1890 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.[1]
Jan 1 – Mercury 46 morn. Not very well. Cool wind rainy day 53 at noon 54 at Evening.
Jan 2 – Mercury 42 morning 31 Evening. Went over to burg.[2] Z. C. Durkee buried.[3] Phil Corey brot here for burial from Topeka Kan.[4]
Jan 3 – Mercury 23 morn. Very pleasant day. Took Lelah and Bes[5] over to the cars.[6] They went home on the 2.15 P.M. train. Mr Corey Buried to day.
Jan 4 – Mercury 29. Cul Town[7] brot load straw. Filed saw for C. Town.[8] Cory Harris[9] here. Took 6 Doz Eggs over to Dell[10] 18 cts pr doz. Coley Durkee came and wrote some in Evening.
Jan 5 – Mercury 58 rainy day. No on here.
Jan 6 – Mercury 27 8:30. At home choring. Nice day. Took Hannah[11] over to Wm Ralphs.
Jan 7 – Mercury 25 31. Theodore[12] came down. I went to Theodores got his ladle. Nice day. Dr A B Spinney[13] here in Evening to see Sarahs[14] glasses to put in new lenzes.
Jan 8 – Mercury 36. Went over to burg. Sent postal to A. B. Spinney Detroit. Cold north west wind all day.
Jan 9 – Choring as usual working round some in shop and barn.
Jan 10 – Went over to burg. Went to printing office. Saw the Labar violin. Rainy night. An Old italion instrument made in the year 1716.
Jan 11 – Mercury 56. Verry warm day strong south west wind. Went over to burg got picture of Jims car.[15] Nancy[16] sick some better to day.
Jan 12 – Mercury 49 noon. At home. Very rainy not cold. Cattle getting most of their living out so far this winter. At 9½ Evening 63 very high wind all night a perfect gale.
Jan 13 – Mercury 28 wind a blowing some snow falling. Quite a tedias day.
Jan 14 – At home. Worked in shop some. Sawed some wood. Went over to burg. Ethan[17] went to Kalamazoo with Charley Town.
Jan 15 – Mercury 40. Went over to burg took over seven Doz Eggs 16¢ pr doz. Cool wind pleasant day. Rather rough wheeling. Not feel very well. Looks stormy. H. E. Sterns & Ella Bennet married this Evening.[18] Jerome Bierly married to day.[19] Filed meat saw for E. Galusha.[20]
Jan 16 – Not very well now days may be some grippe[21] dont know. Evva Blake[22] came over in morning. I went over to burg got some cheese.
Jan 17 – No work to day no ver well. Some cool wind.
Jan 18 – Mercury 37 at 3 P.M. Got two bushels wheat ground wheat 73 cts pr bushel. Hannah went to Kalamazoo to see Nancy. Nice day no snow of any account. Filed buck saw for Charly Town.
Jan 19 – At home all day. Not very rough rained just at night. Hannah down to Nancys.
Jan 20 – Cold wind. Sorted corn in cornhouse. Rather cold work. Hannah came up on morning train. She worked to Lois.[23] Came home in Evening.
Jan 21 – Mercury 14 cold blustring day snowey. Hannah went to Neal Comings this morning. Worst day of the season. Very blustrous all day. No wash to day.
Jan 22 – Mercury morning at zero. Doing chores as usual. Quite a pleasant day but cold in fore part of the day. Very comfortable in middle of the day.
Jan 23 – Choring. Saw some wood. Nice cool day. Washing worked in shop some. Snowed some.
Jan 24 – Fixed up well and pump at the barn. Nice pleasant day. Sharpened two pairs shears and two pinking irons[24] for Mrs Allerton.[25]
Jan 25 – Not much going on to day. Chores. Not very cold.
Jan 26 – Went over to Harry Wilsons to a meeting. So not many there. Rained some. Mr Perse[?] and wife wer thare from Climax and a Mr Mittiman from Scots[26] Blakes folks.
Jan 27 – At home working about as usual. Hannah went to Mate Fords[27] this morning. Fine day.
Jan 28 – Not very cold. Went to Kalamazoo to Hanks.[28] Verry muddy. Rough wheeling.
Jan 29 – At Hanks. Lou and Vern[29] came down in morning stayed all night. Bot wheelbarrow for Floyd.[30]
Jan 30 – Came home started about ten AM. Lou went on noon train. We got home half past one P.M. Came up on north side gefired muddy.
Jan 31 – At home. Some cool wind. Worked round house some, washed &c.[31]
Feb 1 – Not very well. Chored round. Went over brot Lois over. She and Hannah stired up things up stairs and down.
Feb 2 – Home all day. No one here. Hannah home. Cool wind.
Feb 3 – Not very well to day feel some grippe. Not do much. Took top of the old violin. Stranger called here to get stock put on gun. Rained all night.
Feb 4 – Mercury 56 [or 66] at noon. Went over to burg after Hannah Smith.[32] She [and] Hannah sew this week. Charley Ford[33] brot one cord wood. Nice warm day.
Feb 5 – Mrs Smith here sewing for Hannah.
Feb 6 – Fixing old fiddle. Not very well now days.
Feb 7 – Choring round. Girls sewing. Not verry cold snowey day some.
Feb 8 – Ethan went over after Lois. She came over to help the Hannahs sew. Snows some.
Feb 9 – At home. Will Owens and Clarra Milham[34] here in Evening.
Feb 10 – Went over to burg after Mrs Hannah Smith. I not very well. Put top on the old violin Speery[?].
Feb 11 – Went over after Lois in morning. Ethan took Mrs Smith and Lois home in Evening.
Feb 12 – Not very well. E B[35] went over after Nancy and Lelah. I went over at noon after Hannah. Took 7 Doz Eggs 1/-[36] pr Doz. Nice weather.
Feb 13 – Very pleasant day. Ground bare no snow nice April weather. The Fisher girls came down to day Fanny and Mary.
Feb 14 – Some rainy rainy. Not much well to day. Fanny and Mary went home in forenoon. Went over to Not go over to burg.
Feb 15 – Very nice day. Nancy and Lelah went over to Lois after noon. They go home on the 9.20 train Evening. Hannah goes with them. She goes up to Lous next week.
Feb 16 – Nice kind of a day. George and Clara came up.
Feb 17 – Mercury 63. Fine day April weather no rain no snow ground bare. Cattle runing out to grass and have been all the winter so far.
Feb 18 – Mercury 41 in morning. Killed Major[37] this morning. Went over to Charleys got hand pump. Cleaned the East window in shop. Thad Clapps Aniversary wedding to day.[38] Jim came home to day. Will Brown[39] here to dinner.
Feb 19 – Fine day. Got three Bushels wheat of C. Town. Took it to mill. Jim and Cory[40] here. Charley and Mate here in Evening.
Feb 20 – Took Fan down to Charley Fords to get a Jersey calf no get him.[41] Jim took Cory up to Stella & Mary Milhams[42] this morning.
Feb 21 – Jim and Cory went to Shelbyville[43] to day. I not ver well not do much to day. Fan cutting up generally. Lois came over. Cold wind.
Feb 22 – Mercury 30 in Evening. Sarah and I went up to Will Browns to day. Pleasant but cool wind.
Feb 23 – At home. Cold wind stormy in fore part of the day snow and rain all clear in afternoon. Mr Edwin and John Thresher here in forenoon to see draft of the press.
Feb 24 – Rather cloudy foggy damp day. Sally[44] and I done a two weeks washing to day all right got the clothes dry and in at night. We thought that we done well.
Feb 25 – Jim went up to Will Browns. Rainy afternoon and Evening.
Feb 26 – Jim started for home on the 2.22 PM train. Went to Kalamazoo took the 5 oclock Express. Ed Knapp married to day at Grand Rapids.[45] D Harrises[46] Barn and Horses, cow and calf Burnt.
Feb 27 – Went to burg. Took 12 Doz Eggs 1/- pr doz 1.44. Jim takes his car 12.4 this PM. Ed and Lady came home to day. Ed Swaddle and Olive Scrahm wer married this Evening.[47]
Feb 28 – At home doing chores as usual. Not very cold some rainy day. Melted up my lead[?].
Mar 1 – Mercury 10 Abz[48] snowey fore noon about a inch snow. About all gone at night. Cut out small calipers. Hannah came home from Shelby.
Mar 2 – At home. All well. Hannah home to day.
Mar 3 – Cold wind March weather. Wm Ralph left his gun here. He is making stranger up to _____ _____. Hannah went to Harve Thomas this morning.
Mar 4 – Snows and blows rather squally day. Filed saw for Nell Hill. 14 Eggs to day.
Mar 5 – Mercury 2 Abz. Worked in shop some. Put callipers together. Took Sarah over to Fanny Towns.[49] Cold wind no snow. Hannah over to Louese Blakes. 9 Eggs to day.
Mar 6 – Not very cold rather pleasant for March. Work round. Took Sarah over to Lois.
Mar 7 – Went over to burg. Got Door of Lois. Mrs Richard Barber Died half past Eleven AM.[50]
Mar 8 – Worked up stairs puting of door to the little beds room. Pleasant day.
Mar 9 – Nice pleasant day. Mrs Richard Barber buried to day. Dr A. B. Spinney preached the Funeral sermon asisted by Rev Hickmot at the congregational church Galesburg.
Mar 10 – Mercury 35 2 inches snow this morning rained most of the day. Hannah went over to Cora Beaches this morning. Cora came after her. Nancy went home on the 2.27 run. A. B. Spinney at Towns last Evening went _____.
Mar 11 – Work at the cloths press up stairs. Now days all right. Nice some rainy day.
Mar 12 – Not much work to day. Not feelum some good. Filed saw for Charly Town.
Mar 13 – Hannah went down to Mr Mitchels this morning. I went over to Burg bot hooks for cloths press 40 cts. Took over 10 doz Eggs 12 cts pr Doz. Bot shugar, soda crackers, cheese, starch, thread & twist.
Mar 14 – Went to Kalamazoo on the 8.25 run. Stayed there until Evening took the 7 oclock train went to Shelby vile. Snowed like fun.[51]
Mar 15 – At shelby ville. Cold and snowey. All well as usual. Leone[52] better seems to be improving.
Mar 16 – At Shelby ville. All well as usual.
Mar 17 – At Shelby ville.
Mar 18 – At Shelby ville.
Mar 19 – At Shelby ville.
Mar 20 – At Shelby ville.
Mar 21 – At Shelby ville.
Mar 22 – At Shelby ville.
Mar 23 – At Shelby ville. D and I went over into Mr Meridith[53] woods no find any game to shoot at. Found a bottle. D set it up smashed it the third shot.
Mar 24 – Left Shelby ville on the 8.15 train for Kalamazoo. Freight train broke down at Monteith which detained us about ___ hours. Got to Hanks about noon. Came up on the 6 oclock train.
Mar 25 – At home. Not do much. Snow all gone.
Mar 26 – Pleasant quite a cold west wind. Theodore and Mr Barber[54] sawed wood in afternoon.
Mar 27 – Took Sarah over to Barbers in fore noon. Took ten doz Eggs over to Lois 10 cts pr Doz. Went over after Sarah just at night. Cold and blowed hard something of a snow squall.
Mar 28 – Some 3 inches snow this morning and snowing and blowing like blazes. Hannah came home from Scots.
Mar 29 – Worked up sairs [stairs] put casing on the bedroom door. Put hoos [hooks] on for the closet. Ethan went to the city to see Mr West.[55] Hannah c[ame] home in Evening from Culs.
Mar 30 – Mercury 14 or 15. Neal Commings[56] and Mrs Sam Kingsley[57] called here in afternoon. Jesse Earl[58] here. Will and Clara Caywood[59] called just at night ¼ past 78 Evening 25 abz.
Mar 31 – Ethan and Bes came up on the 7.27 train this morning. Hannah at home to day.
Apr 1 – Took bill[60] over to Mr Mungers got his teeth cut down. Paid one Dollar. Took Sarah over to A. Hoags.[61] Mary Mason very bad don look as thought she can stand it long.
Apr 2 – Not very well. Not do much. Very nice day. George and Evva Blake[62] called here awhile. Herbert Keith[63] came here this afternoon. Stayed all night.
Apr 3 – Mercury 50 & 56 rainy day. Ethan too Herb up to Mrs Bateys[64] in afternoon. Ethan went over to burg in Evening.
Apr 4 – Lou and the children[65] came on the noon train to Kalamazoo to see Spinney. She stayed to Nancys all night.
Apr 5 – Nancy and Lou came up on 2.22 PM train to the burg. Lou and children came over in Evening.
Apr 6 – Nancy and Lois Lois came over this morning. Doc McBeth[66] brot them over. He was going down to Mr Caywood to see Tena. Some rainy day.
Apr 7 – Went to Town Meeting. Nice day. Lou and children here. Nancy and girls went home.
Apr 8 – Fine warm day. Went over got the carriage mended paid one Dollar. Stell Milham here in Evening. Some thunder and rain.
Apr 9 – Took Lou and children over this morning she went home. Theodore sowed some clover & Timothy seed this afternoon.
Apr 10 – Theodore finished sowing the clover seed. Allice[67] here most all day. Nice day.
Apr 11 – Ver pleasant day. Mr. J. T. Allerton[68] got Ed Flanders[69] called this morning. I drew down two loads of wood that Theodore and Barber cut.
Apr 12 – Mr. I. C. Abbot Died this morning.[70] Cleaned up yard. Opened cellar window. Hannah came home from Wm Ralphs.
Apr 13 – Mercury 15 in morning. Ethan and Hannah went down to Marts[71] in afternoon. Very warm day. Hannah stopt to Mr Caywoods.
Apr 14 – Went over to burg to I. C. Abbots funral in afternoon. Fine day. Washed in forenoon. Henry Rennison Died to day.[72]
Apr 15 – Mercury 34. Cleaned up yard. Put chip manure on the asparagas bed and around some of the trees. Charleys hired boy finished rolling the East lot.
Apr 16 – Very nice day. Went over to burg at noon after Kate and Blanch.[73] They no come. Went over agan at six PM. They came out that train all right.
Apr 17 – Kate and Blanch here. Warm day. I laid up fence on hill south of house. Cut some bushes. Put up some fence up by the woods. Ethan and Blanch went after Hannah down to Caywoods.
Apr 18 – Mrs Hannah Smith[74] here. They are making a dress for Kate. I went over to the burg. Dress lining for Kates dress. Blanch Lois here in afternoon.
Apr 19 – Ethan took Blanch over to Lois in morning. She stayed over. Kate and Blanch went to South Bend[75] on the 2.15 train PM. Nice warm day.
Apr 20 – At home. No one here. Hannah at home.
Apr 21 – Went over to Express office sent Kates dress 35 cts. Got some _____ plant roots of Dell. Set them out. Drew one load wood. Warm days very dry. Put Eleven letters in the Post office to day.
Apr 22 – Cut grubs and grape vines around East lot. Very warm day. I. D. L. Schram[76] planted potatoes.
Apr 23 – Mercury 50 in morning rany morning. Not much work to day.
Apr 24 – Picked up and burnt brush in orchard. Very fine day. Allis called here a while. Hannah came home at night. Etta came over in Evening. East wind. Mr Martin Died.[77]
Apr 25 – Not work much. Washed the carriage. Pleasant day. Cool East wind.
Apr 26 – Went to Kalamazoo. Rained all the after noon and evening. Put Bill in the water street. Farmer Sheads stayed to Hanks all night. Cellery Martin buried.
Apr 27 – Came home in the afternoon. Edna senator was at Hanks boarding a few days. We got home about sundown. Nice day.
Apr 28 – Took Hannah over to R. G. Smiths. Went and saw Dick about plowing the garden. Went up to Herbs[78] to get the ladder.
Apr 29 – Verry nice day. Went over to burg in morning bot 50 lbs flour $1.12½ cts, one bunch shingles 38 cts. Went over at noon bot 50 lbs flour $1.12½ cts, one bunch shingles 38 cts. Theodore put on shingles.
Apr 30 – Mercury 40 nice warm day. Went over in morning got another bunch shingles. Theodore came down and put them on. Rained some. I took the ladder home. Drew one load wood.
May 1 – Cut commenced plowing for corn. I burned some weeds and brush. Nice day.
May 2 – Theodore and Barber cutting wood. I drew three loads wood. Chauncey Pond died to day at Pearl Creek Wyoming Co N.Y. Ae 78 years & 7 mos.[79]
May 3 – Warm nice day. Jo Smith came over and helped me draw manure. Had a shower in afternoon some thunder and lightning. Theodore and Barber sawing wood. Paid Theodore $3.00 Jo 1 dollar.
May 4 – At home most all day. Went over to burg took in morning. Took a package over to R. G. Smiths.
May 5 – Cul and Lee plowing. I took out some grubs. Hurt my back. Turned Fan into the East lot to day.
May 6 – Some snow in the area rain some ledle. I cant hardly get around to much lame back. Cul plowed garden and finished plowing corn ground.
May 7 – Lame back no work. Cool south wind. Cull and Lee plowing and draging and marking some.
May 8 – Back no better. Took Hannah over to McNaughtons. Cull commenced planting. Cool wind.
May 9 – Back no better. Rainy forenoon some rained all night cold wind.
May 10 – Rainy morning rained until about 4 PM. Charly drilling his pins. Very cold disagreable day. Mr Warner came over to hire out to C A Town.[80] Theodore working for Town.
May 11 – Went over to burg in morning after Lois. She came over stayed all day. Fine day.
May 12 – Rainy day some. Ethan marked out potatoe ground. Got the potatoes out of the cellar. My back no better. Mr Warner commenced work for Charly Town. Theodore sowed clover seed for C. A Town not much.
May 13 – Nice day. Ethan planted potatoes south of orchard. Cloudy day. Ira Joy and Cogswell called in to see moddle of Elevator. Took 10 ½ Doz Eggs to Lois 10 cts pr doz.
May 14 – Worked round some. Made mallet to nock manure with. Cold wind.
May 15 – Went up to Herbs got garden seed 30 cts. We washed. Pleasant day cold wind.
May 16 – Nice day warm. Cul Town finished planting my corn. Mrs George Blake here this afternoon. George helped Mr Foster plant corn.
May 17 – Pleasant quite cold wind. Fixed up fence on hill.
May 18 – At home. Will and Lizzie Brown[81] here. Fine day. Edwin and Mary Flanders[82] called here in afternoon to see Hannah.
May 19 – Nice pleasant day. Washing day here. Will Brown called here in afternoon.
May 20 – At home. some rainy. Not much work.
May 21 – Mr Orrin Franklin Died this morning.[83] Not very well. Not much work.
May 22 – Not much work. My back not much work better. Dont work much. Took Fan over to Towns to Bull &c. Traded knives with Theodore.
May 23 – Nice warm day warmest day of the season yet. Corn coming up some. Ethan planted some Beans.
May 24 – Nice warm day. Went to Mr Orrin Franklins Funeral in afternoon. Had a thunder shower in afternoon some wind and rain. Had a big wind south west. Rained all night.
May 25 – Raind hard this morning. Went over and got Ida Barber and children[84] brot them over they stayed all day.
May 26 – Went over to the burg in morning after Nancy. She came up on the 7.28 AM train. Jo Neff here cleaning house. Went over got lime for white washing. Got $.12 at Bank for Hannah.
May 27 – At home choring. Jo here to work. Fine day. Ethan working for Town.
May 28 – Jo here to day. He finished cleaning. Paid him $.45__. Nancy went home.
May 29 – Nice warm weather. Not work much. Ethan over to Charley Towns to work on machine.
May 30 – Ethan over to Towns to work. Fine growing time corn coming on nicely. Hannah at Galushas.
May 31 – Worked in garden all day. Hoed corn, potatoes and potatoe Bugs killed lots of them. Very warm day. Hannah came home.
Jun 1 – At home. No one here. Mr Hiram Toby died this morning.[85]
Jun 2 – Hot morning. Hannah went to Mrs Sumners this morning.
Jun 3 – At home. Not very well. Hoed some in garden. Went over to burg after cabbage and tomatoe plants of Jo Smith. Got Hannahs Bonnet.
Jun 4 – Washing day. Verry hot. Hoed some in garden. Run of some leye for soap. Took Hannah over to Clapps in morning.
Jun 5 – Worked in shop some. Put handle on dipper fo to dip ley &c when I make some soap. Hoed some. Killed some bugs.
Jun 6 – Cul and Lee planting in corn. Mr Crossfield[86] and Jesse Earl called here. Mrs R. G. Smith here helping Hannah. Nice growing time. Jim came home just at night.
Jun 7 – Fine weather. Went over and got Jims trunk this morning. I hoed some in garden. Warm day. McKonky show here in Burg this Evening.
Jun 8 – Fine day. Pioneer called here and took dinner.
Jun 9 – Went over to burg got tomato plants. Took Hannah over to Claps.
Jun 10 – Hannah and Mrs Smith went to J. C. Blakes.[87]
Jun 11 – Hoed some in garden. Cut some grass.
Jun 12 – Took Sarah over to Lois in morming. Ethan and Charley Town went to Kalamazoo. ____ planted peanuts.
Jun 13 – Washing day. Warm. Ethan went to Kalamazoo. Theodore went with him. Alvin Lee[88] called here a few minutes. He was going over to the burg. Claud[89] came. J. Frank Warren shot this morning.[90]
Jun 14 – Hoed in garden planted in some corn. Rain some.
Jun 15 – Fifty three years about nine oclock in Evening I landed here on this farm for the first time. Ethan left for Chicago 3 PM to see the McCormic Machine Co.[91]
Jun 16 – Mercury 94 in shade. Took Hannah over to Hat Taylors[92] in morning. Ed Childs came here. Went over to burg just at night. Took 11 doz Eggs 11 cts pr doz. Emmet Crawford[93] came. Wm Blake raised his shed on Battle Creek St. Got 50 lbs flour.
Jun 17 – Ethan came home this morning from Chicago. Emmet went home on the 2.15 train. Had a thunder shower verry hot day.
Jun 18 – At home. Worked in garden some. Hoed beans and some potatoes.
Jun 19 – Hoed corn and potatoes. Cul and Lee finished cultivating second time. Jim came home from Lous.
Jun 20 – Jim gone down to Fred Franklins this morning.
Jun 21 – Jim went to Kalamazoo after Cora and Floyd. They came up. Floyd came stayed over Sunday. Very hot day.
Jun 22 – At home. Floyd stayed here. Jim and Cory went up to the lake. Very much hot day. Mr Robert Snow Esq of Warsaw Died this morning. Ae. 73.[94]
Jun 23 – Mercury 86 in morning. Jim started for Chicago this morning. Cary and Floyd went on same train to Kalamazoo. They go home on the afternoon train. Mr Albert Town Died about noon to day.[95] Very warm day.
Jun 24 – Mercury 95 in shade PM. Went over to burg bot ½ bushel potatoes 20 cts. Ethan went up to Scots just at night after Hannah.
Jun 25 – Mercury 96 ½ past 11 AM. I not very well. Mr Albert Town buried to day. Ethan took Hannah up to Scotts this Evening. Fanny no better.
Jun 26 – Mercury 96 at 3 PM. Put poison on potatoes. Very hot day. Corn and potatoes grow fast. Folks haying some.
Jun 27 – Worked in garden some. Sprinkled potatoe bugs some. Very hot mercury 100 in shade.
Jun 28 – Mercury 102 in shade in afternoon. Hoed potatoes. Went up to Theodores after strawberries no got some.
Jun 29 – At home. Mercury 102 in shade. Mrs Sam Kingsley and Louisa Kingsley[96] called here in afternoon. Charley Clark[97] came stayed all night.
Jun 30 – Mercury 92 in morning when the accomodation came in. Hannah went over to Olmsteds. Fanny no better. Charley went home on Bobtail. Fanny Town Died ½ past Eight this Evening.[98] Rained in night.
Jul 1 – Mercury 90 and upwards. Went over to burg bot chicken feed. Ethan got Binder over. Clara, Girtie and Vinne[99] came up in afternoon. Made Clara a churn cover.
Jul 2 – Mercury 89 in morning. Sprinkled bugs and hoed some. Very warm nice breeze. Went over and got Ida Barber in afternoon. She went over to Towns to see Fanny.
Jul 3 – Fanny Town buried this afternoon. A. B. Spinney officiated. Mercury 90 ½ past 3 P.M. Some wind made it quite comfortable.
Jul 4 – Hot weather. Hoed some. Fed the bugs some tea very green tea.
Jul 5 – Mercury in the 90s. Hoed some in garden. Not very well.
Jul 6 – Cool morning. Sarah and I went to Kalamazoo this morning. Lou and children at Nancys found them all well.
Jul 7 – Hot morning. Came home to day. Stopt to Marts took dinner. Got home about sundown. Ver warm. Mrs Bea Caleb Smart Died to day.
Jul 8 – Very Hot. Choring round. Most to hot to do much.
Jul 9 – Nancy and Claud and Lelah came up.
Jul 10 – Very warm and dry. Not much work. Ethan working on binder.
Jul 11 – Warm. Hoing some. Claud, Nancy an Lelah here. Fence burned on hill south of barn. Think Mr H. Dale Addams[100] droped a match when he lit his pipe as he started for home.
Jul 12 – Went over to burg in morning took over 7 Doz Eggs sold them to A. Wells Beckwith Skinner & Co 11 cts pr doz. Bot 50 lbs flour 1.25. Sarah and Nancy went up to Will Browns.
Jul 13 – At home. Warm day. Had to be fence all day. Ed and Hannah went up to Gull Lake. Nancy thought there was a Hog around the house in night.
Jul 14 – Put up fence on hill what de smoke man burned hoop.[101] Rained some in afternoon. Cora Harris[102] came.
Jul 15 – Nancy, Claud and Lizzie Brown went up to Flanders after berries. Took Cora up to Ralphs.[103]
Jul 16 – 90 in morning. Hoed some in garden. Very hot.
Jul 17 – 96 in afternoon in shade. Took Nancy over to train. She went to Kal[104] to see how things was at home. Claud worked for Cull Town drew in wheat. Nancy came home on bobtail. Jesse Earl came down with some letters.
Jul 18 – Very warm morning. Hoed some in garden. Nancy, Claud and Lelah here.
Jul 19 – Not very well. Not work much. Very hot and dry now days. Looks like rain but he no com.
Jul 20 – 96 very hot. Jesse Earl came in to see about C. R. Cridlands[105] last letter.
Jul 21 – Mercury 85 at 2 PM. Drew tw loads wood in fore noon. Lou and children came to day.
Jul 22 – At home. Hoed some in garden. Very hot an dry.
Jul 23 – Went over to burg bot straps for wagon box.
Jul 24 – Turned out mawl for to drive bar to hold Fan. Mrs Caroline Earl here and Elva Crossfield.
Jul 25 – At home not do much. Very hot and dry. Went over got sack flour at Beckwiths $1.25.
Jul 26 – Hot and dry. Not much done. Hoed hoed some.
Jul 27 – At home no one here. Nancy and Claud went up to Will Browns.
Jul 28 – Mercury 105 in shade at noon. Hannah went up to W. W. Russels. Nancy and Claud went to George Smiths after berries.
Jul 29 – Very hot. Mr Smith brot one bushel berries to day. I not well laying around all day.
Jul 30 – No work to day. Mr Smith brot ½ bushel berries to day. Hot and dry.
Jul 31 – Will Clark[106] came over this morning. Nancy went to Kalamazoo to day.
Aug 1 – Very warm day. No work to day. The Foundry and machine shop planing mill Roulands big livery Barn andnd Hank Storms Barn Burned Just at night. Big fire.
Aug 2 – Mercury up in 90s very hot and dry. Went over to burg in morning.
Aug 3 – Mercury 110 in shade. Will Clark came over. Had a nice shower just at night. Nancy, Lou and their families here.
Aug 4 – Some cooler had a nice shower about noon. Took Jims trunk over to Depo. Will Clark went back to Chicago on the 2.15 train. He takes Jims trunk to him. Quite cool this afternoon. Eva Blake came over made a short call. Doc Wightman Died.[107] Bot 50 lb sack flour 2.25.
Aug 5 – At home. Not very well no work. Very hot.
Aug 6 – Mercury 100 in shade. All at home. Nancy and family, Lou and family all here. Doctor George R. Wightman buried to day.
Aug 7 – Very hot and dry. Ethan working on machine.
Aug 8 – Hot. Claud went over to burg after Lois and Ina.[108] I put finger board on my violin.
Aug 9 – I took Lou and children over to burg. They went home. Claude went to Kalamazoo with Charley Town.
Aug 10 – At home. Nancy went over to Lois in Evening. Bess came back with Ethan.
Aug 11 – Took Hannah over to Lois. Got the tires put on carriage $1.50. No rain yet.
Aug 12 – Went over to burg 355 lbs feed mixed 4.43. Not much work. Drew three loads wood. Hot and very dry. I. D. L. Schram thrashing.
Aug 13 – Looks like rain but he not come. Mr Whitcom thrashed. Mr W. W. Olins silver wedding this Evening.[109]
Aug 14 – Not very well. Very hot ad dry. Nancy and girls over to Lois. Hannah over to Town.
Aug 15 – Not much work. I not very well. Ethan work on binder. Hannah up to Culls. Trains met at Augusta the Limited Express and Freight, Engineer & fireman killed.[110]
Aug 16 – At home. The Advent Camp Meeting commenced to day north side of the river about 100 rods from our house.
Aug 17 – Raining very nicely at home. No one here except Nancy and family.
Aug 18 – Went over to burg in after noon bot fifty lbs Flour 1.40 cts. Ethan put the machine in the field.
Aug 19 – Had a nice shower this morning some thunder.
Aug 20 – Cool not very warm. Lois went up to Jackson to day. I went over to burg in Evening. Rained hard in night.
Aug 21 – Had a nice rain. Claud went to Kalamazoo on the 2.15 train.
Aug 22 – Cool and pleasant. Hannah and Nancy and Bess went up to Tips[111] this morning, drove Bill. Barnums show in Kalamazoo to day. They had a smashup at Shelbyville this morning.
Aug 23 – Not much work in me to day only chores.
Aug 24 – Charley Town, Ethan, Hannah, Nancy and Nell Wilkins and Mr John Maynard and his two sisters went to Vicksburg to a camp meeting. I went over to Mr Commings and R. G. Smiths.[112]
Aug 25 – Worked some on cross head. Wm Schroder came over to see Binder. I went over to burg in Evening took over 11 Doz Eggs to Wills 12 cts pr doz. Mrs Smith came home with me stayed all night. She expected to go to Scots.
Aug 26 – Rained this morning. Ed Childs came down after them. Hannah went but Mrs Smith no go. Ed took her home. I worked some on cross head.
Aug 27 – Chored around as usual. Went up to Mr Ridlers got some witch hazle to make a wash for Sarahs legs. Rena Galusha came down finished her picture.
Aug 28 – Mercury 84. Went over to burg in morning bot coffee, shugar, soap and lots things. Took the tickets over got the spoons.
Aug 29 – Charley Ford took Nancy and children home to day. She found Mrs Brown there.
Aug 30 – Hannah came home from Ed Chiles. Ed brot her home.
Aug 31 – At home all day. Nice day. Sherman Davis Buried to day.[113]
Sep 1 – Hannah went to Whiting Russels this morning. Fine weather. Ethan and Charlie working on Elevator.[114] I worked on Nancys Easle. Got 50 lbs flour 1.40 cts.
Sep 2 – Mercury 86 in shade. Dressed out stuf for the Easel. Verry hot and dry.
Sep 3 – Worked some on Eazle. The boys tried the binder it went very well.
Sep 4 – Took Hannah over to McNaughtons. Went over after Lois. Del brot over some peaches and pears. Lois came over and caned them. I finished Nancys Eazle.
Sep 5 – I dug potatoes in forenoon. Mr Sanborn[115] came up to see the Binder work it went all right. Rained in afternoon.
Sep 6 – Not much work. Doing chores as usual. Hannah at Em Evens to day.
Sep 7 – At home. Thought I would not go to church to day.
Sep 8 – Hannah some sick in forenoon. I took her over to Evens in afternoon.
Sep 9 – Hannah went up to Herb Gilsons this morning. Fanny came for her.
Sep 10 – I went over after the mail in morning. Del and Lois came over he was going down to Mr Jacksons after peaches and I went with him. Ethan and Charley went to Kalamazoo.
Sep 11 – Bill[116] sick this morning. Chored around and doctered Bill all day. Ethan got Bell Town[117] and took Hannah up to Ed Flanders.
Sep 12 – Bill no better not Eat. Gave him medacine all day. Ethan and Charly run the machine some in afternoon. Mr Knap came over. Rass[118] here. I chased pigs most of the time.
Sep 13 – Bill some better Eats some. I got horse of Charley Town. Went down to Marts in afternoon found the house all a lone no one at home. Finished diging potatos.
Sep 14 – At home all right. Nice day. No one here to day after Hannah.
Sep 15 – Nice day. Picked up some apples. Rained all night this Monday night. Cut down two old appletrees west of the house.
Sep 16 – Picked up some apples and pared them for pickling. Agent called here to sell some fruit trees. Mrs N. L. Randal Died this Evening.[119]
Sep 17 – Nice warm day. Pared more apples to day. Mrs Hall brot the grapes.
Sep 18 – Mrs N. L. Randal buried to day. Hannah and Mrs R. G. Smith[120] sewing. Jennie Isherwood and Haratio Patterson married this Evening.[121]
Sep 19 – Mercury 66 rainy day. Mrs Smith went home at noon. I went over to burg in morning sold 8½ Doz Eggs 15 cts pr doz 1.28 cts. Hat and children came to day.
Sep 20 – At home all day. Not done but drive pigs out of the garden and corn field.
Sep 21 – Lois and Ina came over and spent the day. Dell no come some.
Sep 22 – Hattie left for Jackson on the 7.27 am train. Nice pleasant day. Ethan took Hannah up to Rass Towns at noon.
Sep 23 – Went to Kalamazoo to Hank Browns. Mrs Brown[122] went up to Wills. Got bench screw 50¢.
Sep 24 – Hannah went to Kalamazoo. Mart and Mary[123] came up this morning brot up some timber for concave to clover Huller. Verry nice day. Charly cut some rye.
Sep 25 – Worked on Marts machine concave. Mart came after his concave. He paid $1.00. nice day.
Sep 26 – Got two bushels wheat of CA Town.[124] Took it to mill. Drove hogs the most of the day.
Sep 27 – Cool North East wind. Mrs R. G. came over worked for Hannah in forenoon. Took her home at non. Etta ____ worked in afternoon.
Sep 28 – Heavy frost this morning the first of the season here. Mr Andrew McLary died this afternoon.[125]
Sep 29 – Nice pleasant day. Mrs Smith came over. Charley thrashing to day.
Sep 30 – Went over and got Lois brot her over home. Took her back at night. Cora and Laverne[126] called in a few minutes. They wer with Mr Ralphs children. Hannah went to shelbyville to day.
Oct 1 – We washed to day. Rained some in afternoon. I went over got some medicine just at night for Ethan.
Oct 2 – Went up to mill to see the cross head and get the length of the bolts. Theodores folks moved to Battle Creek. I worked some on chair made one arm.
Oct 3 – Nice warm day. Repaired high chair. Mr Andrew McLary buried to day.
Oct 4 – Chored round. Split some wood. Went over to post office in Evening. Rained some. Hannah came home from Lous.
Oct 5 – At home. No one called to see Hannah about sewing. Rather a strange ocurrence for us not to have any callers on sunday.
Oct 6 – Hannah went to Mrs Bushes to work. I not do much. Cul Town and Nye came home.
Oct 7 – Clara came up here to day stayed all day.
Oct 8 – Sarah went over to George Blakes. I not very well. Very Nice weather. Took up the tomatoes.
Oct 9 – Not work much. Dick came over sold him axhelve 50¢. He not pay me.
Oct 10 – Mercury 63 in morning. Went over to burg took some tomatoes over to Lois. Very nice weather. Hannah over to Mrs Bushes this week.
Oct 11 – At home choring around as usual. Nice weather.
Oct 12 – At home all day. No one here I think not.
Oct 13 – Went to Kalamazoo in morning. Went to Nancys stayed all day. Went up to Lous on the three oclock P.M. train. D. went to Otsego to go down the river.
Oct 14 – At D. Harris. Found them all well. Lou and children doing well. Saw Cora Meridith[127] in morning.
Oct 15 – At the Harris house all day. Not do much.
Oct 16 – All right. At Lous all day not went over to Jays[128] a while towards night. D and Walter came home this Evening. Mrs Meridith[129] and Coras birthday. Cora is 20 years old.
Oct 17 – Went over to Mr Merediths[130] in afternoon a while and saw Coras birth day present. Very nice.
Oct 18 – At the Harris house. All right. Doing not much. D. and Walter went a fishing this Evening no get Eel. School closed to day. Floyd went in forenoon.
Oct 19 – At Harris house. Not go to church.
Oct 20 – At Lous. Doing some chores.
Oct 21 – At Lous. Choring as usual. Mary Mason Died this morning.[131]
Oct 22 – At Lous. Doing nothing as usual.
Oct 23 – At Lous. Feeding the pig and Eating pumpkin pie. Left shelby on the 2 oclock train. Went to Kalamazoo stayed to Hanks all night.
Oct 24 – Left shelby on the 2 oclock train went to At Kalamazoo all day. Went home on the 6 oclock P.M. train got home not far from seven oclock. Mary Mason buried to day.
Oct 25 – At home. All well. Went over to burg in Evening.
Oct 26 – At home. Nice day. Went over to Skinners just at night. Lois had got home. A young man by the name of Miller accidentaly shot himself at Scots to day.[132]
Oct 27 – Pleasant day. We washed. Ethan went over to Charleys got the rye[?].
Oct 28 – Took Sara over to Hoags[133] in morning. I went and saw Sam Hartwell about repairing chimney. Ed Allen[134] came here about 7 oclock Evening. Rained like fun.
Oct 29 – Rather rough day snowed some in afternoon. Ed left here a little past five PM for Boston. Mr Worden Wells Died to day Ae. 86 yrs.[135]
Oct 30 – Went up to I. D. L. Schrams got load sand to plaster the chimney. Some rain some snow.
Oct 31 – Turned out some rollers fo Mr Caywoods wringer. Snow. Went up to mill to see if I could find some maple for the rollers. Ethan worked on the road.
Nov 1 – Went over and got Claud in morning. Turned two rollers. Took of screen doors. Henry Crawford[136] came.
Nov 2 – Henry and Claud here. Some rainy morning. Charley and Hannah went down to Mr Pease. Will Caywood got his rollers.
Nov 3 – Henry and Claud went on the Eight 20 train this morning. Snowing some. Ethan took (incomplete)
Nov 4 – Went over to Election.[137] Not much work to day. Took Hannah over to Clapps.
Nov 5 – Sam came down this morning he no stay. I went over to burg in Evening got lime. Mr Whitcom moved to day from the Taylor place.
Nov 6 – Sam no come to repair chimney. Very fine day pleasant and warm.
Nov 7 – Hartwell came and took down the chimney and built it up a gan. Rather misty not he not rain very hard. Got brick of Dell fifty of Schroder.
Nov 8 – Sam came down and finished the chimneys. Some rainy.
Nov 9 – At home. No one here to stay. Edwin Flanders and wife and Mabel[138] called in a while to see Hannah.
Nov 10 – Went over to burg got Fans halter strap mended. Saw R. S. Vanvleet.
Nov 11 – Drew one load wood one load corn and the fodder that it came from. Dell, Lois and Mrs Hart Expect to go to Chicago to night. Mr John Sumner Buried to day.[139]
Nov 12 – At home. Work round house and doing things generally.
Nov 13 – Went up to the mill to see if I could get some boards to make bins in cornhouse to put the corn in when Cull got ready to put it in. Min came to day.
Nov 14 – Went up to the mill got some boards to fix cornhouse. Cull drew in the corn put in three loads. Min left for home on the 2.20 PM train.
Nov 15 – Sorted some corn. Went over after Nancy at noon she no come. Hank and Nancy came up on Evening train stayed all night.
Nov 16 – Hank and Nancy went up to Wills in afternoon came back in Evening. Rained all night.
Nov 17 – Raining hard. Hank went home on the Eight 20 AM train. I took Nancy over to Lois in forenoon. She goes home on the two 22 P.M. train.
Nov 18 – Working round doing chores and all kinds of work. Went over to burg.
Nov 19 – Clara Milham came up stayed all night. She had Will Owens[140] Horse and carriage.
Nov 20 – Went over to burg after Lou she came on noon train. Clara went up to Jim Milhams.[141] She came back stayed all night. I put some shingles on cornhouse.
Nov 21 – I put some shingles on cornhouse. Very nice pleasant day. Ethan and Clara went to Kalamazoo.
Nov 22 – Cut and drawed two loads wood in forenoon. Not do much in afternoon. Pleasant but cool. Two boys killed at Comstock to day noon by the west bound Express.
Nov 23 – Very pleasant and dry. Went over got Lois in morning. Lou and children here. Stell Milham here in Evening. Roads good and dusty. Nice fall weather.
Nov 24 – Work in woods. We cut and drawed three loads wood.
Nov 25 – Cold and windy. Put some shingles on cornhouse. Mrs Pierce killed by the cars at the burg this afternoon.[142]
Nov 26 – Went to Kalamazoo to get preasans for the wedding. Frank Raymond and Maud Addams wer married this Evening.[143]
Nov 27 – Sarah, Ethan, Hannah, Lou and Nancy and children all went up to Will Browns to turkey to day.
Nov 28 – At home. Lou and Nancy here. D. and Verne came this Evening.
Nov 29 – At home. Nancy went home to day. Hannah came home this Evening. Charley Town went out to Nells.
Nov 30 – All here. D and Floyd went up to Wm Ralphs. I broke Dells razor. We are all well.
Dec 1 – All here this morning. Hannah went over to Wm Blakes to work. I took Laverne and Floyd over to the cars they got left. D. and they wer going home.
Dec 2 – Some ledle snow on the ground. D. and the children went this morning on the 8.15 train. My business now days is going to Galesburg and home a gain from one to three times a day. Lou went over to burg.
Dec 3 – Lou went over to burg this[144] Sarah and Lou over to Lois this afternoon.
Dec 4 – Lou and Leone here all day. Sleighs running some to day. 4 inches snow.
Dec 5 – About six inches snow. Lou went to Kalamazoo on morning train on her way home. Took 2 bushels and 55 lbs wheat to mill. Sleighs running lively to day.
Dec 6 – Ethan went up to Shelbyville. I split some wood and chored around generally.
Dec 7 – At home. No one here. Mr Galusha folks drove in to see Hannah.
Dec 8 – Not much work to day but chores. Hannah went to Ed Gallushas to makum dress for some of the folks. Ina came over stayed all night.
Dec 9 – Went over to burg after Ethan he no come. Went over a gain in Evening he not come. Lois came home with me stayed all night.
Dec 10 – Went over took Lois home. Ethan no come on morning train he come on noon train. We washed to day.
Dec 11 – Not ver well. Sawed and drawed three loads wood. Took Sarah over to Geo Blakes.
Dec 12 – Chored round the house and barn. Cleaned out cornhouse. Finished sorting corn. Not very cold.
Dec 13 – Mercury 19 & 34 cold windy day. Went over to burg. Bot pail and varias things. Brot over one pair of shoes for Sally to try on to see if she liked um. She no likeum. Cold blustrous day.
Dec 14 – At home. No one here. Ethan and Hannah went up to Ed Flanders in afternoon. Nice day very nice weeling no snow to make de sla run some.
Dec 15 – Very nice pleasant sun shown out nice and warm all day. Roads smoot as a floor. Hannah to J. T. Allertons this week.
Dec 16 – At home choring around as usual. Nice wheeling.
Dec 17 – Took Sarah over to Jane Hoags. I patched cornhouse roof some. Nice weather.
Dec 18 – Went down to Marts to mill. Took some corn down for meal no get him. Not grind to day.
Dec 19 – Went down and got my grist. Nice wheeling. No snow.
Dec 20 – Ethan and I sawed and split two loads wood and drew it down.
Dec 21 – Sarah and I went down to Marts. Cold wind no storm. Found them all at home.
Dec 22 – Jim and Cora came this morning on the seven thirty train. Hannah went to Kalamazoo.
Dec 23 – Mercury 28 3 PM. Went over to burg in morning. Paid my tax $5.00 five Dollars. Very high wind all day. Jim and Cora went over to Lois in afternoon. Levy Struble and Cal Sumner married.[145] Grant Oatman and Mary Milham married to day.[146]
Dec 24 – Jim and Cora went to Shelbyville to day. All well as usual. Not work much.
Dec 25 – At home. No go somewhare to Christmass.
Dec 26 – Took Hannah over to Barbers in morning. We washed. I worked in the barn fixing well in afternoon. Charley drew the machine into the _____. Mr Randal and wife[147] came to day.
Dec 27 – Cold and blustring. Went over to Lois after Hannah 11 oclock AM. Wind blew and snow flew like fury. Worked at the pump some no get it thawed out.
Dec 28 – A little more mild to day. Ethan took Jim to Kalamazoo to day. He goes to Chicago on the 5 AM Express this Evening to night.
Dec 29 – Nice pleasant day. Hannah went to Mr Ralphs to work for Maud Struble. I worked at the well in barn. Charley Town brot nine hundred pounds of wheat to day. Old Mr Rogers Died to day.
Dec 30 – Pleasant day not so cold. Shelled some corn for feed for Fan and (illegible). Ethan and Bes went over to the burg in Evening.
Dec 31 – Shelled some corn. Rainy day some. No one here. Hannah came home. Old Mr Rogers buried to day.
——-
[1] Known better, and referred to, as Luke
[2] Galesburg, Michigan
[3] Michigan death records show that Zerah C. Durkee, age 49, was killed by a train engine in Comstock, Michigan on December 30, 1889 and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan
[4] FindAGrave.com shows that Philip Gray Cory died January 4, 1890 (not the 2nd) in Topeka, Kansas, and that he was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan
[5] His granddaughters, Lela and Bess Brown
[6] The train
[7] Neighbor, Cullen Towne
[8] Neighbor, Charles Towne
[9] Sister of D. Harris, Luke’s son-in-law
[10] His son-in-law, Adelbert Skinner, who was married to his daughter Lois
[11] His daughter, Hannah Keith
[12] Neighbor and “shirttail relative,” Theodore Earl
[13] Andrew B. Spinney
[14] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith
[15] His son, James Keith, who lived in Chicago and worked for the Chicago streetcar system
[16] His daughter, Nancy (Keith) Brown
[17] His son, Ethan Keith
[18] Michigan marriage records show that Henry E. Storms and Ella Bennett were married in Galesburg, Michigan on January 15, 1890
[19] Michigan marriage records show that Jerome Baeuerle and Marie Bremer were married in Kalamazoo, Michigan on January 15, 1890
[20] Neighbor, Edgar Galusha
[21] Influenza; a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory passages
[22] Neighbor, Mary Evelyn “Eva” (Forbush) Blake
[23] His daughter, Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner
[24] Pinking irons were used to finish the edges of fabrics in lieu of hemming, as well as to provide decorative embellishments for garments. When struck with a mallet, the iron cut through the fabric to produce a crisp, scalloped edge.
[25] Neighbor, Caroline (Rapelje) Allerton
[26] Scotts, Michigan
[27] Neighbor, Mary Ann “Mate” (Thompson) Ford
[28] His son-in-law and Nancy’s husband, Henry Brown
[29] His daughter, Louese (Keith) Harris, and granddaughter, LaVerne Harris
[30] His grandson, Floyd Harris
[31] Etc.
[32] Neighbor, Hannah (Flint) Smith, the wife of Russel G. Smith
[33] Neighbor, Charles Ford; husband of Mate (see footnote to January 27th entry)
[34] Clara Milham was the daughter of Luke’s late niece, Lucy (Lee) & Martin Milham, and she married William Owens on September 17, 1891
[35] His son Ethan whose middle name was Bradley
[36] /- is the symbol used for shilling. A shilling was a coin of Colonial America and varied between 12¢ and 16¢
[37] One of his hens. His 1888 diary notes that on April 27 – Set Major at night on 15 Eggs
[38] Michigan marriage records show that Thaddeus Clapp and Mary Sherwood were married on February 18, 1875 in Comstock, Michigan
[39] Willis Brown, Hank Brown’s brother
[40] Cora Meredith, his son Jim’s future wife
[41] Took his cow to the bull, but it appears it was a wasted effort
[42] Neighbors, the daughters of James & Ellen (Adams) Milham
[43] Shelbyville, Michigan, where his daughter Louese lived
[44] Nickname for his wife Sarah
[45] Michigan marriage records show that Edmund Knapp and Viola McMillen applied for a marriage license in Kent County, Michigan on February 26, 1890 but does not show that the marriage took place. The 1900 census does show them as married and living in Grand Rapids, Michigan
[46] His son-in-law, Daniel D. Harris, Jr., known as D. or D.D.
[47] Michigan marriage records show that Edward Swaddel and Olive Schram were married in Galesburg, Michigan on February 27, 1890
[48] Above zero
[49] Neighbor, Frances Towne; sister of Charles and Cullen Towne
[50] Mary (Knowles) Barber. While Michigan death records show that Mary Barber died April 20, 1890, Oak Grove Cemetery records show she died March 7, 1890, which agrees with Luke’s entry
[51] Luke uses this phrase quite often. The Oxford Dictionary gives its meaning as “vigorously or quickly”
[52] His granddaughter, D. and Louese’s daughter, Leone Harris, who was about 7 months old
[53] Possibly referring to Cora Meredith’s father, Walter “Burton” Meredith
[54] Neighbor, Richard Barber
[55] Attorney Lucius West
[56] Neighbor, Cornelia (Daniels) Comings
[57] Neighbor, Sarah (Simmons) Kingsley
[58] Neighbor and “shirttail relative;” father of Theodore Earl (see footnote to January 7th entry)
[59] Neighbors, William & Clara (Evans) Caywood
[60] His horse
[61] Abel Hoag; Abel’s wife, Sarah “Jane” (Mason) Hoag, and Luke’s wife Sarah were good friends
[62] Neighbors, George & Mary Evelyn “Eva” (Forbush) Blake
[63] Believe he is referring to his grand-nephew, John Herbert Keith, the son of James “Oscar” & Mary Ann (Batey) Keith
[64] Eliza “Betsy” (Old) Batey, Herbert’s grandmother
[65] His daughter Louese and her children, LaVerne, Floyd & Leone
[66] William McBeth
[67] Theodore’s wife, Alice (Vandercook) Earl
[68] Neighbor, John T. Allerton
[69] Neighbor, Edwin Flanders
[70] Michigan death records show that Isaac C. Abbott died in Comstock, Michigan on April 11, 1890 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan
[71] His sister Catherine’s son-in-law, Martin Milham
[72] Michigan death records show that Henry Rennison died April 14, 1890 and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Hillside, Michigan
[73] Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford and her daughter, Blanche Crawford, who were the wife and daughter of Sarah’s brother, Hiram Crawford Jr.
[74] Neighbor, Hannah (Flint) Smith
[75] South Bend, Indiana, where her brother-in-law Henry Crawford’s family lived
[76] Neighbor, Isaac D. L. Schram
[77] No death or burial information was found for Mr. Martin, however, since the April 26th entry refers to him as Celery Martin, it is assumed that he was a celery farmer. Kalamazoo County was known as the Celery Capital of the World in the early decades of the last century
[78] Neighbor, Herbert Earl
[79] A neighbor from when Luke was living in Covington, New York. FindAGrave.com confirms that Chauncey Pond died May 2, 1890 at the age of 78 years, 7 months. He is buried in Pearl Creek Cemetery, Pearl Creek, New York
[80] Cullen Albert Towne; also referred to as Cul/Cull
[81] Willis & Elizabeth (Ogden) Brown; brother and sister-in-law of Hank Brown (see footnote to January 28th entry)
[82] Neighbors, Edwin & Mary Ellen (Smith) Flanders
[83] Michigan death records confirm that Orrin Franklin died May 21, 1890 in Comstock, Michigan and FindAGrave.com reveals that he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan
[84] Ida Barber married Eugene Howe in 1882 and in 1884 they had twins, Carrie and Charles. However, the 1900 census shows Ida as a widow and she, Carrie and Charles BARBER were living with Ida’s father, Richard. Carrie & Charles are listed as Richard’s grandchildren. However, Ethan Keith’s diary entry of September 22, 1884 shows: “Ida (Barber) Howe left Mr Howe to day. He feels real bad about it.”
[85] Michigan death records show that Hiram Tobey died in Charleston, Michigan on June 1, 1890 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Lawler Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan
[86] Jesse Earl’s daughter, Elva, was married to Frank Crossfield, so this could be referring either to him or to his father, Charles Crossfield
[87] Neighbor, John C. Blake
[88] Alvin Lee was the son of Luke’s first cousin, Charles Lee, & Juliana Davis.
[89] His grandson, Claude Brown
[90] From the June 20, 1890 Hornellsville Weekly Tribune: “Last night Hubert Warren of Elmira, shot and killed his father for abusing his mother.” FindAGrave reveals that J. Franklin Warren is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Elmira, New York. His parents, Julius & Irene Warren, had been Luke’s neighbors in the 1860’s and 1870’s
[91] McCormick Harvesting Machine Company
[92] Neighbor, Harriet Taylor
[93] The son of his wife Sarah’s late brother, Edwin Crawford
[94] The New York death index shows Robert Snow died June 22, 1890 in Warsaw, New York. Apparently Robert Snow was a neighbor of Luke’s when he had lived in New York
[95] Michigan death records show that Albert H. Fown [sic] died in Comstock on June 23, 1890 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan
[96] Sarah (Simmons) Kingsley and Louisa (Turner) Kingsley; they were married to brothers, Samuel and Salmon Kingsley, respectively
[97] His grandson, Charles Clark
[98] Michigan death records show that Fanny Fown [sic] died in Comstock on June 30, 1890 and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan. She died from an “unknown cause” just a week after her father, Albert Towne, died
[99] His grand-nieces, Clara, Gertrude and Lavinia Milham, the daughters of Martin & Lucy (Lee) Milham
[100] Neighbor, Harry Dale Adams
[101] Luke quite often used silly language in his diaries; in this case meaning “what the smoke man burned up,” referring to the July 11th entry
[102] D. Harris’ sister
[103] Presumably her grandparents, George & Hetta (Burgess) Ralph, who lived in Charleston, Michigan
[104] Kalamazoo, Michigan
[105] Charles R. Cridland, a former neighbor
[106] His grandson, William Clark
[107] Michigan death records show that George Wightman died August 8, 1890 (not August 4) and FindAGrave.com also shows he died August 8, 1890, and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan
[108] Lois’ daughter, Ina Skinner
[109] Neighbors, Washington W. & Mary Lucretia (Carson) Olin
[110] See Claude’s August 16, 1890 letter to his father at https://lettersfromthe1860s.wordpress.com/2020/02/20/august-16-1890-letter-to-henry-brown-from-claude-brown
[111] Neighbor, Eunice (Wood) Towne
[112] Neighbor, Russel G. Smith
[113] Michigan death records show that Sherman Davis died in Comstock on August 28, 1890 and FindAGrave.com reveals he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan
[114] Also referred to as the binder, or grain binder
[115] J. H. Sanborn, the general agent for the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan
[116] His horse
[117] The Towne’s horse
[118] Erasmus Towne, Charles Towne and Cullen Towne were brothers
[119] No death record was found, however, FindAGrave.com revealed that Jane Randall, wife of Nathan L. Randall, died in 1891 (not 1890) and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan; research continues
[120] Hannah (Flint) Smith, the wife of Russel G. Smith (see footnote to August 24th entry)
[121] Michigan marriage records show that Horatio Patterson and Jennie Isherwood were married on September 19, 1890 (not the 18th) in Comstock, Michigan
[122] His neighbor, Matilda (Allen) Brown; Hank and Willis Brown’s mother
[123] Martin Milham and his daughter Mary Milham; the husband and daughter of Luke’s late niece, Lucy (Lee) Milham
[124] Neighbor, Cullen A. Towne
[125] Michigan death records confirm that Andrew McLary died September 28, 1890 in Charleston, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan
[126] Cora Harris and LaVerne Harris, the sister and daughter of D. and Louese (Keith) Harris
[127] His son Jim’s girlfriend, Cora Meredith
[128] His son-in-law D. Harris’ brother, Jay Ralph Harris
[129] Malvina (Johnson) Meredith
[130] Walter “Burton” Meredith
[131] Michigan death records confirm that Mary Mason died October 27, 1890 in Comstock, Michigan and FindAGrave.com reveals that she is buried in Prairie Home Cemetery in Climax, Michigan
[132] Michigan death records show that Samuel Miller, age 26, suffered an “accidental shooting” and died October 26, 1890 in Climax, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Gilson Cemetery in Climax
[133] Abel and Sarah “Jane” (Mason) Hoag; Luke’s wife Sarah and Jane were good friends
[134] His wife’s niece, Edna (Crawford) Allen; she was often referred to as “Ed” in Luke’s diaries
[135] Michigan death records show that Worden Wells died October 31, 1890 in Charleston, Michigan; however, the 10-31-1890 Kalamazoo Gazette ran an obituary showing “Galesburg, Oct. 29 – Worden Wells of the town of Charleston died this morning age 86…”
[136] His wife’s brother
[137] The 1890 United States elections occurred in the middle of Republican President Benjamin Harrison’s term. Members of the 52nd United States Congress were chosen in this election
[138] Neighbors, Edwin & Mary Ellen (Smith) Flanders and their daughter, Mabel Flanders
[139] Michigan death records show that John Sumner died on November 10, 1890 in Comstock, Michigan and FindAGrave.com reveals he is buried in Prairie Home Cemetery, Richland, Michigan
[140] Clara’s future husband
[141] Clara’s half-uncle, who was the father of Stella and Mary (see footnote to February 20th entry)
[142] Michigan death records show that Etta Odell died on November 25, 1890 in Charleston as a result of being “killed by cars,” and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery. The November 25, 1890 Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph had this report: STRUCK BY THE ENGINE. Mrs. Odell is Thrown a Distance of 70 Feet, Killing Her Instantly. GALESBURG, NOV. 33—[Special.]—Mrs. Austin Odell, commonly known as Loretta Pierce, a woman about 50 years of age, was instantly killed last evening by the fast train going west. The circumstances are not known as no one saw her until the engineer pulled back to the station and gave the alarm—he having seen her as she was thrown past the window. She was found about 70 feet from the crossing east of the depot, and it is thought she must have been attempting to cross there and was thrown that distance. The signals were given as usual and it seems strange that she did not hear them.
[143] Michigan marriage records confirm that they were married in Kalamazoo County, Michigan on November 26, 1890
[144] Sentence was incomplete
[145] Michigan marriage records confirm that Levy Struble and Clara Sumner were married on December 23, 1890 in Comstock, Michigan
[146] Michigan marriage records confirm that they were married on December 23, 1890 in Galesburg, Michigan
[147] Michigan marriage records show that Nathan L. Randall married Susan (Cross) Murcell on December 24, 1890 in Middlebury, Michigan
The Diaries of Charles Luke Keith Jr 