1885 diary of Charles Luke Keith Jr.

1885 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.[1]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feb 2 – Worked some on Herbs Box.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mar 30 – At home. Worked on violin some.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Apr 25 – Worked on Herbs Boxes all day.

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

Apr 27 – Worked on Herbs Boxes. Fine day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May 13 – At home working round house and garden.

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

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

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

May 17 – Fine day. Went down to Katharines.

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

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

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

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

May 22 – Some ledle rainy. Not much work.

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

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

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

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

May 27 – Pleasant. Nancy came up here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jun 6 – Worked in garden some. Hot day.

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

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

Jun 9 – Worked in garden and round barn.

Jun 10 – Worked in garden and chored round.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jul 12 – Went down to Katharines. Fine day.

Jul 13 – Drawed in some hay from hill.

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

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

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

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

Jul 18 – Drawed two loads sand.

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

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

Jul 21 – Mercury 96 in shade. Made mortar.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aug 4 – Prepaired my Lime for my hard finish.

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

Aug 6 – Rained some. Not very well.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aug 15 – At Shelby. Not very well.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aug 27 – At home some nice weather.

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

Aug 29 – Work on violin put strings on.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sep 8 – Rainy morning cool wind. At home.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct 5 – Cleaned up wheat. Went to mill.

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

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

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

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

Oct 10 – Pleasant. Picked one load corn.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nov 15 – Mercury 32. Sloppy some snow.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

——-

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

[2] Above zero

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

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

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

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

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

[8] His son, Ethan Keith

[9] His daughter, Hannah Keith

[10] His son, James Clinton Keith

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

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

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

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

[15] His hog

[16] Neighbor and “shirttail relative”

[17] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

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

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

[20] Neighbor, Charles Towne

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

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

[23] To say nothing about the women

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[36] His neighbor

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

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

[39] Ceresco, Michigan

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

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

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

[43] His wife Sarah

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

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

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

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

[48] Neighbor, Lacelle Strait

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

[50] His granddaughter, LaVerne Harris

[51] Etc.

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

[53] His granddaughter, Ina Skinner

[54] Neighbor, Marius O. Streator

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

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

[57] See “Luke Keith’s Road Tax,”

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

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

[59] His niece, Helen (Bradley) York

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[67] His grandson, Jay Harris

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

[69] The family horse

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

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

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

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

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

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

[76] His neighbor, George Ransom Wightman

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[92] Charles Luke Keith Sr.

[93] Nickname for his wife, Sarah

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Advertisement

Luke Keith’s 1864 Diary with some 1865 entries

1864 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.^[1]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feb 7 – Went up to Wesleys Yorks & Fathers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jul 24 – At Burnells all day. Very warm.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct 9 – At home all day not very well.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct 30 – At home all day nothing turned uncommon.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nov 23 – Worked on cutter box all day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dec 11 – At home. All well as usual.

Dec 12 – Put in two knees in bob for W^m Eldred 1.50.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dec 30 – No work to day sick with cold.

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

——-

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

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

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

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

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

——-

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

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

[3] A bobsleigh, or bobsled

[4] His daughter, Lois (Keith) Clark

[5] Lois’ husband, Byron Clark

[6] His daughter, Hannah Keith

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

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

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

[10] His son, Ethan Keith

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

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

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

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

[15] Et cetera

[16] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

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

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

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

[20] His daughter, Nancy Keith

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

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

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

[24] Ulmer’s Spring Bed Bottom

[25] His daughter, Louese Jerusha Keith

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

[27] Perhaps his maternal first cousin who lived in Cummington, Massachusetts

[28] His mother’s sister, Lilly (Willcutt) King

[29] Kate Allerton, age 12, was the sister of Elizabeth Allerton who would become the wife of Luke’s grandson, William Byron Clark

[30] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Lucina (Camp) Bevier, wife of Henry Bevier, died March 24, 1864 and is buried in Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Kalamazoo County, Michigan

[31] Thomas Jefferson Chaffee Jr., the husband of Luke’s niece, Frances Catherine “Kate” (Keith) Chaffee

[32] His nephew, James Oscar Keith

[33] George Tomlinson, who was married to Luke’s niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

[34] James S. King, his maternal first cousin

[35] Saleratus; sodium or potassium bicarbonate used as a leavening agent; baking soda

[36] Joseph W. Lee, his paternal first cousin

[37] His son-in-law, Byron Clark

[38] His brother-in-law, Lucius Prosper Crawford

[39] His son, Henry Keith

[40] His maternal first cousin

[41] Catharine’s daughter, Lucy Irene Lee

[42] His neighbor; Ambrose’s son, Henry Brown, would marry Luke’s daughter, Nancy, in 1872

[43] A search of FindAGrave.com revealed that Ezra Mansfield died April 22, 1864 and is buried in Lawler Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan

[44] His brother-in-law, Hiram Crawford Jr.

[45] The grandson of Luke’s aunt, Rhoda (Keith) & Charles Lee

[46] Henry and his sister, Lois, were the children of Luke and his first wife, Minerva Payson. Minerva died nine days after Henry’s birth. It appears that Lois lived temporarily with Minerva’s parents and Henry lived with Luke’s good friends and neighbors, Joseph & Amanda (Hobbs) Flanders. The Flanders raised Henry even after Luke married his third wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith. They wanted to adopt Henry but Luke said no; however, it looks like he lived with them throughout his youth. This seems to be corroborated by the 1860 census showing “Henry L. Flanders,” who I believe was actually Henry L. Keith, age 16, living with Joseph & Amanda

[47] His son, James Clinton Keith

[48] His brother-in-law, Henry Crawford

[49] Omro, Wisconsin

[50] His brother-in-law, Robert Crawford

[51] Winneconne, Wisconsin

[52] Robert’s wife, Louisa (McCann) Crawford

[53] Believe he is referring to Louisa’s sister, Cynthia McCann

[54] De Pere, Wisconsin

[55] His uncle, James Hunt King, the husband of Lilly (Willcutt) King

[56] Luther & Sarah (King) Burnell; Sarah was Luke’s maternal first cousin, the daughter of James & Lilly (Willcutt) King

[57] Edith (King) LeRoy; Edith was also Luke’s maternal first cousin, the daughter of James & Lilly (Willcutt) King

[58] Edith’s husband, Jonas LeRoy

[59] Nothing further is known of this daughter. Since the 1870 census does not list a child born in 1864, it would appear that she died before 1870

[60] Mary (Comfort) Wickersham, who was his wife Sarah’s aunt

[61] Believe he is referring to Sarah’s stepfather, Elder Platt Betts

[62] “Mark” is referred to quite often in Luke’s diaries and it is believed that he is referring to his cousin, Marquis de Lafayette Lee, the oldest son of Dr. Ezekiel and Elizabeth (Strong) Lee. The Lees were Mormons and moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, and eventually to the Salt Lake Valley in 1850. Mark stayed behind to run his father’s farm and was living with his aunt, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[63] His niece, Helen (Bradley) York

[64] His brother Harvey’s wife, Alfleda (Starr) Keith

[65] Believe he is referring to Mark Lee’s father-in-law

[66] Joseph York, the husband of his niece, Helen (Bradley) York

[67] William Wallace Lee, the son of Nancy (Taylor) and John Warren Lee

[68] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that William Wheaton died November 13, 1864 and is buried in Wheaton Cemetery, Comstock, Kalamazoo County, Michigan

[69] Kalamazoo, Michigan

[70] Addis E. Wolcott, his maternal first cousin

[71] The grandson of Luke’s aunt and uncle, Lydia (Willcutt) & Asa Turner

[72] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Edgar Howlett died November 25, 1864 and is buried in Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Kalamazoo County, Michigan

[73] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Samuel Percival died October (rather than December) 4, 1864 and is buried in Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Believe that the term Uncle was an honorary one as no relationship has been found at this time

[74] A search of FindAGrave.com shows that Charles Albert Wightman died December 14, 1864 in Chicago, Illinois, and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Kalamazoo County, Michigan

[75] Believe this to be his brother-in-law and wife, Edwin & Mary (Hamilton) Crawford