1885 diary of Charles Luke Keith Jr.

1885 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.[1]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feb 2 – Worked some on Herbs Box.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mar 30 – At home. Worked on violin some.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Apr 25 – Worked on Herbs Boxes all day.

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

Apr 27 – Worked on Herbs Boxes. Fine day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May 13 – At home working round house and garden.

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

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

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

May 17 – Fine day. Went down to Katharines.

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

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

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

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

May 22 – Some ledle rainy. Not much work.

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

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

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

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

May 27 – Pleasant. Nancy came up here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jun 6 – Worked in garden some. Hot day.

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

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

Jun 9 – Worked in garden and round barn.

Jun 10 – Worked in garden and chored round.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jul 12 – Went down to Katharines. Fine day.

Jul 13 – Drawed in some hay from hill.

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

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

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

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

Jul 18 – Drawed two loads sand.

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

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

Jul 21 – Mercury 96 in shade. Made mortar.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aug 4 – Prepaired my Lime for my hard finish.

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

Aug 6 – Rained some. Not very well.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aug 15 – At Shelby. Not very well.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aug 27 – At home some nice weather.

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

Aug 29 – Work on violin put strings on.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sep 8 – Rainy morning cool wind. At home.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct 5 – Cleaned up wheat. Went to mill.

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

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

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

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

Oct 10 – Pleasant. Picked one load corn.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nov 15 – Mercury 32. Sloppy some snow.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

——-

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

[2] Above zero

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

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

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

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

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

[8] His son, Ethan Keith

[9] His daughter, Hannah Keith

[10] His son, James Clinton Keith

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

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

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

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

[15] His hog

[16] Neighbor and “shirttail relative”

[17] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

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

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

[20] Neighbor, Charles Towne

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

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

[23] To say nothing about the women

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[36] His neighbor

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

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

[39] Ceresco, Michigan

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

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

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

[43] His wife Sarah

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

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

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

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

[48] Neighbor, Lacelle Strait

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

[50] His granddaughter, LaVerne Harris

[51] Etc.

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

[53] His granddaughter, Ina Skinner

[54] Neighbor, Marius O. Streator

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

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

[57] See “Luke Keith’s Road Tax,”

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

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

[59] His niece, Helen (Bradley) York

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[67] His grandson, Jay Harris

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

[69] The family horse

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

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

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

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

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

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

[76] His neighbor, George Ransom Wightman

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

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

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

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

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

[82] After Luke’s first wife, Minerva (Payson) Keith died, Joseph and Amanda (Hobbs) Flanders cared for his son, Henry, for a period of time. The Flanders raised Henry even after Luke married his third wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith. They wanted to adopt Henry but Luke said no; however, it looks like Henry lived with them throughout his youth. This seems to be corroborated by the 1860 census showing “Henry L Flanders,” age 16, (who it is actually believed to be Henry L. Keith), living with Joseph & Amanda

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[92] Charles Luke Keith Sr.

[93] Nickname for his wife, Sarah

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Advertisement

Luke Keith’s 1871 Diary

1871 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.^[1]

 Jan 1 – 29 Abz.[2] Went down to Catharines[3] with Wesleys[4] folks.

Jan 2 – Cold, snowed and blowed in forenoon. Worked in shop on sleigh.

Jan 3 – Blustring forenoon. Worked on sleigh.

Jan 4 – 10 Abz. Worked on sleigh. Mart and Lucy[5] went to burg.[6] Got Claras[7] picture taken. Drawed some wood.

Jan 5 – Went over to burg. Some warmer, south west wind. Bot this Book 40 cents. Rode over with Jo Boardman. Snow 1 inch. Went over to burg in Evening. Got galen oil. Sent letter to Suky Brown.[8] Received paper of David.[9]

Jan 6 – About one inch snow, 20 Abz. Sis[10] and Will had a fight on snow bank East side house. Went over to burg. Got thills[11] mended 50. Sold boiler. Got Elbow and cornpopper. Snowed ½ inch.

Jan 7 – Worked on Marts whiffletree[12] and put bottom on sleigh. Mr and Mrs Chapin here to get the Bristol House. 12 Abz in morning. Snowed all night.

Jan 8 – Snows like fun[13] this morning. Snowed 5 inches.

Jan 9 – Put sleigh box together. Went over to burg. School in the new schoolhouse at the burg to day for the first. Snow fell about ½ inch.

Jan 10 – Carried Lois[14] up to John Ralphs. Good sleighing. 40 Abz. Mrs Hawkins here.

Jan 11 – Went over to mill and to see Mr Chapins about selling the Bristol place.[15] Snow going of fast. Chapin moved to day. Went down to A. Browns[16] in Evening to see Zeak & W^m Davison, Streator, Ford & Jackson ___.

Jan 12 – Snow about gone, 53 Abz. Sent letter to S Bristol and a $2.00 Greenback and two stamps. Noon mercury 60 Abz, sun shine, warm. Sarah[17] went down to Cates with Mart.

Jan 13 – Pleasant morning 50 Abz. Went down to Catharines. Made 60 galens cider. Rainy day, bad time to get home. Sarah down to Catharines. Snowed and rained all night. Got Cates & Zeaks pictures.

Jan 14 – Some colder 26 Abz, sleet and snow &c[18] in morning. Hank Brown[19] here. Snow and rain all day. Made shead for sheep. Snow fell 3 inches.

Jan 15 – Snow and sleat, 28 Abz in morning. Snowed all day. Snow fell 4 inches.

Jan 16 – Not very cold 18 Abz, quite pleasant, sun shown most of the day.

Jan 17 – 20 Abz. Cut some wood. Went down to Jo Lees[20] after Sarah. Had a big run after bill.[21]

Jan 18 – 16 Abz. Worked round house. Carried some cider over to Planks.[22]

Jan 19 – Mart came up and killed a pig. Good sleighing.

Jan 20 – Cut and drawed wood. 28 Abz morning, thawed some.

Jan 21 – Went over to burg. Saw those men about Bristols accounts. Sent letter to S. S. Bristol. Battlecreek Band came down to day. Ida and Libby Allen[23] here to day.

Jan 22 – Ethan,[24] Lois and Hannah[25] went down to Catharines. Snowed some. Made feed box for Bill. Snowed all day.

Jan 23 – 10 Abz, snow 4 inches. Went Kalamazoo to get mortgage recorded 75 cts. Sarah stayed with Lois Lee[26] all night.

Jan 24 – Went down to Joes after Sarah. Went and got Catharine to stay with Lois while Jo went after Finch. Ethan went down to see the Doctor. He no come. Sarah Skinner[27] stayed all night.

Jan 25 – Ethan went down to Jo Lees to see Finch, he saw him. Lois and Sate[28] went home with him. Cold and good sleighing. Bot broom 25 cts of pedler.

Jan 26 – 10 Abz in morning. Went over to burg. Carried corn 3 bushels. Snow fell 1½, 20 Abz at 2 oclock.

Jan 27 – Work round house and shop. Went down to Jo Lees in Evening. Some cold. Lois some better.

Jan 28 – Cold. Good sleighing. Put shelves in butry.

Jan 29 – Went down to Catharines. Osgood and wife there. Good sleighing.

Jan 30 – Finished up butry. Moved into the middle room. Thawed some, rainy night.

Jan 31 – Rainy morning. Worked in shop some. Carried Sarah over to burg. Some blustering.

Feb 1 – Worked in shop on cutter. Snow ½ inch. Went over to burg after Sarah in morning. Tamer Ford here.

Feb 2 – Worked in shop some on cutter bottom. Snow fell ½ inch.

Feb 3 – Drawed some wood. Worked in shop some.

Feb 4 – Made stool for Jule Lees girl. Went over to burg. Mrs Skinner and Sate here. _____ _____ up here to tea. Mr Burrels Boy hurt on cars. Went down to Catharines in Evening. Burrels Boy Died in the night. Went down to Jo Lees in Evening.

Feb 5 – At home all day. Cold and windy, mercury at 12 Abz. Depo at Galesburg Burnt this Evening.

Feb 6 – Pleasant day. Filed cross cut saw for A. Brown and Repaired violin for W^m Wheeler of Climax.

Feb 7 – Wheeler sent for his violin paid 50¢. Carried Sarah over to Oyster supper. Galesburg Band Boys gave _____ supper.

Feb 8 – Not very cold. Worked in shop some. Cleaned out stable. Mrs Hawkins here. Sarah _____ _____ dress. Nancy[29] went down to A. Browns. Neck tye party at Mr Hu___ this Evening.

Feb 9 – New snow this morning, three inches 3 in. Went over to Mr Planks in Evening. Browns and Skinners there.

Feb 10 – Went over to Burg after Sarah and George,[30] they no come. Got rods for old stove. New schoolhouse dedication at Galesburg. Cold and blustring.

Feb 11 – 13 Abz, good sleighing. Moved old stove to the middle room. Ethan went to Kalamazoo to get some medicin of Dr Finch. Snowed some in night.

Feb 12 – Snowing. Snow fell 3 inches 19 Abz. Mrs Plank came over here this morning full of trouble.

Feb 13 – Went down to Catharines. Catharine and Lucy sick. Sarah stayed there. Good sleighing.

Feb 14 – Went up to Kirbys and Chapins. Cut some wood.

Feb 15 – Went down to Kalamazoo after Sarah an Georgie.[31] Thawed some. Brown and Skinners folks here in Evening. George came over. Catharine and Lucy sick.

Feb 16 – Not very cold 28 Abz. Went over to burg in morning. Cut some wood. X Mr and Mrs Schram X here in Evening. George came over and stayed all night. Edith came down and stayed all night.

Feb 17 – Stormy, snow and rain, not very cold, 36 Abz. Worked in shop some. Mr Plank and wife here in Evening.

Feb 18 – Worked in shop some on cutter bottom. Snow fell 2½ inches. Turner came over stayed all night.

Feb 19 – Pleasant morning, sun came out. Went down to Catharines, some better. Had oysters for supper. George Turner brot them over.

Feb 20 – Went up in woods, cut down _____.

Feb 21 – 18 Abz. Went to Kalamazoo with Sarah and George. Pleasant day. Snow fell 1¼.

Feb 22 – 12 Abz, pleasant morning. Went over to burg. Got table to P. Schrams. Willie Hoges[32] Died to night. Went up to Schrams in Evening.

Feb 23 – Cut some wood. Went down to school house to put on lock. Went up to McCains Corners with Mart. Hoges Boy buried to day. Lyda Barber came over here.

Feb 24 – Worked on cutter some. Bent the raves[33] back. Party at Skinners in Evening. Snow about gone.

Feb 25 – Pleasant morning. _____ put lock on school house. Prepared table for P. Johnson. Snow all gone in road.

Feb 26 – Snows like fun. Snow fell 6½ inches. Blackburns child buried.

Feb 27 – Cut maple tree out drawed down. Jesse Lee[34] called here after Hannah. Snowed very little. Lois came home.

Feb 28 – Went down to Catharines and Jo Lees. Lois and Will[35] went. Snow all went of. June Hoag here. Barber finished drawing Planks corn. Heavy wind all night.

Mar 1 – Windy and pleasant, 33 Abz. Went up in woods. Got pole to hang Cate[36] on. James Crom called here.

Mar 2 – Thunder shower this morning. Calculated to Kill Cate. Killed Cate. Had a big rain and heavy thunder.

Mar 3 – Cut and salted Cate. She weighed 475 lbs. Pleasant day. Party to A. Browns in Evening.

Mar 4 – Pleasant morning. Went down to Catherines. Drawed sap buckets into bush set kettle on. Pleasant. Saw bright sun day.

Mar 5 – Pleasant morning. No snow on ground.

Mar 6 – Moved bench out into old shop.

Mar 7 – Went down to Catharines. Worked on spouts burned out 240.

Mar 8 – Trimed spouts cut of End of stone trough. Mart went to town. I came home. Rained.

Mar 9 – Rainy morning. Went over to mill. Cold.

Mar 10 – Went down and tapt bush. Sap run some. Rained and snowed in the night. Party at Keiths.

Mar 11 – Ella Taylor[37] Died to day. Gathered sap. Commenced boiling. Came home. Mrs Chapin Died. Snow fell one inch.

Mar 12 – Pleasant morning. Went down to Catharines. Gathered sap, had 7 barrels. Sarah went down to Jo Lees. Snowed when we came home.

Mar 13 – Snow 2½ inches. Went down to Marts. Worked in bush. Ella Adams[38] buried. Mrs Chapin Buried.

Mar 14 – Shugered of for the first time. Rainy night. Boiled sap in Evening. Syruped down.

Mar 15 – Shugared of to day. Went over to Comstock. Saw Mr Burlingham. Got $100 Dollars and check on first National Bank for $50.00.

Mar 16 – Rainy morning. Went down to shuger bush. Gathered Eleven barrels sap. Boiled in Evening. Some rain. Paid N. L. Randal $30.00. Ike and Libby busted to night.

Mar 17 – Cool, some fine snow this morning. Syrupt down. I came home. Axach Howard at Catharines.

Mar 18 – Not very well. At home all day. Sarah went up to Mr Taylors in afternoon. Pleasant day. Repaired violin for Mr Grover. Let Mary Plank[39] lot popcorn.

Mar 19 – At home all day. Cold. Not very well.

Mar 20 – Went down to Catharines. Gathered sap and boiled in Evening. Syruped down.

Mar 21 – Shugered of this morning. Ed Yorks boys[40] there. Had two pans full. Came home. Dell, Sate, Nell and Eberle here in Evening. Hank Brown also.

Mar 22 – Cold wind. Choped some. Went over to Mr Chapins in afternoon. Winter term of school closed. Paid A. R. Lovel $55.00.

Mar 23 – Went down to Marts. Gathered and boiled sap. Boiled in Evening.

Mar 24 – Boiled sap all day. Gathered the bush twice. X Band boys came down in Evening. Shugered off for them.

Mar 25 – Boiled sap, shugered off this morning.

Mar 26 – Repaired arch. Boiled sap, syruped down and shugered off. I came home. No snow on ground.

Mar 27 – Went down to woods. Boiled sap, syruped down, shugered off just at night. Pleasant day, cold.

Mar 28 – Fine day. No sap on hand. Cut down elm stub in morning. Gound axes. Mart went to town. I came home. Mr Hawkins moved. Galesburg Band[41] had a shugar party in Evening.

Mar 29 – Went down to bush. Sarah went down to Catharines. Boiled sap.

Mar 30 – Father Labell[42] died this morning. Shugered off. Jo and Lois Lee was there. I came home. Gathered some sap.

Mar 31 – Pleasant morning. Went down to bush. Had some moleses. Came home. Brot 2 cakes shugar and some lases.

Apr 1 – Pleasant day. Sowed clover seed. Mr Hawkins got four bushels corn. Extracted two teeth for Old Mr Hawkins.

Apr 2 – Not very well. At home most of the day. Went down to Catharines. Got 6 lbs cloverseed. Saw Ambrose and Lydia Milham.[43] Young Spires[44] died this morning.

Apr 3 – Rainy. Finished sowing clover seed this morning. Went to town meeting. Mr Stevenson Died this morning. Paid James Jackson one dollar of my money.

Apr 4 – Went to Kalamazoo. Went to Martin Turners.[45] Took Dinner. Went back to bush, gathered sap, boiled in sap. Mr Phelps[46] Died to day.

Apr 5 – Gathered buckets and made molasses. Mart went to Mr Kings Auction. Scalded out buckets. Had a shower in Evening. Old Mrs McLary[47] died to day.

Apr 6 – Came home. Mart came after Hannah. Brot home shugar. Warm day. Raked of garden. Made 550 lbs shugar.

Apr 7 – Warm morning. Worked round house and garden. Trimed some appletrees.

Apr 8 – Trimed some trees. Cows got on Allens wheat. Dry weather. Amos Rogers wife[48] died to night.

Apr 9 – Pleasant and dry. Went down to Catharines after sis.

Apr 10 – Rainy morning, cool, rained all day. No work. School commenced.

Apr 11 – Cold and windy. Put poke on fan. Snowed some, cold night.

Apr 12 – Pleasant morning. Snow ¼ inch. Trimed some trees. Eberly and Nellie left for Iowa.

Apr 13 – Cloudy and cool. Drawed brush out of orchard. Trimed currant bushes. Mrs A. Brown[49] here. Mart here to dinner and supper.

Apr 14 – Sick, not much done. Tool old wagon to pieces. Extracted tooth for Harvey. Sarah, Ethan and Nancy went over to Wisemans.[50] Stranger bot bushel corn of Will Plank.[51] Pleasant and cool. Drawed chip manure.

Apr 15 – Drawed chip manure. Ethan went to Kalamazoo. Carried Nancy and Ida up to Allens. Lois and Hannah came home. Young sleeper[?] called here to see Mr Plank.

Apr 16 – Turned out set mallets and balls for Ethan and Will Plank. At home all day. W^m and Alvin Lee[52] here.

Apr 17 – Turned Balls and mallets. Gerome Chadwick[53] Died in night.

Apr 18 – Chored round. Hat Taylor and Maud Adams here. Mart and Lucy called here.

Apr 19 – Went to Kalamazoo with Lois. She went to Ohio.[54] Had a heavy shower. Wind blowed John Mills Barn roof of. Mr Chadwick Buried to day.

Apr 20 – Not much work to day round home. Cows bothered some.

Apr 21 – Finished turning balls. The boys painted them. Rainy.

Apr 22 – Went over to burg after tacks and screws for shades. Put up 3 shades in schoolhouse. Cold wind. Sate Skinner stayed here all night. R. Blackburn packed up to day.

Apr 23 – Pleasant morning, some frost. Went down to Charles Lees[55] to pay W^m paid $31.84. Sate went home with us. Went to Jo Lees.

Apr 24 – Fine day. Sowed plaster on clover south and west of house. Drawed out some manure. Went over to Blackburns in Evening.

Apr 25 – Got out manure. Ethan drawed some wood and chips. Cloudy and warm. Heard the first Whipporwill this Evening.

Apr 26 – Cloudy morning, looks like rain. Gotout some manure.

Apr 27 – Rainy. Took manger and sleepers out of stable. Ethan painted Balls and Mallets.

Apr 28 – Ethan went over to mill. _____ called here. Mary Plank went down to Jo Lees to see Hannah.

Apr 29 – Worked in stable. Made manger for Bill. Ethan went to Kalamazoo. Hannah came home with him. Mary Plank came with them. Mrs Henry Clinton came home.

Apr 30 – Pleasant morning. Ethan went down to Charles Lees. R. Blackburn came over.

May 1 – Went up to Ed Corys and Mr Rights. Saw S Bristol. He paid 2.00. Went over to burg. Got shoes for Hannah. Went down to Jo Lees in Evening.

May 2 – Got out manure. Cory Allen[56] and Ida Barber[57] here. Perkins had a Horse stolen.

May 3 – Rainy day. Sick, no work. Traded cows with A. Brown.

May 4 – Some rain. W^m Plank plowed garden and commenced plowing corn ground. I got out some manure. Burnt brush in East lot and old Hubs. Stella Millham[58] here this week.

May 5 – Cloudy and some rain in morning. Not very well. Will Plank plowing.

May 6 – Not well, lame, cant work. Pleasant day. Mr Taylor planting his corner lot.

May 7 – Fine day. At home all day. Ethan, Nancy and Ida Barber went down to Jo Lees to see Hannah.

May 8 – Went over to Burg after Oil Hemlock for Hannah. Went to Doc Wightmans.[59] Got my Early potatoes. Pleasant day, cold East wind. Frost this morning.

May 9 – Cold East wind, some frost. Went down to Cataharines. Carried Bedstead and corn to Mart. Mart carried Bedstead down to Kalamazoo. Hard frost.

May 10 – Planted corn for Plank. Warm day. Jim droped for me. Tin pedler from Wakeshma called here Layton by name. Pedler from Leonidas[60] stayed all night.

May 11 – Planted corn for Plank. Warm day. Finished west lot. No frost.

May 12 – No frost this morning. Repaired sulky spring. Mrs Wiseman, Carry and Ella[61] here. Hot day.

May 13 – Planted corn for Plank. Will[62] plowed in afternoon. Warm and dry. Mrs P. T. Lane died to day.

May 14 – Cloudy and cool this morning. At home all day. Ethan went down to Jo Lees.

May 15 – Sick, no work. Miss Lovel came here to board. Mrs P. T. Lane buried.

May 16 – Planted corn and sorgum for Plank. Dry and warm.

May 17 – Cool morning, North East wind. Sowed corn in East garden. Went down to A. Browns. Got some eggs to set hen. _{1 day} Will finished plowing to day and draged some.

May 18 – Set the Ginny Eggs. _½ Will draged corn ground in forenoon. I marked it one way in afternoon.

May 19 – Paid Miss Lovel twenty 25.00 five Dollars. Warm day, very dry. Planted some potatoes.

May 20 – Planted sorgum and some corn in East Lot. Hot day, 102 in sun. Hank Childs and Will Plank went up to Yorkville. Hannah and Cory Allen went. Jo & Lois Lee came up here.

May 21 – Pleasant morning. Carried Hannah down to Jo Lees. Rained some.

May 22 – Pleasant morning. Planted corn. Fine day. Jo Lee came up and helped me in afternoon. Finished before night.

May 23 – Some frost this morning. Planted potatoes &c, some squash seeds.

May 24 – Warm day. Went up in woods. Cut log for garden roller.

May 25 – Warm forenoon. Sarah went down to A. Browns. Jo Lee brot Hannah home. I dressed out pillows for Cutter Boddy. Had a thunder shower in afternoon, rained hard. Went down to Catharines. Rained hard in night.

May 26 – Pleasant day. Came home at night. Called to Jo Lees. Mart went to town to mill.

May 27 – Went down to A browns. Got bedstead. Put up curtains in schoolhouse in forenoon. Altered over bedstead in afternoon. Youngones had a picnic up in Fords woods in afternoon. Planted some cucumbers.

May 28 – At home all day. Wes folks went down to Catharines. Very hot.

May 29 – Went up to Wesleys. Got some bittersweet. Got my bed springs of Schram. Had a nice shower just at night. Rained in night.

May 30 – Not much work done. Not very well. Hot day.

May 31 – Sarah went over to burg. Made form, bent pillows for Cutter Box. Hot day. W^m Ralphs little girl[63] died to day.

Jun 1 – Hot day, 108 in sun. Put knees in runners. Mart and Lucy came up to day. Carry Ralph Buried to day.

Jun 2 – Went over to burg. Bot 200 lbs plaster 70¢. Plastered some corn. Warm day.

Jun 3 – Hot day. Finished plastering corn. Horse fair at burg. Stella and Mary Milham[64] here. Rained some. Frank Goodrich called here in rain.

Jun 4 – Warm morning. Carried Sarah and hannah down to Jo Lees. Went down to Catharines, got Nancy. Mr and Mrs Gates was Drownded in Gull Lake to day.[65]

Jun 5 – Chored round some. Went down to Joes after Sarah. John Darling came along here. Sent some seed corn down to Mart. Planted Beans.

Jun 6 – Ethan cultivated corn. I hoed some in garden. Planted some corn over.

Jun 7 – Went up and saw John Sherman to get him to wash my sheep. Went down to river and repaired sheep yard.

Jun 8 – Fine day. Washed my sheep. Lois came home. Mr Plank bargained his place to Mr Town. Went down to Catharines. Got some beans. Old Mrs Haws buried died to day.

Jun 9 – Cold morning, no frost. Cultivated some corn and chored round. Planted specled beans.

Jun 10 – Put raves on Cutter, made sky brace for Cutter. Had a shower. Stranger called here from Yorkville. Mrs Haws buried to day. Wesley paid for buckwheat 3.50.

Jun 11 – Cold morning. At home all day.

Jun 12 – Worked on Cutter. Made sky brace. Mrs Lamkin called and got violin bow. Turned stick for Jim Milham.[66] He paid 75 cents.

Jun 13 – Worked on road up by Earls bridge. Very windy. Freight House and Methodist Church burned down in Galesburg to day.

Jun 14 – Worked on road. Took Tea with Jesse Earl.[67] Windy and dry. Mr Schram got runaway with while gone to Kalamazoo.

Jun 15 – Worked on road in forenoon. Finished road and hoed sorgum. Sarah went down to Skinners.

Jun 16 – Worked on cutter some. Willard mills cut some grass. Ethan went up to Fields for Mr Plank.

Jun 17 – Finished cutting grass. Rainy. Put up some hay for A Brown. Catharine and Lucy came up here. Turned some pins for Hank Brown.

Jun 18 – Went down to Jo Lees and Catharines. All well.

Jun 19 – Put up hay in west part of lot. Warm day.

Jun 20 – Had a shower in morning. Ethan went to mill. Worked on cutter some. Rebecca Plank stayed here all night, had a fit.

Jun 21 – Pleasant morning. Got in hay of west part of lot. Got very tired.

Jun 22 – Finished drawing hay. Warm day. Had a nice lot of hay.

Jun 23 – Rainy morning. Got sheep down to shear. Brown heifer had a white calf. Miner sheared my sheep. Had 62 lbs. Fine day.

Jun 24 – Sold my wool to W^m Blass for 52½ cents pr pound. Had 62½ lbs $32.81 cts. Mrs Flanders here. Lois came home. Del Skinner here to tea.

Jun 25 – Cloudy morning. At home all day.

Jun 26 – Put cutter together and chored round. Took up floor in old shop and put my staple down to hold wheels. George Clinton Lee Milham[68] Born this morning 3½ minitz to seven zacly.[69]

Jun 27 – Mr Plank finished plowing Buckwheat ground. A. Brown and Mr Plank helped me kill two hogs. Went over to burg in Evening.

Jun 28 – Cut up my Hogs this morning. Went over to burg. Bot one bbl salt 2.50 one Hat 25¢. Went down to Catharines.

Jun 29 – Cool morning. Worked round shop and garden.

Jun 30 – Worked on sulky wheels for Jim Milham. Went down to A. Browns. Got 3 pecks buckwheat. Mr Plank sowed Buckwheat. Cool and windy.

Jul 1 – Finished Milhams Wheels. Went up to Jo Flanders[70] in afternoon. Got some berries. They finished haying.

Jul 2 – Went down to Catharines and Jo Lees after hannah. Went in swimming. Warm day.

Jul 3 – Warm day. Went over to burg. Bot Calf Boots 4.50, one piece cotton and six cans &c 6.61. Worked on cutter dash. Went over to see Miner in Evening. Had a shower, rained hard in night.

Jul 4 – Worked on cutter dash frame some. Not much done. Hannah went over and got pictures taken.

Jul 5 – Went over to burg to see show come in, nice show. Ethan helped Skinner get in wheat in afternoon.

Jul 6 – Had a nice shower in morning. Worked on cutter some.

Jul 7 – Commenced cutting wheat. Hot day. Nancy & Hannah went down to Fords & Skinners. Thysa Pond here to tea.

Jul 8 – Cut wheat on hill. Hot day.

Jul 9 – Sick. Hot day. Ethan and Sarah went down to Catharines.

Jul 10 – Cut wheat on hill. Warm day.

Jul 11 – Finished cutting wheat and drawed it in in afternoon. Will and Ida Barber[71] here.

Jul 12 – Very hot day. Glued front dash to cutter. Mart Milham called here. One Hundred and twenty five in sun mercury 125 in sun.

Jul 13 – Hot day. Went down to A Browns. Got his rake. Made whiffletree. Mercury 100 in shade about noon. Mr Eastman Died. He was found dead in his bed.

Jul 14 – Ethan raked wheat stubble. Drawed in rakins. Mrs Dick Barber here. Mr Eastman buried.

Jul 15 – Repaired cradle for Jesse Earl. Turned some pins for Mr Allen.

Jul 16 – Carried Hannah down to Jo Lees. Went down to Catharines.

Jul 17 – Ethan plowed corn. I hoed in garden some. Went up to John Shermans to have my account allowed.

Jul 18 – Warm morning. Mr Plank and I went up to the Bristol place in afternoon. Saw Chapin.

Jul 19 – Put in boulster for John Sherman in forenoon. Had a fine rain. Thrashed some rakings in afternoon. Ethan cultivated corn.

Jul 20 – Thrashed some in morning. Went to mill. Hoed some.

Jul 21 – Worked round, hoed some. Fine day. Mr and Mrs Plank here to tea.

Jul 22 – Hoed some beans in forenoon. Jo and Hellen came here. Warm day. Went down to Jo Lees. Stayed all night.

Jul 23 – Went down to Catharines. Jim Milhams folks came down. Charley Bronson called there. Came home in Evening.

Jul 24 – Hoed Beans in forenoon. Quite warm. Cows got into Mr Schrams corn. Hoed some potatoes.

Jul 25 – Hoed Potatoes all day. Eugene and Edna[72] came here to day. Warm day.

Jul 26 – Fine morning, some thunder in the distance. Finished hoing potatoes. Had a shower. Went over to burg in Evening.

Jul 27 – Fine morning. Hoed round cornfield. Catharine, Lucy and Mart came up. Nice day. Had green corn for dinner.

Jul 28 – Fine day. Ethan, Eugene, Nancy, Hannah and Edna went to Kalamazoo. I wheeled wood down to road in woods. Sarah washed.

Jul 29 – Dr John King of Chicago here to dinner. Mrs Wiseman, Carry and Ella here.

Jul 30 – At home all day. Warm day.

Jul 31 – Went down to Charles Lees. A Brown drawed some oats.

Aug 1 – Rainy forenoon. Brown drawed one load oats. Ethan, Eugene and the girls went down to A Browns in afternoon.

Aug 2 – Warm morning. Not much work to day. Brown got in all his oats. Had Ethan, Eugene and girls. Went down to Mr Randals. Very hot, mercury 112 in sun.

Aug 3 – Worked round ____ very hot. Ethan, Eugene, Hannah and Nancy, Edna went over to Mr Planks. S. A. Brown[73] came here in Evening. Had a nice shower.

Aug 4 – No work to day. All well as usual. Mary and Carry Plank,[74] Ella Randal here. Had a heavy shower.

Aug 5 – Warm day. Edna went home. Ethan and Eugene went to Kalamazoo.

Aug 6 – At home all day. Ed Childs called here. S. A. Brown here.

Aug 7 – Eugene and I went up to Chapins.

Aug 8 – At home all day. Mist[?] Went down to Mr Streators, took dinner. Went Skinners. Carried a letter to Lois.

Aug 9 – Warm morning. Went up to Hartwells. Ethan [and Eugene?] went to Kalamazoo. Sarah, Mrs Plank and Suky went down to Mr Randals. Put neck on Mr Wheelers violin.

Aug 10 – Eugene started for Grand Rapids. Worked on cutter some puting on dash. Sarah, Mrs Plank and Suky went down to Mr Randals. Wheeler got his violin.

Aug 11 – Put top of dash on cutter. Henry[75] came home. Mr Flanders Brot his cultivator to be repaired.

Aug 12 – Mrs Betts[76] came on the noon train. I went down to Catharines just at night. Suky Brown here. Mr Yates[77] found to day, had been dround some ten weeks.

Aug 13 – Fine morning, warm. Mrs Yates[78] found to day, had been drund some ten weeks.

Aug 14 – Worked on cutter some. Very warm day. Repaired Mr Flanders cultivator.

Aug 15 – Worked on cutter front some. Oscar[79] came here. We went up to Chapins in afternoon. Henry came here, stayed all night.

Aug 16 – Went up to Mr Taylors. Got some timber to make balls and mallet. Oscar and I went up to Chapins. Oscar went down to Streators.

Aug 17 – Turned some balls and mallets for Mrs Randal. Oscar and I went up to see Mr Kirby. Oscar went up to Mr Balys.

Aug 18 – Mr Streator brot some elm boards. I turned some mallets. Ethan and Nancy went down to Catharines. Hannah and Lois came home with them. Oscar started for home.[80]

Aug 19 – Turned some mallets. Lois, Henry and all at home. Bent some fenders. Mrs Betts went over to Mr L. Burdicks.

Aug 20 – Went up to Mr Flanders and down to Catharines and Jo Lees. Jo very lame.

Aug 21 – Went to Kalamazoo. Saw ____ge. Henry started for home.[81]

Aug 22 – Went over to Jo Yorks and over to Finleys. Saw Oscar York. Champlin Harris[82] Died in night.

Aug 23 – Went over to Ed Yorks. Heard Oscar and Ed play the violin. Left Joes about Eleven. Got home about four. Ed Childs came down after Suky Brown.

Aug 24 – Finished up dash on cutter. Tamer ford came here. Turned two balls for Mrs Randals Croka set. Warm day. Mr Harris Buried to day.

Aug 25 – Thrashed some wheat.

Aug 26 – Put fender on Cutter. Bent one. Mrs plank here. Brown came back from Ed Childs. Warm and dry.

Aug 27 – Warm morning. I went up to Schrams. Old Mr Sherwood[83] Died to day. Mrs Betts went to church with Mr Planks folks.

Aug 28 – Eugene and Charley Hall came here. Old Mr Sherwood buried to day. Went over to Mr R_____. Had a nice shower.

Aug 29 – Went over to burg. Got my grist. Rainy day. Charley Hall went over to Hoags, stayed all night. Heifer went to Bull.

Aug 30 – Round home most of the day. Tinkered in shop some. Nancy sick. Cut a little wood.

Aug 31 – Choped some wood. Not very well.

Sep 1 – Went down to Catharines. Carried ciderbarrel. Got some peaches and tomatoes to Jo Lees. Eugene went to Dowagiac.[84] Mrs A. Brown, Miss S. A. Brown and Mrs Plank here.

Sep 2 – Got some peaches of Del Skinner. Went over to burg. Bot 2 galen jug. Got some water at Warrens well. Taken sick to night.

(No entries for September 3 through October 11)

Oct 11 – Mr Schram got old cow. Mr Wiseman and wife left.

Oct 12 – (no entry)

Oct 13 – Sold stove to Fidelya Brown. He paid four Dollars, he pays 10 for stove.

Oct 14 – Rainy morning. Frank[85] came up to get money of carmen[?]. A very windy night, some rain.

Oct 15 – Ethan and Frank went down to Catharines.

Oct 16 – I went down to Catharines. Mrs Betts went with us.

Oct 17 – Rained some in forenoon. Came home at night. Called to Jo Lees.

Oct 18 – Ethan and Frank Husking Corn.

Oct 19 – Frank Tomlinson left. Went down to Catharines. Lois Lee[86] died about ten AM. Patty[87] sent $5.00 ___ five Dollars.

Oct 20 – Went over to burg. Bot pants six Dollars. Sarah and Mrs Betts went up to Mr Ralphs. Jim Perry[88] Died this morning.

Oct 21 – Went to Lois Lees funeral. Went down to Catharines. Mrs Betts left for home. Buildings on the corner set on fire in night. _____ had two chickens 4½ lbs.

Oct 22 – Pleasant day, some wind. Jim Perry buried. Eat Breakfast alone this morning. Patty and Catharine started for home. Aunt Electa[89] died about seven P.M.

Oct 23 – No one here. Not as well to day. Thieves around in the night, stole cider.

Oct 24 – Cool morning. Oscar and Alfleda[90] came to day.

Oct 25 – Oscar and Sarah went up to Chapins.

Oct 26 – Oscar and Sarah went up to Gull to see Mr Right.

Oct 27 – Sarah and Alfleda went down to Jo Lees. Cold wind.

Oct 28 – Ethan husking corn

Oct 29 – Ethan went down to Marts. Sarah went, came home. Mrs Sherman died.

Oct 30 – Ethan cut some wood.

Oct 31 – Rainy day. Mrs Sherman buried to day.

Nov 1 – Pleasant day. Rebecca Plank came over here. Darias Austin stayed here all night. He was moving some things, had a cow.

Nov 2 – Austin left. Pleasant morning. Nancy & Hannah went down to Jo Lees. Ethan got Sorgum, had 14 Galens.

Nov 3 – Ethan husking corn. Fine day.

Nov 4 – Pleasant day, warm. I went over to burg to Mr Planks. Merideth came up here.

Nov 5 – Pleasant day. Old Mr & Mrs Ralph called here. Alvin Lee brot Alfleda here.

Nov 6 – Cool wind. Went down to Catharines with Meridith. Called to Jo Lees took dinner. Snowed in night ¼ inch.

Nov 7 – Fine day, plasant, had a little snow. Ethan and Meridith husking corn. Ida Lewis[91] buried to day.

Nov 8 – Finished husking corn about ten AM. Cloudy, not very cold.

Nov 9 – Went down to Jo Lees. Rainy afternoon. Mr Howlet Died about Eight AM. Jo Lee went to Kalamazoo after Coffin.

Nov 10 – Came home. Got some walnuts.

Nov 11 – Mr Howlet buried to day. Very pleasant day.

Nov 12 – Fine day. George Turner[92] came up here got his boring machine. Ethan went down to Jo Lees.

Nov 13 – Cloudy morning, rainy afternoon and night. Ethan working on moddle cupler. Mrs Keith here. Mr Boin[93] Died. Lived near Mr Swaddles.

Nov 14 – Rainy.

Nov 15 – Pleasant, cool. Ethan making cupler.

Nov 16 – Pleasant day. Went over to burg. Got some wine. Hard frost.

Nov 17 – Pleasant, hard frost this morning. Nancy and Hannah came home.

Nov 18 – Ethan cut some wood and went over to burg. Eb, Harry and Nell here in Evening. Rained in night. Skinner & Clark[94] maried to day.

Nov 19 – Nancy went down to Jo Lees. Louesa[95] came home. Alfleda here.

Nov 20 – Ethan working on cupler. Cold day.

Nov 21 – Ethan boiling cider. Snows some. Ethan finished cupler.

Nov 22 – Snowy day, snow fell 2 inches, cold and windy.

Nov 23 – Ethan, Sarah and Alfleda went down to Catharines. Pleasant day. Mr Plank thrashing Buckwheat. Dick Lamkins here in Evening. Snowed like fun, snow fell 3 inches. Sarah Borrowed six Dollars of Alvin Lee.

Nov 24 – Mr Plank finished the Buckwheat, had 22 bushels.

Nov 25 – Ethan cut some wood. Mr Schram called, paid for cider $3.20¢.

Nov 26 – Some misty and foggy. Ethan went down after Hannah.

Nov 27 – Cold and windy. Ethan made reach[96] for Theodore Earl.[97] Hannah commenced going to school. Ethan put Buckwheat straw in barn.

Nov 28 – Snowed some about ½ in. Ethan and girls went down to Streators in Evening. Cold.

Nov 29 – Cold morning 3 Abz. Mince called here to sell some grave stones. Sarah and Nancy went over to Mr Planks. Hawkins got stove. Doctor Burner lectured at burg.

Nov 30 – Mince got Birges bobs. Snows some. Quin brot his cutter. Eb, Harry and Nell here in Evening.

Dec 1 – Paid Mr Sherwood $10.00 ten Dollars. Went down to Jesse Lees. Went down to Catharines, stayed all night.

Dec 2 – Went to Jo Lees, stayed all night.

Dec 3 – Came home. Snowed like fun. Saw Mrs Skinner.

Dec 4 – Snows and blows like fury, snowed 3½ inches. Harry Streator[98] came here.

Dec 5 – Cold and blustering, good sleighing.

Dec 6 – Cold and blutering, 3 Abz. Quin got his cutter. Not so well, rather lame. Orrin Scranton[99] Died this Evening.

Dec 7 – Thawing some this morning. Lame, cant hardly get around.

Dec 8 – Cold and blustring. Mrs Plank here. Alfleda came up from Jacksons. A. A. Dodge called here.

Dec 9 – Went over to burg. Drawed one Hundred Dollars $100. of Town Treasurer. Eb and Nell and Harry came here. Eb and Nell stayed all night. Mart, Cate and Meridith came up here. Lois, Sate & Mrs Skinner. Extracted tooth for Mrs Skinner. Orrin Scranton buried to day.

Dec 10 – Mart, Cate and Meridith came up here. Lois, Sate & Mrs Skinner called. Extracted tooth for Mrs Skinner.

Dec 11 – Criss chopping some wood. Ethan commenced going to school. Sis sick.

Dec 12 – Paid Isaac Schram six Dollars and twenty five cents. Sis sick. Cate and Meridith here. Catharine got home.

Dec 13 – Meridith went down to Catharines. Snow fell ½ inch.

Dec 14 – Catharine, Lucy and Mart came up to day. Mrs Jackson called here. Alfleda went down to Jacksons with Marts folks when they went home. Hank Brown working in shop this Evening.

Dec 15 – Pleasant day. Mr Brown and Hank drawed one load straw. Mr Brown got hurt. Hank and Nancy went over to burg. Nancy went down to Browns stayed all night.

Dec 16 – Ethan, Hank, Nancy and Hannah went over to Vicksburg to Yorks. I done the chores for the first time since last summer.

Dec 17 – Cloudy, not much snow on ground. Ethan and girls came home from Yorks. All well.

Dec 18 – Snows some. Brown drawed one load straw.

Dec 19 – Swept out corn house. Cold, snow 1½ one inch and half. Ethan Eye sore.

Dec 20 – Cold and windy, 2 below zero, in Evening Eigh oclock 15 below zero. Paid school teacher fifty Dollars 50.00

Dec 21 – Cold morning, 6 below zero this morning.

Dec 22 – Carried sleigh over to burg. Cold and snowey, snow fell one inch 1 inch, rained all night.

Dec 23 – Rainy. Let A. Brown have $30 thirty dollars. Heavy wind. Wesley got home this morning.

Dec 24 – Pleasant day. A. Brown called here. Carried Wills pants home.

Dec 25 – No one here to day. Ethan went down to M O Streators.[100] George Sutherland[101] Died to night.

Dec 26 – Went over to burg. Carried 50 lbs Buckwheat flour to Dr Merril. Nice wheeling, no snow on ground or not much. Bot bottle of medicine of Mr VanBuren $1.00. Ethan & girls went down to Skinners.

Dec 27 – Cold and snowey, blustring. Worked on sleigh shoe pattern. About one inch of snow. Will Plank stayed all night.

Dec 28 – Went over to burg. Carried over pattern for sleigh shoes. Mart and Meridith came up. Ethan repaired Ely Wightmans melodion.

Dec 29 – Went over to burg with Jo Lee. Bot Diary 45 cts. Pleasant day. Went down to Jo Lees, stayed all night.

Dec 30 – Went down to Catharines, stayed all night. Mart thrashed his clover. Had Elevn bushels.

Dec 31 – Came home. Alfleda came up from M. O. Streators. Hank Brown and Alice Byington came up here in Evening.

——-

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

[2] Above zero

[3] His sister, Catharine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[4] His brother, John Wesley Keith, who, according to the family Bible, was adopted

[5] His niece and her husband, Martin & Lucy Irene (Lee) Milham

[6] Galesburg, Michigan

[7] Mart & Lucy’s daughter, Clara Almyra Milham, who was two years old

[8] Susie A. Brown, sometimes referred to as Suky Brown and/or Decatur Susie Brown

[9] Believe he is referring to his brother-in-law, David “D.C.” Crawford, who lived in Golden, Colorado

[10] His youngest daughter, Louese Keith

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

[12] 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

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

[14] Lois (Keith) Clark, his daughter by his first wife, Minerva (Payson) Keith

[15] See January 8, 1871 letter from Seaman Bristol Jr. to Luke

[16] His neighbor, Ambrose Brown

[17] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[18] Et cetera

[19] Ambrose Brown’s son, Henry Brown; Hank would marry Luke’s daughter, Nancy, in 1872

[20] Joseph W. Lee, his paternal first cousin

[21] His horse

[22] Believed to be his neighbors, William & Harriet (Groat) Plank

[23] Neighbor children, the daughters of John Allen

[24] His son

[25] His daughters

[26] Lois (French) Lee, the wife of his cousin, Joseph Lee

[27] A neighbor, Sarah (Knight) Skinner

[28] Sarah Skinner, the daughter of Sylvester & Sarah (Knight) Skinner

[29] His daughter, Nancy Catherine Keith

[30] His cousin, George & Sarah (Roberts) Turner

[31] Believe this is George & Sarah Turner’s baby son

[32] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Willie Hodges, the son of Edward & Adeline Hodges, died February 22, 1871, at the age of 4, and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[33] The vertical side pieces to a wagon body

[34] His cousin, Jesse Earl Lee

[35] His grandson, and Lois’ son, William Byron Clark

[36] One of his pigs

[37] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Ella (Taylor) Adams, age 22, wife of Milo Adams, died March 11, 1871 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[38] See March 11^th entry

[39] The daughter of William & Harriet (Groat) Plank

[40] Edwin & Ruth Ann (Fletcher) York had four boys: Frank (b: about 1856), Arthur (b: 1858), Fred (b: 1862), and George (b: about 1871; Edwin was Joseph York’s brother

[41] According to the History of Kalamazoo County, Michigan (1880), the Galesburg Cornet Band was organized August 4, 1870. Charles Harris was the leader and he played the E-flat cornet. Ethan Keith played the 2^d E-flat cornet

[42] The Michigan Death Records at Ancestry.com show that Anthony Labell, a priest, died in Kalamazoo at the age of 55

[43] Ambrose & Lydia (Taylor) Milham; it is believed that Ambrose was a half-brother of Martin Milham

[44] Oak Grove Cemetery records show that Frank C. Spier was born February 21, 1848 and died April 2, 1871

[45] His maternal first cousin

[46] Avery Martin Phelps, age 49, died in Charleston, Michigan, and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[47] A search of the Michigan Death Records at Ancestry.com shows that Gertrude McLary, age 82, died April 4, 1871 in Charleston, Michigan

[48] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Julia Ann (McFarland) Rogers, age 27, died April 18, 1871 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[49] Ambrose Brown’s wife, Matilda (Allen) Brown

[50] Neighbors, Joseph & Caroline (Williams) Wiseman

[51] Believe he is referring to William H. Plank, the son of his neighbors, William & Harriet (Groat) Plank

[52] His paternal first cousins, William and Alvan Lee, the sons of Charles Lee (see April 23^rd entry)

[53] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Jerome C. Chadwick died April 17, 1871 and is buried in Indian Fields Cemetery, Portage, Michigan

[54] Lois had lived in Spring Hill (now Tedrow), Ohio, with her first husband, Byron Clark; however, after he died, she returned to Michigan. Apparently her in-laws convinced her to leave her son Charley with them (see the May 13, 1866 letter), so she was probably going back to visit

[55] His paternal first cousin. Charles Lee (1797-1878) was the son of Charles & Rhoda (Keith) Lee, the brother of Joseph W. Lee and the father of Charles Jedediah Lee

[56] Daughter of John Allen and sister of Ida and Libby Allen (see January 21^st entry)

[57] Neighbor, daughter of Richard & Mary (Knowles) Barber

[58] Daughter of James Milham, Martin Milham’s half brother

[59] George Ransom Wightman

[60] Leonidas, St. Joseph County, Michigan

[61] Carrie and Sarah Ella Wiseman, daughters of Joseph & Caroline (Williams) Wiseman (see April 14^th entry)

[62] Believe he is referring to his grandson, Will Clark

[63] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Caroline B. Ralph, age 3, the daughter of William and & Emaline (Stone) Ralph, died May 31, 1871, and is buried in the Riverside Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[64] Daughter of James Milham, Martin Milham’s half brother

[65] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Robert D. & Jane Eliza (Caldwell) Gates died in Gull Lake, Michigan, and are buried in Cressey Cemetery, Barry County, Michigan

[66] Martin Milham’s half brother

[67] Neighbor and “shirttail relative”

[68] Son of Martin & Lucy Irene (Lee) Milham

[69] Exactly

[70] Neighbor, Joseph Flanders

[71] Neighbors, children of Richard & Mary (Knowles) Barber

[72] Eugene and Edna Crawford, the children of his wife Sarah’s late brother, Edwin Crawford

[73] Susie A. Brown, sometimes referred to as Suky Brown, Decatur Susie Brown and S. A. Brown

[74] The daughters of William & Harriet (Groat) Plank

[75] His son by his first wife, Minerva Payson.

[76] His mother-in-law, Nancy (Comfort) Crawford Betts

[77] Robert D. Gates drowned in Gull Lake, Michigan; see June 4^th entry

[78] Jane Eliza (Caldwell) Gates drowned in Gull Lake, Michigan; see June 4^th entry

[79] Believe he is referring to his nephew, James “Oscar” Keith

[80] Oscar lived in Deerfield, Michigan

[81] After Luke’s first wife, Minerva (Payson) Keith, died, Joseph & Amanda (Hobbs) Flanders took in their children, Henry and Lois Keith. From letters from that time, it would appear that Lois was then sent to Minerva’s parents while Henry lived with the Flanders family. 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 he lived with them throughout his youth. This seems to be corroborated by the 1860 census showing “Henry L Flanders” (believed to actually be Henry L. Keith), age 16, living with Joseph & Amanda

[82] A search at FindAGrave.com shows that Champlin Harris died August 23, 1871 and is buried in the Riverside Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[83] A search of Ancestry.com shows that Stephen B. Sherwood died August 28, 1871 in Comstock, Michigan, and Oak Grove Cemetery records show he is buried there

[84] Dowagiac, Michigan

[85] His grandnephew, Frank John Tomlinson, the son of George and Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

[86] Jo Lee’s wife, Lois (French) Lee; she is buried in Indian Fields Cemetery, Portage, Michigan

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

[88] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that James Perry died October 20, 1871 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[89] His aunt, Electa (Damon) Wolcott, the widow of his Uncle Warren Wolcott

[90] His sister-in-law, Alfleda (Starr) Keith, the widow of his brother, Harvey Keith, and the mother of James “Oscar” Keith

[91] Ida May Lewis, the daughter of Maxon & Mary Lewis, died of croup at the age of 4, on November 4, 1871

[92] His cousin; the son of Jesse & Sally (Davis) Turner

[93] A search of the 1870 census shows L. & Lucinda Bowen listed immediately after S[amuel] Swaddle; FindAGrave.com shows Lucius Bowen, the husband of Lucinda Congdon, died in 1871 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[94] His daughter, Lois (Keith) Clark, married Adelbert Skinner

[95] His youngest daughter, Louese Keith, usually referred to as Sis

[96] A pole that connected the front axle and the rear axle of a wagon

[97] The son of Jesse & Mary (Clapp) Earl; see June 14^th entry

[98] A neighbor

[99] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Orrin Scranton, died December 6, 1871 in Perry, New York, and is buried in Pearl Creek Cemetery, Pearl Creek, New York. The 1850 census shows Orrin living in Covington, New York, which is where Luke lived before coming to Michigan

[100] Neighbor, Marius O. Streator; the father of Harry Streator (see December 4^th entry)

[101] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that George Sutherland died December 25 and is buried in Newbre Cemetery, Battle Creek, Michigan