Luke Keith’s 1864 Diary with some 1865 entries

1864 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.[1]

Jan 1 – Verry cold 14 degrees below zero verry freesing. No work to day stayed in the house most of the day. Verry windy.

Jan 2 – Verry cold and blustering 15 below zero high wind. Went over to Fathers.[2] Mrs Peterson & Celia there. Bot cap 5.00¢. L. T Earl brot timber for bob.[3]

Jan 3 – At home all day. Very cold. Lois[4] Byron[5] and Hannah[6] came home.

Jan 4 – Went over to Fathers. Worked in shop some. Hung ax in Evening for D Lamkins in Wesley[7] here in Evening.

Jan 5 – Extracted tooth for John Scramlins boy 25¢. Let Lois Tyler have timber for raves & thills[8] 50¢. Piled Mrs Betts[9] wood. Bot thread 20¢ Bot alcohol 5¢ salt 25. T. Flanders here to night. Put bearing on Wesleys bob. Hat Burdick paid 10¢.

Jan 6 – Work on Lymans bob. T. Flanders left. Finished Harmon Smiths violin. Mrs Peterson Mrs Davis & Celia Newman here.

Jan 7 – Filed saw for Hunting 15¢. Worked on L. T. Earls bob. Ground T. Corys ax ground P. Johnsons ax. L. T. Earl brot 108½ Beef 4.34¢.

Jan 8 – Hunting paid 30¢. Finished L. T. Earls bob.

Jan 9 – Made handle to Huntings saw 25¢ filed saw for Hunting 15¢. Went over to Fathers with Ethen.[10]

Jan 10 – At home all day. Mrs Joy[11] died this morning.

Jan 11 – Cut two pairs mittens for paddy 20. Hunting paid 15¢. Made boulster for D. Hamilton 1.00. Flanders brot load straw. Catharine[12] here. Mrs Joy buried. Bot crackers 25¢.

Jan 12 – P. Johnson paid 25¢. Sold Mrs Betts 10 & ¾ beef 43 she paid 3¢ Beckwith 6. Bot file 15¢. Filed saw for A. Odel 25¢.

Jan 13 – Filed saw for Isaac Smith 25¢ filed saw for Starling 20¢. John R. Scramlin paid 25¢. Bot 50 bbs flour 1.75¢.

Jan 14 – Uncle Chi commenced making whiffletrees.[13] Went over to Fathers. Fixed pump. Filed cross cut saw for Ed Hoges 50¢.

Jan 15 – Isaac Smith paid 30¢. Sold Isaac Johnson one finger board 105¢. Filed saw for A. Austin 25¢. Bot schoes for Jim 55¢.

Jan 16 – Filed saws for Hunting 35. Repaired crutches for Eugene Cory 5¢. Mrs Betts paid 1.00. Mr Dickinson Brot Mrs Betts one cord wood 3.00¢. Worked some on Dicks Box. Mr Brown got his mittens 37¢.

Jan 17 – Went up to Wesleys Yorks[14] Fathers &c.[15] Got some maple bark for ink. Eugene Cory paid 5¢.

Jan 18 – Worked on seats. Bine Durgy paid 25¢. Bot copras 3¢. Filed two saws for J. Flanders 40. Got one bushel apples 40¢. Paid tax 6.30¢. Filed saw for H Scramlin 20. Got boots tapt 65¢.

Jan 19 – Henry Scramlin paid 20¢ Dick Whiting Bot hickory 10¢. Hung ax for Frank Clemens 10¢. Sold rave to stranger 10¢. Made saw buck for A. Austin 20¢.

Jan 20 – Buskirk got bench screw & miter boxes. D Lamkins called here. Filed saw for Hunting __¢. Worked on Lamkins box. A. J. Bradford sick. Went over and washed him and fixed him quite comfortable.

Jan 21 – With Bradford part of the fore noon. Worked on Lamkins buggy box. Myron Rawson paid 37¢.

Jan 22 – Worked on Lamkins box some cut out rizers. Starling paid 20¢. Eugene Bronsons Boddy came on the noon train to day.

Jan 23 – Made rizers for D. Lamkins. Eugene Bronson Buried to day. Father sold Deacon & Bonus weight 3110. Bot one lb nails 7¢.

Jan 24 – At home all day. Sarah[16] & Mrs Betts went to church.

Jan 25 – Put Lamkins seats together. Put in wagon neap[17] for Mr Hopkins 1.00¢. Hung ax for __ Lamkins 10 hung ax for Marshal __ 5¢. Bot oil 35.

Jan 26 – Stranger paid 10¢ for rave. Took felloes[18] of Flanders wheels. Worked on Lamkins box.

Jan 27 – Put Lamkins box together. Bot sandpaper 10¢. Mrs Potts[19] buried to day. James Shafter got his violin.

Jan 28 – Put bottom on Lamkins box and dash posts. Put in wagon neap for Mr Right 1.00¢. Bot two pairs shoes for Hannah & Nancy[20] 2.00.

Jan 29 – Put dash on Box. Race[21] broke over. Mrs Betts went to County house. Bot matches 12¢. Lois Hannah Byron & Mr Hubbard stayed all night. Race broke over fooded my yard.

Jan 30 – Went to mill. Helped clear the race of ice. Sawed some wood.

Jan 31 – At home all day. Lois went home. Byron went East on stock train.

Feb 1 – Bot thread 5¢. Tenanted spokes on Flanders old wheels.

Feb 2 – Filed saw for James Holden 25. Bot file 15. Filed saw for Henry Scramlin 25¢. Sawed out some felloes. Dick Lamkins Brot 140¢ lbs flour.

Feb 3 – Bot thread 10¢. Finished sawing out felloes. Bored and put on one wheel. Huntings boy paid 10¢ for repairs on violin.

Feb 4 – Bored rims on three wheels. Flanders called here. Sawed out reach and jacks for Lamkins buggy. Went to lecture in Evening Mr Hull on spiritualism 25.

Feb 5 – Made reach head block & jacks to Dick Lamkins buggy. Filed saw for Hunting 15¢ filed saw for Isaac Smith 15. Bot box ointment 25¢.

Feb 6 – Sawed up one wheel. Painted Lamkins box. Bot one cake soap 5.

Feb 7 – Went up to Wesleys Yorks & Fathers.

Feb 8 – Rounded two wheels. Extracted two teeth for Bachelder 25¢. Extracted tooth for Miss Powers 25¢. Ground ax for James Holden 15. James Flanders called here.

Feb 9 – Marshall Austin paid 15. Finished Flanders wheels. Riley Bennet & wife called here. Extracted tooth for Frank Bachelder 25¢. Bot Dipthera medicine 50¢.

Feb 10 – Flanders got his wheels. Carried Lamkins box to shop. Made ax helve for Jo Boardman. Et Smith buried to day.

Feb 11 – Put in Bed bottom.[22] Went over to Fathers. Old Mr Henyon buried to day. Extracted tooth for Wm Baxter 25. Bristol brot his buggy wheel broke down.

Feb 12 – Worked on Chipmans wagon. Got some rubber springs for Lounge of A. J. Bradford. Chipman brot some boulster stuff.

Feb 13 – Put crotch in Chips wagon. Sawed out some boulsters. Dressed out one ____. Margaret Brother died. Mrs Aldrich buried to day.

Feb 14 – At home all day. Sarah went to church.

Feb 15 – Finished one boulster. Sawed out swaybars put spring bottom in lounge. Uncle Ames called here.

Feb 16 – Worked on Chipmans hounds & sway bars. Cold as blazes. Put spring bottom in crib for galligan.

Feb 17 – 10 below zero. Went over to Fathers. Verry cold. No work to day.

Feb 18 – Cold 10 below zero. Put in bed bottom for Henry Scramlin. Put in one for Mrs Betts.

Feb 19 – Finished Chipmans wagon. Filed two saws for Hunting 30 filed saw for Oatman 10.

Feb 20 – Bot candy 5. Uncle Tim Mills died. Worked some on Bristols wheel. Got Ethens Boots tapt 50. Ed Hoges paid 50. Bot buttons for Nancy 10.

Feb 21 – Went down to Lois. Mr Mills buried to day. David Gaults wife Brot in to day.

Feb 22 – Made lazy back to Lamkins seat. Made sway bar for Doc Wightman 38 worked on. David Gaults wife buried to day. Newell Cuykendalls wife died. A Chipman got his wagon.

Feb 23 – Got out spokes for Bristols wheel. Bot file 15. Filed saw for E. M. Clap 25.

Feb 24 – Bot screws 6¢ postage 3. Filed saw for Henry Scramlin 10¢. Got out some spokes. Mrs Shafter died.

Feb 25 – Finished Bristols wheel. Filed saw for Frank Clemens 25. Bot pens 5.

Feb 26 – Made two steaks for A. Chipman. Sent letter to J. S. King[23] 3. David Hamilton paid 1.00. Extracted two teeth for Stranger 50¢.

Feb 27 – Morticed hub for D. Lamkins wheel. Repaired T. Coreys cart 25¢. Bot oil 35¢. Father called in shop. Sent letter to H. M. Smith 3¢.

Feb 28 – Went over to Fathers. Cut Oatmans hair 10¢. Father let me have 75.00.

Feb 29 – Set Boxes in Dicks hub. Made crutch for Marsh Austin 10. Filed saw for A. Austin 20. Dressed out spokes for Dicks wheel. Got deed of Barry County for A. J. Bradford 30¢.

Mar 1 – Made crutch for Marshal Austin. Filed saw for Wm Eldred 20¢ filed crosscut saw for Joy 50¢. Eldred paid 20¢. Bot beer 10¢.

Mar 2 – Shaved and filed some spokes drove them and put on rim. Mr Joy paid 50. Bot Shugar 75¢. Filed saw for P. Johnson. Bristol got his buggy 2.00¢. Sarah went down to Bylons.

Mar 3 – Finished Lamkins wheel. Bot pants of Blackburn 3.25¢. Dea Clark called here. A Chipman paid 5.00¢. Clark bot Fulton County Ohio for the use of the ulmer[24] spring bed bottom.

Mar 4 – Put in Bottom for Oatman one for Mary Childs one for Mrs Austin one for Mr Warren. One galen syrup of Austin 1.00.

Mar 5 – Put in 3 spokes for Tousley 75¢. Kingsley paid 62¢ Mr Bristol paid 2.00. A. J. Bradford sold Charleston & Climax to Fred Reading. Wood sawyer got his hand sawed of to day.

Mar 6 – At home all day. Sarah came home. Ain Halls baby buried to day.

Mar 7 – Went over to Fathers. Put in bed Bottom for Mariah pond. Mended mop for P. Johnson 25¢.

Mar 8 – Repaired saw for P Johnson 10¢ Johnson paid 30¢. Bot shoes for Jerusha[25] 80¢. Johnson paid A. Lamkins paid 20¢. Filed saw for Marcy Van Eldred and put one auger handle and bored five 38¢. Filed saw for A. Lamkins 20. Eldred paid 40. Repaired Mrs Hoges gate 25.

Mar 9 – Mrs Betts paid 1.50¢. Tousley paid 50. Worked on spokes and moddle. Bot Elastic ribbon 10¢ wire 3¢.

Mar 10 – Worked on spokes and moddle. Filed saw for Hunting 15¢ Hunting paid 30. Bot wire tacks & screws 14.

Mar 11 – Put in Bed bottom for R. Ransom. Put in one for P. T. Carver[?]. Bot shugar 5¢.

Mar 12 – Put in Bed bottom for C. Addams one for Langford Burdick. Went over to Fathers. D. Lamkins brot over hay. Bot salt 25 Beer 10¢. Received of J. C. Blake 50.00. Joseph Flanders Brot ____ tun hay.

Mar 13 – At home all day. Finished my moddle. Sarah went to church.

Mar 14 – Tousley paid 25¢. Bot indigo 10¢. Worked on spokes. Catharine and Ethen here brot Mrs Betts flour. Old Mrs Warren[26] died 88 yrs. Let A. J. Bradford have my moddle bedstead.

Mar 15 – Trimed up spokes for Flanders wheels. Filed saw for Wm Batt he paid 20¢.

Mar 16 – Split wood over to Fathers from the machine. Mr Soules helped me. Got my Boots tapt 10¢.

Mar 17 – Split wood over to Fathers in fore noon. Wesley drawed me a load over.

Mar 18 – Finished dressing Flanders spokes. Filed and set saw for Batt.

Mar 19 – Drove spokes in Flanders wheels &c. Carried two bushels corn to mill.

Mar 20 – Went over to Fathers. Catharine let me have 15 Dollars and draft for 35 Dollars 15 Dollars in money.

Mar 21 – Went to Kalamazoo got money on Draft 35.00. Sent letter to Jesse Wilcut[27] 3¢. Bot vice and tacks 2.07¢. Fare down and back 50¢. Got 20 Dollars of Mason. Saw General Burnside. 20 of Mrs Betts. Aunt Lilly[28] Died to day.

Mar 22 – Got Deed of Wisconsin $200.00. Paid Mrs Betts 15.00. Worked on wheels. Made churn dash for D. K. Rogers 25. T. Cory paid 10¢. Bot stamps 40¢.

Mar 23 – Worked on wheels finished one. Caty Allerton[29] Buried to day. Saw James Noyes he leves on the 12.15 train for St Louis Mo.

Mar 24 – Worked on wheels. Mr Right paid 1.00. D. K. Rogers paid 25. Man called here from Marshall to get slatts for bed bottoms.

Mar 25 – Finished Flanders wheels. Made churn dash for Mrs. Rogers. G. F. Warren called here to get agency to sell bed Bottoms in Wisconsin. Filed saw for Wesley. Benj Moore got 56 spokes. Flanders got his Wheels.

Mar 26 – Haled over stuf in shop to get Ex stock. Filed saw for P. Johnson. Made wagon box for Mr Pilgrim 1.00. Wesley Brot some wood for Milford. Mrs Bevere[30] buried. Stuarts boy got in the race.

Mar 27 – Pleasant. Sarah went to church. I went over to Fathers in Evening.

Mar 28 – Sawed of my bed slats. Jef Chaffee[31] went through on the noon train. Bot beef 45. Sent letter to J. S. King 3¢. Dan Hunting paid 15¢. Lucy came on the train with Jeff. Puled up my slatts.

Mar 29 – Worked on Wm Johnson Ex. Went down to Wm Eldreds. Lucy went home. Finished Johnsons Ex. Filed saw for P. Johnson.

Mar 30 – Bot file 15¢. Filed two saws for A. B. Sumner 40 one for D. K. Rogers. Sumner paid 40¢. Worked on moddle. Oscar Keith[32] called here.

Mar 31 – Worked on moddle some. Filed saw for P. Johnson. Made arrow for Eugene Cory 10¢. Sarah Rogers here to Dinner. Egene paid 10¢. Bot rubber for moddle 10¢. Oscar went home.

Apr 1 – Went up to Wesleys Fathers Milfords and Jesse Earls. Albina sick. Went into canc___. Sent letter to J. S. King (Tomlinson)[33] 3¢.

Apr 2 – Finished Pilgrims buggy box 2. Wesley came down & killed pig.

Apr 3 – At home all day. Very pleasant sun shown all day.

Apr 4 – Rained all day. Went to town meeting. Elias Sherman & Mr Flanders here to dinner.

Apr 5 – Charley Lee here to dinner. Made ramrod for Frank Bachelder 10¢. Let S. M. Grimes have stick for Evener 10¢. Carried old stove down to Hardwa___ it weighed 208 lbs 1.¼¢ pr pound. Bot Box ointment 25¢.

Apr 6 – Bot gate hangings 90¢ wire 3¢. Hung small gate. Heard Bill Rogers Lucy & Mary Johnson stayed all night. Ethen came over. Bot nails 7¢.

Apr 7 – Filed saw for Bigsby 50¢. Went down to Lois & streator. Got my gate ketch fixd.

Apr 8 – Put ketch & spring on gate. Bot salt 10¢ Bot nails 48¢. Put some rails on fence. Pilgrim paid 2.00. Recd letter from J. S. K.[34] sent letter to D. M. Hall 3¢.

Apr 9 – Went over to Fathers. Ethen came home to stay. Finished puting on fence rails. Bot thread 8¢.

Apr 10 – Bot salearatas[35] 13¢. Finished my moddle. Went over to Fathers. Sarah went to Mrs Wm Aldrich funeral.

Apr 11 – Filed saw for Joseph Lee.[36] Filed saw for Mr seaman 20¢. Set saw for old Mr Adams. Made Evener for Mr _______ 50.

Apr 12 – Bot 2 lbs nails 16¢ one try squair 38¢ Bot books for Ethen 1.50¢. Mr _______ paid 150¢. Filed saw for Wesley. Finished my fence. Milford brot wood.

Apr 13 – Took out butry. Byrons folks snowed in to day. Eight bed bottoms came from D. M. Hall.

Apr 14 – Got Eight bed bottoms freight 50¢. Filed saw for Wm Eldred 25¢. Mrs Hoges paid 25¢. Lathed up the kitchen.

Apr 15 – By[37] plastered up the Kitchen. I worked round house some. Went up to Cummings.

Apr 16 – Carried one bottom over to C. P. Galligans. Carried 5 over to Fathers. Put in bottom for Catharine. Sent letter to Brad 3¢. Pros[38] came up. Oatman paid 10¢. Gave 50¢ to Mrs Dewey that was burnt out. Pros came.

Apr 17 – Went over At home all day. Henry[39] came home.

Apr 18 – Went down to Kalamazoo put in bed bottom for Frank Galligan. Bot cotton cloth two bosoms one pair shoes 75¢. Went & saw white negro 10¢. Bot 105 yards webing 45.96¢. Went to panorama 25.

Apr 19 – Trimed currant bushes. Cleaned up round garden. Made Mrs Austin 5 window sticks. Mrs Smith buried. Got lime to whitewash the kitchen.

Apr 20 – Worked in garden put up leach piled up stone burnt brush. Pros came back from Flanders. Bot lime 15¢.

Apr 21 – Worked round garden piled some wood. Martin Turner[40] called here. Catherine & Lucy[41] here. Got cupboard of Mrs Wiseman. Recd letter from Brad.

Apr 22 – Went up to Luke Chace Joseph Flanders & Ambrose Browns[42] put bed bottoms. D. M. Hall called here. E. P. Oatman paid 5.00 Ezra Mansfield[43] died this morning.

Apr 23 – E. P. Oatman paid 5.00 for bed bottom. Cut Peter Johnsons hair 10¢. Bot buts screws & lock 30. Extracted tooth for Mr Struble 25¢. Pros went up to Battle Creek.

Apr 24 – At home all day. Rained all day. Mr Mansfields funeral to day.

Apr 25 – Mr Mansfield buried. Wiseman paid 10¢. Bot spider 50¢. Made machine to turn buckles on turned some cut some rubber. Pros came back. Sold Galligan two & half bushels apples ___ 2.25¢.

Apr 26 – Turned some buckles. Wm Batt got axhelve 1.00. Made Jack plane for Shed Sheeley. Cut rubber in Evening. J. T. Warren called here to see me to get agency for bed bottoms.

Apr 27 – Worked on planes. Finished Sheds planes finished cutting my rubber. Had 855 springs. Pros went down to the county house.

Apr 28 – Picked up stuff in shop & barn. Sold 171 lbs old iron 2.56¢ 8 lbs nutts 80¢. Bot three dozen Eggs of Father 10¢ pr dozen.

Apr 29 – Piled lumber in barn. Turned 182 buckles for Wiseman turned some 200 buckles for B. Clark. Hiram[44] sent 168 Dollars let Mrs Betts have 15.00¢. Paid school bill 1.03 bot paper 5¢.

Apr 30 – Dressed out some slatts. Filed saw for Darling 20¢. Henry came down. Mr Flanders got his potatoes.

May 1 – At home. Went over to Fathers with By. Henry went home.

May 2 – Dressed some slats. Frank Burlingham called here worked on box some. Bot pants for Ethen 65¢. Sent letter to J. S. King 3¢. Pros let me have one cent. Pros went to Battlecreek.

May 3 – Made wagon box for Wesley. Dressed out slatts. Received letter from Pros. A. J. Bradford came back. Barber brot up B. Clarks grist from mill.

May 4 – Finished Edging slats. Bradford came over put in sond board for A. Austin. Father came over this morning. Bot bar soap 12¢.

May 5 – Ethen came over with Nance. Got out manure. Bot oil 45¢. By came home in the Evening.

May 6 – Worked round yard some. Got out some slats. Put slats out to day. Got out some stuf for guitar box. Thunder shower in night. Filed two saws for Hunting 30¢.

May 7 – Made guitar trunk for Bell Galligan 1.50. Repaired parasol 10. Recd of Gates &c 25¢. Repaired trunk for Mrs Betts.

May 8 – Went over to Fathers. Alvan Lee[45] there.

May 9 – Bot two pairs shoes for the girls 2.50¢. Bot broom 30¢. Wesley brot 170 slats from L. T. Earls. Dressed out 100 slats. Sawmill caut fire in Evening.

May 10 – Dressed some slats. Filed saw for Williams 20¢ filed saw for Barber 15¢. Put Wesleys wagon box together. Extracted two teeth for Mary Clark 50¢.

May 11 – Groved all my slats. Put handle on guitar trunk. Sarah Lois & youngones went over to Fathers. Bot paper 5¢.

May 12 – Went up to L. T. Earls. Got about 200 slats. Tightened box in Bristols buggy wheel.

May 13 – Went over to Fathers got plow plowed my garden. Took plow home. Got grist from mill. Got wheat of Jo Flanders 4 bushels.

May 14 – Bot paper 5¢. Planted peas onions lettauce potatoes & corn.

May 15 – Went up to Flanders. Got my colt took her down to Catharines Mr Cook Darling & Bot paper 5¢.

May 16 – Draged part of garden planted some corn potatoes & beans peas. Mr Bristol paid 25¢. Paid for Mrs Betts bed bottom 5.00.

May 17 – Built Austins fence 2.50. Extracted tooth for Dutch girl 25¢. Sarah Lois & children went up to Swaddles. Mrs Betts went to Kalamazoo.

May 18 – Dressed out some slats. Tinkered violins some. Gave old Mr Adams 50¢. By Clark got home in night.

May 19 – Finished dressing slats. Patent right man here. My End strips came one hundred 8.15¢.

May 20 – Patent right man bot my rubber spring & slat 25¢. Finished groveing slats. Tacked in some rubber.

May 21 – Tacking in rubber. Filed saw for J. B. Holden 30¢ filed saw for J. Jackson 25¢. Mr Flanders & Henry[46] called. Bot buttons 12. Let Sarah have 50¢.

May 22 – Went up north in woods in morning. Sarah went to church.

May 23 – Finished puting in rubber. Bot tacks 70¢. Made roling stick for Gates & Sherwood 25¢.

May 24 – Took bed botom out of J. T. Warrens bed oone out of R. Ransoms bed. Put one into Griffins bed. Tacked some rubber.

May 25 – Tacked in some rubber. Filed saw for Mr. [blank] 20¢. Bot cabbage plants 12¢. Lucy & Kit Matthews here to breakfast & Dinner. Charley Bronson left on the noon train. Eleck got his violin 50¢.

May 26 – Finished rounding my slats. Earls sawyer got his violin paid 1.00. Turned some buckles. All went and saw Benj Moores pictures 50¢.

May 27 – Went up to A. Chipmans put in bed bottom put in one for Mr Ralph. Sent to Kalamzoo by Oatman. Bot one Dog paper 4. oz tacks 40¢. Bent some buckles.

May 28 – Finished my buckles. Tacked in all my springs. Put in bed bottom for Lois. Let Hannah have 10¢. Father called here. Bot beef 60¢.

May 29 – At home all day head ache. Pleasant. Mr Flanders & Henry called here with their new buggy.

May 30 – Finished up buckles. Extracted tooth for Mr Quick 25¢. Filed saw for Mr Olin 25¢. Mr Bradfor & A. A. man called here.

May 31 – Put in buckles in end strips. Mrs Betts went to Kalamazoo got her teeth 25.00. Mr Bradford went to Otsego. Went over to Fathers. Bot butter 45¢.

Jun 1 – Finished my bed bottoms. Brad got me some rubber. Cut stencil plate. Marked my Ends. Bot ticket for Chicago (2.50.

Jun 2 – Went over to Fathers repaired pump. Bot hat for Jim[47] 20¢. Made buckles for moddle. Sawed out stuf for moddle. Mr [blank] paid 25¢. Catharine & Hellen here.

Jun 3 – Bot buts screws & lock glass & putty 52¢ bot steel ring 5¢.

Jun 4 – Mad moddle for By Clark. Paid Rich Blackburn 7.30¢ for pants cloth. Filed saw for Mr Seman 15¢.

Jun 5 – Went over to Fathers with B. Clark Ethen Nancy Hannah & Charley went.

Jun 6 – Went over to Fathers. Cleaned up wheat. Mr Seeley paid 3.00. Got hair cut 20¢.

Jun 7 – Went to Kalamazoo fare 50. Bot hat 3.00 deeds 4.00 cap 75¢ pictur frame 1.25¢ fare 60 _____ Harmen Smith paid 2.00. Sarah bot sundries 19.25¢. Received 20.00.

Jun 8 – Struble paid 25¢. Worked in shop some on box. Wiseman stamped some Ends. Bot lining for my trunk 25¢.

Jun 9 – Mad box for my springs. Bot nails 15¢. Oatman & Wiseman worked on bed bottoms.

Jun 10 – Went to Kalamazoo bot iron 29¢ apple 1¢ fare both ways 50¢ carrier for trunk 2.00. Packed one bunch slats.

Jun 11 – Packed my slats. Harriet Perry & Sarah Miller called here.

Jun 12 – Went over to Celia Newmans. Saw old Mrs Petersons likeness. Went down to burying ground.

Jun 13 – Finished packing my slats and took them to the station.

Jun 14 – Shelled corn and worked round barn. Old cow calved this morning.

Jun 15 – Went over to Fathers got some butter and some money he paid 40. Catharine gave me a wallet. Got mony of Catharine 126.00[?].

Jun 16 – Father got calf one Dollar 1.00. Catharine paid 5.00 for bed bottom. A Austin paid 5__ Blackburn paid 15¢. Got boots fixed 20¢. Hunting paid 40¢.

Jun 17 – Went over to Fathers & A. Browns. Bot snuff & candy 5¢. Let Sarah have 5.00 Nancy & Hanna 25¢. Left for Mattawan on the 145 train. Went and saw aunt Electa from there over to Carolines saw uncle Warren. Verry hot.

Jun 18 – Left Carles about noon left Mattawan at three got to Niles about five. Found Henry[48] in shop.

Jun 19 – At Niles. Went over to Mr Vincents. Saw a patent plow a nice thing it was.

Jun 20 – Left Niles fifteen minutes to five got to Chicago about nine left at ten carrying trunk 50 fare to Milwaukee 2.50¢ _____ carried trunk up to hotel 50¢.

Jun 21 – Went over into city saw tim Matthews. Payed freight 6.87 one groce screws 85¢. Put in one bed bottom at Niagara Hotel 6.00

Jun 22 – Went over in city. Put in bed bottom in one of Matthews bedsteads. Bot inkstand and pen holder 30¢ one package Envelopes 10¢ letter 3¢ paper 5¢.

Jun 23 – Went up to the Lacrosse Depoe went to Matthews Store. Sent letter to J. S. King. Sold bed bottom to Matthews 5.00. Bot collars 40.

Jun 24 – Carried my slatts up to Lacrosse Depo 75¢. Went to Omro[49] got there about eight. Fare from Milwaukee to Omro 3.65 apples 5¢.

Jun 25 – Got my trunk carried up to Roberts[50] 25¢. At Roberts all day. Robert came home in Evening. Verry hot and dry.

Jun 26 – At home all day until most night. Went over to Coffees saw Mr & Mrs Coffee.

Jun 27 – Freight on Bed Bottoms from Milwaukee to Omro 2.37. Sent letter to Sarah 9¢. Took my bottoms up to Roberts. Put in one in to Cabinet shop Mr Hunters. Robert went over to Winneconne.[51]

Jun 28 – Put in one to Roberts. Sent letter to J. S. King 3. Louesa[52] gone a visiting. I am not very well. Went down town. Some rainy. The first rain they had had in over two months.

Jun 29 – Runing around Omro. Rained some. Went over to Coffes. Sent letter to Henry 3¢. I went over to Mr Bunkers with Louesa & Syntha.[53]

Jun 30 – Went down town in morning. Went into shingle factory. Put in bed bottom for Bardwell Omro. Hoed corn some after noon.

Jul 1 – Not very well at Roberts. Hoed corn some. Went up to Coffes took dinner.

Jul 2 – Went down town in the morning. Most sick head ache and back ache. No work to day.

Jul 3 – At roberts. We went over to Coffees just at night and down to the Boat Omro.

Jul 4 – Robert went over to Winneconne. Sent letter to Sarah 3¢. Went up to Coffees. Stayed at Roberts most of the day. Not very well. A big house burned here afternoon in lower[?] town.

Jul 5 – Hoing corn this morning in Omro. Went down town. Bot shaving cup of Mr Bardwell 25¢. Darwin and Mariah here to day. Yanky Robinsons show in town to day. Went down to show ground bot candy 5¢.

Jul 6 – Went down town and over to Coffees took dinner then went down town with Coffee.

Jul 7 – Went down to post office sent letter to J. S. K. 3¢. Went round the squair on Bunker Street. Lady broke slat to moddle. Mad another at Hunters shop.

Jul 8 – At all day. Picked black rasberries & currants. Robert came home. Recd a letter from Ethen. Went over to Coffees at night.

Jul 9 – Picked berries and picked over currants. Went over to Winneconne after Robbert had Mr Coffees team.

Jul 10 – At home all day. Robert and I went to hear a woman lecture in Evening on spiritualism.

Jul 11 – Went over to Winneconne. Put in two bed bottoms one for Mr Peterson one for Mr Webster. Mr Peterson paid 3.00¢. Sent letter to Sarah 3¢.

Jul 12 – Went to Delhi Eureka and Waukau. Py and cake at Eureka 25¢. Found Horse shoe gave it to Mr Bishop. Went on foot and walkers line 15 miles.

Jul 13 – At home all day. Not very well. Went up to Coffees and down town twice. Some home sick.

Jul 14 – Went up to Eureka put in two bottoms one for Mr Bromley 6.00 one for Mr Leonard 6.00. Hired wagon of livery .75.

Jul 15 – At Roberts all day. Not very well. Kind of a diavol___ boulous. Robert came home.

Jul 16 – Robert went to Winneconne. Mr Webster paid 6.00 Mr Peterson paid 3.00 Mr Bardwell paid 5.75¢.

Jul 17 – Went up to Eureka with Robert and Coffee. Took dinner at Mr Stones.

Jul 18 – At home all day. Went down town in morning. Robert went to Winneconne. Rained some. Sick with cold.

Jul 19 – Went down town in morning. Sent letter to Sarah 3¢. Not very well. Made chain and ball.

Jul 20 – Went over to Coffees. They drawed in hay. I stayed took dinner. Coffee plowed Roberts garden. I put in bed bottom to Roberts.

Jul 21 – Put in bed bottom for Coffee he paid 5.00. Hoed corn in fore noon. Packed slats for Depere.[54] Bot candy 5¢.

Jul 22 – Went to Oshkosh. Took dinner with Aunt Mary. Put in bed bottom for Lyman Rumry 6.00. Went to Depere. Fare from Oshkosh to Depere 1.55. Got to Kings[55] about one in the night. Found them well.

Jul 23 – Went over to the depo with King got trunk & one bottom. Put in bottom to Burnells.[56] Raked hay some.

Jul 24 – At Burnells all day. Very warm.

Jul 25 – Worked some in hay field spread and raked hay. Very hot.

Jul 26 – Went up to Kings place stoped and took dinner with Edith Leroy.[57] Mowing for Burnell. Received letter from Lois. Went to Depere with Leroy[58] and Burnell. Sent letter to Sarah 3¢.

Jul 27 – Went over to little falls with King and Leroy. Went down to Barneses after goos berries. Very hot.

Jul 28 – Went over to Mr Torreys and to a funeral at Mr McDonalds child. Very hot day. Got home about dark.

Jul 29 – Went over to Mr Woodards in forenoon to Mr Phelps in after noon. King traded Horses. Very hot.

Jul 30 – Hot. At Burnells all day. No work to day. Hotest weather I have seen in a long time. Sweat sweat al the time.

Jul 31 – Very hot morning. At Bernells all day. They went to church.

Aug 1 – Went up on Kings farm round Bernells place. Found some nice blackberries. Jonas & Edith here to tea.

Aug 2 – Went to Depere with King. He sold a heifer. Sent letter to Sarah 3¢. Recd one from home. All well.

Aug 3 – At Kings. Went up to Leroys. Burnell took bridge to build. I went to Depere with King. Made a bargain with King. Sold him Fond Dulac & Brown Countys. Bot violin & cloths wringer.

Aug 4 – Went to Mr Newtons with King Edith & Sarah had a good visit. Quite warm. Doc Adams and lady there.

Aug 5 – Hunting bees and round home. Very hot and dry.

Aug 6 – Hunting Bees again. All went up to Leroys to dinner. Went and picked some Black berries after noon. Stayed there to tea. Very warm.

Aug 7 – At Kings all day. Very hot and dry. Burnell and Sarah went over to Glenmore to meeting.

Aug 8 – Alfired hot day. Made part of moddle for King. Burnell commenced his job on bridge.

Aug 9 – Worked on moddle some. Went Black berrying in after noon. Very hot.

Aug 10 – Went to Depere. Put in bed bottom for Tom Jackson. Took wringer to peaces. Very hot night.

Aug 11 – Hot as ever very dry. At Burnells all day. Recd letter from Sarah. Wrote to Ethen.

Aug 12 – Went down to the Bay. Saw Luke Whitcomb. Went to Mr Bobottoms took dinner. Had a heavy shower got wet.

Aug 13 – Very warm morning. Worked on Kings moddle got it done all but the loops & dressing the slats.

Aug 14 – At home all day. Went up to Leroys in the Evening. Quite cool.

Aug 15 – At home all day. Went out picked some Blackberries &c.

Aug 16 – Went to Depere put in Bed bottom for Mr Baldwin Freight Agent. Put in one for J. S. King. Sent letter to Sarah 3¢. Bot stamps 25¢ candy 5¢ Leroy 5¢.

Aug 17 – Worked on violin box. Sawed out slats for moddle some extra ones for mine &c.

Aug 18 – Went to Green Bay got my pattern. Bot stamps 25 screws 13¢. Had headache[?] _____. Ed Newton came here.

Aug 19 – Went to Depere put in bed bottom for Mr _____ one for Mr March. Jim bot tools of Mr Buck. Bot brads 5.

Aug 20 – Finished my box to put violin in. King went to the Bay got iron to make buckles on. No rain yet.

Aug 21 – At home all day. Went up to Leroys in Evening. Had some melons.

Aug 22 – Worked on Jims trunk to carry moddle in. Went to Depere. Bot stamps ___ Bot envelopes 18¢. Sent letter to Henry 3¢. Received letter from Sarah.

Aug 23 – Finished Kings moddle and finished trunk. Worked some on bench. Mr Torrey and Lady here to dinner. All went up to Leroys and took tea. Rainy day.

Aug 24 – Work on bench to turn buckles on. Sent Sarah five Dollars 5.00¢ letter 3¢.

Aug 25 – Worked on Kings trunk. Mr Hood[?] Mrs Phelps Mrs Kiper and Mrs Scott here to dinner and Tea.

Aug 26 – Went to Depere and Mr Newtons Mr Wisharts and Mr Barths. Saw Ed Newton.

Aug 27 – Varnished Kings moddle. Cleaned up Revolver. ___ King worked on road in fore noon. Rained some.

Aug 28 – At home all day. Rather home sick. Dont know what I shall do next.

Aug 29 – Went with King and Leroy out to Popple______ Krishborns and others. Came home by the big falls the hardest road I ever traveled. Burnell commenced digging his well. Mr Wishart digs it.

Aug 30 – Round home all day. _____ violin ___inger and made case for violin bow.

Aug 31 – Went down Devil river to Rick[?] Monroes. Got some turnips. Took watch of King. Went over to Mr Torrys with Burnell. Got cow.

Sep 1 – Made box for Burnell to draw dirt out of well. King and I drawed out dirt in afternoon.

Sep 2 – Went to Green Bay with Jim. Bot ink paper and pens & cakes 30¢. King got his trunk covered. I received letter from Sarah.

Sep 3 – Went over to Mr Torreys put in bed bottom for Roscoe Torry. Went to Depere. King got his tool box.

Sep 4 – Round home most of the day. Went up to Leroys had some melons.

Sep 5 – At Burnells all day. Streaked of Kings moddle trunk. Had the blues all day. Made out Kings Deed.

Sep 6 – At Burnells not doing much. King paid 200 Dollars.

Sep 7 – Made board for King to grove slats on. Worked on well some in morning. Rained most all day.

Sep 8 – At Burnells. Worked some on well. Packed my trunk and so forth. Went up to Leroys in Evening. Eat mellons. Sent letter to Sarah 3¢.

Sep 9 – Left Kings half past four for Omro fare 1.55 licence 6.67 second hand 25¢ dray carying trunk 25 fare from Oshkosh to Omro 60¢ dinner 50¢. Got to Roberts about five after noon. Quite a thunder shower in Evening.

Sep 10 – At Roberts. Hard head ache all day. Recd a letter from Henry. Robert was of thrashing.

Sep 11 – At Roberts. Wrote letter to Sarah. Went over to Coffees just at night. All well.

Sep 12 – Sent letter to Sarah 3¢. Put hair in violin Bow for Edward Cass. He worked for John Wilcox nurseryman Omro. Split wood.

Sep 13 – Rainy morning at Roberts. Split all the wood. Went over to Coffees. Robert got letter from his mother. Louesa had a girl[59] born about nine in Evening.

Sep 14 – Went to Oshkosh fare down 60¢. Let Robert have five Dollars $5.00. Dinner 25. Went & saw Mrs Mary Whickersham.[60]

Sep 15 – Supper lodging & Breakfast 1.00¢. Went to Appleton fare 75¢. Fare from Neenah 50 to Oshkosh.

Sep 16 – Put in two bed bottoms for Joseph Neglar 10.00 bot one pr gloves 1.00. Got Hair cut 20¢. Supper Lodging Breakfast 1.00 fare from Oshkosh to Omro 50¢ one groce screws 87¢.

Sep 17 – Went over north side river saw the best fountain I ever saw. Went and saw Robert thrash at Mr Soddies. Bot small Bottle camphor 15¢. Rained like fun while at post office in Evening.

Sep 18 – Rather cool morning. At Roberts all day. Robert & Coffee went and saw the fountain. I was sick took a smartweed sweat. Robert paid $5.00. Let him have one Dollar.

Sep 19 – Went down to Hunters. Got bed bottom put it in to Mr Russels bed. Bot stamps and candy 14¢.

Sep 20 – Went up to Waukau fare up and back 50¢ supper 35¢. Went all over Waukau sold nary bottom.

Sep 21 – At Roberts all day. Some rainy. Not very well. Went down town in morning. Mrs Coffee here a visiting.

Sep 22 – Rained in morning. Robert went over river to thrash. I was sick all day hard head ache.

Sep 23 – Some better head ache some. Bot vial for ink 5¢. Stayed at Roberts all day. Sent letter to Sarah 3.

Sep 24 – Went over to Rices stayed all night. Very windy. Rice commenced plowing.

Sep 25 – Rices folks went over to Roberts stayed until most night. Went out to the old place where the Elder[61] used to live.

Sep 26 – At Roberts. Took Bottom out of Russels bed. Went up to Eureka fare 30¢. Stayed all night.

Sep 27 – Rainy. Supper lodging and breakfast and fare to Berlin 1.50¢ fare from Berlin to Junction 35¢ lay at Junction from one until eight in evening fare to Omro 70¢.

Sep 28 – At Roberts. Packed up my slats and end strips. Went over to Coffees and down to station. Sent letter to Sarah 3¢.

Sep 29 – At Roberts all day. Rocked cradle most of the time. Put arm and post in little chair. Sick with cold.

Sep 30 – At Roberts. Pleasant. Doing nothing. About sick with hard cold. Robert came home in evening.

Oct 1 – At Robert Crawfords in Omro. Hard cold home sick doing nothing and no prospect of doing any thing in Omro. Recd letter from Sarah.

Oct 2 – Went over to Coffees stayed to dinner. Robert & Louesa went over.

Oct 3 – Lft Omro about 9 A.M. went to Oshkosh. Mrs Coffee and Henry went with us. Left 15 Bed bottoms eighteen end strips with Joseph Nagler to sell at $5.00 each. Left Oshkosh about six PM fare to Chicago 6.80¢.

Oct 4 – Got to Chicago half past six in morning bus charge 150 crackers candy and apple cakes &c 55¢ fare from Chicago to Galesburg 4.55¢. Got home one oclock AM.

Oct 5 – At home all day. Lois very sick. John R and wife here. Mark Lee[62] here.

Oct 6 – At home sick. Hellen[63] here. Lois some better. Mark came over. Let Mrs Betts have ten Dollars.

Oct 7 – Went over to Fathers stayed all day. Rainy. Lucy came home with me stayed all night.

Oct 8 – At home all day. Very cold snowed some.

Oct 9 – At home all day not very well.

Oct 10 – Went over the river with sheep. Went down to Fathers. Topt some sorgum. Catharine came over with me.

Oct 11 – Made one pair mittens for P. Johnson. Extracted tooth for Larry Lamkins 50¢. Bot ointment 4¢ Corporation tax 21¢.

Oct 12 – At home doing nothing. Sent letter to J. S. King 3¢. Alfleda[64] went home on the two oclock train. She gave me 5¢.

Oct 13 – At home. Filed saw for A. L. Mason 25¢. Bot candy 5¢. Mark Lee called here. Saw Ozro Blakeslee.

Oct 14 – Went over to Fathers. Took pipe out of my well. Gave Hannah and Nancy 20.

Oct 15 – At home dug some potatoes and finished my gloves.

Oct 16 – Went down to Cooks to see my colt. Went down to Charles Lees[65] found Mark there.

Oct 17 – Payed Uncle Chi 1.50 for chairs. Went over to Fathers got load pumpkins. Oscar came here.

Oct 18 – Orvil Wilcox and wife here. Went over to Fathers dug some potatoes picked some apples. Filed saw for Nelson Mills 25¢.

Oct 19 – Went over to Fathers picked up apples. Mills paid 25¢. Saw A. J. Bradford. Put in three small boxes in Wightmans wagon.

Oct 20 – Went over to Fathers dug potatoes. Jo York[66] lost one of his horses.

Oct 21 – Finished diging Fathers potatoes. Got four bushels potatoes some apples. Bot one Bushel turnips 50. Glued Bass viol 50.

Oct 22 – Spalding got Bass viol. Filed saw for Souls 50. Got end strips for King. Cut 2 prs gloves for Wm Ralph 25. Bot file 25. Sherwood paid 1.03¢ one dollar of King.

Oct 23 – At home all day. Sarah went to church.

Oct 24 – Sent letter to Robert 3. Filed saw for Souls 50 filed saw for Whiting 50 Souls paid 50. Filed saw for Jo Lee 25. Cut gloves for Ristor.

Oct 25 – Filed saw for Marshal Austin 25. Paid A. J. Bra $100. One Hundred Dollars. Filed saw for Starling 30 Whiting paid 30¢. Bradford left. John Lees boy[67] was buried to day.

Oct 26 – Sent letter to J. S. King 3. Went over to Fathers came back dug some potatoes.

Oct 27 – Filed saw for Stranger lives over by Williams 25. Went over to Fathers.

Oct 28 – Went down to Comstock with load shuger cane. Wallace McLallen paid 3.00¢.

Oct 29 – Made pen for pig. Mr Billings called here. Rainy. Spalding got Bass viol he paid 50¢.

Oct 30 – At home all day nothing turned uncommon.

Oct 31 – Husked corn for Father. He killed a pig. Mark was there.

Nov 1 – Husked corn finished carried load pumpkin over home. Hiram came.

Nov 2 – Carried of one hundred and six bushels wheat for Father.

Nov 3 – Went up to Hartwells. Made 57 galons cider paid 55¢. Hiram left. Snowed fell some 5 inches.

Nov 4 – Snowey. Filed saw for Holden 20¢ set saw for Hunting 10¢. Clark paid 1.50¢.

Nov 5 – Went over to Fathers got two bushels wheat 3.60. Went down to Comstock after syrup no get him.

Nov 6 – At home all day. Sarah went to church.

Nov 7 – Worked in shop some on P. Johsens cutter. Bot one pair Boots 7.00 2 pairs shoes 4.00 one pound crackers 15. P. Johnson paid 50¢.

Nov 8 – Went to election. Bot one Bottle Dipthera medicine 50 Bot one Box caps 10¢.

Nov 9 – Rainy some thunder rained hard most all day. Worked in shop sawed out stuff for cutter box. David Henyon and Dick Whiting called here.

Nov 10 – Worked in shop some on cutter. Bot soap 8¢.

Nov 11 – Worked on cutter got out knees and beams mortised runners. Bot oil 50¢. Snowey day.

Nov 12 – Worked in shop all day repairs on bo_____ 80. Snowey and cold rather dugl____ weather.

Nov 13 – Cold raw weather. Oscar started for home. I went over to Fathers. Old Mr Wheaton[68] died to day.

Nov 14 – Worked on Johnsons cutter. By went to Kalam[69] bot pair thills 1.00¢. Mr. Wheaton buried to day.

Nov 15 – Went up to Milfords. Went to Comstock got syrup.

Nov 16 – Worked in shop put cutter together. Addis Wilcutt[70] here left for home. Oscars folks came. Milford brot 7/8 cord blocks.

Nov 17 – Worked in shop on cutter. Bot load straw of Swaddle ___ 1.00¢.

Nov 18 – Worked on cutter. Filed saw for Hunting 20. He paid 18.

Nov 19 – Made circle and whiffletrees for Jesse Earls Buggy 1.75. He paid 1.50¢.

Nov 20 – At home all day. Ethen came over.

Nov 21 – Worked in shop on cutter. Bot screws and nails 65¢. Filed saw for Hunting 25¢ Hunting paid 20¢.

Nov 22 – Worked on cutter. Bot screws and nails 23¢. Ed Gillis paid 25.

Nov 23 – Worked on cutter box all day.

Nov 24 – Finished cutter. P. Johnson paid 50. Sarah went over to Fathers. Old Mrs Berge & Columbus Palmer stayed all night.

Nov 25 – Tinkering in shop some made Jimmy a slead. Mark Lee and Geo. Turner[71] called here.

Nov 26 – Worked in shop. Made bell box for Albert Wightman 75¢. Starling paid 30¢.

Nov 27 – Went over to Fathers. Edgar Howlett[72] buried to day.

Nov 28 – Worked in shop casing windows. Paid out 5¢. Mr Austin and wife came here.

Nov 29 – Casing windows. Bot nails 40 beer 10. Saw Blackburn he called here.

Nov 30 – Made new pipe to to pump and put it in well. Let Nancy have 5¢. Mr Austins folks left.

Dec 1 – Worked in shop casing windows. Bot 25 lbs Flour 1.25¢ bot two files 50. Jesse Earl paid 25¢.

Dec 2 – Casing windows some. Filed saw for Odell 50¢ pd filed saw for Hunting 25 pd filed saw for Souls 30¢ filed saw for Scramlin 40.

Dec 3 – Finished casing my windows. Stoped up sellar window. Lois came home.

Dec 4 – At home all day. Sarah went to church. Uncle Sam Percival[73] died this evening.

Dec 5 – Filled leach. Filed saw for Odell 40¢. Souls paid 30¢.

Dec 6 – Filed 2 saws for D. K. Rogers 80¢. Sold B. Moore 300 spokes. He paid 4.00. Halled over lumber in barn. Uncle Sam buried to day.

Dec 7 – Went over to Fathers up to Wesleys and Yorks. D. K. Rogers paid 75¢. Bot thread 15¢.

Dec 8 – Very cold and blustering. Went up to Harreits. Got five bushels corn 5.00¢.

Dec 9 – Fixed door sill. Cut out bob runners &c. Cold 6 below zero. Went down to B. Moores shop in evening. Got volin bow.

Dec 10 – Worked in shop some. Filed saw for Marshal Austin 30¢. Bot 100 bbs bean 1.15¢ Bot Ethen cap 75 Bot paper 5¢.

Dec 11 – At home. All well as usual.

Dec 12 – Put in two knees in bob for Wm Eldred 1.50.

Dec 13 – Repaired Violin Box for Ed Gillis 25¢. Hung ax for Pilgrim he paid 10¢. Mended comb for Lucy. Catharine and Lucy here. Sawed out some runners. Paid Wm Batt $1.00. Bot one paper brads 15¢. Galligan got his cutter.

Dec 14 – Worked in shop some. Wm Eldred pd 1.50 Scramlin pd 50. Bot wood 4.50 Bot box 25¢. Filed saw for Hunting 25¢.

Dec 15 – Snows this morning. Bot thread 15¢ Bot file 25¢. Ed Gillis paid 50¢. Went over to Fathers got syrup 1.25¢. Albert Wightman Brot home on the night train.[74]

Dec 16 – Filed saw for Lankford Burdick 50 filed saw for Williams 50. Bot sulpher 10¢ Bot salearatas 15¢. Made craw to hang lamp on. Cut one pr mittens for Jo Flanders.

Dec 17 – Filed saw for Souls 25. Burdick paid 50. Moved my bench.

Dec 18 – At home all day. Albert Wightman Buried to day.

Dec 19 – Filed saw for Mr Stevenson 40. Hunting paid 25¢. Sent contract to George Tomlinson 3¢.

Dec 20 – Worked in shop some. Bot cinnamen 30.

Dec 21 – Hung ax for Benedict 10. Clark filed saw. No work to day. Ed and Mary[75] came up to day.

Dec 22 – Made well hook for Mrs Hodges 25. Eds folks went home on evening express. Let Hannah have 5¢ Nancy 5¢.

Dec 23 – Worked on Halls Moddle. Fred Reading called in. Bob Aldrich was buried to day.

Dec 24 – Went up to Yorks went down West hunting got one turky. Had a long chase after him.

Dec 25 – At home all day. Sarah went to church. Clarks folks went up to Brady. Nancy went with them.

Dec 26 – Worked in shop some on moddle. Made cross bar to C. P. Galligans cutter thills 75¢. Benj Moore paid __.00. Sent letter to J. S. King 3¢. Ethen brot 1½ bushels corn 1.50¢.

Dec 27 – Made pitman to By Clarks saw mended comb for Mrs Wiseman. Clark brot load hay.

Dec 28 – Worked in shop on bob. Stevenson paid 40. Kit Matthews here. Lois went up to Flanders.

Dec 29 – Carried 1½ bushels corn to mill. Bot thread 10. Paid D. K. Rogers 75¢ for tapping Ethens Boots. D. M. Hall got his moddle he paid 3.00. Paid 75 cts for tapping Sarahs shoes.

Dec 30 – No work to day sick with cold.

Dec 31 – Mended comb for Ella Wiseman mended knife for Lois filed saw for Stevenson filed cross cut saw for Mr Burgess 75. Bot candy 10¢.

——-

The following 1865 entries were written in the back of Luke’s 1864 diary:

Jan 1 – Went over to Fathers all well. Sarah went to church in evening. Cecil Flowers buried to day.

Jan 2 – Worked in shop on bob. Sent letter to John Bissel 3¢.

Jan 3 – Bot crackers 15¢. Crackers 15. Killed my hogs 2.75. Worked on bob.

Jan 4 – Let Nancy have 10. Souls paid 25.

——-

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

[2] Charles Luke Keith Sr., who was also referred to as Luke

[3] A bobsleigh, or bobsled

[4] His daughter, Lois (Keith) Clark

[5] Lois’ husband, Byron Clark

[6] His daughter, Hannah Keith

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

[8] Raves are the vertical side pieces to a wagon body and the thills are the long shafts between which an animal is fastened when pulling a wagon

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

[10] His son, Ethan Keith

[11] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Harmenia Joy died January 10, 1864 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

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

[13] 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

[14] Joseph & Helen (Bradley) York; Helen was his niece

[15] Et cetera

[16] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[17] The pole, or tongue, of a cart

[18] A felloe, or felly, is the rim of a wheel supported by spokes

[19] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Fanny Potts died January 25, 1864 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[20] His daughter, Nancy Keith

[21] An artificial channel or bed of a stream leading water to or from a point where its energy is utilized, such as a mill or a mining claim

[22] At one point, Luke spent quite a bit of time on the road selling “bed bottoms”, a form of rubberized bedsprings

[23] James S. King, his maternal first cousin

[24] Ulmer’s Spring Bed Bottom

[25] His daughter, Louese Jerusha Keith

[26] A search of FindAGrave.com showed that Sarah, the wife of Joseph Warren, died March 14, 1864 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[27] Perhaps his maternal first cousin who lived in Cummington, Massachusetts

[28] His mother’s sister, Lilly (Willcutt) King

[29] Kate Allerton, age 12, was the sister of Elizabeth Allerton who would become the wife of Luke’s grandson, William Byron Clark

[30] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Lucina (Camp) Bevier, wife of Henry Bevier, died March 24, 1864 and is buried in Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Kalamazoo County, Michigan

[31] Thomas Jefferson Chaffee Jr., the husband of Luke’s niece, Frances Catherine “Kate” (Keith) Chaffee

[32] His nephew, James Oscar Keith

[33] George Tomlinson, who was married to Luke’s niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

[34] James S. King, his maternal first cousin

[35] Saleratus; sodium or potassium bicarbonate used as a leavening agent; baking soda

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

[37] His son-in-law, Byron Clark

[38] His brother-in-law, Lucius Prosper Crawford

[39] His son, Henry Keith

[40] His maternal first cousin

[41] Catharine’s daughter, Lucy Irene Lee

[42] His neighbor; Ambrose’s son, Henry Brown, would marry Luke’s daughter, Nancy, in 1872

[43] A search of FindAGrave.com revealed that Ezra Mansfield died April 22, 1864 and is buried in Lawler Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan

[44] His brother-in-law, Hiram Crawford Jr.

[45] The grandson of Luke’s aunt, Rhoda (Keith) & Charles Lee

[46] Henry and his sister, Lois, were the children of Luke and his first wife, Minerva Payson. Minerva died nine days after Henry’s birth. It appears that Lois lived temporarily with Minerva’s parents and Henry lived with Luke’s good friends and neighbors, Joseph & Amanda (Hobbs) Flanders. 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,” who I believe was actually Henry L. Keith, age 16, living with Joseph & Amanda

[47] His son, James Clinton Keith

[48] His brother-in-law, Henry Crawford

[49] Omro, Wisconsin

[50] His brother-in-law, Robert Crawford

[51] Winneconne, Wisconsin

[52] Robert’s wife, Louisa (McCann) Crawford

[53] Believe he is referring to Louisa’s sister, Cynthia McCann

[54] De Pere, Wisconsin

[55] His uncle, James Hunt King, the husband of Lilly (Willcutt) King

[56] Luther & Sarah (King) Burnell; Sarah was Luke’s maternal first cousin, the daughter of James & Lilly (Willcutt) King

[57] Edith (King) LeRoy; Edith was also Luke’s maternal first cousin, the daughter of James & Lilly (Willcutt) King

[58] Edith’s husband, Jonas LeRoy

[59] Nothing further is known of this daughter. Since the 1870 census does not list a child born in 1864, it would appear that she died before 1870

[60] Mary (Comfort) Wickersham, who was his wife Sarah’s aunt

[61] Believe he is referring to Sarah’s stepfather, Elder Platt Betts

[62] “Mark” is referred to quite often in Luke’s diaries and it is believed that he is referring to his cousin, Marquis de Lafayette Lee, the oldest son of Dr. Ezekiel and Elizabeth (Strong) Lee. The Lees were Mormons and moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, and eventually to the Salt Lake Valley in 1850. Mark stayed behind to run his father’s farm and was living with his aunt, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[63] His niece, Helen (Bradley) York

[64] His brother Harvey’s wife, Alfleda (Starr) Keith

[65] Believe he is referring to Mark Lee’s father-in-law

[66] Joseph York, the husband of his niece, Helen (Bradley) York

[67] William Wallace Lee, the son of Nancy (Taylor) and John Warren Lee

[68] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that William Wheaton died November 13, 1864 and is buried in Wheaton Cemetery, Comstock, Kalamazoo County, Michigan

[69] Kalamazoo, Michigan

[70] Addis E. Wolcott, his maternal first cousin

[71] The grandson of Luke’s aunt and uncle, Lydia (Willcutt) & Asa Turner

[72] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Edgar Howlett died November 25, 1864 and is buried in Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Kalamazoo County, Michigan

[73] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Samuel Percival died October (rather than December) 4, 1864 and is buried in Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Believe that the term Uncle was an honorary one as no relationship has been found at this time

[74] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Charles Albert Wightman died December 14, 1864 in Chicago, Illinois, and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Kalamazoo County, Michigan

[75] Believe this to be his brother-in-law and wife, Edwin & Mary (Hamilton) Crawford

 

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Luke Keith’s 1856 Diary

1856 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH, JR.[1]

There are no entries until June 20; however, there are notations in the January 1 through January 14 spots which are not readily understood. Daily entries do not start until August 8. On August 11 he left for Laport, then to Chicago on the 14th, and Omro, Wisconsin, where his in-laws lived, on the 16th. Left Omro on September 5 for Depere, Wisconsin, and stayed with his cousin, James King, about four miles east of Depere. Both in Omro and Depere he was looking at land. He started for Green Bay on September 17. On the 18th there was a heavy gale, and the ship had to run into Big Sturgeon Bay and stay the night. They came very near getting shipwrecked. He arrived home on the 23rd. October 16 was “so smoky we cant see one rod very bad for the lungs.” On November 5 they moved over to “the burg” (Galesburg), and on November 21 he got his grave stones and set them (possibly for his two previous wives’ graves).

Jan 1 – Osh Kosh. Omro. Waukau. Delhi. Eureka. Winneconna. Butimore Algoma Wiowega northport London Depere

Jan 2 – Menasha Appleton Kau Kau Nau Depere[2]

Jan 3[3] – Louesa Mc. Can[4] Sibyl Mc Can

Jan 4 – James King,[5] Green Bay, Luther Bernol,[6] Green Bay

Jan 5 – Mr Creden V Denis, John Carlin, Sinthy Kent

Jan 6 – Brion, Buckeye, Elash

Jan 7 – Mountain June, Potatoes, From King Wis

Jan 10 – Yorks interest 41. cts & some mills pr month

Jan 11-14 – Mr Wan says he can put his improvement on to the Clark machine and get it ready to send the midle of Sept or he will get you up a new one some nice by the middle of Oct he says he will take the trees if you will let him have then at 15 cts and take his choice in the lot he says he should like a few cherry trees he says the Clark machine with the improvement is as good one he should get up but not as nice. Bristol says he thinks he can let you have some grapes prhaps one or tw hunded dont know how many yet

Jun 20 – very Hot Thermometor stands 93. in the shade

Jun 21 – Hot and dry in shade 97.

Jun 22 – Hot as ever very sultry 97. in shade

Jul 4 – Went over to the Burg[7] and took Sarah[8] & the children[9] over Julia was very sick

Jul 5 – Julia Chiles Died half past Eleven

Jul 16 – At noon 114. in the sun in the shade 101

Jul 24 – Very hot and dry 113. in the sun shade 98

Jul 25 – Hot 114. in the sun shade 100.

Aug 8 – Went over to Lyman Earls A Chipman paid me 3.25. cts

Aug 9 – Went down to Catharines[10] Had a good visit found them all at home

Aug 10 – Stayed at home A. Bristol came to see me

Aug 11 – Left Home 12. Oclock noon went to Kalamazoo stayed until 12.25 Evening lft for Laport I.A. Had A fine shower at Kalamazu L. T. Earl paid seven Dollars

Aug 12 – Arrived at Laport half past ten found the folks comfortable heard the Hon. A. Bur_________ lecture on our present wrongs in Kanzas

Aug 13 – At Laport visited all the principal machine shops saw the engine that the clock company owned that used Barnums Name so freely

Aug 14 – Left Laport at 7. AM arrived in Chicago at 9. AM Left Chicago half past eleven on the steam Boat Superior had a good trip

Aug 15 – Got to Sheboygan four oclock Saw the Steam Shovel work on the railroad left Sheboyan at one oclock arrived in Fond du Lac at 9. evening left quater past 7 took a 3 Dollar Bill[11] of Wm Russel not good on the Lewis County Bank

Aug 16 – Left Fond Du Lac 15 min past 7. got to Omro[12] 12 at noon found the folks all well Hiram and Prosper waer ther David[13] was gone some sixty miles west to Stephens point on the Wisconsin River

Aug 17 – Rainy. Went up to Waukau in the after noon saw some of the finest country out corn and oats are heavy farms sell from 20. to 25 Dollars pr acre with good buildings

Aug 18 – Cloudy and warm the Steamer Berlin City passed here at 7. in the morning went to Eurekah in the after noon up the fox River Between Omro and Berlin Citty saw Armstrong at Omro

Aug 19 – All well fine pleasant day went a hunting killed two squirrels Pros went up to Kings after butter did not get Home until evening left his butter said he could not bring it

Aug 20 – All Right warm and pleasant the boys loging Went over to town in the evening went into the big mill saw the nicest engine I ever saw was got up at Milwaukee

Aug 21 – Cloudy and cool some rain went down town with bob[14] in a skiff saw Mose Mix and armstrong he says tell simmons he will come and work for him when he gets his shop done if hes helped bob fix his Barn for thrashing

Aug 22 – Shower in the morning warm thrashers on hand one death in town child got done thrashing before night 53. bushels wheat 90 bushels oats on 3. acres 3 acres wheat

Aug 23 – Pleasant going to help his neighbor thrash went over to town with Coffee Roberts Boy is one year old today his name is Wm Edwin[15] made him a cart

Aug 24 – Cool and cloudy in the morning Hiram & the women have gone to church had a heavy shower between 3 & 4 oclock in the afternoon at Omro Wisconsin

Aug 25 – Pleasant and warm helped Hiram clean up wheat Bob and I went over to mill in the afternoon went to the office no letter getting rather home sick want to be moving

Aug 26 – Very foggy in the morning pleasant day made a saw buck for bob had a rost turky for dinner

Aug 27 – Cloudy with some rain in the fore part of the day bob & Hite[16] are a loging Killed 2 squirrels rainy afternoon bob has gone to Waukau after his rifle he is going a bear hunting

Aug 28 – Pleasant and warm Went to Osh Kosh saw the Big Steam saw mill saw some fine country good farms saw James Sprague[17] he is in a crockery store at Osh Kosh

Aug 29 – Warm and pleasant stayed at home all day Robert went over to town and got my letter

Aug 30 – Pleasant stayed at home in the fore noon went over in town in the after noon with bob saw Mose & Armstrong got a cane

Aug 31 – Went out and caught a fish a sheep head stayed at home the remainder of the day warm and pleasant nothing on hand worth making a fus a bout to day

Sep 1 – Very warm and dry went over to Winnaconne with the hunters see them all safe on the steamer Eureka and started up the river the steamer W. A. Knapp is now pasing 1/2 past 2

Sep 2 – Very warm and dry went over to see S. Eliots farm has a fountain on it good land but rather low heavy timber redish clay soil eighty acres asked $1500 Dollars had chicken stew for dinner it went first rate

Sep 3 – Very warm went in north of Roberts to look of the widdow browns forty like it very much very level and heavy timber deep soil went to Mc Lains on the hill saw Pierce rather unwell head ache some fence [fierce?]

Sep 4 – Very hot Hite and pros commenced cutting up corn Bob gone a hunting been up the river into the wild rice Had a shower in the evening

Sep 5 – Left Omro 20 minutes past eight pleasant part one sail boat the payton pased us met the Eureka and the Knapp in the Lake above osh kosh Left Osh Kosh 11. AM got to Green Bay at seven in the evening

Sep 6 – Left Green Bay went back to depere Found King four miles East of Depere got there about one P.M. found them all well had a fine shower

Sep 7 – Rainy this morning and warm cleared of pleasant. James and John Leroy[18] went after the cows gone at night

Sep 8 – Pleasant and a cool breze from the Bay went out East with James to look of some land saw a fox saw the falls and some first rate land beach maple baswood oak and some pine

Sep 9 – Cloudy looks like rain cleared of pleasant Mr Leroy raised his house he married Edith King[19] Luther Bernol married Sarah King[20] Their[21] youngest Daughter They both live clost by five miles from the Bay

Sep 10 – An uncommon hot night had a shower this morning nothing new to day all well as usual had some melons

Sep 11 – Pleasant but rather cool Aunt Lilly[22] mended my pants had mush & milk for dinner

Sep 12 – Warm and pleasant all at home work going on as usual went over to Charles Vintons after shingles for Leroy Helped Leroy shingle in the after noon had a shower in the evening

Sep 13 – Pleasant this morning helped finish shingling Leroys House got through about sundown very hot all well no one hurt

Sep 14 – Warm and pleasant stayed at home Expected to have had preaching at Kings but no one came

Sep 15 – Very warm and smoky hot and dry went over to Cridens[23] to a raising they raised a log house a very good country beach maple baswood oak pine and ash plenty running water there

Sep 16 – Pleasant and cool stayed at Kings had mush and milk for supper cloudy and cool Had the headache

Sep 17 – Had a fine shower cleared of pleasant started for G B got there about noon Michigan in port went over to fort Howard ¼ before one standing by one of Uncle Sams canons saw 4 mounted on wheels rained at 5 PM James & Leroy left about 4 AM bot spy glass 15 Dollars

Sep 18 – Left Green Bay at 6 AM very heavy wind some rain had a very heavy gale run into Big Sturgeon Bay stayed all night come very near geting shipwreck

Sep 19 – Pleasant and a very high wind Left Sturgeon Bay 25 minutes past nine evening Got into Eagle harbor at 12 Evening all right

Sep 20 – Pleasant run into Washington harbor about Eight AM pased out of the bay at 9.15 AM passed fox island at 2 AM pleasant got to Bever island at 6 PM got to Mackinaw half past 12 Evening all right left Mackinaw quarter past one AM

Sep 21 – On Lake Huron rainy Saw two propellers of Michigan Shore at four PM half way through Saginaw Bay at five out sight of land saw a bright rainbow

Sep 22 – Pleasant & cool left Lake Huron about 5 AM Got to Detroit half past 2 Got home ¼ past one

Sep 23 – Got home this morning Patty[24] and Sam Star came about seven oclock found the folks comfortable Patty went home with J York[25]

Sep 24 – Pleasant and rather cool some frost went down to Catharines after Patty Father[26] went down withe me

Sep 25 – Pleasant this morning staved at Home

Sep 26 – At Home all well commenced the pump had a pleasant day some of the folks went to the fair at Kalamazoo

Sep 27 – Rainy in the morning cleared of finished the pump two cousins came here John & Baxter Sheldon[27] Aunt Nabby[28] grand children

Sep 28 – Rainy rather cool Nathan Hill here Wesley[29] came down Patty here all day Satted the cattle and Horses

Sep 29 – Rainy our cousins left for Paw Paw at noon Father and Wes went to the burg I repaired the hous pump

Sep 30 – Rather cool stayed at Home the women all went down to Alfled[30] father went down in the afternoon

Oct 1 – Cold and some snow made a wagon tongue

Oct 2 – Put the wagon tongue in to the wagon Patty and Catharine went up to Wesleys dug potatoes

Oct 3 – Dug potatoes. The girls came back and Harriet[31] came with them. Catharine went Home. Patty went with her. Mrs Crawford[32] here she went over to the burg. Caty here

Oct 4 – Dug potatoes very warm Day

Oct 5 – At home cloudy som rain

Oct 6 – Dug potatoes very warm

Oct 7 – Dug potatoes very warm Finished diging had 140. Bushels

Oct 8 – Very pleasant and warm went down to Catharines Mrs Crawford left to day Received 33 dollars of G. Tomlinson[33]

Oct 9 – At home picked some Apples. Very warm the thermometer stands 101 in the sun at noon 90. in the shade went over to the burg and heard C. Stuart Lecture

Oct 10 – Warm at home Taylor commenced drawing Buckwheat Wesley finished plowing for wheat

Oct 11 – Pleasant great meeting at the burg Raised a pole quite a time Let Byinton have Eight Dollars for G. T.

Oct 12 – At home very smoky

Oct 13 – Commenced making my pump pipe Patty and Hellen[34] came up Taylor cleaned up buckwheat

Oct 14 – Went up to Taylors and got pump chain went over to the burg and got Lois[35] shoe mended took dinner with Bennett

Oct 15 – At home very smoky Looked over my things sowed wheat commenced draging Wesley finished Father went over to the burg and got his cow trough Fero moved

Oct 16 – So smoky we cant see one rod very bad for the lungs quite dark carried over one load of traps saw Caty W and Carle Earl

Oct 17 – Smoky as ever all well went down to Charles Lees[36] Catharine and Hellen was there

Oct 18 – Went over to the burg with a load of traps picked up apples Catharine Wing and Caroline Sheldon came here

Oct 19 – Stayed at home not as smoky as usual

Oct 20 – Quite warm went over to the burg Sheldon left Mrs Starr came in from annarbor sent a letter to Marion[37]

Oct 21 – At home warm and smoky all went down to Alfledas Tailor cleaned up Buckwheat had 24 bushels

Oct 22 – Very warm thermometer stood at noon 94 went up to Flanders[38] in the afternoon helped pick one load corn

Oct 23 – Rather cool all day carried over some traps to the burg put down the carpet Sarah went over and cleaned some

Oct 24 – Cool went over to the burg got my pump riging rode home with Uncle Gid patty and Catharine went to Battlecreek Mrs Starr went to Kalamazoo had a shower Martin Turner[39] cam

Oct 25 – Commenced my pump went over to the burg after Patty & Catharine

Oct 26 – Pleasant Mr & Mrs Town here to get a tooth drawn

Oct 27 – Cool went over to the burg after the gals Paty and Catharine

Oct 28 – Rainy went down to Joseph Lees[40]

Oct 29 – Went over to the burg and white washed

Oct 30 – Went up to Lyman Earls cold and snowey left Patty

Oct 31 – Cold snow 6 inches deep thermometer Eight degrees below freesing point

Nov 1 – At home worked on my pump Patty came down with L. T. Earl went over to the burg with L. Earl got a letter from Edwin Crawford[41]

Nov 2 – Went down to Catharines with Patty rainy dol[42] was sick Mark & Joe[43] gone a hunting York killed a deer lost him in the Lake

Nov 3 – Stayed at home and worked some on my pump killed a pig Received a letter from Geo Tomlinson A rainy day

Nov 4 – Raining not very cold went to the burg to Election[44] got me some Boots quite a snow storm Paid Catharine $20. Dollars

Nov 5 – Cold and snows carried two loads over to the burg carried some wheat to mill sent James Sprague a letter Patty went down to Catharines Mrs Bennet left for N York

Nov 6 – Moved over to the burg J. Flanders helped me with his team carried over three Loads

Nov 7 – Carried over my pork soap lard molasses and some other things rained all the after noon and evening received a letter from Depere & Pavilion

Nov 8 – Went over to Fathers got my clock rather stormy cold some snow Flanders took the old cow

Nov 9 – Pleasant and cool very little snow on the ground went over to Fathers got my glass and thermometer rather cold it stands at 29 above zero

Nov 10 – Stayed at home cleaned out my stable and chored round the house

Nov 11 – Pleasant went over to Fathers and cut some wood drawed over one load carried my violin over to the burg

Nov 12 – Stayed at home cleaned up the yard pleasant warm

Nov 13 – Dug out the old stump near the gate set one fence post on the north east corner next the race pleasant

Nov 14 – James Sprague came this morning went over to Fathers

Nov 15 – Cool went over the river got the team drawed two loads lumber for fence Sarah & children went over helped Wesley dig bagas in the afternoon

Nov 16 – Snowey and cold stayed at home on train cars this morning Engine Delphia [?]

Nov 17 – Cold snowey James came over and we set fence posts

Nov 18 – Made fence pleasant and cool

Nov 19 – Went over to Fathers and took some potatoes to the burg let March have them for 3/ pr bushel

Nov 20 – Made some fence and bars wheeled out chip manure

Nov 21 – Went over and got my grave stones[45] and set them James Sprague and Lasher helped me got some mutton .32

Nov 22 – Stayed at home banked house some went and see the horse race James and Patty left for Home

Nov 23 – Stayed at home young one born in Ponds house Rivenburgh

Nov 24 – Built a corn crib received one load corn 14. Bushels

Nov 25 – Rainy some hail one load corn 15 bushel

Nov 26 – At home finished my crib Received one load corn 15 bushels

Nov 27 – Went over to the mill and got some plank for my stable floor Stevens went to Paw Paw laid my floor

Nov 28 – At home made my manger Catharine and Lucy[46] stayed here all night had an irish wake Bennet got home Lasher fetched over 12. bushels corn which make 56. bushels in all corn is worth 3/c [?] pr bushel

Nov 29 – Stayed at Home sawed wood some dun chores went over and got Doll in the Evening snow on the ground

Nov 30 – At Home all day Bennet stayed here Stevens got home

Dec 1 – At home part of the day got my hogs over home killed my rooster

Dec 2 – Very stormy Henry Bennet left this morning received one Dollar of Bennet for taking care of his horse he traded horses with Riley Bennet

Dec 3 – Cold and snowey went over the river and hung two doors for Lasher and got one load of wood

Dec 4 – At home filled some teeth for Billington $1.00. Paid

Dec 5 – Went over to Fathers and cut holes for his stove pipe and commenced his sled cold and fair sleighing henry child here

Dec 6 – To work on sled carried my hens home at Night Ed and henry here

Dec 7 – Ed and henry here Bennet left alone cold fair sleighing Sarah gone to meeting to the M. E. Church went to Church this Evening to the M. E. Church

Dec 8 – Worked on sled over to Fathers

Dec 9 – Worked on slead over to fathers Lasher fetched me load wood and some corn fodder

Dec 10 – Worked over to Fathers

Dec 11 – Worked over to Fathers Painted slead

Dec 12 – Got Dol Shod $1.50 went over to Fathers got Some potatoes Slead came over to the Burg to be Ironed

Dec 13 – Went over the river carried my corn to mill got it at night

Dec 14 – Cold and Blustering snows wind blows thermometer stands two Degrees Below freesing point at ½ past Eleven

Dec 15 – Very cold eight Degrees above zero went over to Fathers he paid me ten Dollars Received a letter from Geo Tomlinson stranger here from Kalamazoo

Dec 16 – Cold Eight Degrees above zero went up to Flanders got his thills[47] went down to Catharines with Lois in the Evening very cold Wesley and Lasher went after hay

Dec 17 – Rather cold 12 Degrees above zero went over the river and got load wood Catharine was there Eight in the evening 4 degrees above zero got ½ lb tea

Dec 18 – Cold 6 D above zero Killed my Pig got an iron for my slead went and cut some straw got 70. lbs midlings 53. Cents

Dec 19 – Pulled tooth not very cold 22 Above zero stormy in the morning middle warm and pleasant at noon 34 Above zero moved my bench over Rainy in the Evening warm 41. A zero got a clasp for my shop Door 25 cents

Dec 20 – Cold 16. AB zero morn snow freesing all ice at noon 12. AB zero Snow flies quite smart Pulled tooth for Mrs Clark latter part of the Day cold and blustering

Dec 21 – Morning cold 9 AB zero noon sun came out pleasant cool air

Dec 22 – Cold and blustering went over the river pond came home with me

Dec 23 – Comfortable worked in the shop put up my stove and bench got a cap for my stove pipe went up to Hellens in the Evening

Dec 24 – Cold and snows went over to Fathers and got a load of traps went up to Jesse Earls and Repaired his clock

Dec 25 – Christmas went Down to Kalamazoo stoped to Catharines and took supper attended a dance in the Evening

Dec 26 – Went over and got the plank for W. W. Earls car Crid came over with me 4. Blow zero pleasant at noon Crid & wife went to Battle creek

Dec 27 – Worked on Earls Car the Engine lay here all day being Repaired rainy in the Evening

Dec 28 – Not very cold 27 AB zero all ice very slipery people going to church as usual

Dec 29 – Went over the river called to Lashers

Dec 30 – Worked in the shop on car

Dec 31 – Worked in shop on car

Memoranda
Fare from Galesburg to Kala twenty five cents, from Kal to Michigan City 2.45 cts
Breakfast M. City 50 cts
From M City to Lapart 00.75
From Laport to Chicago 1.80
From Chicago to Shebogan 3.50
One drink Brandy .10
One collar .20
Crackers .5
Bill at Hotell .50
Stage fare 2.00
Bill at Fond du Lac 1.00
One coat 8.00
Fare from Fond Du Lac .75
_________ Charge .14
Fare from Oshkosh to _____ .50
Toll .3
Candy .3
Dinner at Oshkosh .50
One pair gloves .25
3 Apples .5
toll at Winneconnee .20
Fare from Omro to Menasha 1.25
Menasha to GB 2.00
Lodging at ___ Hotel .40
Fare to Depere .25
One rattle box .30
Half bbs. Crackers . 6
Fare from GB to ____ 11.75
Galesburg 1.84

Catharines Note Dated February 15th 1855

Mrs S. A. Allens Worlds Hair Restorer

W. T. Fetridge & Co
No. 281. Broad Way
New York

Cure for consumption
10 cts Dr Heath No 101
Spring Street opposite St
Nicholas Hotel N.Y

 

Entries for 1857 which were entered in the back of this diary are listed with the 1857 diary entries.

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

[2] These first two entries appear to be the itinerary for his August 11 – September 23 trip

[3] These entries of January 3rd through the 14th appear to be just notes that he jotted down to serve as reminders

[4] His wife Sarah’s sister-in-law, the wife of her brother, Robert Crawford

[5] Could be either his uncle or his cousin, both of whom were named James King

[6] Luther Burnell, husband of his cousin, Sarah (King) Burnell

[7] Galesburg, Michigan

[8] Sarah (Crawford) Keith, his third wife

[9] Most likely referring to his children, Ethan, Nancy and Hannah, but may also include Henry and Lois, his two oldest children by his first wife, Minerva (Payson) Keith

[10] Catharine (Keith) Bradley Lee, his sister

[11] During the Free Banking Era, lax federal and state banking laws permitted virtually anyone to open a bank and issue currency – states, cities, counties, private banks, railroads, stores, churches and individuals – as long as that bank could satisfy a minimal set of conditions.  The bank notes were of all different sizes, shapes, and designs, as well as denominations – 25¢, $1.00, $2.00, $3.00, as well as the denominations we use today. During that time period, consumers could not be sure that merchants would accept their paper money, and approximately one-third of all paper money during the Free Banking Era was estimated to be counterfeit. These bank notes are now known as “broken bank notes”

[12] Omro, Wisconsin

[13] Hiram, Prosper and David Crawford, Sarah’s brothers

[14] Robert Crawford, Sarah’s brother

[15] William Edwin Crawford

[16] Hite is a nickname for Hiram Crawford

[17] Husband of his sister, Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague

[18] Sons of Jonas and Edith Ann (King) LeRoy. Edith was Luke’s cousin

[19] Jonas LeRoy and Edith Ann King were married September 10, 1840

[20] Luther Burnell and Sarah King were married May 29, 1851

[21] Luke’s aunt and uncle, Lilly (Willcutt) and James King

[22] Lilly (Willcutt) King

[23] Charles R. Cridland

[24] Believe he is referring to his sister, Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague

[25] Joseph York was married to Helen Bradley, daughter of Luke’s sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee, by her first husband, Ethan Bradley

[26] Charles Luke Keith Sr.

[27] Sons of Justus and Lucinda (Bates) Sheldon. Lucinda was the daughter of Abigail (Willcutt) and Solomon Bates

[28] His aunt, Abigail (Willcutt) Bates

[29] Presume he is referring to John Wesley Keith who, according to the Keith Family Bible, was his adopted brother

[30] Alfleda (Starr) Keith, wife of his brother Harvey Keith

[31] Harriet (Blakslee) Keith, wife of his brother, John Wesley Keith

[32] Nancy (Comfort) Crawford, his wife Sarah’s mother

[33] George Tomlinson, son-in-law of his sister, Martha (Keith) Sprague

[34] Helen (Bradley) York, daughter of his sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee, by her first husband, Ethan Bradley

[35] Daughter by his first wife, Minerva (Payson) Keith

[36] First cousin, son of Charles and Rhoda (Keith) Lee

[37] Believe he is referring to his cousin, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

[38] The Flanders family took in Luke’s son, Henry, and possibly his daughter, Lois, after the death of his first wife, Minerva (Payson) Keith, for a period of time

[39] First cousin, son of his Aunt Lydia (Willcutt) and Asa Turner

[40] First cousin, son of his Aunt Rhoda (Keith) and Charles Lee

[41] His wife Sarah’s brother

[42] His horse

[43] First cousins, sons of his Aunt Rhoda (Keith) and Charles Lee

[44] James Buchanan was elected President; slavery was a key issue

[45] Perhaps he is referring to the grave stones for his first two wives, Minerva (Payson) and Jerusha (Crittenden) Keith. Family story has it that he often played his violin at their grave sites

[46] Lucy Lee, daughter of his sister Catharine (Keith) Bradley and George Lee

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

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