henry, the four-year-old son of Edna (Crawford) and Emmett Henry, and the grandson of Robert & Louisa (McCann) Crawford, died in LeClaire, Scott County, Iowa, from Summer Complaint, which was a major cause of childhood death in the late 1800s. It was usually the result of drinking spoiled milk and caused watery diarrhea and vomiting, bringing on severe dehydration. It occurred chiefly between the months of April and October

[83] Luke was engaged to Jerusha Crittenden/Cruttenden, but then Minerva Payson came to town and Luke broke his engagement to Jerusha and married Minerva on April 23, 1839. They had two children: Lois and Henry. Minerva died just four years after they were married. He then married his first love, Jerusha, on July 25, 1847, however she died just a little over a year later. Luke then married Sarah Crawford on November 14, 1849 and they had six children: Ethan, Nancy, William (died in infancy), Hannah, Louese and James. In the evenings Luke would go to the cemetery and play his violin at the graves of his first two wives

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

[85] The son of William & Harriett (Groat) Plank who had been neighbors of the Keiths in Comstock until they moved to Grand Rapids in 1873

[86] Neighbors, Richard & Mary (Knowles) Barber

[87] Michigan death records show that George Forbush died in Galesburg, Michigan on August 31, 1887 at the age of 81 and FindAGrave.com reveals he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg

[88] Abel & Sarah “Jane” (Mason) Hoag. Luke’s wife Sarah and Jane were good friends

[89] Neighbor, Albina Earl, who was the daughter of neighbors and “shirt tail relative,” Jesse & Mary (Clapp) Earl

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

[91] Joseph M. York, the husband of his niece, Helen (Bradley) York (see footnote to June 8^th entry). According to his obituary, he was attempting to “fix his shoe to the hind wheel of the front wagon. While fixing the shoe to make the wheel run onto it, his horses started and in attempting to catch hold of the lines he made a misstep and fell under the wagon so that the hind wheel of his front wagon and both forward and hind wheels of the trail wagon ran over his legs, partially lengthwise, crushing both bones of his right leg just below the knee and crushing the thigh bone of the left leg. The wheels all ran over his legs in the same place, each one doing its terrible work in grinding the bones and flesh to a jelly. His right arm was caught some way, probably by the shoe, and the flesh torn on the inside from the elbow to the wrist, laying the cords all bare.”

[92] His maternal first cousin

[93] Ida (Lee) Newton, the granddaughter of his first cousin, Charles & Juliana (Davis) Lee

[94] The men of Comstock were required to work on the roads a certain number of days based on how many acres they owned. To see more, go to https://lettersfromthe1860s.wordpress.com/2018/06/16/luke-keiths-road-tax

[95] His neighbor, Frances Towne

[96] His neighbor, Joseph Flanders

[97] Assume he means Almira (Dane) Forbush, whose husband George had recently died (see footnote to August 31^st entry)

[98] The husband of Luke’s niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson, who lived in Perry, Wyoming County, New York

[99] Allegan, Michigan

[100] William’s relationship to George Tomlinson is unknown at this time; research continues

[101] The sister of William Plank (see footnote to August 22^nd entry)

[102] Harriett (Groat) Plank. (See footnotes to August 22^nd and October 12^th entries)

[103] Railroad train cars

[104] Minnesota death records show that Rebecca (Galusha) Huntington died November 4, 1887 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Mountain Home Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Michigan

[105] Neighbor, Isaac D. L. Schram

[106] Even though Michigan death records show the date of death as November 25, 1887, the grave marker has the date of death as November 20, 1887, which corresponds with Luke’s entry. FindAGrave.com shows that Mary (Hawes) Lord, the wife of Thomas B. Lord, died in Comstock and she is buried in Comstock Cemetery

[107] Neighbors, Oscar & Alzina (Rosier) Carleton

[108] Erasmus was the brother of Fanny and Charley, who were all children of Albert Towne

[109] Neighbors, Charles & Mary Ann (Thompson) Ford

[110] Michigan death records show that Almira (Dane) Forbush died in Galesburg, Michigan on December 4, 1887 and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg

[111] No death record was found for Emily McCausey; however, the notes at FindAGrave.com for her husband, Charles McCausey, show he married Emily Wheaton in May of 1865. Her date of death was listed as December 4, 1884, but believe this to be a typo

[112] Michigan death records show that Mrs. A. M. Lewis, a widow, died of Typhoid Malaria on December 9, 1887 in Galesburg, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows that Adeliza (Hubbard) Lewis is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg. However, Luke noted in his diary on March 14, 1886 that “Mrs Hubberd Lewis marred to day” to Charles Rimmey in Galesburg. It is unknown why she was referred to as Mrs. Lewis rather than Mrs. Rimmey; research continues

[113] Arthur Arms, paternal first cousin of Hank Brown

[114] Michigan death records show that Barnard Vosburg died in Comstock, Michigan on December 21, 1887 and FindAGrave.com reveals he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[115] Mary Ann (Batey) Keith and her granddaughter, Inez Randall. Mary Ann was the wife of Luke’s nephew, James “Oscar” Keith

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

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