1886 Diary of Charles Luke Keith Jr.

1886 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH, JR.[1]

Luke wrote his entries for 1886 in three different diaries: it appears that he first wrote the January 1-30 entries in the back of his 1885 diary, then January 31 to March 31 in the back of his 1881 diary. On March 4^th he bought an 1886 diary and started to copy all those entries, but only copied January 1-9, left the following pages blank and then started entering daily on April 1 through the end of the year. As the January 1-9 entries in his 1886 diary are shortened versions, I have used the 1885 version.

Jan 1 – Mercury 36. Very nice day no snow. Went over to Lois[2] to a New Years dinner me self and Sarah,[3] Hannah,[4] Lou,[5] Mrs Brown,[6] Jim,[7] Ethan,[8] Will Clark.[9]

Jan 2 – Mercury 41. Filed saw for Jim. Cut and drew two loads wood and one load corn. Rainy day.

Jan 3 – Mercury 43 no snow, rainy morning. At home all day.

Jan 4 – Mercury 38. No work but chores. Ethan went over to Foundry to work.

Jan 5 – Mercury 30 snowey. Ethan went to Kalamazoo. D.[10] came home with him.

Jan 6 – Mercury 11 Abz.[11] Lou and D. went home. Mr Lanfor Burdick Died Six Oclock this morning.[12] Went down to Mr Randals got Butter. Cold wind. Fanny Town[13] called in.

Jan 7 – Mercury __4. Took Hannah over to the burg[14] in morning. Choring around. Took saw up to Theodores[15] to be gumed[?]. Filed saw for Skinner[16] 25 cts.

Jan 8 – Mercury 16. Not much done. Very windy day. Mr Burdick buried to day.

Jan 9 – Mercury 18. Snowey and Blustring day. Drew two loads wood one corn. Theodore came down here.

Jan 10 – Mercury 14 in morning. At home. Cold snowey day about 4 inches snow. Husked some corn. Mercury 4 four below in Evening.

Jan 11 – Mercury 3 below in morning cold and blustring. Jim and Will Clark posting bills for H. A. Brown.[17]

Jan 12 – Mercury 6 Abz. At home doing chores.

Jan 13 – Choring, no work to amount to much. Cutting some wood. Went down to Randalls.

Jan 14 – Mercury 10 Abz. Cut and drawed three loads wood.

Jan 15 – Rainy. Drawed two loads corn.

Jan 16 – Mercury. Went over to burg in morning got glass for schoolhouse. Went and set them. 4 lights 40 cts. Got 3½ lbs Butter of Fanny Town.

Jan 17 – At home all day. No one here till just at night George and Evva Blake[18] called here.

Jan 18 – Mercury 32. Went up to mill. Ground my ax. Herb Earl and wife[19] stayed in their new House for the first time.

Jan 19 – Mercury 14 Abz. Husked some corn cut some wood. Went over to burg got some nails.

Jan 20 – 9 Abz. Went down to Katharines[20] and M. O. Streators.[21] Very stormy day snow all day.

Jan 21 – Made door to Egg cupboard.

Jan 22 – Mercury 1 below. Stormy. Painted cupboard.

Jan 23 – Mercury 15 below. Took Sarah down to Marts.[22] She went to Kalamazoo to see Ed Allen.[23] Very cold. Plenty snow but not very good sleighing.

Jan 24 – At home all day.

Jan 25 – Mercury 29. Went to Kalamazoo after Sarah. Stoped to Marts saw the mill run. Charley and Clara[24] stayed here.

Jan 26 – Mercury 26 Abz. Jim drawed 3 loads wood one corn. Hank, Lelah and Bes[25] came over they came to Lois.

Jan 27 – 30 Abz. Went over to burg. Took Clara up to Hats.[26] Charley went home. I shelled some corn. Filed saw for N L Randall.[27] Hank to work in galery at the Burg.

Jan 28 – Mercury 22 Abz. Went down to Marts to mill. Got six bushels corn and oats ground. Louese came home.

Jan 29 – Mercury 23 Abz. Took Lou over to burg to get pictures taken. Lou, Clara, Lelah and Bessey here stayed all night.

Jan 30 – At home all day. Lou here she went over and got negatives of the children. D came at night. Cold day.

Jan 31 – Lou went over to burg. Got pictures of the children. D came at night. Cold day.

Feb 1 – Cold good sleighing. No work but chores. Mr Albert Carletons House burned to day.

Feb 2 – Cold day. Took Hannah over to Mrs Sumners. D went up to Scotts.[28] Cold.

Feb 3 – Mercury 32 below zero in morning. Hank went to Kalamazoo. Theodore & Dick Barber[29] came down here. D. & Lou, Ethan and Hannah went down to Mrs Browns.

Feb 4 – Mercury 17 below. D. & Lou went home. Clear and cold. No work but chores.

Feb 5 – Cold day at home. Choring. Old Mr Bennet[30] killd at the burg by the cars.[31]

Feb 6 – At home, cold, bad getting around. Hank left for Galesburg Ill. on Evening Express.

Feb 7 – Mercury. At home. Will Aldrich here. Ethan and Hannah went down to Katharines. Mrs Joh Schrader called here.

Feb 8 – Mercury 40 Abz. Went over to Mr Towns[32] got 2¾ lbs butter paid $1.20 cts. Went over to burg in Evening after Hannah.

Feb 9 – Mercury 54. Drawed two loads corn. Jim drawed one Load wood. Hank and Nancy[33] came on noon Train.

Feb 10 – Mercury 44. Took sarah over to Mrs Watts[34] Funeral. Husked in fore noon. Went over in Evening got Nancys trunks.

Feb 11 – Mercury 45. Took Nancy down to Mrs Browns in morning. Took Sarah up to Mr Rogers in afternoon. I drew two loads corn in afternoon. Sprinkled some just at night.

Feb 12 – Mercury 35. Husked corn some. Worked round house and shop.

Feb 13 – Mercury 33. Choring, not much work. Hannah came home from Austin Peases place. Hank came home in Evening.

Feb 14 – Mercury 35. Hank, Nancy an children[35] here. Hank and Nancy went down to Mrs Browns.

Feb 15 – Mercury 27. Hank and Nancy went to Kalamazoo. Snows some. Edna Allen came to day.

Feb 16 – Mercury 5 Abz. At home. Took Nancy over to burg she went to Kalamazoo. Georde [sic] Tomlinson[36] came on noon train. Went down to Katharines.

Feb 17 – Mercury 23 Abz. Went over to Burg. George left for home on noon train.

Feb 18 – Mercury 38. At home. Worke in barn fixed stall for fan.[37] Ed and Madge[38] here.

Feb 19 – Mercury 23. Cut and drawed some wood. Cold wind.

Feb 20 – Mercury 12 Abz. Cut some wood. Hannah came home from Caywoods.

Feb 21 – At home. Ed and Mage here. Lelah and Bes here.

Feb 22 – Mercury 23. Took Hannah and girls over to cars. Lelah and Bes went home. Hannah went to Lous. I cut some wood.

Feb 23 – Mercury 21. O. M. Allen[39] came up to see Ed. Fan had a calf to day it droped 12 noon.

Feb 24 – Drawed load wood. Made pen for calf.

Feb 25 – Mercury 15 Abz. Cleaned up some wheat. Cold and snowey, high wind, very blustring.

Feb 26 – At work round Barn. Sawed some wood. Went over to burg went to mill.

Feb 27 – Drawed some wood. Not much snow. Very rough roads.

Feb 28 – At home. No one here Except the Allen family. O. M. came up in afternoon.

Mar 1 – Choring round as usual. Went over to Burg at noon. Got some medicin for Edna. Got Harness oil of Semour Miner.

Mar 2 – At home. Jim had Bill[40] to draw straw.

Mar 3 – Mercury 26. Cut some wood drawed some wood.

Mar 4 – Went to Kalamazoo. Went to Hanks. Bot Diary 75 cts.

Mar 5 – Mercury. Mended Kettle. Chored round. Very pleasant day.

Mar 6 – Cut and Drew two loads wood. Very nice day.

Mar 7 – Nice day. O. M. came up. Doc McBeth came over to see Edna. I went over in Evening after McBeth.

Mar 8 – Snows like fun. Doc came over in morning. Ethan sick.

Mar 9 – Mercury 32. A. R. Skinner cut wood part of the day. Fine day snowed some not very cold.

Mar 10 – Mercury 38. Went over after Lois in morning. Put clasp on Mrs Bradshaws album. Cow sick.

Mar 11 – Went over to burg bot medicine for cow. Drawed some wood and some corn. Cow sick.

Mar 12 – Mercury 38. Ben Smith Died shelby ville.[41] Snowed like Blazez. Went over after Del he came over to see cow. Charley Corey taking down the old Brick on corner.

Mar 13 – 30 Abz. Not very well. Went over to Burg got oil. Cow some better not much.

Mar 14 – At home all day. Mrs Hubberd Lewis marred to day.[42] Mr Benj Smith of Shelby Ville Buried to day.

Mar 15 – Went up to Mr Ridlers to by some wood. He Brot one cord wood $1.75.

Mar 16 – Cow sick. Went over to burg after Hanks things at Galery. Put handle in Spade.

Mar 17 – Went up to Jesse Earls[43] got vice of Theodore. Went to burg got some medicine for cow of Munger $1.00.

Mar 18 – Went down to Mrs Brown & got some potatoes. Glued Mrs Rogers chair. Mrs Bradshaw got her Album 25 cts.

Mar 19 – Mercury 70. Cut some wood. Filed saw for A. Kaywood. Put up iron vice. Clara Milham[44] here.

Mar 20 – At home. Cut some wood.

Mar 21 – At home. Filed saw for Dell Skinner.

Mar 22 – Went down to Mrs Browns got some potatoes. Snowed some cold March wind. Hannah came home from Shelby Ville.[45]

Mar 23 – Went over to burg after Cora Meridith.[46] She came stayed all night.

Mar 24 – Worked on Hat & Libs[47] cupboard. Cora went up to Jim Milhams.[48] Ethan took Hannah down to Smith Carletons.[49] Very nice day.

Mar 25 – Worked on cupboard. Fine day. Ina[50] came over stayed all night.

Mar 26 – Went over to burd [burg] in morning after Lumber to finish cupboard.

Mar 27 – Mercury 32. Worked on cupboard. Very nice day. Charley Town[51] finished fence on north side road. Hannah came home from Carletons.

Mar 28 – Went to Katharines. Cold East wind.

Mar 29 – Changed corn with W^m Rogers. They moved three Loads goods.

Mar 30 – Rainy day. Finished the cupboard. Mended spade for Jim. Jim bot Horse of Taylor Girls.[52]

Mar 31 – Mercury 41. Rainy fore noon. Davis Stafford and Mr Brown came down to see the Binder. I took the girls cupboard up to them. Mr W^m Rogers took the last load goods to day.

Apr 1 – Mercury 34 stormy snowey bad day. Shelled some corn. Doc McBeth[53] here morning and Evening.

Apr 2 – Mercury 24 some snow ground well covered. Filed saw for Jim. Went over to burg after Doc McBeth at noon Ed Allen Blowed out this evening.[54]

Apr 3 – Mercury 20 very pleasant morning. Cut and drew some wood one load corn. Lois came over.

Apr 4 – At home. Ethan took Hannah up to Scotts to Jon Powers.

Apr 5 – Nice pleasant day. Went to town meeting. Ed some better. Doc comes twice a day.

Apr 6 – Mercury 32 the wors Bluster of the season, snowed and blowed a perfect gale all day.

Apr 7 – Went over to burg in morning. Bot some maple shugar 48 cts.

Apr 8 – Mercury 25. Ethan and Lois went to Kalamazoo. Nancy gone up to Lous. Very nice day. I cut some wood. Bot can Honey of Mr Rainy[?].

Apr 9 – Drew two loads straw two loads corn one wood. Very pleasant day.

Apr 10 – Worked in woods and in shop. Ed not much better.

Apr 11 – Nice day. I husked corn all day. O. M. Allen came up. Rainy day.

Apr 12 – Nice warm day. Laid up fence on hill south of orchard. Went over to Lois just at night.

Apr 13 – Went to Kalamazoo. Lois went to see Nancy. Bot Hat $1.50. Paid for the Telegraph[55] one year $1.50. Nicholas Chilson Died to day Ae 80y.[56]

Apr 14 – Mercury 85 Abz very nice day. Drawed stone in forenoon. Took down some fence up by the woods in afternoon. Hannah came home from Scots.

Apr 15 – Moved some fence. Nice day. Drew some corn.

Apr 16 – Took down fence. Drew one load old rails.

Apr 17 – Husked corn in forenoon. Hot day had a thunder shower just at night. Hannah came from Em Ralphs.[57]

Apr 18 – At home. Ed some better. Bessie here. O. M. no come up to day. Theodore and Hannah went to W^m Rogerses.

Apr 19 – Very warm day. Went over to burg got groceries. Ed Rouland paid two Dollars for Repairing violin.

Apr 20 – Mercury 80 Abz. Drew 3 loads corn one load old rails. Jim commenced plowing on the hill for oats. Nice warm day.

Apr 21 – Mercury 84. Took Lois trunk to the Depo. She went to shelbyville. Husked some corn. Jim plowing. Bot 1½ bushel clover seed $10.50.

Apr 22 – Mercury 84. Husked some corn. Very nice day.

Apr 23 – Mercury 87. Ethan went to Kalamazoo after Nancy. The children came.

Apr 24 – Mercury 84. Jim finished plowing the oat ground drew in the corn all in. I dug out some stumps.

Apr 25 – At home. Nancy and children came up stayed all night. Very pleasant day. O. M. came up in afternoon.

Apr 26 – Nancy went home on 11 oclock run. Jim ploting oat ground. W^m Blake called in to see Jim. Rainy afternoon.

Apr 27 – Went up to M. O. Streators bot six bushels wheat 85 cts pr bushel. Took it over to mill in afternoon.

Apr 28 – Drew some stumps of south lot one load stone. Jim commenced Drilling oats.

Apr 29 – Jim finished drilling oats he plowed the garden.

Apr 30 – Went over to Burg in morning. Draged the garden and potatoe ground.

May 1 – Not mutch work to day. Rainy some. Went over to burg in afternoon.

May 2 – Nice day. Jim, Mrs Brown and Hannah went down to Nancys.

May 3 – Took Edna Allens trunk over to the Depo at noon. Got a draft cashed for her $50.22 cts. She went on the 9.20 train Evening.

May 4 – Went up to Mr Flanders[58] got ½ bushel potatoes 25 cts. Rained quite hard. Sarah went down to Mr Randals a dance to Mike Maloneys new barn.

May 5 – Went up to mill. Turned rooler for Mr Beals of Climax. Went over to Burg got Sarahs Dress and ticking.

May 6 – Husked corn in afternoon. Nice day.

May 7 – Finished husking corn. Mrs Brown and Bessie came up here. Bes stayed all night. Show at the burg I went saw murmaid.

May 8 – At home. Mended wire fence on East road spliced one wire. Rainy night. Hannah over to Nells.

May 9 – Went down to Katharines. Rained some not vey cold.

May 10 – At home. Worked round house and garden.

May 11 – Went over to burg in afternoon to the Band Torniment. Received postal from George.[59]

May 12 – Worked round choring. Went over to burg. Shelled corn in afternoon. Nancy and Mrs Wagner came up in afternoon.

May 13 – Mercury 81 warm day. Sarah went over to Hoags.[60] Ina went to Shelby Ville. I went to Milhams to mill.

May 14 – Mercury. Worked in garden some. Went over to burg. Bes here.

May 15 – Went over to Forbush in afternoon. Rainy.

May 16 – At home all day. Nice day.

May 17 – Went over got the Buggy thill[61] iron mended 85 cts. Lois came home from Shelby.

May 18 – Took Sarah over to Lois. I cut and drew one load wood plowed out corn in the garden went after Sara.

May 19 – Pleasant morning. At home working round house and garden. Jim plowed the corn ground.

May 20 – Went down to Mrs Browns got drag. Draged corn ground and floated it. Very warm day. Lois came over.

May 21 – Very warm day. Marked my corn ground. Went down to M. O. Streators got seed corn.

May 22 – Hot as blazes. Planted corn. Mr & Mrs Streato[62] and Mrs Brown here in Evening. Expected Forbush & Blakes folks here dey no came.

May 23 – Mercury 90 in shade. At home all day. No one here. Ethan took Lois and Ina home in morning.

May 24 – Planted potatoes covered them with straw. Nice day.

May 25 – Planted potatoes. Cool day north wind. Set hen to night in Bills west feed box.

May 26 – Not mutch done. Went over to burg. Nancy and girls came up this morning.

May 27 – Went over to burg in morning. Jesse Earls gray Horse died this morning. Ob Evens and Maty Carson married this Evening.[63]

May 28 – Went over to burg in morn sold 1400 & 60 lbs Hay to Met Thomas 50 cts pr 100. Took some things up to Wm Ralphs to go to Lous. Mr Williams of Berry died.

May 29 – Went over to burg twice. Worked in garden some cultivated corn and potatoes.

May 30 – Went up to Mr Levi woods. Syrus and Moridz Streator went had a good time. Nice day. Very dry.

May 31 – Worked in garden planted beans hoed corn plastered corn.

Jun 1 – Sarah went over to Mr Austins to a crazy quilt party.

Jun 2 – Went to Kalamazoo to get Sarahs teeth Extracted. Bot coat. Nice day very dry.

Jun 3 – Plastered corn. Hot day no rain.

Jun 4 – Painted Jims Buggy. Mr Wood and wife of Shelby here stayed all night. Charles Anderson came he went over to Mr Fords stayed all night.

Jun 5 – Charles came over in morning left on noon train for Battle Creek. Mr Woods folks left for home.

Jun 6 – At home. Very dry. Jesse Earl came down here. Walter Thresher and his uncle came over to see the binder.

Jun 7 – Very warm and dry. Made corn drag. Painted Jims Buggy boddy one coat.

Jun 8 – Mercury 84. Cultivated corn. Very hot and dry. Hannah went up to Mr Deweys at Scotts.

Jun 9 – Worked on buggy. Put last coat on boddy. Very hot and dry.

Jun 10 – Put leathers on thills. Cleaned the dash. Finished the buggy. Went down to Mrs Browns got my buggy.

Jun 11 – Mercury 90 in shade very hot. Cultivated corn. Went over to burg twice.

Jun 12 – Mercury 99 in shade. Cultivated corn in fore noon. Took Sarah down to Mrs Browns.

Jun 13 – Mercury 84. Sprinkle some in forenoon.

Jun 14 – Mercury 104 in shade. Got one tire set on carriage 35. Got Bridle mended 20¢. Charley cut Mrs Wrights grass. Cameron & George Barber[64] here.

Jun 15 – Mercury 90 very hot. Jim commenced cutting the grass in East lot. Had a nice shower just at night.

Jun 16 – Mercury 84. Ethan went to burg to pay Thresher for Enterprise.[65] Jim got cabbage plant.

Jun 17 – Mercury 83 pleasant nice day. Chored round in forenoon. Went down to Katharines in afternoon to see Mart. He is sick had his wens[66] cut out.

Jun 18 – Worked in garden and hay field. Went up to Herbs got cabbage plants.

Jun 19 – Jim finished cutting hay. Tip and Quin called in Evening to see Binder.

Jun 20 – At home. Nancy and Lelah & Bes here. Lois came over.

Jun 21 – Mercury 96. Worked in hay field all day finished. Ethan went to Kalamazoo took Nancy home. Took ook[?] his Knotter down to West.

Jun 22 – Mercury 84. Drew in some hay finished up. Had a nice rain.

Jun 23 – Worked in garden some. Mr Town and Fanny went to Kalamazoo. Hannah went up to Hat & Libs to sew. I cultivated corn some.

Jun 24 – Took Sarah over to Lois had a big rain. Mary Flanders[67] an her cousin Mrs Jackson came in stayed through the shower.

Jun 25 – Hoed in garden some. Plowed corn in afternoon.

Jun 26 – Took Sarah to Kalamazoo she went to Shelbyville. Claud[68] came home with me.

Jun 27 – At home. Lois and Ina came over. I finished plowing corn plowed out the potatoes up by the woods.

Jun 28 – I finished plowing corn plowed out the potatoes up by the woods.

Jun 29 – Hannah to Hats sewing. Hoed in garden some. Set out cabbage plants 77.

Jun 30 – Mercury 80. Hoed cabbage, chore round. Hannah went to Streators. Mr Erastus Stuart Died this afternoon.[69]

Jul 1 – Mercury 8 [sic]. Mr Streator came and got sewing machine.

Jul 2 – Hoed corn some cultivated potatoes up by the woods. Sarah came home from shelbyville. Maria Flanders buried to day.[70] Erastus Stuart buried to day.

Jul 3 – Went over to burg to celebration. Took dinner to Lois. Went over in Evening to the dance in Corey Block and at the rink.

Jul 4 – At home all day. Clara and Lee came up. Hanah went down to M. O. Streators. H. N. Tubbs buried to day.[71]

Jul 5 – Hot morning. Working in garden and choring round.

Jul 6 – Went over to burg. Hoed some. Went to M. O. Streators in morning and afternoon. Mr Streator sick.

Jul 7 – Went over to burg in morning. Sold Eggs 9 Doz. Took zinc back.

Jul 8 – Went to Kalamazoo after Hannah. Mr M. O. Streator Died 15 minutes past twelve noon.[72]

Jul 9 – Mercury 104. Hoed in garden some, chored around, set up wheat.

Jul 10 – Mercury 94. Plowed corn in forenoon and some afternoon. Very hot. Mr Burdick and Mr Wilson called here to show some violins.

Jul 11 – Mercury 90 very hot and dry. Mr M. O. Streator Buried to day.

Jul 12 – Mercury 84. Hoed in garden and chored round. Jim Drew in wheat. Fine day not so hot.

Jul 13 – Jim raked the wheat and

Jul 14 – Jim raked the wheat scatterings and drew them in. The Whiting family at the burg to day. I went over in Evening. Oliver Young died.

Jul 15 – Ethan, Hannah, Jim and Claud went to Kalamazoo to see Barnums show. Nice day Mercury 84.

Jul 16 – Plowed corn. Fine day. Went over to Burg in morning. Cyrus and Quincy Streator[73] called here.

Jul 17 – Hoed corn some in forenoon. Went over to burg at noon. Syrus & Quin called here jus at night. Some cooler.

Jul 18 – Mercury 74 some cooler. Katharine and Lee came up here.

Jul 19 – Lelah and Bess came on noon train. I went over and got them. Lois came over with me.

Jul 20 – Mr. Harry and Ed Rowland called here. Lelah and Bes here. Very smoky.

Jul 21 – Mercury 91. I went up to Levi woods with Cyrus Streator. Mrs M. O. Streator and Quin and Cyrus here to tea. Very dry.

Jul 22 – Mercury 94. Hoed corn and done the chores. Went up to Cullin Towns[74] afternoon.

Jul 23 – Mercury 93 very hot, dry and smoky. Hoed garden.

Jul 24 – Mercury 94. Hoed some corn and cabbage. Very hot day. Nancy came up.

Jul 25 – Mercury 104 in shade. At home all day. Ethan, Hannah and Hanks folk, Lizzie and Will[75] came to Mrs Browns.

Jul 26 – Mercury 69 rainy morning, rainy day. Nancy and girls went home.

Jul 27 – Took Sarah over to Lois. I worked in shop on axhelves.

Jul 28 – Made helve for G. A. Lockhart. Ethan took crank pattern over to Foundry. Rained some this morning.

Jul 29 – Mr Randal cut the oats. Mrs Ed Hoges Buried to day.[76] I worked in shop to day.

Jul 30 – Jim drawed oats. Fine hot day rained just at night.

Jul 31 – Mercury 94. Mr Johnson thrashed the wheat and oats 129 oats 46 wheat. Rained one ledl mite just at night. Very hot.

Aug 1 – Mercury 104. Hannah came home from Howlands Burg. I went down to Katharines. All well.

Aug 2 – Worked in garden some. Chored round most of the day.

Aug 3 – Went over to burg. Worked round house and garden.

Aug 4 – Cut weeds and grubs along the fence up the hill. Hot day. Allerton[77] thrashed. Ethan and Hannah went to Kalamazoo.

Aug 5 – Went down to Mrs Browns. Helped Jim clean up wheat. Rainy forenoon. Cut weed on hill.

Aug 6 – Went up to Mr Flanders in afternoon. Sarah went. Ed took pig down to Rial French.

Aug 7 – Took Fan up to Mr Flanders to get Jersey calf.[78] Went down to Katharines in afternoon after Hannah. Sarah went down to see Minnie Randal.

Aug 8 – Nice day. Jim and Hannah went to Kalamazoo to see Lou.

Aug 9 – At home choring. Not much work to day.

Aug 10 – Took Hannah down to Mate Fords.[79]

Aug 11 – Mercury 96. Mr Joseph Whitford buried.[80] Henry Crawford[81] came here this morning. He went home on the Eleven Oclock train.

Aug 12 – Ethan and Jim went to Kalamazoo after Lou. Robert Crawford[82] came to day. George Turner Buried to day.[83]

Aug 13 – Robert here. Went over to Burg after Lous trunk. Robert and I went around the squair. Rained in Evening.

Aug 14 – Cloudy some mist. At home. Robert here. Very warm.

Aug 15 – At home. Hot day. Robert and Sarah went over to cemetry.[84] Mary Ellen Allerton[85] and Carrie Plank[86] called here in Evening.

Aug 16 – Took Robert over to the train. Rainy morning. Robert left for Canada.

Aug 17 – Sarah and Lou went down to Mrs Browns. I helped Jim repair the grainry.

Aug 18 – Cut and drawed some wood. Ethan and Jim went to Kalamazoo to see the Sham Battle. Cord Beach got hurt.

Aug 19 – Took Sarah and Lou up to Em Ralphs. I Repaired chair for Em.

Aug 20 – At home. Went down to Mr Browns in morning.

Aug 21 – Harry Crawford[87] came on 7 Oclock train. Carrie Plank and Mary Allerton here in afternoon. Lois came over. D came. Went over to burg in Evening. Ha[d] a heavy shower rained in night.

Aug 22 – Cloudy looks like rain. Harry Crawford here. All well.

Aug 23 – Not much work to day. Jim commenced plowing East lot. George Hubbards baby died this morning.[88] Carry Plank here.

Aug 24 – Hannah and Carey went down to Mr Allertons. Lou and children went over to Lois. Oat Hills mother Died to day.[89]

Aug 25 – Took Lou over to Mr Ralph. Robert came back from Canada. Glen Keith[90] came on noon train. Mrs Hill buried.

Aug 26 – Ethan went to Kalamazoo. Harry went with him. Robert went up to Nelt Blass.

Aug 27 – Mercury 102. Took Robert over to burg he went to Chicago. Carrie Plank came here stayed all night.

Aug 28 – Mercury 99. Carrie went up to Gull Lake to attend the Grange Picknic. Jim plowing. Lou here.

Aug 29 – Had a heavy shower. Went down to Katharines.

Aug 30 – Let Jim have six bags full of corn. Mr Hampton here to dinner tin pedler. Hannah took Carrie Plank to Kalamazoo.

Aug 31 – Lou and children here. Jim plowing. Very warm.

Sep 1 – Jim plowing. Nice day. Lou here. I not very well. I commenced my last years work for H Cruttenden[91] 40 years ago to day.

Sep 2 – Took Lou to Kalamazoo. She stayed to Nancys all night. Very nice day.

Sep 3 – Jim plowing. Warm. Working round as usual. Some hot weather.

Sep 4 – Jim plowing. I cut load wood drew it down. Just at night had a heavy thunder storm. Lightning struck Cole Durkees hors Barn burnt it and straw stac.

Sep 5 – Mercury 80. At home. No one here but our own folks. Hannah came home this morning from Streators. She is making Mary Fishers wedding dress.[92]

Sep 6 – Mercury 93. Cut some corn. Jim floted wheat ground. Very hot day.

Sep 7 – Mercury 90. Cutting corn. Jim working for M. Caywood[93] cutting corn spec so.[94]

Sep 8 – Mercury 86. Cleaned wheat. Took 4 bushels to mill. Hot day. Rained in night.

Sep 9 – Mercury 69 some rainy this morning. Went down to Mrs Browns. Jim went to Kalamazoo. Cate Crawford[95] came home with him.

Sep 10 – Chored around house and shop. Not much done. Warm day.

Sep 11 – Worked in shop some. Went over to burg in afternoon. Cate went over with me. Rained in night.

Sep 12 – Nice morning. At home all day. Kate here.

Sep 13 – Work in shop some. Kate here. Ethan working on Knapps canal power. Got the sewing machine 60 cts Freight.

Sep 14 – Choring around. Cut some corn. Hannah & Nancy went to Jackson. Lelah & Bes came here.

Sep 15 – Took Ethan over to Burg. He went to Jackson to State Fair. Jim took Kate to Kalamazoo. Sarah went over to Mr Ralphs.

Sep 16 – Cut corn some. Fine day some wind. Blowed uncle Isaac Clarks[96] Barn down.

Sep 17 – Cut corn. Choring round.

Sep 18 – Finished cutting corn. Ethan came home.

Sep 19 – At home all day. Nancy came home to day.

Sep 20 – Fine morning. Jim dragging. I cut some wood and d[r]ew it down.

Sep 21 – Mercury 56 some lidle rany. At home. Jim dont be dragging to day some. Mr Franklin brot machine home.

Sep 22 – Mercury 67. Jim draging with spring tooth.[97]

Sep 23 – Went over to Burg in morning. Bot ½ bushel Timothy seed 1.13¢. Rainy lots Lightning & thunder.

Sep 24 – At home. Hannah came home sick from Mr Ogdens.

Sep 25 – Choring around. Put Beens in Barn and done various things. Mr Levy Woods folks came over. Stayed to Mrs Browns all night.

Sep 26 – All hands went up to Mrs Streators. Had a good time. Hannah some better. Rainy night.

Sep 27 – Rainy morning. Helped Jim. I went down to Katharines in afternoon.

Sep 28 – Helped Jim clean up wheat. Mr D. L. Tuttle buried at Galesburg to day.[98]

Sep 29 – Mrs Skinner Died.[99] Mrs Forbush and Eva Blake here in afternoon. Mrs Browns Jersey cow Died.

Sep 30 – Went down to Mrs Browns. Helped bury the cow.

Oct 1 – Cut some wood dug some potatoes. Lumis Robinson came here. He went home on nine oclock run.

Oct 2 – Went to Kalamazoo stayed all night. Went to the Accadamy of music** in Evening. Hank and Nancy went with us.

Oct 3 – Nice weather. At Browns. I went up to the Asylum in forenoon and then Hank and I went over to the water works. We came home at night. Old Mrs Daniels Died to day.

Oct 4 – Mercury 76 in shade. Fine day. Drawing rails for fence south of Barn next to the wheat.

Oct 5 – Laid bottom rails for fence. Fixed two saws for Allan Simmons. Jim and Charley Ford moved Rial French.

Oct 6 – Finished filing Simmons saws and turned driver for Bench Screw. Very nice day. Mercury up in the 70 & 80.

Oct 7 – Went over to burg in morning and down to C. Fords. Ethan picking apples down to Mrs Browns. Very nice weather.

Oct 8 – Mercury 80. Went up in woods cut some steaks. Went over to burg got band for sewing machine. Bot box Buggy greace. Lois came home. Nice weather.

Oct 9 – Mercury 84. Took Sarah over to Lois. I chored a round house and barn.

Oct 10 – At home all day. Lois and Ina came over. George Yeomans and Burt Burrell here.

Oct 11 – Jim came home from Shelby Ville. Jay[100] came home with him. Ethan went to Kalamazoo.

Oct 12 – Husked some corn. Very nice day very dry. Lum Robinson and wife here in afternoon.

Oct 13 – Built fence south of barn. Very nice day. Mrs Gilfus died to day. Jay here all right.

Oct 14 – Rainy day. No work. Rained and blowed hard all day. Blowed my corn most all down.

Oct 15 – Nice day. Finished my fence. No frost yet of any account. Dell and Sate[101] got home. 73 years old to day.

Oct 16 – Went over to burg. Bess and Jay went over to Lois. Nice day. Not much done. Rather lame. Old Pionere here to dinner.

Oct 17 – Mercury 69 pleasant some wind. Ethan, Hannah, Bes and Jay gone to Kalamazoo. George Yeomans and Burt Burrell here to day.

Oct 18 – Mercury 54 very nice day warm and dry. Husked corn. Jay here. Mr Knap here. Work on propeller.

Oct 19 – Mercury 57 very pleasant and dry. Husked corn. Mr Knap here to day working on propeller.

Oct 20 – Kalamazoo House Burned to day. Drew in my cornfodder in the morning. Went down to Mrs Browns got apples. Rainy. Went over to burg in afternoon. Not cold.

Oct 21 – Warm day. Choped some wood. Aunt Hannah Wilmarth[102] here to dinner stayed the afternoon.

Oct 22 – Nice day. Put apples in cellar. Drawed some wood in afternoon. W. H. Knap & Agent came over in afternoon.

Oct 23 – Fine day. Went to Kalamazoo with Jay. He went home. Claud went with him.

Oct 24 – Picked up Hickory nuts. Nice warm day. Jim went down to Hanks after Hannah. Lois went with him.

Oct 25 – Took the W. H. Knap Propeller up to Butterfield to try the Boats. Husked corn in afternoon. Cold day.

Oct 26 – Cool wind. Husked corn. Ethan dug potatoes. Hannah work for Fanny Town. Jim went to Kalamazoo with wheat.

Oct 27 – Husked corn. Cool day. Put potatoes in cellar. Jim went to Kalamazoo with wheat.

Oct 28 – Went to Mr Isaac Clarks funeral to day. Cool wind.

Oct 29 – Went up to Levy Woods. Mrs Streator and Mrs Green and Cyrus went.

Oct 30 – Husked some. Chored round. Put lights in windows to school House.

Oct 31 – At home. Picked up some Hickory nuts and cut some sage.

Nov 1 – Mercury 54. Finished husking to day. Sate worked for Hannah. Charley Smith came over after Sate.

Nov 2 – Mercury 55 nice warm day. Went over to Election. Levy Wood and wife here, Fanny Town and Mrs Pease.

Nov 3 – Drawed my cornfodder. Very nice day. Went over to burg at noon. Mr Knap an Ethan tried the Boat.

Nov 4 – Ethan and Jim Conky went to Kalamazoo. I dug some roots for Sarah. Cyrus and Mrs Streator. called. Tip Town[103] called.

Nov 5 – Worked round. Lelah and Bes here. Nancy came up. Sarah went down to Mrs Browns.

Nov 6 – Went over to burg. Took Nells dress over. Went to Lois. Saw Mary Hall. Nancy and girls went down to Mrs Browns. Snowed in night the first of the season.

Nov 7 – About ½ inch snow on the ground this morning. Jim Konky came got his camery. Hank came up here.

Nov 8 – Cut some wood. Nancy and girls went down to Mrs Browns.

Nov 9 – Drawed one load wood. Rained then snowed like fun.[104] Made stall for Peter. Not very cold. Will Brown moved to day.

Nov 10 – Doing chores. Made ladder or apart of one. Cold.

Nov 11 – Took Sarah over to Lois. Cut out rounds for ladder. Cleaned up some wheat.

Nov 12 – Went over to mill. Made cloths stick for Nancy.

Nov 13 – Nancy went home. Lou came home. She came up with Jim. I went over to Comstock. Sarah went down to Katharines.

Nov 14 – Pleasant day cool wind. Herb Earls Boy born this morning.[105]

Nov 15 – Put plank down at the west door at barn.

Nov 16 – Took Lou over to Lois and Mr Ralphs. Mr Knap and Ethan tried the Boat. Cold wind.

Nov 17 – Rainy day. Got pig of Jim. Went over to burg at night. Got oil. Lou went up to Jim Milhams.

Nov 18 – Mercury 25 cold and blustrous, snowey, cold. I worked in barn some.

Nov 19 – Lou and children[106] here. Cold wind. Ethan cut some wood. I drew two loads.

Nov 20 – Ethan choped some wood. I jointed boards for East side of barn. Doc Martin and wife called in Evening to see Hannah.

Nov 21 – At home all day. Pleasant. Lou went to Kalamazoo. Levy Wood and wife and Mrs Streator here.

Nov 22 – Boarded up East side barn. Nice day.

Nov 23 – Mercury 58. Repaired pump and well in barn.

Nov 24 – Mercury. Went over to burg got shugar and oder dings,[107] cinnamon and Raisins, oil &c.[108]

Nov 25 – Went over after Lois. Snows. Del came over got Horse and wagon. Took load stone over. Hannah came home.

Nov 26 – Ethan took Hannah down to Mrs Howlets. I got thirty Dozen Eggs of Fanny Town to send to Chicago. Cold day.

Nov 27 – Sent Eggs and Butter to Chicago to Hiram Crawford.[109]

Nov 28 – At home. Hannah went up to Herb Gilsons.

Nov 29 – Mercury 2 Abz. Not much done. Ed Schram called here. I hired him to cut some wood.

Nov 30 – Ethan went over got Lois in morning. She came over to wash. I went over to burg in Evening to get stove for Hanks folks.

Dec 1 – Mercury 8 Abz. Went to Kalamazoo took Hanks stove down to them. Mrs Brown went. Very Blustring. Jim and Bell Starr came up with me. Lum Robinson started for home. Saw Dob Zinsky[?].

Dec 2 – Cut some wood. Put ladder together in Evening. Cold and blustring he snow very hard some.

Dec 3 – Drawed two loads of wood on sleigh. Jim called here said he had sold his team to Will Brown. Ed chopping. Dr Babcock buried to day.[110]

Dec 4 – Ed chopping. Cold day. I drawed wood.

Dec 5 – Mercury 16 Below zero. Went over to burg in morning. Jim shingling for Dell. Ed Schram chopping.

Dec 6 – Mercury 2 blow zero. Went over to burg in morn. Jim shingling for Dell. Ed chopping.

Dec 7 – Drawed wood in forenoon. Went down to Marts in afternoon. Nice day.

Dec 8 – Fine day. Drawed wood. Ed no chop some. Fanny Town came over in afternoon.

Dec 9 – Drawing wood. Not much snow. Very nice weather.

Dec 10 – Drawed wood in forenoon. Got all down that was cut. Snow about gone. Leon[111] here stayed all night.

Dec 11 – Leon went up to Batey.[112] Glen came down with willow[?] in morning. Leon came back stayed all night. Dell put some shingles on Barn.

Dec 12 – Leon and Glen lef for home.[113] Rained some.

Dec 13 – Not much done but chores.

Dec 14 – Snowed and blowed hard. Very rough day. Went down to Caywoods and Mr Flanders. Paid Ed $— for butter. Mate Ford came here.

Dec 15 – Cold snow about — inches deep. Hannah went to Dr Ma– to sew. Took Sarah down to Mrs Browns. Filed saw for Jim. Hung ax for Herb Earl.

Dec 16 – Cold day. Worked in shop some. Smoothed up axhelves. Ethan went to burg in Evening.

Dec 17 – Finished up axhelves and chored round. Sarah went up to Ha–. I went up took tea with them. Snowed and blowed.

Dec 18 – Worked in shop some. Finished up my helves. Ed Schram called here.

Dec 19 – At home. Went over brot Lois over. Some stormy.

Dec 20 – Mercury at zero. Took Hannah over to train she went to Kalamazoo.

Dec 21 – Mercury 34 Abz. Went over to burg in Evening after Hannah and Lelah. Shelled corn for feed.

Dec 22 – Mercury 5 Abz. Went down to Mrs Browns. Took letter down to Lizzy with sample in. Hannah went up to W^m Ralphs.

Dec 23 – Went over to burg in morning paid my tax $6.78 cts. Went over at noon got money order cashed. Went over to Lois in Evening.

Dec 24 – Went down to Marts to mill. Took 7½ bushels corn and oats ground. Sent books to Claude, Lelah & Bes, Jay and Verne[114] and Marts children.

Dec 25 – Worked on toboggin for Claude. No good he break some. Not very cold.

Dec 26 – At home. No one here. Cold winter weather. Good sleighing.

Dec 27 – Mercury 13 Abz. Went up to Theodores got board for toboggin. Oscar, Mary Ann[115] and Glen here to day. They left for home.

Dec 28 – Mercury 3 below. Went over to burg. Got shoes for Sarah. Cold day.

Dec 29 – Mercury 3 Abz. Went over to burg in morning got calender. Mrs Beley Wright Died this morning 7 oclock.[116] Went over to burg in Evening.

Dec 30 – Mercury 15 below very much cold day. Sarah & I went to Kalamazoo she stayed to Nancys. Bot articks $1.25. Very cold. D. and Jim came.

Dec 31 – Mercury 13 below. Went over to burg in afternoon. Ina went home. Mrs Bela Wright buried to day. Very cold day. I done nodings not much to day ver mooch goot sleigh plendy snow some. Lou sent me money, pay some money. D went home on noon train.

——-

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

[2] His daughter, Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner

[3] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[4] His daughter, Hannah Keith

[5] His daughter, Louese (Keith) Harris

[6] His son-in-law Hank Brown’s mother, Matilda (Allen) Brown, who was also Luke’s neighbor

[7] His son, James Clinton Keith

[8] His son, Ethan Keith

[9] His grandson, William Clark

[10] His son-in-law, Louese’s husband Daniel Harris, Jr.

[11] Above zero

[12] The Michigan death record lists his date of death as January 21 (although it’s possible that the 1 in 21 is actually a 4) and there is a notation “Names added to list by Henry Laffitt [Labbitt] Undertaker Galesburg Michigan.” FindAGrave.com agrees with Luke’s entry of death on January 6, 1886, and shows he is buried in Lawler Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan. The January 9, 1886 edition of the Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph, p.3, noted: The funeral services of the late Langford [sic] Burdick of Galesburg were held in the Baptist church at that place yesterday, Rev. J. S. Boyden officiating, and were largely attended. The remains were interred in the cemetery in Charleston Township.

[13] His neighbor, Frances Towne

[14] Galesburg, Michigan

[15] Theodore Earl, neighbor and “shirttail relative”

[16] His son-in-law, Lois’ husband, Adelbert Skinner

[17] His son-in-law, Nancy’s husband, Henry Brown, who was a photographer. It appears Jim and Will were posting advertisements around town. The February 9, 1886 edition of the Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph, on page 6, reported the following: Henry A. Brown, photographer, recently of Galesburg, Ill., who has been taking all the pretty prizes in town (if each is left to be sole judge) for the past two weeks, will locate in Kalamazoo in the bank building, on the northwest corner of Main and Burdick streets.

[18] George & Mary Evelyn “Eva” (Forbush) Blake lived in Charleston, Michigan, which is about five miles east of where Luke lived

[19] His neighbor and “shirttail relative,” Herbert Earl, and his wife, Luella (Farr) Earl. Herb and Theodore (see footnote to January 7^th entry) were brothers

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

[21] Neighbor, Marius O. Streator

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

[23] His wife Sarah’s niece, Edna (Crawford) Allen. See also February 23^rd entry

[24] His grandson, Charles Clark, and his wife, Clara (Youngs) Clark

[25] His son-in-law and his daughters, Lela and Bess Brown

[26] Neighbor, Harriet Taylor

[27] Neighbor, Nathan L. Randall

[28] Scotts, Michigan

[29] Neighbor, Richard Barber

[30] Michigan death records show that F. K. Bennett was “run over by cars” in Galesburg, Michigan on February 5, 1866

[31] Train cars

[32] His neighbor, Albert Towne, who was the father of Fanny Towne (see January 6 & 16) and Charley Towne (see March 27)

[33] His daughter, Nancy (Keith) Brown

[34] Michigan death records reveal that Harriet Watts died February 8, 1886 in Otsego, Allegan County, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Lawler Cemetery, Augusta, Allegan County, Michigan

[35] Claude, Lela and Bess Brown

[36] George Tomlinson, the husband of Luke’s niece, Marion (Sprague) Tomlinson

[37] His cow

[38] Edna Allen and her daughter Madge

[39] Edna’s husband, Oscar M. Allen, Jr.

[40] His horse

[41] According to FindAGrave.com, Benjamin Smith died March 11, 1886 and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Wayland, Michigan

[42] Michigan marriage records show that Adeliza (Hubbard) Lewis, the widow of Franklin Lewis, married Charles Rimmey in Galesburg, Michigan on March 14, 1886

[43] Neighbor, and father of Theodore (see January 7^th entry) and Herbert Earl (see January 18^th entry)

[44] His great-niece, the daughter of Martin & Lucy (Lee) Milham

[45] Shelbyville, Michigan, where his daughter Louese lived

[46] Cora Meredith, his future daughter-in-law; she would marry his son Jim in June 1891

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

[48] Neighbor, James Milham, who was the half-brother of Martin Milham (see footnote to January 23^rd entry)

[49] Neighbor, Smith Carlton, son of Albert Carlton (see February 1^st entry)

[50] His granddaughter, Ina Skinner

[51] His neighbor, Charles Towne

[52] Hat and Lib Taylor

[53] From an ad in the October 23, 1880 Galesburgh Express: Wm. L. McBeth, M.D., PHYSICIAN & SURGEON. Office at Burdick’s drug store. Residence on Battle Creek street, two doors east of Bennett House. Calls attended to promptly at all hours. Galesburgh, Mich.

[54] Hard to decipher the order of his words as some were squeezed in between lines, so this may not be a true reading

[55] The Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph newspaper

[56] An old neighbor from when Luke lived in Covington, Genesee County, New York. The New York Death Index shows that Nicholas Chilson died in Batavia, Genesee County, New York and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in the Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York, although it shows his age as 77

[57] Neighbor, Emaline (Stone) Ralph

[58] His neighbor, Joseph Flanders

[59] George Tomlinson

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

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

[62] Marius O. & Laura Ann (Rawson) Streator

[63] Michigan marriage records show that Oliver Evans and Mary Carson were married in Richmond, Michigan on May 27, 1886

[64] His neighbor, the son of Richard & Mary (Knowles) Barber

[65] Kalamazoo County Enterprise newspaper

[66] Common fluid-filled growths (cysts) that form from hair follicles that are most often found on the scalp

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

[68] His grandson, Claude Brown

[69] Michigan death records mistakenly show that Erastus Stewart died October 3, 1886 in Comstock, Michigan with the notation “Names added to list by Henry Laffitt  [Labbitt] Undertaker Galesburg Michigan.” Langford Burdick (see footnote to January 6^th entry), likewise added by Henry Labbitt, was also incorrectly entered. The Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph newspaper editions of July 1 and July 6 (both on p. 2) agree with Luke’s entry showing that Erastus Stewart died on June 30, 1886

[70] Maria (nee Thayer), who was the widow of James Flanders (the son on Joseph Flanders, see footnote to May 4th entry), married Victor Gardner. She is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan alongside her first husband, James Flanders

[71] FindAGrave.com reveals that Horatio N. Tubbs died July 2, 1886 and is buried in the Elmwood Cemetery, Wayland, Michigan

[72] Michigan death records show that he died in Comstock, Michigan on July 8, 1886 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan. Luke Keith’s diary entry of 10-18-1894 reads: Went down to Mrs Streators with Will Clark they took up Mr M. O. Streators remains and put them in the new cemetry at Galesburg

[73] Believe them to be the brother and son of Marius Streator

[74] Cullen Towne, the son of Albert Towne (see footnote to February 8^th entry)

[75] Willis & Elizabeth (Ogden) Brown; Willis was the son of Matilda Brown (see footnote to January 1^st entry)

[76] Michigan death records show that Adeline Hodges died July 27, 1886 in Galesburg, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[77] His neighbor, John T. Allerton

[78] Fan was his cow. Presume he was taking Fan to the bull

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

[80] Michigan death records show that Joseph Whitford died in Charleston, Michigan on August 10, 1886 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Lawler Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan

[81] His wife Sarah’s brother

[82] His wife Sarah’s brother

[83] Michigan death records show that George Turner died in Kalamazoo from a fall from a scaffold on August 10, 1886 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Michigan

[84] Most likely the Galesburg Old Cemetery where their mother, Nancy (Comfort) Crawford Betts, was buried

[85] The daughter of neighbors John & Caroline (Rapelje) Allerton

[86] Carrie Plank was the daughter of William & Harriett (Groat) Plank who had been neighbors of the Keiths in Comstock until they moved to Grand Rapids in 1873

[87] The son of Hiram & Kate (Atcheson) Crawford; Hiram was Sarah’s brother

[88] Michigan death records reveal that Floyd Hubbard, the six-month-old son of George & Alice Hubbard, died in Galesburg, Michigan on August 23, 1886

[89] Michigan death records reveal that Sarah (Watters) Hill died August 23, 1886 in Galesburg, Michigan

[90] His grand-nephew, the son of James “Oscar” & Mary Ann (Batey) Keith

[91] On July 25, 1847 Luke married his second wife, Jerusha Crittenden (she died September 23, 1848). Jerusha had a brother Henry; perhaps this is who he is referring to

[92] Mary Fisher married Marenus Caywood in September. Sadly, on March 4, 1887 Marenus was killed when his horses “run with him” according to Luke Keith’s 1887 diary

[93] Neighbor, Marenus Caywood

[94] Expect so

[95] Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford, the wife of Hiram Crawford, Jr., Sarah’s brother

[96] No relation is known at this time; however, often the parents of a husband or wife of a family member, or the parent of a neighbor, were referred to as Aunt or Uncle

[97] An outdated piece of farm equipment which used many flexible iron teeth mounted in rows to loosen the soil before planting

[98] FindAGrave.com shows that David Tuttle died in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 25, 1886 and he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[99] Sarah (Knight) Skinner, the mother of Del Skinner (see footnote to January 7^th entry). FindAGrave.com shows she died September 29, 1886 in Ceresco, Michigan and that she is buried in the Quaker Cemetery in Waterloo, New York

** See https://lettersfromthe1860s.wordpress.com/2019/10/25/academy-of-music-kalamazoo-michigan for more info on the Academy of Music

[100] His grandson, Jay Keith Harris, who was 3 years old

[101] Sarah Skinner, the sister of Del Skinner (see footnote to January 7^th entry)

[102] According to the 1880 census, Hannah was the sister of Luke’s neighbor, Joseph Flanders

[103] Neighbor, Eunice (Wood) Towne

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

[105] Royal J. Earl was born to Herbert & Luella (Farr) Earl

[106] Jay (3), LaVerne (just under 2) and Floyd (7 months) Harris

[107] Other things

[108] Etc.

[109] His brother-in-law

[110] FindAGrave.com shows that Isaiah J. Babcock died December 1, 1886 and is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[111] His grand-nephew, James Leon Keith, the son of James “Oscar” & Mary Ann (Batey) Keith

[112] Presumably to visit his grandmother, Betsy (Olds) Batey, in Pavilion, Michigan

[113] Bloomingdale, Michigan

[114] Lou’s children

[115] His nephew’s family; see footnotes to August 25^th and December 10^th entries

[116] Betsy (Fisher) Wright. Michigan death records reveal that she died in Galesburg on December 29 and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

Advertisement

Luke Keith’s 1881 Diary

1881 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.[1]

Jan 1 – Went over to Burg[2] in morning Evening. Bot sack Buckwheat flour.

Jan 2 – Went down to Marts[3] in afternoon. Not so very cold. Ed Hoges came over to see Pete.[4]

Jan 3 – Carried Sarah[5] down to Mrs Browns[6] to help Butcher, they no Butcher some. I went down just at night got 4 four bushels wheat.

Jan 4 – Received a letter from Mrs Whitmore of Cal-a. Carried Sarah down to Mrs Browns, they Butchered. Carried wheat to mill. Mrs Betts[7] went over to Nancys[8] to see Doctor, she saw him some.

Jan 5 – Jim[9] commenced work for Harry Streator.[10] He took Pete with him. Went over to Burg in afternoon to see Nancy. Old Mrs Ralph came here. Extracted two teeth for Mr Ralph.

Jan 6 – Went over to Burg. Got county order. Not much done only chores.

Jan 7 – Cold and some Blustring. Drawed six loads wood and chored round. Alfleda[11] sick unto life, me spec so sum.

Jan 8 – Mercury one below zero at seven Am. Not much done but chores. Went over to Burg in Evening got oil. Nancy some better.

Jan 9 – At home all day. Mercury 4 below zero in morning. Very good sleighing about 4 inches snow. Alfleda sick. Hannah[12] over to Nancys.

Jan 10 – Drawed two loads wood in forenoon. Mercury 18 B. Went over to burg in afternoon. Old Mrs Stannard buried to day. Dee Dee Harris[13] left on night train for Phoenix.[14]

Jan 11 – Went down to Browns in morning. Mercury 4 below zero.

Jan 12 – Mercury 10 below zero. Worked in shop on patterns.

Jan 13 – Worked in shop on patterns.

Jan 14 – Worked in shop on patterns. Catharine[15] came up stayed all night.

Jan 15 – Carried Mrs Betts over to Hoags. Worked on patterns. Sarah, Katharine and Ethan[16] went over to burg in Eve.

Jan 16 – Mercury 2 below zero in morning. took down Went down to Katharines carried her home.

Jan 17 – Worked on patterns in afternoon. Cleaned out stovepipe in forenoon.

Jan 18 – Carried Sarah over to burg in morning went after her at night. Mrs Dick Barber[17] very sick.

Jan 19 – W^m Batt called here. Filed crosscut saw for Ayres Raymond. Strait here. I worked on patterns in afternoon. Charley, Mate and Tamer[18] here in Evening.

Jan 20 – Worked on patterns. Finished core Box. Mr Knapp came over. Ethan and Sarah went over to burg in Evening. Took Lelah[19] home.

Jan 21 – Worked some on patterns. Turned 33 pump tops for Theodore.[20] Hawley turned the Lathe. Barber[21] came over.

Jan 22 – Worked on patterns all day. George Barber[22] came over to see patterns. Mrs Barber some better to day.

Jan 23 – At home. Julia and Alvin Lee[23] here. Sarah and Mrs Betts went down to A. Browns[24] with them when they went home. Good Sleighing.

Jan 24 – Snowey day. Raised the Lathe Power in fore noon. Chored round. Cut some wood in afternoon. Yound Doc Upjohn[25] called here.

Jan 25 – Snowey. Went over to burg in morning took Hannah over. Hung ax for Mr W^m Batt. Snowey day very good sleighing.

Jan 26 – Worked round chored &c.[26]

Jan 27 – Cut wood in forenoon drawed two loads in afternoon. Went over to burg after Hannah.

Jan 28 – Worked on patterns. Pleasant, good sleighing.

Jan 29 – Made door for Alfledas Room. Carried Sarah over to Burg in Evening. Mrs Holcomb Died to night.

Jan 30 – Rial French came here. I went down to Katharines, Rial went down with me. Went over after Sarah.

Jan 31 – Cut wood in forenoon drawed wood in afternoon. Carried Hannah down to A Browns. Ethan went up to Staffords.

Feb 1 – Very Blustrous day. Went over to Burg in morning Bot one Barrel Salt $135 cts. Brot Mrs Browns Sister Margaret[27] over took her down to Browns.

Feb 2 – Made stall for for the Cow in west End of stable. Very cold.

Feb 3 – Cut oak tree in road up towards the corner. Made wash bench in Evening. Claud[28] here. Mercury 11 below zero in Evening.

Feb 4 – Very cold mercury 22 Abz.[29] Went up in woods. Cut wood in forenoon, drawed wood.

Feb 5 – Chored around. Carried Mrs Betts over to Burg in afternoon.

Feb 6 – Went over to Burg in Evening after Mrs Betts. Went down to Mrs Browns in Evening.

Feb 7 – Nancys girl Born this morning about five oclock. Rainy day. Name Bessey Ray.[30] Rainy day. Jim stayed home to cut wood, no cut some.

Feb 8 – Went over to Burg in morning. Rainy. Cut and drawed some wood.

Feb 9 – Don nodings[31] all day cept went up to valley garden got some cabbage 85 heads one cet pr head. Rainy day rained hard in night.

Feb 10 – Rainy. Fan calved a Bull clf about half past Eight this morning.

Feb 11 – Carried Sarah and Mrs Betts over to the burg in morning. Hawley chopping. I chopped in afternoon cut up two trees on hill. Very icy.

Feb 12 – Cut Road to wood that Hawley and I cut in fore noon. Drawed four loads wood in afternoon. Went over to Burg in Evening after Sarah. Mrs Betts no come home. Old Mr York died to day.[32]

Feb 13 – Cold and Blustring. Jim home a while. Harry went to church.

Feb 14 – Worked on patterns for Strait worked 7 hours.

Feb 15 – Worked in shop on patterns worked 7 hours.

Feb 16 – Worked in shop on patterns worked 7½ hours. Whiting got the calf.

Feb 17 – Worked on spider pattern. Bot fence lock. Ed Wilcot[33] came here stayed all night. Snowed in the night.

Feb 18 – Snowing like fun.[34] Ethan carried Ed down to Marts. I went over to Burg in Evening. Whiting paid for the calf.

Feb 19 – Split wood and chored around in fore noon drawed four loads wood in afternoon. Some cold.

Feb 20 – At home all day. No one here.

Feb 21 – Drawed four loads wood. Worked worked in shop some.

Feb 22 – Worked on spider in forenoon. Charley Town[35] filed his saw. Barber drawed some corn. Made frame for picture for Mr Jackson.

Feb 23 – Worked on patterns in forenoon 1½ hour. Charley Clark[36] came over in afternoon.

Feb 24 – Worked round house and shop. Charley Clark came over here.

Feb 25 – Worked in shop some. Went over after Clara Clark.[37] Jeddadiah Walker of Covington Genesee Co N.Y. died to day Ae. 71 Years.[38]

Feb 26 – Worked round sawed some wood. Got 31 Heads cabbage of Herbert Earl[39] got them out of the snow.

Feb 27 – At home all day. Rainy day. Charley and Clarra here.

Feb 28 – No work much to day. Charley and Jim choped some. Marvin Pond called here in afternoon.

Mar 1 – Chored round. No do much work some where.

Mar 2 – Cleaned out Barn. Spected load straw, he no cum. Charley went over to burg. Jim let me have twelve shillings.[40]

Mar 3 – Some thunder and Lightning, snows like fun. Harry Streator Brot load straw. I went down to Streators in afternoon got four bushels wheat paid $2.00 on it.

Mar 4 – Lois,[41] Charley and Clara and Ina[42] went up to Mr Lemuel Bronsons. Mr O. D. Schram Died this morning.[43] Old Mrs Thomas Died this Evening.[44]

Mar 5 – Went up to Howlands to mill in forenoon. Snowes like fun.

Mar 6 – At home all day. Lois and Charleys folks came back to day. Very Pleasant day. Mr O. D. Schram Buried to day.

Mar 7 – Went over to Burg in morning got boards plain for Jules cradle.[45] Made cradle. Charles, Lois and Clarra went down to Marts. Old Mrs Thomas Buried to day.

Mar 8 – Chored round drawed some wood. Carried Lois and Hannah up to Mr Flanders.[46]

Mar 9 – Sarah went down to Mrs Browns. I brot cradle back cut it off one foot, took it back. Charly went to Kalamazoo.

Mar 10 – Carried Lois, Hannah and Louese,[47] Clarra down to Mrs Browns in morning.

Mar 11 – Not very well. Mrs Browns Auction to day. Cold wind. Mr J. D. Adams died this morning.[48]

Mar 12 – Snows like fun very Blustrous. Lois and Ina went home to day.

Mar 13 – Went down to Katharines went with sleigh.

Mar 14 – Cut down cherrytree East of house. Charley and Ethan cut it. Filed crosscut saw for Harry Streator 25 bucksaw for N. L. Randall[49] 15¢.

Mar 15 – At home all day not much done. Charley left for Jackson. Mrs Woolcuts Auction to day.

Mar 16 – Hawley chopped wood for me to day. I got out rim for Hawleys wheel.

Mar 17 – Choped wood to day. Hawley worked with us cut two large trees. Filed saw for Will Brown.[50] Set saw for Mr Taylor. Mrs Isaac Cory Died.[51]

Mar 18 – Chored round. Sawed some blocks of the cherry tree.

Mar 19 – Stormy day snowed and rained all day.

Mar 20 – Some snow some rain. Hannah came home. Will Brown went over after Hank[52] and Nancy.

Mar 21 – Not much work done to day. Henry[53] came home to day went up to Mr Flanders in Evening.

Mar 22 – Went over to Burg in afternoon. Got our pictures taken for Henry.

Mar 23 – Went over to burg got pictures taken.

Mar 24 – Em Daken married to night at home. Sawed out stuff for herbs stuff for frames. Net Rowland married to night.[54] Henry and Florence Stahl married this Evening.[55]

Mar 25 – Dressed out stuff for frames. Henry and Florence here to day. Pleasant day muddy as fury. Mrs Betts went over to burg with Ed Flanders.[56]

Mar 26 – Finished Herbs frames. Henry and wife went to Kalamazoo in Evening.

Mar 27 – At home all day. Sold Jim my glass. Ethan, Hannah and Louese went down to Katharines. Stella and Mary[57] went down.

Mar 28 – Choring round. Snow most all gone off. Went over to burg in Evening got money for Alfleda on order.

Mar 29 – Pleasant morning sun came out nice. Mr David Snow Died to day at Pavilion NY Ae. 88 years.

Mar 30 – At home no work to day not very well. Snow fell about 3 inches not very cold thawes some. Ethan went over to burg to send letter to West.[58]

Mar 31 – Drawed some wood on sleigh. Went down to Mrs Browns.

Apr 1 – Worked in shop some. Not very cold. Mrs Lankford Burdick Died this morning.[59] Snow running some.

Apr 2 – Nell had a calf this morning. Ethan went to Kalamazoo to pay L. C. West $25.00 for patent which Henry agreed to pay.

Apr 3 – Carried Sarah and Mrs Betts over to Mrs Burdick funeral. Snowed like fun not very cold. Went over after them towards night.

Apr 4 – Went over to town meeting. Cold wind.

Apr 5 – Worked round shop and house some.

Apr 6 – Went over to burg. Sarah and Mrs Betts went over to see the Bramah girl.

Apr 7 – Chored round. Sarah washed to day I helped make water. Charley Town got hurt to day by a lim falling from a Tree.

Apr 8 – Pleasant morning. Worked in shop some.

Apr 9 – Went up in woods in morning. Cut road. Drawed load wood. Went over to burg after Nancy. Harry got Nells calf.

Apr 10 – Jim and Nancy went down to Katharines. Jesse Earl[60] called in here he was going over to see Charley Town. He got hurt by a lim of a tree.

Apr 11 – Went over to burg in morning. Sold Nell to Mrs Brown Will took her a way. Katharine and Hannah and Lou[61] came home. Snowed in night.

Apr 12 – Drawed load wood on sleigh this morning. Carried Sarah over to Nancys. Went over after them in Evening. Sarah went and Stayed with Jule all night.

Apr 13 – Mr Schuyler husking corn over in Browns lot. Carried Katharine home in afternoon. Pleasant day. Harry Streator brot Mrs Betts ½ cord wood.

Apr 14 – Chored round. Went over to burg.

Apr 15 – Snowed and rained. Drawed load wood. Carried Hannah and Lou to the burg in Evening. Henry sent Sarah 3 Dollars.

Apr 16 – Had a big run after the cow. She got in a darn Bulling Scrape. Lois and Dell[62] came stayed all night.

Apr 17 – Lois and Dell went home. Rainy morning rainy afternoon. Mrs Ellen Milham Died in night.[63]

Apr 18 – Went over to burg in forenoon. Lucy[64] and children came up. Went up to Jims.[65]

Apr 19 – Pleasant morning. Went to Ellen Milhams Funeral. She was buried in Oak Grove Cemetry.

Apr 20 – Very pleasant day. Drawed some wood. Got some boards of Theodore 60 feet Beech boards.

Apr 21 – Made Sparagrass ro bed set one hundred roots. Ethan took Lous trunk over to burg in Evening.

Apr 22 – Pleasant morning. Lou went to Chicago[66] went on 9.9 train AM. Alfleda went down to Bloomingdale.[67] Nice day. Julia Allen died eight oclock this Evening.[68]

Apr 23 – Carried Mrs Betts over to Burg. Went down to Browns after Sarah.

Apr 24 – Julia Allen Buried to day. Very hot day. Mrs Hicks of Battlecreek officiated.

Apr 25 – Went over to burg to see Dick Lamkins to get him to plow. He sick. Went up to Erve Halls got him and John Isherwood. Got out manure some. Erve went down to Streators.

Apr 26 – Erve and John commenced plowing. I got out manure. Fine day.

Apr 27 – Pleasant. Boys are plowing. Got out manure.

Apr 28 – Went down to Streators to get Drill. Got out some manure. Mr Simmons raised Barn. Got Mr Simmons Drill.

Apr 29 – Boys sowed oats and clover seed. Fine day. Finished sowing.

Apr 30 – Went down to streators. Carried Oats and Bags home. Got some potatoes of Mrs Brown. Hank, Nancy & Hannah went to Kalamazoo to show.

May 1 – Made casket for Ida Lees Baby. Will Johnson carried it down. Ethan and Jim went up to Staffords to see Steamer Lacell start for Battle Creek.

May 2 – Chored round. Drawed some wood. Went over to Burg took Back clover seed. Bot 3 bushels & 15 lbs wheat of Mrs Brown took it to mill.

May 3 – Worked round house and garden. Carried Hannah up to Jesse Earls. Got my grist. Sowed sum grass seed round East lot. Mart came up with colt. Had Bill[69] to go up to Jims.

May 4 – Carried Mrs Betts over to cars she go to Chicago. Cool wind. Fred came up got Bill to Plow left Caty. I went over to Burg after Sarah drove Caty. Burnt brushheap in south lot.

May 5 – Cloudy morning. Worked round house and garden.

May 6 – Spread manure in garden. Took up carpets helped round house. Ethan painted bedroom.

May 7 – Took up carpet in grannys[70] room put it down in our bedroom. Sarah and Ethan papered bedroom. Very hot Mercury 105 in sun at 2 oclock. Went down to Marts stayed all night.

May 8 – At Marts some. Hot day. Came home at night. Rained som ledle not much.

May 9 – Went over to burg got some cloverseed sowed it. M. O. Streator[71] plowed East garden. Hank traded of Caty Bine Durgy Cat Mrs Browns colt. Streator, Fred and Mrs Summers Father here during shower. Fine shower in Evening. Theodore and Bools[?] called.

May 10 – Cloudy some sprinkle in morning. Worked round house and garden took fence down south side orchard.

May 11 – Worked round garden and chored round generally &c.

May 12 – Went over to burg. Worked round house. Very hot some.

May 13 – Carried Sarah down to Mrs Browns to do some coloring. Went over to Burg bot tun Plaster of Ira Rogers $5.00 paid for the same. Mrs Brown paid $7.50 on heifer.

May 14 – Cleaned out cellar in forenoon. Hot day.

May 15 – Hank and Jim had Bill to go to Hickory corners. Jesse Earl and I went down to Marst after some Elicornpane.[72]

May 16 – John Isherwood and Erve Hall plowed my corn ground four acres $4.00 $1.60 cts back on oats. Put cow into Herbs pasture.

May 17 – Got Caty Brown and the float went over my corn ground. Mr Ford, John McNaughten covering J. T. Allertons[73] Barns.

May 18 – Marked my corn ground one way and part of it the other. Mrs Hank Potts[74] and Mrs John Freeer[75] here visiting to day. Hot dry.

May 19 – Finished marking my corn ground in fore noon. Went down to Mrs Browns got some seed corn. Jim planting corn finished planting before night.

May 20 – Planted some potatoes. Chored round. Mr Fisher came after Hannah just at night. Very dry.

May 21 – Thomas A. Scott Died to night. Went down to Mrs Browns got some potatoes brot sewing machine home. Ethan and I planted potatoes plowed a patch for Burbank Potatoes. Cow gone to night.

May 22 – Cow came home this morning. Hot & dry. I went up by Mr Ralphs. Wheelers and Flanders and Streators called at Browns. Arthur and Kit[76] there.

May 23 – Planted my Burbank potatoes. Erve & John sowed plaster on the oats. Very Hot and dry.

May 24 – Carried Sarah and Hannah over to Burg in morning went after them in Evening. Mary Fisher called here. Kate Cummings Died to day.[77] Hot and dry. Sent Dutch Cheese to Kate C.

May 25 – Hot morning. Fixed up Grape vine. Went over to burg at noon after Mrs Betts she came on one oclock train. Went over got 300 lbs salt $1.05.

May 26 – Very hot. Cut off rails to Hat Taylors Bedstead in fore noon. Kate Cummings buried to day. To hot for me to work out. Daniel Raymond Died to day in South Warsaw Wyoming County N.Y.

May 27 – Chored round. Very hot and dry.

May 28 – Drawed brush and chunks of wood up in woods and drawed 3 loads wood.

May 29 – Carried Mrs Betts over to church. Went up to D. J. Harts to see Lois. Mercury 105 in sun.

May 30 – Sowed plaster on corn in forenoon. Jim carried Sarah over to burg in morning. Cow got out lot. Went over to burg in Evening after Sarah, Mrs Betts and Hannah. Decoration day. Gefired hot.

May 31 – Cloudy morning. Finished sowing Plaster on corn ground. Very hot had a glorious rain rained all night.

Jun 1 – Some ledle rain this morning. Worked round. Got cabbage and tomotoe plants set them.

Jun 2 – Planted in corn. Very hot. Rained in night.

Jun 3 – Went over to Burg in morning after Lois. Worked on road in forenoon planted in corn in afternoon.

Jun 4 – Warm morning. Lois here. Went over to burg after Lois she came over stayed all night.

Jun 5 – Carried Mrs Betts Betts over to burg. Lois came over with Hank. Hank and Nancy went to Kalamazoo. Went over after Mrs Betts.

Jun 6 – Went over to burg after cultivator. Cultivated corn in afternoon. Rained all night. 44 years to day I started for Mich.[78]

Jun 7 – Rainy morning. Hank gone to Lawton.[79] Went down to Mrs Browns got some potatoes.

Jun 8 – Made cultivator frames for Herb Earl. Cool day. Ann McLellen Died ½ past nine P.M.

Jun 9 – Went down to Mrs Browns after boards to make Box for Jules Bureau. Edna Allen[80] came up on noon train went back on 9.

Jun 10 – Cultivated corn south of orchard. Ethan cultivated garden. Charley Town moving his Barn.

Jun 11 – Finished cultivating in forenoon. Worked on box in afternoon. Mrs Betts went over to burg to sell stove.

Jun 12 – At home all day. Ethan and Hannah went down to Marts. Rained in night some thunder. Ann McLellen Buried to day.

Jun 13 – Nice morning. Plastered corn. Ethan went over after Mrs Betts she no come no find him.

Jun 14 – No work to day not much. Went over to burg after Mrs Betts got him. Finished Mrs Browns Box.

Jun 15 – Went over to the burg Bot Paris Green. Carried Box down to Mrs Browns got Bureau down. Cultivated corn in afternoon sum. Back very much lame.

Jun 16 – Went down to Mrs Browns in morning. Nailed up Box sent it of to Iowa. Cultivated corn in forenoon. Very hot day. Ethan and Nancy went over to Burg in Evening.

Jun 17 – Fred Billington cultivated corn all day he finished one way.

Jun 18 – Plowed out Burbank potatoes hoed in garden sum. Hank and Claud came from Lawton. took Hank & Nancy down to Mrs Browns.

Jun 19 – Took Hank & Nancy down to Mrs Browns in morning. Hank cut my Hair. Jim and Bill went to Gull Lake.

Jun 20 – Worked round house and garden shop some. went up to Mr Flanders got some wheat.

Jun 21 – Worked in shop some on cradle. Went to mill.

Jun 22 – Mended Caywoods cradle. Carried Nancy down to Mrs Browns.

Jun 23 – Cultivated corn all day.

Jun 24 – Will Brown cut grass in forenoon I raked it up in afternoon.

Jun 25 – Rainy morning. Nancy went to Lawton on one oclock run. Mrs Brown and Mrs Cook[81] came home from Allegan on one oclock train.

Jun 26 – At home all day. Warm day. Put up my hay.

Jun 27 – Chored round. Turned out Break for wind mill.

Jun 28 – Very hot day. Went over to burg in morning after medicine. Mrs Brown and Mrs Cook here in afternoon. Mrs Cook left for Home[82] on night train.

Jun 29 – Had shower this morning Early. I bunched up my hay cocks before the shower. The Willard Tower on Paw Paw Hill Blowed down this morning.

Jun 30 – Will Brown finished cutting my grass in forenoon. The Propeller Lacelle passed here about ten oclock on her way to Long Lake. Captain Strait and Enginere Austin on Board.

Jul 1 – Went over to Burg in morning bot Rake 25 finished Raked up my Hay in afternoon. The folks ____ went up to Mr Ralphs.

Jul 2 – Went over to Burg in morning bot Rake 25 cts. Drawed in my Hay in afternoon.

Jul 3 – Jim took Mrs Betts over to burg. Sarah and I went down to Katharines. Mart and John drawed hay. I raked after the wagon &c. Berness Clark Died to day.

Jul 4 – Ethan took Hannah over to burg. Mrs Betts came home. Cows got of the lot went and got them back. Mrs Earl paid 40 cts for mending chair.

Jul 5 – Chored round. Very hot. Hoed some.

Jul 6 – Not very well. Hot and dry. Charley Town repairing Barn these days.

Jul 7 – Worked round picking Potatoe bugs. Rainy day.

Jul 8 – Worked round garden hoed some. So hot not so much.

Jul 9 – Not much work. Very hot day. Charley Town cutting wheat.

Jul 10 – At home. Hot as Blazes. Katharine, Clara and George[83] came up.

Jul 11 – Mrs Betts had a bad spell this morning. Carried Hannah down to Mrs Browns in afternoon.

Jul 12 – Very hot Mercury 112 in sun at nine am. Mate Ford[84] had a Boy this morning.[85] Strait came over.

Jul 13 – Went to Kalamazoo after Harry he came on the 1.38 Express.

Jul 14 – Took cow to Bull this morning. Repaired fence on river. Worked on Herb Earls cultivator some. Went down to Mrs Browns. Bessey sick.

Jul 15 – Worked on Herbs cultivators put the big one together. Went down to see Bessey in afternoon she got measles. Carried frames down. Deacon Havens Died.[86]

Jul 16 – Worked round. Finished Herbs cultivators. Filed saw for Theodore. Went over to burg in Evening bot Linnen pants 1.25 cts. Bot Oil Stove for Katharine Price $11.00 Eleven Dollars .

Jul 17 – Carried Katharines Stoves down to them. Deacon Jesse Havens buried to day.

Jul 18 – Worked in garden some hoed, plowed potatoes

Jul 19 – Worked in corn. Hot day.

Jul 20 – Worked in corn in forenoon. Turned out Steeples for Charley Towns Barn. Calvin turned the Lathe. Rainy afternoon. Mabel Powers Died.[87]

Jul 21 – Worked round. Barnums Show in Kalamazoo.

Jul 22 – Hank, Ethan, Nancy and Hannah went to Battlecreek to the great show. Mabel Powers buried to day. Worked some on Door frame.

Jul 23 – Worked on door frame some. Went over to Burg got Bolts one ¼ inch auger one small file 38 cts.

Jul 24 – Hank came over and got Bill to go up to Tip Towns.

Jul 25 – Worked on Door frame. John commenced cutting the oats with Royes Reeper.

Jul 26 – Mrs Corkins came here. Finished Door frame. Mr Streator got his Door. The Boys cutting oats. Bill Schroder put his Binder in just at night.

Jul 27 – Hoed potatoes in south lot. Dick finished cutting oats in forenoon. Put Rocker on Lelahs chair.

Jul 28 – Not very well. Went over to Burg got some Bolts to put in cross bar to Buggy thills[88] put them in.

Jul 29 – Repaired Theodores tacle Block in afternoon. Dick Lamkins and D. Wit Olin Drawed in the oats. Fine day.

Jul 30 – Sarah, Mrs Betts and Hannah went down to Mrs Browns in afternoon. I tinkered up one wheel to the wagon. Harry, Mr Rawson and Jim went to Gull Lake fishing.

Jul 31 – At Home. Warm day. I went in swimming to day. Had Geen corn for Dinner.

Aug 1 – Went over to Burg in afternoon to see Horse Show Professor Bristol.

Aug 2 – Chored round. Went over to Towns. Filed two saws for Charley Town set one for Mr Taylor. Went over to Burg in Evening.

Aug 3 – Tore up some things round the back stoop fixing to put in new sill. Went down to Mrs Browns to get wagon to hall my lumber on we get him. Augusta Burnt this morning.

Aug 4 – Worked round house in shop some. Went over to Burg in forenoon got stock timber for sill to back stoop and some boards &c.

Aug 5 – Barber helped put in sill and cleaned the old Rubbish. Very hot day Mercury in shade. Ethan and Sarah went over to Burg in Evening.

Aug 6 – Rainy morning. No work on cistern to day. Went up Theodores got stick for sill.

Aug 7 – Went down to Alvin Lees in afternoon. Took Nancy home in Evening.

Aug 8 – Went over to burg with W^m Ralph he brot over two Barrels lime, one stone, one water, Stone $1.15 cts, water 2.00. Went over got Mrs Betts.

Aug 9 – Ethan carried Mrs Betts over to burg in morning. Barber to work on cistern. I drawed two loads sand.

Aug 10 – Barber to work on cistern. Fine day. I draw sand &c.

Aug 11 – Barber to work on cistern. I draw sand &c. Went over to burg at night after children. Hank and Nancy gone to Battle Creek.

Aug 12 – Went over to burg in morning got one bunch shingles 50 cts. Myself, Barber and Ethan shingled Back Stoop. Went over in Evening got more lime. Joh Cary Died. Joh Cary Died to day.[89]

Aug 13 – Worked on cistern plastered wall to cistern.

Aug 14 – At home all day. Jim and Harry went to Goguac Lake to Spiritual Camp Meeting.[90]

Aug 15 – Put the water Lime cement on cistern. I went over to Burg got plank to cover cistern $1.75 cts

Aug 16 – Worked round. Leveled the dirt round house. Bessy sick.

Aug 17 – Worked round house. Went over to burg at noon to see if I could get floor boards Planed some day. Put Evetrough[91] through well house.

Aug 18 – Worked round house, cistern and oderdings.[92]

Aug 19 – Worked round on cistern. Put in joists.

Aug 20 – Leveled up joists put down some floor. Louese and Jesse[93] came on noon train.

Aug 21 – Daniel Whitmore came. Hannah and Jim went to Goguac Lake to Spiritual Camp Meeting. Fine day.

Aug 22 – Mrs Sarah Ralph died to day.[94] Went down to Katharines in morning with Daniel. Mart thrashing to Smiths. Mamy Young Died.[95] Hank, Nancy and Hannah came home on noon train. Carried Daniel over to Hanks. He goes on the 9 oclock run.

Aug 23 – Laid some floor in back room. Went up to mill got pump.

Aug 24 – Laying floor. Took pump back to get it finished.

Aug 25 – Went down to M O Streators. Got five bushels wheat took it to mill. Went over to burg in Evening 11 doz ½ eggs 12¢ pr doz.

Aug 26 – Worked round house laid some floor. Theodore put in cistern pump.

Aug 27 – Put up the Doors and some partition. Went over to burg in morning after Nancy. Ethan carried Mrs Betts over to burg.

Aug 28 – At home all day. Harry Streator called here just at night got some mellon. Mrs Brown came up in Evening. Mrs Hartwell died this morn.

Aug 29 – Put down threshhold to well room door. Chored round. Went over to burg in Evening got joists for back stoop. Mrs Betts came home. Sent Alfledas trunk of.[96] Old Mrs Hartwell buried to day.

Aug 30 – Worked round put joists in back stoop. Cleaned up Barn floor.

Aug 31 – Thrashers here thrashed oats had 206 bushels. Put straw in Barn in afternoon.

Sep 1 – Jim came down and helped put in straw. Raind some. Got it all in in forenoon. Jim and Harry cut some corn. Amos Rogers girl died.[97]

Sep 2 – Put down floor on back stoop. Harry[98] and Jesse went home to day went on the 11.11 run AM.

Sep 3 – Worked on floor sum. Made trap doors to cistern. Lelah here. Hank came over got oil stove. Claud stayes all night.

Sep 4 – Had a time with granny this morning she got mad as a Cheshier Cat. Sarah and I went down to Katharines. Rained a little in morning.

Sep 5 – Very hot and dry Mercury 105 at noon in shade.

Sep 6 – Went to Kalamazoo after Frank & Hatty.[99] Very hot day. They stayed with Katharine all night.

Sep 7 – Mart brot Frank & Hat up to day. Mart stayed to dinner. Bessy very sick.

Sep 8 – Frank & Hatty left for Concord on the one oclock train. Will Brown commenced plowing to day for wheat in west lot. Hanks folks came over. Bessey sick.

Sep 9 – Worked round house and garden.

Sep 10 – Worked in shop some and chored round.

Sep 11 – At home all day. Mart and Katharine came up here.

Sep 12 – Barber and I cut corn in forenoon. Barber had Bill in afternoon to draw some wood. E. K. Haviland Died to day Ae. 81.

Sep 13 – Cut some corn and chored round. Some hot. Jeneral Ambrose E. Burnside Died to day.[100]

Sep 14 – Went over to Burg after Mrs Powers she came over stayed all day carried her Home at night. Mrs Brown came up. I cut some corn. Nancy and children went down to Mrs Browns.

Sep 15 – Rainy morning. No work to day chored round.

Sep 16 – Cut some corn. Very dry and hard. M Nancy down to Mrs Browns. Bessy sick a gain.

Sep 17 – Cut corn. Theodore down here to try his Gun he nice gun some.

Sep 18 – Sarah down to Mrs Browns. Mrs Betts went over to Burg. Ethan and Jim went down to Alvin Lees.

Sep 19 – Finished Cutting corn in fore noon. Made gun rod for Theodore. Hannah went over to Nancys. James A. Garfield Died 10 Oclock this Evening.[101] Mrs Betts came home.

Sep 20 – Went over to burg in morning took Lou over. Ethan and Hannah went to Loises. Will Brown sowed wheat.

Sep 21 – Worked round stoop some chored round.

Sep 22 – Carried Sarah over to burg in morning. Sis[102] came back with me. Worked on back stoop.

Sep 23 – Worked in shop some. Cleaned some cranberry beans. Paired on some apples. Hot day. carrie

Sep 24 – Chored round. Mr Maffit and Andrew called here. Theodore got his gun rod. Carried Mrs Betts over to Burg.

Sep 25 – Hanks folks went up to John Freers.[103] Alvin and Julia came here. Ethan and Hannah came on the 11.11 train. Katharine and Lucy came up just at night. I went to Augusta with Mr Streator to hear Burnham lecture.

Sep 26 – Had a nice shower this morning. Carried Sarah over to Burg. She and Jim went to Grand Rappids to Mrs W^m Planks.[104] Carried Jim over they went on the one oclock run. James A. Garfield Buried to day.

Sep 27 – Husked come ledle corn.

Sep 28 – Got Shingles twelve Bunches $6.00. Nancy came over. Mrs Blake and Mrs Forbush here in afternoon. Put up stagen on west side.

Sep 29 – Cut old Back House down. Not much work to day.

Sep 30 – Had a nice shower in morning. Teacher called in whilst it rained.

Oct 1 – Not much work to day. Sarah and Jim came home on the One Oclock train.

Oct 2 – At home all day. Rainy day.

Oct 3 – Cloudy no rain yet. Fixed roof some. Ed came over after Lou. Nancy sick. Went over after Mrs Betts. Old Mrs Luddington Buried to day.[105]

Oct 4 – Not much done to day not very well.

Oct 5 – Very fine day frost this morning first of the season. Worked on Herbs lap boards. Went up to J. Ridlers and over to burg. Fanny Whiting buried.

Oct 6 – Went up in woods cut some steaks. Worked on Herbs Lap Boards.

Oct 7 – Finished Herbs big lap boards. Cut out stuff for two small ones.

Oct 8 – Rainy morning. Worked round drawed two loads wood. Theodore and Alvin Holmes here.

Oct 9 – Went to Kalamazoo to get midicine for A. R. Skinner.[106] Saw Jesse Turner.[107] He had just got Home from Massachusetts.

Oct 10 – Work on cros Head for Theodore. Dont feel very well some.

Oct 11 – Made Herbs small Lap boards. Pleasant day. Ethan changed Mr Knapps Wheel. Bina Earl[108] here in afternoon. Em Allen[109] came stayed all night. Rainy night.

Oct 12 – Filed three saws for Erastus Stuart three for my self. Herb got his Lap boards. Em Allen went home in Evening. Very warm. Mrs Harry Rowland Died.[110] Rainy night.

Oct 13 – Cloudy damp day. Went down to Mr Streators got five bush wheat.

Oct 14 – Ethan carried or rather took Louese up to Put Milhams. Rainy afternoon. Carried wheat to mill. Mrs Betts went over. Mrs Harry Rowland buried to day.

Oct 15 – Rainy. Went over to mill got my grist. Sarah went over to Nancys. I am 68 years old to day.

Oct 16 – At home rainy. Hanks folks came over to Mrs Browns. I Killed Rooster. Went down to Marts in Evening very much dark.

Oct 17 – Rainy. Went over to burg. Filed saw for chroder & Olin.

Oct 18 – Went over to burg in forenoon took Hannah over. Nancy sick. Drawed some wood.

Oct 19 – Worked round at various kinds of work.

Oct 20 – Chored round until about 11 oclock then carried Sarah down to Katharines. They went to Bloomingdale to see Alfleda.

Oct 21 – Commenced shingling west leanto. Pleasant day.

Oct 22 – Finished shingling west side. Fine day.

Oct 23 – Took Mrs Betts over to burg. Nancy came over took Nancy home at night. Rainy. Mrs Betts came back.

Oct 24 – Rainy day. Went down to Marts after Sarah. Mart went to Kalamazoo after Katharine & Sarah got back 7 Evening. Stayed all night.

Oct 25 – Came home this morning. Went up to Ridlers he drew down load wood for Mrs Betts. Hannah and Lou went down to Mrs Browns.

Oct 26 – Pleasant. Drawed load wood. Put up stagen East side House.

Oct 27 – Shingled part of East wing. Put hair in two violin Bows for Ephraim Earl.[111]

Oct 28 – Put top on my new violin. Rainy day. Earl got his Bows they Play at Mr Maloneys to night.

Oct 29 – Chored round not much done. To wet to husk corn no shingle some nother. Earl brot violin Bow to put Hair in. Hank and Nancy stayed all night.

Oct 30 – Put Hair in bow and varnished new violin. Jim and Louese went down to Katharines.

Oct 31 – Not very cold. Patched corn House roof. Earl got his Bow.

Nov 1 – Jim and Will Brown drawed corn. Nice day. Ethan making machine for Hanks camry.[112]

Nov 2 – Patching cornhouse and Barn Roofs.

Nov 3 – Rainy day. Got new corn ground. Old cow over to Burg. Snowed some in night.

Nov 4 – Not much done to day. Snowey day about 3 inches snow very sloppy mud and water.

Nov 5 – Chored round as usual. Took Mrs N. B. Betts over to Burg brot Lelah back. Nancy and Claud went to Lois Skinners.

Nov 6 – At home all day. Jim at home he is done work for Harry. Ethan went over after Mrs Betts. Pleasant day not cold.

Nov 7 – Cleaned out cornhouse and chored round. Went over to Burg. Nancy and Claud came on Evening Train.

Nov 8 – Went over to Burg Sarah went over stayed. Repaired windows. Mrs Betts went down to Mrs Browns. Rainy afternoon. Paid for the Galesburg Express.[113]

Nov 9 – Worked round husked some.

Nov 10 – Shingled East side House. Bot some Shingles of Charly Town. Lucy came up. Our Knives and forks came from Toledo.

Nov 11 – Mr Ira Clark died.[114] Patched roof some. Snowed like fun in forenoon. Lucy went to burg. Rained hard in afternoon and Evening. Mary Crawford[115] came here in rain.

Nov 12 – Nice pleasant morning. Drawed some wood. Mary Crawford went home over to Nancys stayed all night. O. M. and Edna[116] called here.

Nov 13 – Mr Ira Clark buried. Mary Crawford went home to day. Lucy went to Jim Milhams.[117] Mart came up after them. Jesse Earl called here this Evening to day. Stormy Evening.

Nov 14 – Jim and Will finished drawing wood. Got some cabbages of Herb. I do not much some to day husked som corn. Went over to burg came back with Hank. He had O. M.s Horse.

Nov 15 – Worked on road in forenoon. Patched roof some. Nice day. Ethan and Hannah went over to burg in Evening. I am 800 & 17 months old to day.

Nov 16 – Worked round husked some corn.

Nov 17 – Husked corn some. Sarah went down to Mrs Browns. I went after her. Rained so hard we stayed all night. Jim up to Skinners.

Nov 18 – Came home this morning. Husked corn. Snowed in afternoon. Rained in Evening.

Nov 19 – Not very pleasant morning some snow on the ground. Old Mrs Stone[118] died this morning Em Ralphs[119] mother Ae 82. Jim came home on noon run. Rough blustrous afternoon.

Nov 20 – Pleasant some snow on ground. At Home all day. Jim went down to Mr Franklins to go to school.

Nov 21 – Chored round Husked some corn repaired manger. Put armes in Wily Beeches chair.

Nov 22 – Old Mrs Stone was buried to day at McCains Corners. I went as one of the Pall bearers, James Milham, Oreb Williams, & Nathan L Randall.

Nov 23 – Got sleigh out of cornhouse. Went over to burg Lois and Will came on 11.11 train. Not much dun. Hannah went up to Fishers. Snowed some.

Nov 24 – Worked round husked some and chored round. Went over to Hanks to dinner.

Nov 25 – Not much done no particular work. Mr Carmer and wife came over Brot Mrs Bennet over.

Nov 26 – Went over to burg brot Nancy over. Carried her home in Evening. Mrs Bennet went over to County House in Evening.

Nov 27 – At home all day. Jim and Will Clark[120] went up to Demus Jabus Harts.[121]

Nov 28 – Pleasant morning. Old Mrs Isaac Mason Died this morning.[122] Husked corn some. Fine day. Mrs Betts had a Cotillion to day on the soup Ladle. Mrs Town[123] died 10 oclock P.M.

Nov 29 – Rainbow this morning no rain much. Took Lois over to Nancys. Took Mrs Betts over to Mrs Masons Funeral. Went over after her at night.

Nov 30 – Husked some corn chored round. Fine day. Lois, Will and Ina[124] here up to Harts. Old Mrs Ives[125] Died to day at Vicksburg.

Dec 1 – Mrs Town Buried to day. D. K. Rogers Died this morning.[126]

Dec 2 – Went over to Burg in morning got meal. Husked some. Nice day not very cold no snow. Lois and Ina here Will also.

Dec 3 – Drawed corn. Fine Day. Ethan, Lou, Jim and Will Clark went down to Mrs Browns.

Dec 4 – Ethan and Lou went down to Katharines. Lucy and Delpha[127] came up here. D. K. Rogers Buried to day.

Dec 5 – Worked round husked corn &c.

Dec 6 – Drawed in corn. Not very cold no snow.

Dec 7 – Went over to burg got Nancy. Finished drawing in corn. Mrs Allerton[128] here. Carried Nancy home in Evening. Broke the Buggy.

Dec 8 – Some colder. Filed saw for Rily French one for Win Ford.[129]

Dec 9 – Worked on cradle, filed saw, dressed out stuf for cradle.

Dec 10 – Worked on Lelahs cradle. Filed saw for Rily French not very cold. Lois and Will went down to Katharines stayed all night.

Dec 11 – At home all day. Finished Lelahs cradle. Lois and Will came home. Snow some rained hard in night.

Dec 12 – Filed saw for N. L. Randall. Husk some corn. Rained in Evening not very cold.

Dec 13 – Worked round. Carried Lois over to burg.

Dec 14 – Went over to Burg in morning Hannah went over. Lois went home. Lockhart fixed Buggy Ex and thill 75 cts.

Dec 15 – Will Clark chopping. I went down to Mrs Browns got two Bushels wheat carried it to mill 1.25 or 30 cts pr bushel.

Dec 16 – Choped some grubs Nice day. Will Clark chopping. Mr Abijah Ives Died to day Ae. 75 yrs.[130]

Dec 17 – Chopping grubbs. Fine day. Ethan went to Battle Creek. Jim went to Kalamazoo to see Uncle Toms cabbin played.

Dec 18 – At home all day. Ethan took Mrs Betts over to church. Lucy and Youngens[131] here. Very fine day.

Dec 19 – Cut grubs. Pleasant nice day no snow Indian summer weather.

Dec 20 – Made Pole for Ayers Raymond. Rained some. Went up to Mr Taylors to see table. Herb Earl brot table down to get made into an Extencin table.

Dec 21 – Worked on Gunstock. Husked some corn. Rainy day not very cold

Dec 22 – Went over to Burg to Milhams Auction. Rained all day. Bid of cutter for Ethan and Jim twenty five Dollars $25.00.

Dec 23 – Went over to Burg in morning. Mr Brownell brot cutter over. He came over after ceder Tree for Christmass tree. Husked some in afternoon. Will Clark went to Kalamazoo.

Dec 24 – Went over to burg in morning to see Milham. Paid tax $5.03. Herb Earl here. No work sum not much. Husked some. Carried Hannah over to burg at night theater at M. E. Church this Evening.

Dec 25 – At home. Jim carried Mrs Betts over to Burg. Hanks folks went down to Mrs Browns. Hank Brot Mrs Betts home. I got cider Pitcher and neck tye presented by Claud an Lelah.

Dec 26 – Went over to Burg gave note for cutter. Hannah went up to Mr Flanders this Evening.

Dec 27 – Will and I choped some. Rained in afternoon. Will went down to Franklins. Rainy night.

Dec 28 – Choped round repaired stable floor some. Ed Gillis married this Evening to Miss Ida Milham.[132]

Dec 29 – Repaired stable floor. Jim and Will Clark went up to Jim Milhams.

Dec 30 – Drawed some wood on sleigh in forenoon. Will Clark went to Gasper to day. Snowed some to day.

Dec 31 – Snowey day. Not much work to day not very well. Took top off new violin. About two inches snow.

Memoranda

Cure for cancer one pint Skoke Berry juice put into one pint whiskey

Hugh McKee Kalamazoo Box 485

——-

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

[2] Galesburg, Michigan

[3] Martin Milham, husband of Lucy Lee, daughter of his sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[4] Believe Pete might be his horse

[5] His third wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[6] Matilda (Allen) Brown, his daughter Nancy’s mother-in-law

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

[8] His daughter, Nancy (Keith) Brown

[9] His youngest son, James Keith

[10] Neighbor, Henry “Harry” Streator

[11] Alfleda (Starr) Keith, widow of his brother, Harvey Keith. Harvey died in 1851 and the 1880 census shows Alfleda living with Luke and his family

[12] His daughter, Hannah Keith

[13] Future husband of his daughter, Louese Keith

[14] Phoenix, Michigan, where the Harris family had a general store

[15] His sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee. Sometimes he spells her name with a C and other times with a K

[16] His son, Ethan Keith

[17] Neighbor, Mary (Knowles) Barber

[18] Neighbors, Charles G. Ford, his wife, Mary Ann (Thompson) Ford, and his sister, Mary Tamer Ford

[19] His granddaughter, Lela Brown, the daughter of Hank & Nancy

[20] His neighbor and “shirttail relative,” Theodore Earl

[21] Neighbor, Richard Barber

[22] Neighbor, the son of Richard & Mary (Knowles) Barber

[23] Possibly Julia (Davis) Lee and her son, Alvin Lee. Julia (also known as Juliana), was married to Charles Lee, Luke’s first cousin

[24] Ambrose Brown, his daughter Nancy’s father-in-law; Ambrose died October 27, 1880

[25] “Young Doc Upjohn” referred to his neighbor, Henry Upjohn, who was the son of Dr. Norah Upjohn

[26] Etc.

[27] Margaret (Allen) Stinehart, Matilda (Allen) Brown’s sister

[28] Claude Brown, his daughter Nancy’s son

[29] Above zero

[30] His granddaughter, Bess Rae Recoschewitz

[31] Means perhaps “done nothing”

[32] Samuel J. York, father-in-law of his niece, Helen (Bradley) York

[33] Edward G. Wolcott, his maternal first cousin

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

[35] Charles Towne was Luke’s neighbor in Comstock; he would marry Luke’s daughter Hannah in 1891

[36] Charles Ira Clark, his daughter Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner’s son by her first husband, Byron Clark

[37] Charles Clark’s wife, Clara (Youngs) Clark

[38] FindAGrave.com records show that Jedediah Walker died on February 23, 1881 and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York

[39] Neighbor and “shirttail” relative

[40] A shilling was a coin of Colonial America and varied between 12¢ and 16¢

[41] His daughter, Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner, by his first wife, Minerva Payson

[42] His granddaughter, Ina Skinner, Lois’ daughter by her second husband, Adelbert Skinner

[43] FindAGrave.com records confirm that Orrin David Schram died on March 4, 1881 and that he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[44] Oak Grove Cemetery records show that Jane (Havens) Thomas, the wife of John Thomas, died in 1881 and a search of Ancestry.com reveals an obituary for Mrs. John Thomas confirming the date of death

[45] Julia Allen, Matilda (Allen) Brown’s sister. Julia had breast cancer and this cradle was built for her as she found the rocking motion soothing. At times the pain would be so intense that she left fingernail marks in the cradle

[46] After Luke’s first wife, Minerva, died, Joseph & Amanda (Hobbs) Flanders took care of Luke’s son Henry until Luke remarried; it is believed that his daughter Lois went to live with Minerva’s parents during that same time

[47] His youngest daughter Louese Keith, also referred to as Lou or Sis

[48] Michigan death records reveal that Jervis D. Adams died March 11, 1881 in Climax, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Prairie Home Cemetery in Climax, Michigan

[49] Neighbor, Nathan L. Randall

[50] Willis Brown, the son of Ambrose & Matilda (Allen) Brown

[51] A search at FindAGrave.com shows that Eunice (Brown) Corey died March 17, 1881 and is buried in the Elmwood Cemetery in Cedar Springs, Michigan

[52] Henry Brown, Nancy’s husband, and the son of Ambrose & Matilda (Allen) Brown

[53] Henry Keith, his son by his first wife, Minerva Payson

[54] Michigan marriage records show that Annette Rowland married Cyrus W. Utley on March 24, 1881 in Galesburg, Michigan. Annette was the daughter of Henry “Harry” & Delilah (Dawley) Rowland

[55] Michigan marriage records confirm that his son Henry married Florence Stahl on March 24, 1881

[56] Edwin P. Flanders, the son of Joseph & Amanda (Hobbs) Flanders (see footnote for March 8 entry)

[57] Daughters of James and Ellen (Adams) Milham, his neighbors in Comstock. James was the half-brother of Martin Milham (son-in-law of his sister Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee, and Ellen (Adams) Milham was the sister of Charlana (Adams) Meredith, the grandmother of Cora Meredith who would marry Luke’s son James Keith in 1891

[58] Attorney Lucius C. West, who filed patents for Ethan

[59] Michigan death records confirm that Caroline (Toby) Burdick died April 1, 1881 in Comstock, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Lawler Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan

[60] Neighbor and “shirttail” relative, and father of and Theodore Earl (see footnote for January 21^st entry) and Herbert Earl (see footnote for February 26^th entry)

[61] Nickname for his daughter Louese; also referred to as Sis

[62] Adelbert Skinner, Lois’ second husband

[63] Ellen (Adams) Milham (see footnote to March 27^th entry). No death record has been found but a search of FindAGrave.com shows that James & Ellen Milham are buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan, however, no dates are included. A transcript of Oak Grove Cemetery records lists Ellen O. (Adams) Milham, wife of James, born May 31, 1832, died April 18, 1884. It is possible that there was a mistake in the records and/or that the stone did not have a date or was weather worn. Since Luke’s entries are so detailed as to her funeral and that she is buried in Oak Grove I have to assume that the year of 1884 is wrong

[64] His niece, Lucy (Lee) Milham

[65] Assume this is his son, James Keith. The 1880 Census shows him living in the household of Adelbert & Lois Skinner (Jim’s half-sister) and working as a farm laborer

[66] Louese had been attending school in Chicago and staying with her uncle and aunt, Hiram & Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford so presumably she was returning for more schooling

[67] Her son’s family lived in Bloomingdale, Michigan

[68] Michigan death records confirm the date of death and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Ford Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[69] His horse

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

[71] His neighbor, Marius O. Streator, and father of Henry “Harry” Streator (see footnote to January 5^th entry)

[72] Perhaps the herb Elecampane, the root of which was used to make medicine. It was used for lung diseases including asthma, bronchitis, and whooping cough and also to prevent coughing, especially coughing caused by tuberculosis

[73] Neighbor, John T. Allerton

[74] Neighbor; believe this is the second wife of Henry Potts, Elizabeth (Reed) Gillis Potts

[75] Neighbor, Georgianna (Potts) Freer, the daughter of Henry Potts and his first wife, Eliza (Marks) Potts

[76] Arthur & Caroline “Kitty” (Lockwood) Arms. Arthur was the nephew of Ambrose Brown (see footnote to January 23^rd entry)

[77] Neighbor, Catherine Comings. Michigan death records confirm that Kate Comings, age 22, died of consumption on May 24, 1881 in Comstock, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[78] He left New York on June 6, 1837

[79] Lawton, Michigan. Hank & Nancy had lived there in 1876

[80] Edna (Crawford) Allen, the daughter of Edwin and Mary (Hamilton) Crawford, was the granddaughter of Nancy (Comfort) Crawford Betts

[81] Matilda Brown’s sister, Margaret (Allen) O’Brien Stinehart Cook

[82] The 1880 census shows Margaret living in Kenny, DeWitt County, Illinois

[83] Clara and George Milham, Lucy and Mart Milham’s children

[84] Mary Ann (Thompson) Ford

[85] Thomas C. Ford

[86] FindAGrave.com confirms that Jesse Havens died on July 15, 1881; he is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[87] Michigan death records show that Mabel Powers, age 7, died of diphtheria in Galesburg, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[88] The two poles between which a horse is hitched to a wagon

[89] Michigan death records confirm that John Caray died August 12, 1881 in Comstock, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

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

[91] An eavestrough is a roof gutter

[92] Other things

[93] Assume that since Louese had been staying with Hiram & Kate Crawford, that this is their daughter, Jessie Crawford, who was 9 years old

[94] Michigan death records show that Sarah Ann (Tyson) Ralph, age 43, died of heart disease in Charleston, Michigan on August 22, 1881 and FindAGrave.com indicates that she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[95] Michigan death records confirm that Mamie Young, age 21, died of Typhoid Fever in Comstock, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows that she is buried in Augusta Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan

[96] It appears that Alfleda is moving to live with her son James “Oscar” Keith

[97] A search of Michigan birth and death records reveals that Mary E. Rogers, the daughter of Amos and Mary (Batt) Rogers, was born October 2, 1877, and died from diphtheria in Comstock, Michigan on September 1, 1881; FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[98] Luke’s July 13^th entry tells that he went to pick up Harry from the train; on August 20 Jessie came with Louese when she returned home, so it is assumed that this entry refers to Harry and Jessie Crawford, the children of Hiram & Kate Crawford

[99] His grand-nephew and wife, Frank & Harriet (Root) Tomlinson, who lived in Concord, Michigan

[100] From Encyclopedia Virginia: Ambrose E. Burnside was a major general in the Union army during the American Civil War (1861–1865). Instantly recognizable for his bushy sideburns (the term itself is derived from reversing his last name), [when] Burnside … did take command of the army, he led it into disaster at the Battle of Fredericksburg (1862), perhaps the Union’s most lopsided defeat of the war. After his corps was badly defeated at the Battle of the Crater (1864) he went home on a leave of absence from which he was never called back to duty. Burnside’s dismal reputation is probably unfair, however. He was an innovative engineer but an unlucky general who was often made a scapegoat for larger failures. He died on September 13, 1881, in Bristol, Rhode Island.

[101] The assassination of James Abram Garfield, the 20th President of the United States, began when he was shot at 9:30 a.m. on July 2, 1881, less than four months into his term as President, and ended in his death 79 days later on September 19, 1881. He was shot by Charles J. Guiteau at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C., and died in Elberon, New Jersey. Guiteau’s motive was revenge against Garfield for an imagined political debt. Focused on finding and removing the bullet, the doctors stuck their unwashed fingers in the wound and probed around, without applying any anesthetic. In late 19th century America, such a search was common medical practice for treating gunshot wounds. The doctors tortured the president with more digital probing and many surgical attempts to widen the three-inch deep wound into a 20-inch-long incision, beginning at his ribs and extending to his groin. It soon became super-infected and pus-ridden. Guiteau was later found guilty of murder and sentenced to death, even though he was one of first high-profile cases in American history to plead not guilty by reason of insanity. He was hanged on June 20, 1882, in Washington D.C. There is, indeed, a grain of truth to the assassin Guiteau’s claim “the doctors killed Garfield, I just shot him.” (Taken from Wikipedia and PBS websites)

[102] Nickname for his daughter Louese Keith

[103] Neighbor. Also, from Luke’s November 2, 1878 diary entry: “Moved Mrs N. B Betts over to Burg. She moved into John Freers house. Pleasant day.”

[104] Harriet (Groat) Plank, widow of William Plank. The Planks were Luke’s former neighbors

[105] Michigan death records reveal that Sally (Dunn) Luttenton died on April 2, 1881 and FindAGrave.com shows that she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[106] His son-in-law, Adelbert R. Skinner (see footnote for April 16^th entry)

[107] His maternal first cousin

[108] Believe he is referring to Albina Earl, the daughter of Jesse & Mary (Clapp) Earl (see footnote to April 10^th entry)

[109] Emeretta Allen, the daughter of neighbors, John S. & Amanda Louise (Worden) Allen

[110] Michigan death records show that Delilah (Dawley) Rowland died on October 12, 1881 in Comstock and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[111] Nephew of Jesse Earl (see footnote for April 10^th entry)

[112] Camera

[113] The local newspaper

[114] The father of Luke’s daughter Lois’s first husband. Unable to confirm date or place of death

[115] Luke’s wife Sarah’s sister-in-law, Mary (Hamilton) Crawford. She was the widow of Sarah’s brother Edwin Crawford

[116] Oscar M. and Edna Alice (Crawford) Allen. Edna was the daughter of Edwin & Mary (Hamilton) Crawford

[117] The half-brother of Martin Milham (see footnote for January 2^nd entry)

[118] Michigan death records confirm that Eleanor (Ward) Stone died November 19, 1881 in Comstock and FindAGrave.com records reveal that she is buried in Boughton Cemetery, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Luke’s reference to her being buried at McCain’s Corners is unclear at this time

[119] Emaline (Stone) Ralph, was the aunt of D. D. Harris (Louese Keith’s future husband)

[120] His grandson, William Byron Clark, son of his daughter Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner

[121] In previous diaries Luke refers to him as D. J. Hart

[122] Michigan death records reveal that Charlotte Mason died November 27, 1881; research continues

[123] Pamelia (Hosley) Towne, mother of Charles Towne (Hannah Keith’s future husband). Michigan death records confirm that she died November 28, 1881 in Comstock and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[124] His granddaughter, Ina Mary Skinner, daughter of his daughter Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner

[125] Michigan death records confirm that Ann Marie Ives died November 30, 1881, and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in the Schoolcraft Township Cemetery in Vicksburg, Michigan. She was the wife of Abijah Ives (see footnote to December 16^th entry)

[126] Michigan death records show that David K. Rogers died in Comstock on December 1^st and FindAGrave.com records show that he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[127] Marion Adelpha York, daughter of Joseph and Helen (Bradley) York. Helen was the daughter of Catharine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[128] Neighbor, Caroline (Rapelje) Allerton

[129] Neighbor, Winthrop John Ford

[130] Michigan death records confirm that Abijah Ives died December 16, 1881, and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in the Schoolcraft Township Cemetery in Vicksburg, Michigan. His wife Ann died just two weeks prior (see footnote to November 30^th entry)

[131] At this point, Lucy (Lee) Milham had five children ranging in age from 13 years on down

[132] Michigan marriage records confirm the date of marriage; Ida Eva Milham was the daughter of Richard & Hannah (Goodrich) Milham and Richard was the brother of James Milham (see footnote to the November 13^th entry) and the half-brother of Martin Milham (see footnote to the January 2^nd entry)