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 & Wm Ralph[14] here.
Jan 4 – Mercury 23 Abz. At home all day. [Mrs Youngs, Clara and Charley came down.] D. & Lou went up to Wm 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 Wm 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 Wm 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 Wm 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. Wm 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. Wm 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] 104th 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 6th 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 1st 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 6th and 15th entries)
[31] His granddaughter, Bess Brown (see footnote to January 1st 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 11th 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 1st 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, 18th 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 29th 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
The Diaries of Charles Luke Keith Jr 