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

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Luke Keith’s 1879 Diary

1879 DIARY OF CHARLES LUKE KEITH JR.[1]

Jan 1 – Went over to burg[2] with Edna Allen,[3] she went home. Bot stove pipe 40 cts. Mr Browns folks,[4] Hank and Nancy[5] and Mrs Betts[6] here. Had a jolly old time. [Che Che[7] came. Had a dance.][8] Carried Mrs Betts home at night. Mink Streator died this morning.

Jan 2 – No work to day. Very blustring day. Carried Nancy home at night. Cold as blazes.

Jan 3 – Mercury 10 below zero in morning. No work to day Except chores.

Jan 4 – Shoveled snow so we could get to the woods. Drawed four loads wood. Carried Hannah[9] over to Nancys at night. Lucinda Brown of East Gainesville, Wyoming County, NY died to day AEged 63 years.[10]

Jan 5 – Alvin Lee[11] came here made an axhelve for him. Went over to burg after Hannah.

Jan 6 – Went over to burg in the morning to see Doc Burrows to get county order. Went up in woods after wood. Went over to Bartons. Ethan[12] went over to Hanks to stay with Nancy. Hank gone to Kalamazoo. Mr Philip Goodrich died this morning at seven Oclock.[13] Jim[14] went to school. Bot this Diary 40 cts. Hannah went down to Henry Kings. Ethan repaired Guittar.

Jan 7 – Not much done. Cold day. Ethan came home. Wind south west.

Jan 8 – Went over to burg. Sarah[15] went over to go to Funeral. Mr Goodrich buried to day. Went up in woods got one load wood. Went over to burg after Sarah. Wind west south west.

Jan 9 – Cut out bords for Box. Went over to burg got board for End boards to Dells[16] box. Got nine Dollars of County on county order. Dressed out some box boards. Konk Smith called here. Wind North west in morning North East at night.

Jan 10 – Worked in shop, plained out side and End boards for Dells box. Made moulding board for Sarah. Let Alfleda[17] have one Dollar, Sarah half Dollar. Mercury 2 Abzo.[18] Wind 2 minutes North of west.

Jan 11 – Worked in shop some. Sawed out sash stuf, plained out some boards. Mercury 14 Abz.

Jan 12 – At home. Katharine,[19] Orrin[20] and Jim came up here. Mercury 10 A. Wind west. Caywood brot Hannah home in morning.

Jan 13 – Worked in shop on Skinners box all day. Not very cold. Wind west North west. Mercury 2 Abz in morning.

Jan 14 – Mercury 21 Abz in morn. Wind South west.

Jan 15 – Carried Sarah over to burg. 3 lbs nails 15¢. Claud[21] came home with me. Went down to Mr Caywoods after Hannahs Pleeter.[22] Snowed and blowed like fun.[23] Wind in North East. Mercury 18 Abz.

Jan 16 – Mercury 17 abz in morning. Cut down tre East of house south side road. Sun came out. Wind North west. Went down to Browns got four bushels wheat. Cleaned up four bushels Buckwheat, shelled 2 bushels corn. Jim came home stayed all night. He paid me fifty cents. Lost bag of Buckwheat flour of of the sleigh. Mr Ridler picked it up.

Jan 17 – Went to mill up to Howlands. Alvin, Julia and Orrin at Hanks. Jed Blodget and wife here when I got home.

Jan 18 – Went and cut some wood. Split and drawed some wood. Charley Smith came after Hannah. Orrin went up to Mr Flanders.[24] Walter Austin came over after Guitarr in Evening. Fine day, wind South west. Austin Potts Hulling clover up to Schrams.

Jan 19 – Went down to Katharines in afternoon. Cold and some blustrous. Wind North west in forenoon, South East in Evening.

Jan 20 – Went over to burg in forenoon. Snowed some. Bot salt bottles 10, bot two for Katharine. Went over to Straits got Calipers. Mr Peter Johnson paid me 50¢. Wind South South west.

Jan 21 – Nelson Nickols choped wood for me to day. I drawed wood in afternoon. Very good day. Mercury 11 Abz. Wind south west.

Jan 22 – Nickols choped and sawed wood. Went down to Browns got his saw. Luther Eldred and wife here to dinner. Fine day mercury 43 Abz. Paid Nelt one 1.25 Dollar and 25 cents. Wind South East.

Jan 23 – Filed Browns saw. Made some bix ins for Theodore.[25] Drawed one load wood. Went over to burg at noon. Went down to M O Streators[26] in Evening. Wind South west. First Egg for the season.

Jan 24 – Mercury 24 Abz in morn. Wind South west.

Jan 25 – Went over got Nancy in morning. Worked on patterns some. Carried Hank and Nancy down to Browns in Evening. Wind South west.

Jan 26 – Mercury 19 Abz in morning. Jim came home after his cloths. Rained in night. Wind South East.

Jan 27 – Rainy day mercury 44 very foggy. Worked on Churn cut grove for head, made head. Wind south west. Snow setled very fast.

Jan 28 – Worked on churn. Fine day all day. Wind south. Mike Hess wife died.

Jan 29 – Fine day. Finished churn in fore noon. Alvin, Ida and Julia called here. Alfleda went home with them. Wind south west. Harry Streators girl Born to day. Hellen Randall helped Born it.[27]

Jan 30 – Very pleasant morning no clouds looks like spring. Mercury 37. Wind North west at noon. Shortened up Mrs Betts cupboard.

Jan 31 – Drove up to Mr Ralphs. Went over to burg bot file &c.[28] Theodore came down to gum saw. Worked on Box some. Got out stuf for pulley to Henrys[29] Buz saw. Sarah went up to Mr Taylors. Mrs Jo Flanders[30] called here. Mr Knap came over. Mrs Fancher buried.[31] Wind North west.

Feb 1 – Mercury Abz 16 in morning. Carried Sarah up to Ralphs in morning. D. Stafford came down and helped turn some patterns. Went after Sarah in Evening. 7 Eggs. Wind North in morning.

Feb 2 – At home all day. No one here. Nice day, cold wind. Got 10 Eggs. Wind North west.

Feb 3 – Worked in shop. Went up in woods got load wood. Worked on pully to Buz saw. Mrs D. K. Rogers died this morning.[32] Browns folks here in Evening. Wind south and south East.

Feb 4 – Put cleats on Dells box. Turned out pully for buz saw. Theodore turned the lathe. Made Nancys Ironing board. Not very cold. Bot three brooms of pedler for fifty cents. Wind south East.

Feb 5 – Carried Sarah over to burg to Mrs D. K. Rogers funerall. Dressed out seat for Dells box. Bot paint. Went over after Sarah at night. Bot oil and venecian red 25¢ paint 50¢. Not very cold. Wind North East. Ruth McLary died 6 oclock P.M.[33]

Feb 6 – Worked on box. Alvin and Julia came up brot Alfleda home. Carried Sarah over to Barbers at noon. Went after her just at night. Wind North West.

Feb 7 – Pleasant morning very good sleighing. Jim came home this morning. Painted Dells Box. Ruth McLary buried to day. Wind west mercury 32 Abz.

Feb 8 – Worked in shop some. Painted Dells box. Mrs Streator[34] called here. Nancy came over with Allen Simmons. Hank came over stayed all night. Wind North west.

Feb 9 – Pleasant morning. Not very good sleighing. Went down to Katherines in afternoon found them all well as usual. Orrin went over to Comstock. Wind North west.

Feb 10 – Carried Nancy home this morning. Got some rivet head nails made for wagon box 10¢. Drawed 3 loads wood in afternoon. Ethan went over to burg. Davis Stafford brot load wood for shop in afternoon. Wind South East 7½ minutes.

Feb 11 – Worked on sash all day. Not very cold. Ethan came home. Wind South.

Feb 12 – Finished my sash. Dressed of cross head for Theodore. Mr Taylor came down after meat grinder. Wind west.

Feb 13 – Turned out some patterns. Primed sash. Edwin Flanders[35] brot down 3 bas boards. Theodore came down. T. C. Ford[36] called in to see Theodore. Snowey and blustrous wind North west. Went over to burg in Evening after Hannah, she no come home. T. C. Ford got runaway with, got hurt some.

Feb 14 – Worked on patterns. Cold and blustrous. Dell Skinner called. Mercury 2 below zero. Wind North west.

Feb 15 – Worked in shop some. Painted sash and Mrs Betts cupboard. Dell went home. Wind south south East.

Feb 16 – At home. Jim and Katharine came up, she stayed. Mercury 20 Abz. Wind North west.

Feb 17 – Went over to burg carried over patterns. Went to Staffords. Went down to A. Browns. Hannah went down to see Mrs Brown[37] about going to Kalamazoo.

Feb 18 – Put glass into shop window. Carried Sarah and Katharine over to burg. Drawed one load wood. Not very good sleighing. Mercury at zero. Wind North west. Carried Hannah over to Nancys in Evening took Mrs Betts cupboard over. Sarah and Katharine came home with me.

Feb 19 – Went over to burg in morning. Katharine went over to see Osgood. Snowey bad day. Carried Katharine home in afternoon. Wind North south East.

Feb 20 – Put glass into sash to south window in shop. Tamer Ford[38] called here. Orrin Lee and Miles came stayed all night. Wind south East.

Feb 21 – Orrin and Miles here making candy. Cold. Wind west Mercury 16 Abz. Volney Hascall Died AE. 59 years.[39]

Feb 22 – Orrin and Miles went over to burg. Pleasant day. Dell and Lois[40] came Dell got his Box. Mercury 36 Abz.

Feb 23 – At home. Carried Hank and Nancy down to A. Browns. Cold west wind. South west wind Mercury 20 Abz.

Feb 24 – Snowey day not very cold. Husked some corn split some wood. Lois and Ina[41] here they washed to day. Wind East mercury 20 Abz.

Feb 25 – Carried Lois over to burg. Brot Mrs Betts over. Lucy[42] and Orrin came up went over to Hanks. I carried Mrs Betts home in Evening. Lucy and Orrin stayed the Evening. Che Che came up had a dance. Wind south East.

Feb 26 – Some blustrous this morning. Wind South west in morning. Worked on patterns some. Paw Paw fruit man Claxton came here. Stayed all night. Wind South west. Good sleighing.

Feb 27 – Mercury 6 Below zero. Worked on patterns. Carried Lois and Sarah down to Browns. Claxton left. Wind south west but cold.

Feb 28 – Worked on patterns orin patterns. Snowed some not very cold. Ethan not very well. Lois here. Wind South East mercury 29 Abz.

Mar 1 – Worked in shop on patterns some. Carried Lois over to burg in Evening. Mercury 44 Abz. Wind south East.

Mar 2 – Mercury 24 Abz. Went down to Marts[43] after Jim, he no come home. Cold wind. Very good sleighing. Wind East.

Mar 3 – Pleasant morning. Worked on patterns. Wind East in morning mercury 18 Abz.

Mar 4 – Worked in shop on twister grear. Carried Lois up to Myron Flanders[44] in afternoon. Alfleda went down to Browns. Sarah went down to Mr Randalls to see Ella. Henry came home stayed all night. Wind North west not very cold.

Mar 5 – Worked on patterns. Stafford came down. Peter Hall came down I filed two saws for him. Henry went up to Mr Flanders in morning. Mr Flanders, Edwin and Henry went over to burg in after noon. D. J. Hart went to Mr Flanders after Lois. She went up to Harts spect Mrs Hart is coming in soon. Wind South East.

Mar 6 – Went over to burg carried patterns over to Foundry. Drawed one load wood. Henry came down I turned pick handle for him. Wind South west.

Mar 7 – Worked on patterns. Not very cold. Henry went home. Lois came back.

Mar 8 – Carried patterns over to burg in morning. Drawed two loads wood two loads corn. D. J. Hart called here. Mrs Brown came up. Wind south mercury 68 Abz.

Mar 9 – Quite warm in morning. Lois and Ina here. Killed two Roosters White Jimme. Rained some had some thunder just at night heavy shower of north. Wind South west very strong. Mercury 58 Abz.

Mar 10 – Finished the circle pattern. Got out three spoke for my wagon wheel. D. J. Hart came after Lois in afternoon. Rained in Evening some Thunder and Lightning, quite warm. Mr T. C. Ford Died to day.[45] Wind South west.

Mar 11 – Repaired my thills[46] to wagon. Wind North west, warm.

Mar 12 – Went to funeral T. C. Ford buried. Made boulster to wagon. Jim came home. Wind North west.

Mar 13 – Put boulster on wagon. Nice warm day. Draw twenty stooks corn one load wood. Wind west.

Mar 14 – Husked some corn. Worked round barn some. Went over to burg in Evening to a dance. Cold wind. Nettie Keith Died to day.[47] Wind west.

Mar 15 – Put End board into wagon box in forenoon. Some blustrous. Wind. Mercury 15 Abz.

Mar 16 – At home all day. Mercury 20 Abz wind North west. Dell and Will[48] came here stayed all night. Nettie Keith buried to day.

Mar 17 – Dell and Ina went home. Ethan went to the burg. Jim and Will went down to Katharines. Painted front End of wagon box. Willard Baty[49] Called here left Postal card. Mercury 17 Abz wind North west.

Mar 18 – Drawed in and husked corn some. Cold. Will Clark[50] here. Wind North west.

Mar 19 – Cold but pleasant. Finished drawing in corn husked some. Mr Henry King started for Nebraska. Wind west.

Mar 20 – Finished husking corn. Went over to burg carried my boots got them tapt 50¢. Went down to M. O. Streators got some scions for grafting. Harry came down in Evening. Wind South East.

Mar 21 – Went over to burg in morning got my Boots. Fine morning. Bot pail 10¢. Mr Thomas Brown of Kalamazoo County superintendant of County Poor.

Mar 22 – Worked round barn and house. Drawed two loads wood. Cold wind. Went over to burg in afternoon to Caucus. Wind west.

Mar 23 – Went down to Marts. Mart gathering sap. Saw Mr Dun. Mr Thomas Brownell Died to day.[51] Wind south west mercury 29 Abz.

Mar 24 – Some rainy. Hannah went down to Mr Browns. Claud went. Will Clark came here. Made plate for Orrin Lees cane cut his name. Wind North West.

Mar 25 – Worked round. Drawed some wood. Chored round. Went over to burg in morning. Ethan came over. Wind west.

Mar 26 – Went over to burg in morning. Sarah went over to Nancys. Made cross head for Theodore. Wind West north west.

Mar 27 – Went down to A. Browns carried lime down. Went up to mill got some bark and wood to butcher with. Wind North west.

Mar 28 – Butchered my Hog. A. Brown helped me. Had a Thunder shower in afternoon. Ethan went over to burg. Wind south East.

Mar 29 – Went over to burg in morning with Orrin Lee. Went to the burying ground. He wanted to see where his grand mother[52] was buried. Salted my pork. Made Orrins cane. Warm day. Wind North west.

Mar 30 – Cold wind. Went down to Marts got some warm shugar. Sent letter and two pictures to Mark.[53] Wind North west.

Mar 31 – Pleasant morning. Worked round. Went over to burg to see Burrows. Went down to Browns got clover one bushel. Bot mop stick. Ambroze, Matilda,[54] Marias, Laury and Cyrus Streator[55] here in Evening. Wind North west.

Apr 1 – Some rain in morning. Ethan went over to Foundry. Wind west in morning.

Apr 2 – Ethan went over to Foundry. Very snowey afternoon. D. J. Hart brot Lois C down. Snow four 4 inches. Cow calved this morning be Jabers had a cow calf be gorry. Wind North West.

Apr 3 – Snows. Went over to burg. Ethan went over. Lois went over to see Mrs Wheeler. Wind North west mercury 18 Abz.

Apr 4 – Went over to burg. Sarah went over to get Mrs Betts dress. Ethan commenced lathing. Got 9.75 cts of county. Wind North west.

Apr 5 – Went over to burg at noon. Took Lois over she went home. Brot Nancy and Frank over. Ethan to work over to Foundry. Fine day. Wind West Nouth west.

Apr 6 – At home. Carried Nancy home at night. Will carried Frank home. Mrs Polly Nobles of Pavilion N. Y. Died.[56] Wind south west.

Apr 7 – Went up in woods cut and sawed some wood. Pleasant day. North west wind.

Apr 8 – Went over to burg in morning got ashes of Hank. Went up in woods sawed some wood. Went down to Katharines in afternoon. Wind south west.

Apr 9 – Sawed wood in forenoon. Rained in afternoon. Wind south.

Apr 10 – Sawed wood some. Went down to Charles Lees. Rained some. Wind south.

Apr 11 – Drawed 4 loads wood. Not very cold. Went over to burg in Evening. Sold 19 Doz Eggs 8[?] ct pr Doz. Wind North East.

Apr 12 – Carried Ethan over to burg Nancy came over with me. Wind North.

Apr 13 – At home all day. Alvin Lee, George Newton and Ida here. Wind west.

Apr 14 – Took Ethan over to burg. Jim plowing up by the woods. Cut some brush. Wind North west.

Apr 15 – Jim plowing. Moved log, fixed fence. Got Jesse Earls[57] seed sower. Sowed clover seed in afternoon.

Apr 16 – Worked round. Jim plowing. Wind North.

Apr 17 – Working round garden and house. Henry here. Sherman Cummings and Neal Daniels married.[58] Wind North west.

Apr 18 – Got out manure. Henry and Ethan went to burg. Henry went up to Mr Flanders. Let Henry have two Dollars. Mr Brinningstool Died.[59] Wind west.

Apr 19 – Got out manure and plowed gardens. Planted some potatoes in East garden. Went down to A Browns in Evening. Stranger came here in night about twelve oclock stayed all night, was going to Mr Fords. Wind North East.

Apr 20 – Pleasant morning. Went down to Kates in afternoon. Fine day. Mr Brinningstool died buried to day. Wind North East.

Apr 21 – Went over to burg in morning. Got lumber for windmill patterns of E. R. Strait. Went down to Browns got four bushels wheat. Warm day.

Apr 22 – Went to Comstock to mill. Fine day. Worked on patterns some. Mrs Betsey Lee of Salt Lake City Died to day.[60]

Apr 23 – Worked on patterns some. Warm day. Henry and Ethan work on binder. Hank went to Kalamazoo, had bill.[61]

Apr 24 – Worked on patterns some. Henry and Ethan went over to burg in afternoon. Lawton safe pedler stayed here all night. Wind north.

Apr 25 – Worked on patterns. Jim rolled the wheat. Henry went home. Dave Walker left for Tekonsha.[62] He paid 75¢ for keep overnight. Rained in night. Wind North East.

Apr 26 – Worked in shop on patterns. Warm day. Wind south west.

Apr 27 – Fine day, quite warm, rained some towards night. Hank and Nancy came over after church. Wind south west.

Apr 28 – Worked on patterns. Fine day. Went down to Marts in afternoon with Jim. Mr Hiram Woolcot Died to day.[63] Wind North west.

Apr 29 – Worked in shop on patterns. Went over to burg in Evening. Wind south west.

Apr 30 – Worked on patterns most of the day. Wind East.

May 1 – Fine morning. Worked on patterns some. Wind North East.

May 2 – Worked on patterns. Fine day. Jim plowing in south lot. Wind North.

May 3 – Finished Straits patterns. Jim plowing. Rained in afternoon. Put some grafts in apple tree in south lot. Snocked cow turds some. Wind south west.

May 4 – Rainy morning. Hank had Frank and buggy went up to Rass Towns.[64] Wind North west.

May 5 – Pulled corn stalks. Chored around. Henry came home. Ethan Grafting, Jim plowing. Wind North west.

May 6 – Altered over patterns. Davis Stafford came over. Fine day. Wind North.

May 7 – Finished pattern carried it over to burg. Henry went home. Ethan stayed all night. I glued Johney Blakes violin some. Wind North East.

May 8 – Pleasant day. Ethan over to burg. Work on violin. Old Stocking pedler here, bot 4 prs stockings 55 cts. Cleaned out stove. Mercury 34 some frost. Wind North East stout.

May 9 – Worked on patterns. Went over to burg in Evening. Got some mortar to plaster front room. Wind south East.

May 10 – Barber[65] Came over plastered front room. Nancy came over. Went down to Browns at night. Hank came over. Wind south.

May 11 – Warm. At home all day. No one here. Wind south west.

May 12 – Worked on patterns some. Went over to burg in morning. Jim ploted corn ground. Wind south west.

May 13 – Not much done in shop. Hoed potatoes. Found some bugs. Jim Draged corn ground. Had a shower in afternoon. Wind west.

May 14 – Worked on patterns. Went up to Mr Flanders. Got seed corn and some potatoes snowflake and La_ y Rose. Had a fine rain. Wind North East.

May 15 – Worked in shop some. Rained some. Jim helped Mr Brown plant. I went up to sawmill got to 4×4 scantling. Wind North.

May 16 – Marked out Corn ground. Jim and Will Brown[66] plant. Wind North East. Amos Rogers Died this morning.[67] Warm day.

May 17 – Went down to Mr Browns in morning. Got some seed potatoes. Hannah and Adelfa York[68] went down. Mr Brown and Nancy went to Kalamazoo. Finished planting corn. Carried Sarah over Mrs Betts she stayed all night. Tub[?] came of with nine chickens. Wind North.

May 18 – Warm day. At home all day. Alvin and Julia here. Amos Rogers buried to day. Old Mrs Hurd Died. Wind East.

May 19 – Worked in shop on patterns. Fine day. Sam Cressey called here with a petition for postmaster. Wind south East.

May 20 – Went over to burg in morning with patterns. Hannah and Delpha went up to Jim Milhams.[69] Planted potatoes. Old Mrs Hurd buried to day.[70] Wind north.

May 21 – Cool morning. Went to Kalamazoo after some stiel $2.61 for Binder. Delpha went down to Katharines. Mr Evens Died to day.[71] Wind North East.

May 22 – Mr William Plank Died this morning.[72] Worked on cog circle. Went over to burg twice. Wind south East.

May 23 – Went up in woods got sakes for fence. Drawed three loads slabs from mill to make fence.

May 24 – Went over to burg. Mrs Cornell died.[73] Not much done. Ethan and Hannah went down to Marts stayed all night. Rained in night. Wind south East.

May 25 – At home all day. Dell and Lois came here afternoon. Wind south west.

May 26 – Cool morning. Mrs Lemmon buried to day.[74] Mrs Cornell buried to day. Went to Kalamazoo to get iron. Wind North East.

May 27 – Went over to burg. Got lumber to make platform and door step. Jim plowed some ground for potatoes and corn in south lot. Hannah went up to Mr Flanders to sew for Mate. Wind south west.

May 28 – Warm day. Jim to work for I. D. L. Schram[75] plastering corn. Planted potatoes. Wind south East.

May 29 – Went over to burg in morning after Mrs Betts and Nancy. Sowed some corn planted calafornia corn. Had a fine shower rained in night. Pla[?] wind south East

May 30 – Fine morning. Hoed in garden some. Jim plastered corn. Mad bars out by hen yard and Hogpen. Wind west.

May 31 – Hoed potatoes, corn and berry bushes. Ethan cultivated garden. Windy, verry warm. Had a nice rain. Went over to burg just at night. Nancy came over. Went down to Browns. Rained in night. Wind south.

Jun 1 – Rainy morning. At home all day. R. C. Strait and George Yumans came over to see binder. Wind North East.

Jun 2 – Went over to burg in morning brot Binder patterns home. Planted in corn. Rained some just at night. Wind west south west.

Jun 3 – At home all day. Worked in shop some. Wind south East.

Jun 4 – Went over to burg in morning. Worked in shop some. Hoed some. Frank Tomlinson married to night.[76] Wind North west.

Jun 5 – Went over to burg in morning. Carried over boards to have sawed and planed fore door frames to put netting on. Went over at night got boards. Patty[77] came over with me. Wind North.

Jun 6 – Worked in shop some on patterns some on violin. Jim cultivating corn. Wind North East.

Jun 7 – Worked in shop some on violin and patterns.

Jun 8 – At home some. Went down to Katharines. Patty went down stayed. Jim went to Goguac Lake to Spiritualist meeting.

Jun 9 – Worked in shop on violin some. Turned out some pins for O. D. Schram.[78] Jim cultivated corn. Wind North west.

Jun 10 – Worked on violin put it together. Jim finished cultivating corn. Went over to burg got boots mended. Wind west.

Jun 11 – Went down to Caywood in morning carried Hannahs dress. Went over to burg bot strings pegs for Blakes violin 75¢. Very windy.

Jun 12 – Worked in shop some. Went over to burg.

Jun 13 – Went over to burg in morning. Quin[79] left for Ohio. Henry took possession of store. Strait came over. Sarah went over to burg. Henry came over stayed all night.

Jun 14 – West over to burg in morning.

Jun 15 – At home. Mart brot Patty and Katharine up. Stafford and Henry came here.

Jun 16 – Carried Hannah to Mr Flanders. Turned twelve pins for Ayres Raymond. Got two bushels corn of M O Streator. Worked on cultivator.

Jun 17 – Finished cultivator. Jim cultivating.

Jun 18 – Carried all hands over to burg to see show come in. I came home. Hoed some plowed out garden. Sarah, Patty, Katharine and Hannah went.

Jun 19 – Hoed gardens. Davis came down got pattern made. Lucy came up. I went over after Patty and Katharine at night. Henry went to Comstock to get rollers cast.

Jun 20 – Worked in garden. Plowed out gardens. Mr Flanders came down took all the folks up to his house. I carried Katharine home at night.

Jun 21 – Hoed garden. Had a good rain. Went over to burg in Evening. George Travis stayed here all night.

Jun 22 – Cloudy morning. At home. Went in swimming. Warm day. Went over after Nancy.

Jun 23 – Nancy went to Kalamazoo. I went to Comstock after castings. Patty went with me. Henry Nobles married to day at Niles Mich.[80]

Jun 24 – Not much done. Not very well. Henry came over worked on binder. Lucy came up after Hannah and Patty. Hot day Mercury 92 in shade.

Jun 25 – Not very well. No work to day. Jim cultivated Buckwheat ground.

Jun 26 – Not very well. Mr Brown sowed Buckwheat for me. Had a shower in night.

Jun 27 – Carried Sarah over to burg in morning. Jim cultivated corn for Brown. Had a fine shower in afternoon. Dell came after his harvester. Rained in Evening.

Jun 28 – Worked round in shop some. Hoed garden some. Repaired cradle for A. Caywood.

Jun 29 – Fine day. Went down to Winslows Island to a meeting. Patty and Lucy went. Charley Towns[81] Bull screwed a calf into the old Cow so says Jim.

Jun 30 – Hoed some and chored around. Jesse Turner and wife[82] came here stayed all night.

Jul 1 – Hoed in garden some. Jess and Sally went home in afternoon. Went over to burg in Evening bot sack flour 65 cts. Charley Town commenced cutting wheat. Harry Rowland commenced cutting his wheat.

Jul 2 – Some cloudy in morning. Ethan went over to burg. Commenced the step to in and out of Buggy. Painted some.

Jul 3 – Worked round. Put two fingers into A Browns cradle. Went down to novelty shops after castings. Lucy Brot Patty and Hannah up. Will Clark and Lois came.

Jul 4 – I went down after Katharine in morning carried her over to burg. Made boxing and three pins for Jesse Earl.

Jul 5 – Went down to Comstock after twister. Fine day.

Jul 6 – At home. Lois and Will went home. Jim went with them. Had a fine rain in Evening.

Jul 7 – Went to Kalamazoo and Comstock to get castings. Warm day. Folks all cutting wheat. Had a heavy thunder shower in night. Got cabbage plants of H. A. Taylor.[83]

Jul 8 – Went to Kalamazoo after segment. Fine hot day.

Jul 9 – At home. Not much done. Work on binder.

Jul 10 – Worked round shop an garden. Carried Patty down to Marts. Mr Brown cutting wheat. Had a heavy shower.

Jul 11 – Mr Brown finished cutting wheat. Had a shower at noon. I went to Comstock in afternoon got twister cast. Cow gone all night. Carried Sarah over to burg in morning.

Jul 12 – Went over to burg Early in morning after cow, no find her. Went before breakfast, went over again after a while, cow came before I got back. Mr Knap came over. Mr Ralph came down, I Extracted three teeth, he paid fifty cents. Hot day. Ida Barber[84] came over.

Jul 13 – Fine day for harvesting. Davis Stafford came down. Put Binder in opperation.[85] Bound the first bundle of wheat quarter to one P.M. Put six bands around one bundle. Mr Flanders and Mate called here.

Jul 14 – Very hot day. Not much work to day. Lucy Came up just at night after Hannah. Ethan went over to burg in Evening. Mercury 94 in shade. Mr Brown drawed in wheat.

Jul 15 – Very hot morning Mercury 90 in shade in the morning. Picked currants. Mr Knap and Henry came over. Mrs Vradenberg came here stayed all night.

Jul 16 – Hot morning 84 in shade. Went down to Browns got muzle. Mrs Vrandenberg left.

Jul 17 – Plowed out corn an potatoes on hill. Went down to Marts in afternoon.

Jul 18 – Plowed potatoes and corn sout of orchard in forenoon. Went over to burg in afternoon to see Mary and Emmet.[86] They came up to get pictures. Bot two shovel plow shares of W. H. Knapp[87] 80 cts. Jim came home from Lois.

Jul 19 – Hoed some corn on hill. Jim plowed corn. Patty and Kate went to Vicksburg.

Jul 20 – At home all day. Ethan and Henry went down to Marts and Comstock. Hot day.

Jul 21 – Chored round. Hoed some in garden. Jim plowing corn. Very warm day. Willis Oatman and Fred Burrows here in afternoon. Mr Brown cutting oats. Turned some pins for Brown. Claud here just at night. Had a nice rain in night. Mart Milham Sarted his new Engine and Thrasher to day at A. Carletons.[88]

Jul 22 – Rainy morning, a nice rain it is, no wind comes, just right to do good. Lots of wheat out in the shocks. Cut steaks for Tomatoes. Rained in night some Thunder towards morning.

Jul 23 – Some lidle rain in morning. Went over to burg in morning after Mrs Betts. Hoed in garden some.

Jul 24 – Sick all day hard head and back ache. Stafford and Theodore Earl called in in afternoon. Ethan went over to burg. Mrs Betts went home. Rained in morning.

Jul 25 – Fine morning. No work to day. Jim cultivating corn.

Jul 26 – Not much better. I no work to day. Jim work in corn.

Jul 27 – Hank, Will and Jim sarted to go to Lansing to camp meeting. Cars loaded so they could not go. Lucy brot Hannah home in afternoon.

Jul 28 – Fine morning cool not so very hot as it has been.

Jul 29 – Went over to burg in morning got oil and Turpentine. Went over in Evening. Hannah went over to Hanks. I got lumber for steps and board for Nancys lambrequin.[89]

Jul 30 – Went over to burg got lumber plained. Worked on steps some. Very hot.

Jul 31 – Made steps. Sarah and Jim went to Kalamazoo. Bot chairs. Very hot day. Patty and Hellen[90] came home with Sarah and Jim. Mr Olin Came over to see the Binder.

Aug 1 – Very hot. Finished the buggy stand. Jim gone to Comstock.

Aug 2 – Went over to burg in morning after Nancy and Mrs Betts. No work to day. Lucy and Katharine came up here. Louese[91] and Jill Murphy[92] Came on the noon train. Went over at night after trunks, got Jills, no got Loueses trunks some.

Aug 3 – Heavy Thunder shower about four this morning. Lois and Patty went over to Nancys stayed all night.

Aug 4 – Went over to burg after Trunks, no get him. Mrs Flanders, aunt Hannah and Mate[93] here in afternoon. I made plow beam for Charley Town.

Aug 5 – Fine Morning. Not very well not much done.

Aug 6 – Went over to burg at noon. Mrs Storms Died about noon.[94] Went down to Katharines in afternoon stayed all night.

Aug 7 – Went over to Mr Maloneys with Mart saw his Engine and Thrasher. Went to Kalamazoo with Patty and Katharine. They started for Perry[95] went on the one forty train. Fare from K. to B. $11.35 cts. Nelson Blass Barns, sheds and stacks burnt in Evening.

Aug 8 – Went over to burg in morning, carried Hannah over, got Lelah.[96] I went to Kalamazoo got casting to Comstock 75 cts. Carried Lelah here at night. Barnums Show in town to day. Hank, Nancy and Hannah went. Louese and Lill went to Shermans Lake in afternoon with Will Brown and Frank Hubbard.[97]

Aug 9 – Chored round. Painted steps and door.

Aug 10 – At home all day. No one here.

Aug 11 – Went down to Marts got some wheat. Got corn of M. O. Streator. Claud went with me. Went over to burg in Evening. Nancy sick.

Aug 12 – Went to Mill. Nancy came over stayed all day.

Aug 13 – Painted some East side house and steps. Rained some. Jim plowed out potatoes. Ethan worked on moddle for Strait.

Aug 14 – Jim and Bill helping I. D. L. Schram Thrash. R. E. Strait[98] came over to get his big pattern change. Rained some in night. Girls went down to Mr Browns. Stranger called here got hammer to fix buggy spring. Pioneer Pickinic at Schoolcraft to day.

Aug 15 – Cloudy rained some in morning. Thrashing Riddlers wheat on Theodores lot. Martha Knapp Died in the night.[99]

Aug 16 – Worked on patterns altered one Straits big pattern. Went over to burg at noon and Evening. Louese and Jill went up to Jim Milhams.

Aug 17 – Working on pattern some.

Aug 18 – Worked on pattern finished patterns. Alva Burgess Died about noon to day.[100] Jim moving stove.

Aug 19 – Finished moving stove. Working on pattern. Boy from Jackson Called here and fed cow. He was going to Vicksburg.

Aug 20 – Jim gone to Picknic to Sherman Lake. Finished pattern. Alva Burgess buried to day.

Aug 21 – Worked in shop some. Turned some washers for Strait. Ethan and girls went down to Marts, had Browns colts Nip and Tuck.

Aug 22 – Not very well. Sis[101] and lill went over to Mrs Betts. I drawed load wood.

Aug 23 – Went over to Vicks burg stayed with Mr York and Hellen.[102] Found them all well. Nice day.

Aug 24 – Went over to Schoolcraft to Spiritualist meeting. Went back to Hellens stayed all night. Found Memorandum book in buggy when I got back to Vicksburg.

Aug 25 – Left Vicksburg about 3 PM for home got home about sun down all right. Went and saw Ives Foundry. Nice Building.

Aug 26 – Worked round house and garden. Lill Murphy went home to night.

Aug 27 – Went up in woods cut some wood. Fixed fence some. Went over to burg at night brot Mrs Betts over. Very dry.

Aug 28 – Working round some. Mrs Betts and Sarah went down to A Browns. Will carried Mrs Betts home.

Aug 29 – Went up in woods got two loads wood. Steamer Thrashing to towns. Mart Thrashing up to Jims. Ethan and Louese went up there just at night. I went over to burg in Evening. Very warm and dry. Jim helping Town Thrash.

Aug 30 – Jim over to Towns. Mercury 84 in shade at nine A.M. 94 at 2 PM. Allerton thrashing. Mart Thrashing up to Nyes. Gefired hot. Sarah went to Dowagiac[103] on the Through freight about 12 oclock in night.

Aug 31 – At home all day. Jesse Earl came down here after some Tanzy.[104] Very hot day. Davis Stafford came here.

Sep 1 – Commenced topping corn. Commenced to rain quater to three PM some Thunder. Mart Thrashing to Jim Spires.[105] Rained most all night. Ethan went to Kalamazoo in afternoon.

Sep 2 – Raining nicely, rained all day. Carried Bags down to A Browns Thrashing. Went over to burg. Expresed Pocketbook to Newton Hutchings, Wakelee Cass Co Mich. Rained all night.

Sep 3 – Raining nicely. No work to day. Went over to burg in rain after Louese. Stopt raining about Eight in Evening 41 hours rain. Thrashers went up to Earls. Henry went up to Whites to tend mill.

Sep 4 – Pleasant morning. Thrashers at Randalls. Went down to Jacksons[106] to see some hogs. Randall had 140 bus wheat. Went down to Browns got my wheat 12 bushels.

Sep 5 – Pleasant day. Went down to Jacksons got sow $6.00. Topt some corn.

Sep 6 – Topping corn. Cloudy some wind. Mr Knap came over in morning.

Sep 7 – At home all day. No one here. Fine day. Hank and Nancy down to Browns. Nancy had toothache all day and night.

Sep 8 – Nice day. Topping corn. Jim over to burg. Ethan went over to burg. Louese went with him. Sow pigged about 4 four PM had Six pigs.

Sep 9 – Topping Corn. Ethan went over to burg in morning. Mr & Mrs Brown went over and got Lelah going to wean her. Nancy sick. Warm day.

Sep 10 – Topping corn. Warm day.

Sep 11 – Topping corn. Ethan went over to burg. I carried Hannah down to Mr Browns. Paid M. O. Streator for Corn 2.33. Turned seven pins for Mr Streator.

Sep 12 – Bound and set up wheat corn stalks I cut yesterday. Commenced raining half past nine AM.

Sep 13 – Cut corn stalks. Claud and Lelah here. Carried them home.

Sep 14 – At home all day. Sis came over just at night. Ethan and Hannah went around the square up by Powlisons Sharpsteens.

Sep 15 – Pleasant some wind. Topping corn some. Mowers stopt at the corners East of house set up their stoves and got dinner. Two wagons, smart looking folks set table, they went south.

Sep 16 – Went over to burg in morning. Carried over 15 day & 5 Eggs 1.80 ct. Went up in woods cut down tree got load wood.

Sep 17 – Topt corn some. Jule Allen[107] came here stayed all night.

Sep 18 – Went over to burg in morning got Nancy and Loese. Finished topping corn. Mr Terry here to dinner. They all went away at night.

Sep 19 – Cutting wood. Fine day. Drawed two loads wood. Mrs Vrandenberg here. Mrs Forbush and Blake here in afternoon.

Sep 20 – Cut wood in forenoon. Went over to burg after Sarah she no come. Old Cow got choaked. Went down got Mr Brown. Ethan & Hannah went over to burg in Evening. Claud came home with them. Nice weather.

Sep 21 – Pleasant morning. At home all day.

Sep 22 – Fine day. Got some wood. Sarah came home on noon train. Mr William Gilmore Died to day AE. 70 years.[108]

Sep 23 – Went over to burg got load lumber of Strait. Went down to Katharines just at night. Rained when we came home. Saw Mr Huntington he had been down to Perry.

Sep 24 – Pleasant Morning. Went over to burg got lumber roof boards & floorboard. The whole amount 6.59. Hannah went down Mr Browns. Nancy & Louese went also too.

Sep 25 – Worked. Worked on sills. Ethan and Hannah went to Kalamazoo to County Fair.

Sep 26 – Put sills together. Chored around. Rained in night. Done Belas chores. Went over to burg in Evening got oil, bot ½ bushel Peaches. The Philothumpers[109] had a show in burg this Evening. Done B. Wrights[110] chores milked two cows fed five pigs pumpd water for five nine head of cattle & one horse.

Sep 27 – Rainy forenoon. Went over to burg after the girls. Made whiffletree[111] for A. Brown. Punched pan for a steamer for Mrs Brown. Sarah went over and stayed with Jane Hoag.[112] Done Belas chores.

Sep 28 – Rained hard in forenoon. Went over to Janes after Sarah. Went down to Katharines. Katharine got home. Ella Randall Died to day.[113] Done Belas chores.

Sep 29 – Cut and drawed my corn and pumpkins in south lot. Cut the fodder and one swath Buckwheat. Done Belas chores.

Sep 30 – Cut Buckwheat in forenoon. Went to Ella Streators funeral in afternoon. Very pleasant day. Done Belas chores.

Oct 1 – Went over to burg in morning. Drawed cornfodder in forenoon. Cut and set up Buckwheat in afternoon. Ethan and carried Jims Bed over to burg this Evening. Mercury 86 in shade noon. Very hot day.

Oct 2 – Cut Buckwheat and chored round.

Oct 3 – Worked in Buckwheat. Cut and put up some. Ethan and Hannah went down to Marts.

Oct 4 – Finished my Buckwheat. Nice day.

Oct 5 – Very warm morning. At home all day. Mercury 100 at the burg.

Oct 6 – Chored around. Carried two bushels wheat to mill. Bot lamp chimney 1.20. Tamer Ford stayed here all night. Mrs Brown here in Evening.

Oct 7 – Nancy came over this morning. Carried Nancy home in Evening. Mrs Barber[114] and Ida came over.

Oct 8 – Carried Sarah down to Browns. She went to Kalamazoo with Browns folks. Rainy day. Ed Childs folks came here stayed all night. Got timber for sills to Sxxx house.

Oct 9 – Fine morning Mercury 82 in morning in shade. Childs folks went to Plainwell.

Oct 10 – Warm day. Fraimed falce sills to shit house. Mercury 93 in afternoon. Mrs Skinner and Sate[115] came stayed all night. Had a heavy shower in night. Mrs Stevenson Died to night.[116] Mrs Stowell buried to day.[117]

Oct 11 – Very warm day. Work on Privy some. Raised my Shithouse. D. J. Harts Baby died to day.[118] Ambrose, Matilda and Jule here in Evening.

Oct 12 – Mrs Skinner, Sarah and Sate went down to A. Browns. Very hot day uncomen warm. Hank and Nancy went down to Browns. Had showers North and East of us in afternoon. Had a thundershower in night. Rained hard in night.

Oct 13 – Carried Hannah down to Katharines. Dell and Lois came here to dinner. Mrs. Harts baby buried to day.

Oct 14 – Went over to burg got money on order. Not very well. Chored round some.

Oct 15 – Sowed clover and Timothy seed on west lot. Hot day Mercury 84 Abz. Alfleda went to Paw Paw.[119] Mrs Betts came over with sis to stay all night in Pig pen. I am 66 years old to day.

Oct 16 – Turned over Buckwheat got load wood husked some corn.

Oct 17 – Worked on backhouse sided it up. Warm day.

Oct 18 – Put roof boards on college. Rainy some, some cooler.

Oct 19 – Went over to burg after Louese. Nancy and Hank came over. Jim and Louese went down to Katharines.

Oct 20 – Fine pleasant morning. Paid James Jackson Seven Dollars this morning for Sow.

Oct 21 – Drawed Buckwheat. Thrashed some. Jim helped Louese in store. Sarah and Nancy went down to M. O. Streators.

Oct 22 – Thrashed Buckwheat got it all in at night. Hannah went to Mr Simmons in morning.

Oct 23 – Cool some rainy. Mrs Skinner, Sate and Sarah went over to Nancys. Rained snowed and blowed and rained. Finished Thrashing Buckwheat had 10 & one ½ bushels. Mrs Skinner and Sate stayed here all night.

Oct 24 – Cool North East wind. Mrs Skinner and Sate went home to day. Dug potatoes in south lot and some in corn field.

Oct 25 – Went up in woods got load wood. Chored round.

Oct 26 – Went down to Katharines stayed all night. Lucy and Katharine out to Hellens. Hellen is very sick with Typhoid fever.

Oct 27 – Came home from Kates in forenoon. Husked corn in afternoon. Nice weather.

Oct 28 – Husked corn to day. E. R. Strait over here to work on patterns. Some windy. Henry came home to day. Hellen some better this morning.

Oct 29 – Husking corn. Very windy. Mart thrashing clover to to J. Flanders. Henry went up to see Stafford.

Oct 30 – Husking corn put in 30 bushels. Fine day. Went to mill 2 Bushels wheat one and half corn.

Oct 31 – No work to day. Mr Stephen Hall and wife here to day carried them over to Hoags at night. Old Mr Nye Died.[120]

Nov 1 – Carried Louese over to burg in forenoon. Nancy, Louese and the children went up to Skinners[?] on the noon train. Went over to burg in Evening after Jims things. Sawed some wood.

Nov 2 – Snows like fun not very cold. Snow fell 8¾ inches. Henry L. and Hank Brown stayed all night. Hannah went up to Mr Ralphs. Nancy and Louese out to Loises. Old Mr Nye Buried to day.

Nov 3 – Pleasant shiny morning. Not much done. Went up in wood got one load wood.

Nov 4 – Put up stove in shop. Theodore called here. Jim went Kalamazoo with Mr Brown.

Nov 5 – Snows some this morning. Drawed one load wood two loads corn. Ethan casting his moddle castings.

Nov 6 – Pleasant day. Went down to Katharines. All at home. Hellen some better. Louese and Ina came home this morning.

Nov 7 – Husking corn. Nice day.

Nov 8 – Husking corn. Lois and Will came. Finished husking in the lot. Rained in night.

Nov 9 – Cloudy morning not very cold. Mr Browns folks here in Evening. Mrs Emeline Davison and Mrs Corkins[121] came with them.

Nov 10 – Jim and Will husked corn in afternoon for Brown. Killed two pigs in forenoon. Lois and Nancy went down to Katharines. Had a thunder shower in night. Thundered and Ligtened right smart.

Nov 11 – Cloudy and warm. Lois went up to Mr Flanders. Carried Hannah down to J. Gibbenys. Jim husking for Mr Brown. Rained some Mercury 69. Worked in stable. Rainy night warm spring weather.

Nov 12 – Mercury 64 in morning. Rainy morning real spring weather. Ethan and Henry working on moddle. Ethan making pattern for J. C. Blake.

Nov 13 – Dug some potatoes in East garden. Lois and Sally[122] went over to Nancys. Ethan carried Blakes patterns over to foundry. Bot Barn door hook of Bidwell. Mercury 70 Abz.

Nov 14 – Some rainy some thunder some Lighting about four Oclock. Went over to burg in morning. Lois went over stayed with Nancy. Went up in woods. Jim and Will Mercury 64 Abz sawed some wood. I cut down tree. Boys all went over to burg in afternoon to the theater Philometheans.[123]

Nov 15 – Jim went down to Katharines. Chored round.

Nov 16 – At home all day. All well.

Nov 17 – Drawed cornfodder and sweet corn out of west garden. Mary Ann Oscar[124] called here.

Nov 18 – Sawed wood up in woods, sawed up the black oak. Mary Ann came down stayed all night.

Nov 19 – Jim and I sawed up tree in forenoon cut 21 logs or lengths of stove wood. Very Windy day. Mary Ann went up to her Fathers.[125] Henry an Ethan went to burg. Mr Brown drawing corn.

Nov 20 – Drawed two loads wood. Chored around. Went down to Browns in afternoon carried crick bed scythe and sage and various things. Cold windy day. Forty years ago to night I played for a Wedding party at Comstock. D. M. Hall and Matila Newman wer married.[126]

Nov 21 – Cold some snow flying this morning. Working around house and barn. Went over to burg carried over 3 bushels Buckwheat. Took Dinner with Mrs Betts also Tea. Had Oysters for Dinner.

Nov 22 – Went over and got Buckwheat flour in morning. Chored round.

Nov 23 – Carried Jim down to Marts. He is going to school down there. Hank & Nancy called here when they went home in Evening. Hannah went down to Mr Browns in Evening. She is sewing for Jule & Mrs Corkins.

Nov 24 – Worked up in woods in forenoon. Henry and Sarah went over to burg at noon. Hank and Nancy went to Kalamazoo, they had Bill and buggy. High wind South west. Wind South West.

Nov 25 – Worked round cut some wood. Went up to the sawmill got plank to make cross head. Went down to Mr Browns in Evening Mrs Corkins.

Nov 26 – Went down to Browns got bedstead. Drawed two loads wood. Rainy afternoon. Mrs Corkins left for home[127] on Evening train.

Nov 27 – Rainy. Not much done but chores. Boys to work in shop.

Nov 28 – Made cross head for Theodore. Ethan and Henry over to burg. Some windy no snow.

Nov 29 – Worked around house in shop some. Went over to burg in Evening. Brot Nancy, Hannah, Louese and Claud and Lelah. Hank came over on foot. Not very cold, some windy, no snow.

Nov 30 – All at home. Jim came up from Marts. Carried Hanks folks in Evening. Claud took sled home to use a while.

Dec 1 – Very pleasant day sun shines no wind. Choring round. Barber brot his wheel over to get it new rimmed.

Dec 2 – Worked in shop some. Went over to burg, bot lamp chimneys and tin for stovepipe. Not very cold.

Dec 3 – Sawed out felloes[128] for Barbers wheel. Repaired Hugh Aldrich violin. Filed saw for N. L. Randal.[129]

Dec 4 – Cloudy not very cold. Cattle out to pasture. Drawed two loads wood. Boys to work on Binder.

Dec 5 – Fine day sun shone all day. Rimed Barbers wheel. Carried 3 bushels wheat to mill just at night. Hugh Aldrich got his violin 25¢. Seems like spring.

Dec 6 – Worked round shop and house. Not much done.

Dec 7 – Went down to Marts. All well. No snow not very cold.

Dec 8 – Chored round. Carried Hannah Went over to burg after Hannah. Robert Crawford[130] came on noon train.

Dec 9 – Rainy not very cold. Robert, Sarah and I went over to burg at noon took dinner with Mrs Betts. Had a big shower rained all night.

Dec 10 – Rained this morning not quite warm Mercury 58 Abz. Worked on R. E. Straits violin. Carried Hannah over to burg at night brot Sarah home. Robert went to Battlecreek. Henry went up to the Creek to get some Steel to make needle point. Freezing some tonight no snow.

Dec 11 – Put Straits violin together. Nice day for the time of year.

Dec 12 – At home. Drawed wood. Robert came over. Not much done. Nice weather for winter no snow.

Dec 13 – At home. Went over to burg in Evening after Hannah. Jesse W. Turners 80 Eightieth birthday.

Dec 14 – Robert came over in morning stayed until noon. He went over to burg stayed to Nancys all night. Jim and Katharine came up.

Dec 15 – Snowed and blows some like winter. Jim Came home this morning. Went over to burg. Robert left on the one Oclock run he went to Dowagiac.

Dec 16 – Worked round cut some wood drawed some wood. About four inches snow. Hannah went to Mrs Howlets to sewing or to make a woolen Gown.

Dec 17 – Worked round house and shop. Went over to burg just at night after Ethan. Blake made needle for Binder.

Dec 18 – Some sleighing. Ethan went over to burg after needle. I went up in woods cut one load wood. Hannah Came home She went back to Caywoods. Mr Caywood Came and got sewing machine. He no freeze not much some.

Dec 19 – Cut and drawed one load wood. Carried 7½ bushels Buckwheat to Mill. Not very good sleighing. Paid Katharines tax $18.88 cts. Elmer Latell came down and got some Turning done.

Dec 20 – Chored round in forenoon. Went over to mill in afternoon. Saw Quinn Streator and Solomon Kingsley.

Dec 21 – At home all day. Very windy cold East wind. Rain and sleet in Evening, not much snow.

Dec 22 – Sleigh runs verry nicely this morning. Hannah at Caywoods. Henry going to the creek to get goods. Quincy Streator went back to Ohio to day.

Dec 23 – Shelled some corn took it to mill 4 bushels. Sarah went over to burg stayed all day. Went over at night after her. Henry got back from the creek. Very good sleighing. Hannah came home from Caywoods.

Dec 24 – Not very cold, some ice, river very high. Went over to burg in Evening.

Dec 25 – Went At home. Very blustrous. Went over to burg. Went down to Browns. Carried saw home. Jim and I sawed wood in forenoon.

Dec 26 – Cold and blustrous. Went over to burg. Carried boards over to get plainned for panels. Got grist. Mercury 6 Abz.

Dec 27 – Not very cold Mercury 19 Abz ca.

Dec 28 – At home. Jim came up. Louese at home to day.

Dec 29 – Drawed four loads wood. Went over to burg got my boards at Straits.

Dec 30 – Put in knee to Charley Towns bob, he paid 75 cts. Not very cold, not much snow, rather sandy sleighing.

Dec 31 – Snows some. Ethan gone over to burg. Mercury 29 Abz at nine 30 AM

——-

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

[2] Galesburg, Michigan

[3] Edna Alice (Crawford) Allen, the daughter of his wife’s late brother, Edwin, & Mary (Hamilton) Crawford

[4] Neighbors, Ambrose & Matilda (Allen) Brown, who were the parents of his son-in-law, Henry Brown. Matilda’s sister, Julia Allen, who lived with Ambrose & Matilda, was also there

[5] His son-in-law and daughter, Henry & Nancy (Keith) Brown

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

[7] Both the Brown and Keith families were believers in Spiritualism and participated in seances. Chee Chee was Ambrose Brown’s spirit guide

[8] January 1-5 entries were originally written in the back of his 1878 dairy and then copied into his 1879 diary. This phrase, however, was only in his 1878 diary

[9] His daughter, Hannah Keith

[10] FindAGrave.com shows that Lucinda (Curtis) Brown died January 4, 1879 in Warsaw, Wyoming County, New York, and is buried in Wrights Corner Cemetery, Wyoming, New York

[11] His cousin, the son of Charles & Juliana (Davis) Lee

[12] His son, Ethan Keith

[13] FindAGrave.com confirms that Phillip Goodrich died January 6, 1879 in Galesburg, Michigan, and is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Comstock, Michigan

[14] His youngest son, James Clinton Keith

[15] His wife, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[16] His son-in-law, Adelbert Skinner

[17] Alfleda (Starr) Keith, the widow of his brother, Harvey Keith

[18] Above zero

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

[20] His cousin, Orrin Strong Lee, the son of Ezekiel & Elizabeth (Strong) Lee

[21] His grandson, Claude Keith Brown

[22] Hannah was a seamstress so it is thought this was one of the items she used in her sewing

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

[24] Neighbor, Joseph Flanders

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

[26] Neighbor, Marius O. Streator

[27] Mabel Streator was born to Henry “Harry” & Helen (Randall) Streator. Since Helen is the baby’s mother, presume Luke is being funny. Harry Streator was the son of Marius & Laura (Rawson) Streator

[28] Etc.

[29] His son, Henry Lindsey Keith

[30] Neighbor, Amanda (Hobbs) Flanders

[31] FindAGrave.com records show that Almira Fancher, the wife of Jacob Fancher, died January 30, 1879 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[32] FindAGrave.com reveals that Eliza (Beadle) Rogers died February 3, 1879 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[33] Michigan death records confirm that Ruth (Scarborough) McClary died in Charleston, Michigan on February 5 and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[34] Laura (Rawson) Streator, the wife of Marius O. Streator (see footnote to January 23^rd entry)

[35] Neighbor, Edwin P. Flanders, the son of Joseph & Amanda (Hobbs) Flanders

[36] Neighbor, Thomas Clark Ford

[37] Matilda (Allen) Brown (see footnote to January 1^st entry)

[38] Mary Tamer Ford, the daughter of neighbors Thomas & Adelia (Tompkins) Ford

[39] FindAGrave.com records show that Volney Hascall died on February 24, 1879 (not the 21^st), in Kalamazoo County, Michigan and is buried in Mountain Home Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Michigan

[40] His son-in-law and daughter, Adelbert & Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner

[41] His granddaughter, Ina, the daughter of Adelbert & Lois Skinner

[42] Lucy (Lee) Milham, his niece (Catherine’s daughter by her second husband, George Clinton Lee)

[43] Martin Milham, the husband of his niece, Lucy (Lee) Milham

[44] Neighbor

[45] FindAGrave.com records reveal that Thomas C. Clark died on March 10, 1879 in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[46] The long shaft between which an animal is fastened when pulling a wagon

[47] Jessie “Nettie” Keith was the daughter of his cousin, James “Oscar” & Mary Ann (Batey) Keith. FindAGrave.com shows that she died on March 3 (not the 14^th) and is buried in Covert Cemetery, Covert, Michigan

[48] Believe he is referring to his grandson (see footnote to March 18^th entry)

[49] Willard C. Batey, the brother of Mary Ann (Batey) Keith (see footnote to March 14^th entry)

[50] His grandson, William Byron Clark, the son of his daughter Lois by her first husband, Byron Clark

[51] Michigan death records and FindAGrave.com confirm that Thomas C. Brownell died March 29, 1879 and is buried in Mountain Home Cemetery, Kalamazoo, Michigan

[52] From Luke’s diary entry of 2-28-1863: Mark & Joseph Lee Brot up Aunt Rhodas remains & buried them side of Clinton. (Note: Marquis deLafayette Lee was the grandson and Joseph Warren Lee was the son of Charles Lee & Rhoda Keith. Believe “Clinton” refers to George Clinton Lee, Charles & Rhoda’s son.) George Clinton Lee was buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[53] “Mark” is referred to quite often in Luke’s earlier diaries and it is believed Luke is referring to his cousin, Marquis de Lafayette Lee, the oldest son of Dr. Ezekiel and Elizabeth (Strong) Lee. The Lees were Mormons and moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, and eventually to the Salt Lake Valley in 1850. Mark stayed behind to run his father’s farm and lived with his aunt, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee, until the Spring of 1870 when he moved to Utah

[54] Ambrose & Matilda (Allen) Brown; see footnote to the January 1^st entry)

[55] Neighbors, Marius O. Streator, and his wife, Laura (Rawson) Streator; it is believed Cyrus Streator, who lived in Waverly, Michigan, was Marius’ brother

[56] Mary “Polly” (Sprague) Nobles was the first cousin of Luke’s first wife, Jerusha Crittenden. FindAGrave.com confirms that she died April 6, 1879 in Pavilion, Genesee County, New York and is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York

[57] Neighbor and “shirttail relative”

[58] No marriage record was found; however, the 1880 census shows Sherman Comings and his wife, Cornelia Comings, living in Comstock, Michigan

[59] Michigan death records show that Alanson Brininstool died April 17, 1879 in Comstock, Michigan; his burial location is unknown

[60] Elizabeth (Strong) Lee was the wife of Dr. Ezekiel Lee, Luke’s first cousin. She actually died in Peoa, Utah, and was the mother of Orrin Lee (see footnote to January 12^th entry)

[61] His horse

[62] Tekonsha is located in Calhoun County, Michigan

[63] Michigan death records show that Hiram Wolcott died April 27, 1879 in Climax, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Boughton Cemetery, Kalamazoo, Michigan

[64] His neighbor, Erasmus Towne

[65] His neighbor, Richard Barber

[66] Ambrose & Matilda Brown’s son, Willis Brown

[67] Michigan death records confirm that Amos Rogers, age 33, died of consumption on May 16, 1879 and FindAGrave.com reveals that he is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[68] Marion Adelpha York, the granddaughter of his sister, Katharine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[69] James Milham was the half-brother of Martin Milham (see footnote for March 2^nd entry)

[70] FindAGrave.com confirms that Anna Hurd was buried in the Riverside Cemetery, Kalamazoo, Michigan on May 20, 1879

[71] Michigan death records reveal that Andrus M. Evans died May 21, 1879 in Charleston, Michigan, and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[72] FamilySearch.com shows that William Plank died May 2, 1879 [as opposed to May 22] and FindAGrave.com lists his place of burial as Greenwood Cemetery in Grand Rapids, Michigan

[73] Michigan death records reveal that Hepsa Cornell died May 24, 1879 and FindAGrave.com shows that she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[74] Michigan death records reveal that Isabel Lemon died May 24, 1879 in Pavilion, Michigan

[75] Neighbor, Isaac D. L. Schram

[76] Michigan marriage records confirm that John F. Tomlinson married Hattie A. Root in Concord, Jackson County, Michigan on June 4, 1879

[77] His sister, Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague

[78] Neighbor, Orrin D. Schram. Orrin was the father of Isaac D. L. Schram (see footnote for May 28^th entry)

[79] Neighbor, John Quincy Streator, the son of Marius O. Streator

[80] Michigan marriage records show that Henry Nobles married Katie B. Nickhane on June 23, 1879 in Niles, Michigan

[81] Neighbor, Charles Towne; his daughter Hannah’s future husband

[82] Jesse & Sarah “Sally” (Davis) Turner; Luke and Jesse were maternal first cousins

[83] Neighbor, Hannibal “Hat” A. Taylor

[84] Daughter of neighbors, Richard & Mary (Knowles) Barber

[85] For more about the binder see my blog post at https://lettersfromthe1860s.wordpress.com/2018/11/15/ethan-keith-inventor

[86] Mary (Hamilton) Crawford and her son, Emmett Patrick Crawford, the wife and son of the late Edwin Crawford who was the brother of Luke’s wife, Sarah

[87] Neighbor, William H. Knapp

[88] Neighbor, Albert Carlton

[89] A short piece of decorative drapery hung over the top of a door or window or draped from a shelf or mantelpiece

[90] Believe this to be Helen (Bradley) York, the daughter of Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee, and niece of Martha “Patty” (Keith) Sprague

[91] His daughter, Louese Keith; she had been living in Chicago with her uncle and aunt, Hiram & Katherine (Atcheson) Crawford, while attending school there

[92] Assume she was Louese’s friend from Chicago

[93] Amanda (Hobbs) Flanders; her husband Joseph’s sister, Hannah (Flanders) Wilmarth; uncertain as to Mate Flanders’ identity

[94] Michigan death records show that Alice (Hughes) Storms died at the age of 32 on August 6, 1879 in Comstock, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Prairieville Cemetery in Prairieville, Michigan

[95] Perry, Wyoming County, New York; his sister Patty’s daughter and son-in-law, Marion (Sprague) & George Tomlinson, lived in Perry

[96] His granddaughter, Lela Brown, Nancy & Henry Brown’s daughter who was almost one year old

[97] Neighbor, the son of Albert & Margaret (Jackson) Hubbard

[98] Neighbor, Ransom E. Strait

[99] Michigan death records indicate that Martha (Knapp) Perry, age 24, died of Typhoid Fever on August 15, 1879

[100] Michigan death records, the 1880 Census Mortality Schedule and FindAGrave.com show that Alvah/Elva Burgess, age 23, died of consumption on August 18, 1879 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[101] Nickname for his daughter, Louese Keith

[102] Joseph & Helen (Bradley) York; Helen was the daughter of Luke’s sister, Catherine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[103] Dowagiac, Michigan, where the family of Sarah’s late brother, Edwin Crawford, lived

[104] A perennial flowering plant of the aster family. Tansy was used to treat intestinal worms, rheumatism, digestive problems, fevers, sores, and to bring out measles

[105] Neighbor, James Spier

[106] Believe he is referring to his neighbor, James Jackson

[107] Julia Allen, Matilda (Allen) Brown’s sister

[108] The 1880 Federal Census Mortality Schedule confirms that William Gilmore, aged 70, died in New York in September 1879 and FindAGrave.com shows he is buried in Pavilion Cemetery, Pavilion, New York, although it shows the date of death as 1878

[109] Believe he is referring to Bible lovers

[110] Neighbor, Bela Wright

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

[112] Neighbor, Sarah Jane (Mason) Hoag

[113] The 1880 Federal Census Mortality Schedule confirms that Helen “Ella” (Randall) Streator, age 25, wife of Henry “Harry” Streator (see footnote to January 29^th entry), died of consumption on September 28, 1879 and FindAGrave.com shows she is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[114] Mary (Knowles) Barber

[115] Adelbert Skinner’s (see footnote to January 16^th entry) mother and sister, Sarah (Knight) Skinner and Sarah “Sate” Skinner

[116] Michigan death records show that Julietta Stephenson, age 37, died in Comstock, Michigan on October 10, 1879; however no other information concerning her was found at this time

[117] Michigan death records show that Mary Stowell, age 58, died of heart disease in Comstock on October 8, 1879; no other information was found

[118] Michigan death records show that Frances Bell Hart, age 7 months, died in Richmond, Michigan, on October 11, 1879, and FindAGrave.com shows that she is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Hart and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[119] Paw Paw, Michigan, where Alfleda’s (see footnote to January 10^th entry) daughter Frances Catherine “Kate” (Keith) Chaffee’s family lived

[120] Michigan death records shows that Jonathan Nye died October 31, 1879 in Charleston, Michigan and FindAGrave.com shows that he is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Galesburg, Michigan

[121] Believe this is actually Mary (Allen) Calkins, Matilda (Allen) Brown’s sister. She is also mentioned on November 23, 25 & 26

[122] Assume he is referring to his wife, Sarah. Their marriage license lists her name as Sally

[123] The Philomathean Society was founded in 1813 “for the advancement of learning” and appears to have been a sort of debate society. Perhaps this is what Luke was referring to

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

[125] John Batey, who lived in Pavilion, Michigan

[126] Luke made the following entry in his 1839 Ledger/Diary: “November the 20 1839 Attended A party at Cumstock or A wedding rather.” Results from a search of Ancestry.com shows a family tree (Lisa Grace Warren Family Tree) wherein Daniel Mason Hall (1816-1891) married Matilda D. Newman (1820-1908) about 1840

[127] The 1880 census shows she was living in Wysox, Carroll County, Illinois

[128] Felloe or felly – rim, or segment of the rim, of a spoked wheel

[129] Neighbor, Nathan L. Randall

[130] His wife’s brother

Henry Brown’s 1873 Diary

1873 DIARY OF HENRY A. BROWN[1]

Jan 1x[2] – I have taken 2 gems[3] to day, 3 groop, 3 Gems of Clark Wheeler. Got a pair of Suspenders. Nancy[4] is sick to day. Went over to father Browns[5] and stayed all night. Took our bird over there. It was a very pleasant day. Hannah[6] was to our house to day.

Jan 2x – Started for Benton Harbor to day. Took dinner at Grand Junction and had to wait until 8 oclock so went all over the City. We[7] arrived in Benton H about ½ past 9 o’clock. Put up at the American House. It has been a very bad stormy day and I am tired now and sleepy to.

Jan 3 – It is an awful unpleasant day, rains and friezes as fast as it falls. Went up to St Joseph this forenoon, came back to Benton about 11 oclock. Made arangements with H. C. Morton (Nem). Left Benton 1 oclock and 10 minutes, arived at Grand Junction 3 oclock (min) /2.

Jan 4 – Pleasant day to day. I had to sleep alone last night. I have taken 4 gems and 2 neg’s. Nancy is over to Father Browns yet and I go over there to night. Subscribed 50 cts for Lecture course to day. I choped mince meat and apples this evening for Mother.[8]

Jan 5x – Paid Aunt Julia[9] 50 cts and have paid her 5.00 besides which makes 5.50. Will[10] brought us down to Father Keiths[11] to day. Ethan[12] came and brought us home in the evening. Nancy was sick and we went to bed about 7 oclock. Pleasant.

Jan 6x – Pleasant. Nancy was sick this morning, did not get up until ten oclock, and then she was up and down all day. Took one negative to day. Byron[13] came up to day and I paid him 35 cts for team use.

Jan 7 – Pleasant. I went to Kalamazoo to day on Accomidation, came back on Mail. Nancy was sick all day to day. Took more baby pictures to day than I ever took in one day before. Met Cousin Oscar Yates[14] at Kalamazoo.

Jan 8x – Tryed to be pleasant to day but made out to be most awful cold and blustering. Nancy was sick again to day, is better now so that she is stringing beads. Printed to day. Making molasses candy to night.

Jan 9 – Very Blustering to day and cold. Have not taken any pictures to day except One Neg. Nancy was sick to day. Ethan and Henry[15] were here to day. Father drew me a load of wood.

Jan 10x – Very Cold and Blustering again to day, worse than yesterday. Did not take any pictures to day. Nancy sick. Mr Van Buren Lectures to night. Subject “Labor.”

Jan 11x – Wether modarate. Took a negative of Ma[16] to day, she was here a visiting to day. Did not take any pictures to day. Father and Will were here.

Jan 12 – Pleasant. Stayed at home all day, no one here to day. I went down to the depo and saw two new palace cars. Nancy took a napp.

Jan 13x – Stormy and warm. Have been busy all day. Opened Arthurs[17] box and took out a frame and mat and Looking glass and hung them up. Put some pictures in the mat.

Jan 14 – Pleasant but cloudy. Printed to day. We went to Mr Barbers[18] this evening, had a circle.[19] Mr Bailey and wife[20] were there, Pa and Ma, Father & Mother, Mr & Mrs Streator[21] were there. Pa went to Howlands burg to mill to day.

Jan 15 – Very unpleasant to day, rainy and icey. Hannah came up here this morning and stayed all day. Ida[22] came this afternoon. Dalenbeck is haveing a Law sute about stolen wheat. J Shafter, G & J Strubal and another man are arested.

Jan 16x – Snowed all day, there was about one foot of snow fell to day, cleared off about four oclock. Ida Allen[23] was here to day. Nancy was sick abed part of the time.

Jan 17x – Pleasant to day. I printed to day. Father, Pa & Ma have been here, did not stay any. We went to the Lecture this evening, a Mr. Frazer, Supt of Kalamazoo Schools.

Jan 18 – Quincy Streator[24] came this (home) morning. It has been a pleasant day to day but cold. Have taken one picture to day. Nancy went over home with Pa to day and I went over at night. Nancy is sick with the headache. Will Plank[25] came home to day.

Jan 19x – Stormy and cold. At Pa’s to day. Henry & Ethan were at home to day. Ethan is stopping at Aunt Kates.[26] We all ate at Mr. Planks.[27] Mrs Plank[28] and me had a very lively discussion on religion this evening. Fred Allerton[29] ate at Planks to day. Will went home with him.

Jan 20x – Pleasant but cold. Will Plank and Carrie & Mary[30] came over and got a groop taken. Carrie, Mary & Hannah visited at our house to day. Will went back to day. Nancy did not get home until one oclock.

Jan 21 – Pleaseant. In an hour snowed all day, warm. Took two pictures for Charley Haywood to day. Nancy has had a head ache all day. I brought 1½ bu of Patatoes to day. Paid 1.12 for them.

Jan 22 – Pleasant. Henry Keith and Pa were here to day. Emma Allen[31] was here to supper. The Allens, Ida Barber and us went over to Pa’s. We had Mr Barbers horse and Buggy cutter. Got home about 11 oclock.

Jan 23x – Cold and stormy. We ate Breakfast by lamp light this morning for the first time in my married life. I took my first lesson in inking to day on Mr Evans.

Jan 24 – Pleasant. Henry, Louis[32] & Sate[33] were here to day. I took 4 Gems for Sate and Louis to gather. Father, Mother and Aunt Julia were here to night. Will and Mary Plank and Sis[34] went to the Lecture. J. A. B. Stone Lectured.

Jan 25 – Pleasant. James[35] was here to day. Eberly Underwood[36] came up here and stayed almost two hours. Henry was comeing after us to go home with him but did not come. Nancy & me have both been sick to day.

Jan 26xx – Pleasant. We have been at home all day to day. Moly and her Amos did not go to church. I wrote two letters to day, one to Uncle Sidney[37] & one to E. P. Wightman.[38] Father, Mother and Will were here to night.

Jan 27 – Pleasant. I took another ink lesson to day. Took 1 neg and 2 Tin types. Nancy has been sick all day. I contracted 6 cords of wood to day of Henry Covil at 200 per cord. Loaded up.

Jan 28 – Rail Road Colision this morning at three oclock. I got up and went down. It was on the switch. Pleasant but cold. Nancy went to Mr Potts Funelel[39] with Ida Barber.

Jan 29 – Cold. Nancy has been sick all day. Took one negative to day.

Jan 30 – Cold. Pa was up to see us a little while this morning. Came over with Alvin and Jess Lee.[40] They were Breaking Colts.

Jan 31 – Pleasant. Dull day for Pictures. I inked all day on Mr Evans[?] Picture. Father and Will came down and went to the lecture. We did not go to the lecture because Nancy was sick.

Feb 1x – Pleasant but cold. Nancy went over to Pa’s this morning and Will came over and I came home with him, stoped and got Nancy. Mrs White was at our house, stayed all night. Took 2.40 worth of Gems.

Feb 2x – Pleasant But cold. Will and Nancy & me went down and got Hannah. Pa, Ma & James came up and got her in the evening. Nancy is sick. White went home this after noon.

Feb 3 – Stormy. I went to Kal[41] with Fathers team. Went down on the north side of the river came back on the south side, got home half past twelve. Helped shell corn and draw wood. Nancy is sick.

Feb 4 – Pleasant. We are at Fathers yet. Nancy is sick, she has gone to bed. I have taken one dollar and seventy five cents worth of gems to day. Helped Amos move his book case to day.

Feb 5 – Pleasant. We are at home again and Hannah is with us. I have been very busy to day printing and takeing gems. Nancy is sick to day. I went down town this evening a little while.

Feb 6 – Warm and pleasant. Hannah is at our house yet. Wrote to Dr. Sullings to day. Printed and took 2 gems. I have got my prints all mounted. Nancy and Hannah have gone to bed. Pa was here to day. Ethan is sick.

Feb 7 – Warm and Pleasant. Nancy has had a very hard headache all day. Galesburg was favored with an auction store to day. I bought me a pair of boots and Nancy a pair of slippers.

Feb 8x – Stormy and warm, grew cold on toward night. Nancy is a little better to night but pretty tired. I went down to the band room to night, bought Nancy a pair of shoes.

Feb 9x – Pleasant and warm. Hannah went home to night with Pa and Louesa[42] is going to stay over here a few days. Nancy is beter to day than she has been in two weeks most.

Feb 10 – Pleasant. Business dull. Sis is here yet. I went over to the auction store to night and made them give me a Blacking brush. Went to bed about seven o’clock.

Feb 11 – Pleasant. I have printed to day. Mr Burgess came up to night and said print the rest of those photos. Sad affair happened to night. Miss Carrie Homles sent her picture back.

Feb 12 – Pleasant. Printed to day one picture of Will M^cColum. Nancy is sick to day. I took two negatives of the M. E. church to day. Took 2 gems and a negative of Guss Hiney to day.

Feb 13x – Cloudy and snowed a little, cold. I have not done any thing to day but sit around and gap and stretch and stretch and gap and gap and stretch and stretch and gap and, and, and, and, and, and.

Feb 14 – Pleasant. Dull day, did not have any thing to do to day But Print and only a few prints to make.

Feb 15 – Pleasant to day. Had more gems to take to day than I have had before in many a day. Father was here this evening and so were Pa & Ma, Mary and Carrie Plank. Louesa went home to night.

Feb 16xx – Pleasant but cloudy. We have been alone to day for the first time in most two weeks. Father and Mother were here this evening a little while. Nancy is better to day than she has been in two or three days.

Feb 17 – Most a splendid day. I have took quite a lot of pictures to day But to day has been the worse day that I ever saw with me. Every thing has went ass end foremost, a topsy turvey. Will was over to night to ask us to go up to Mr Fords tomorrow evening.

Feb 18 – Pleasant. Louis was here to day. Nancy went up home with her so to go to Mr Flanderes[43] to night. She was sick and had to go to bed. Miss Earl and Miss Allerton were there. We stayed all night.

Feb 19 – Pleasant. Henry brought us home this morning and I have done some business since if I know myself. Miss Mary Warren commenced work in my room to day. Nancy is better. Letters from Loyd & Ely.

Feb 20x – Pleasant in the forenoon but snowed in the afternoon. Printed to day. Henry Keith starts for New York to night. I expect Allice Carey was here this afternoon a little while. Got a letter from Walzl (?) to day.

Feb 21- Pleasant part of the day and stormy the rest of it. I cleaned my show case to day. Took 2 gems of Misty Chafey.[44] Kate & Louis were here to day with Pa, did not stay very long.

Feb 22 – Stormy and cold. Printed a little to day and have got it mounted. Have not done any bussiness to day, only took in 1.50. Nancy has got sore lips. I have had a headache ever since last night, better.

Feb 23x – Stormy, very cold and some blustering. Father came over to night and brought us some apples and butter and some egg, two pies, some cabage cut up cold, amen.

Feb 24 – Cold and blustering but some warmer than it was yesterday. I have not done much work to day. Took one neg of Zell Glligan and two gems. Ethen stoped here to day when he went to Kal to take his lesson. He said Ma was coming over tomorrow.

Feb 25 – Pleasant. No business to day but John Carey and wife and they are business if I know any thing about business. I have taken four or five negatives a piece of them and now I dont expect they will be suited.

Feb 26x – Cloudy. Comenced snowing about four oclock and snows yet (9 o’clock). Not very cold. Pa and Ma were here to day. Last night after we got to bed, Will, Ed and Chub, Louesa, Stella ang Clara came to visit us.

Feb 27x – Snowed all day. Father came over to day to get the horses shod and mother came along and they stayed all of the afternoon. I have taken one baby’s picture to day. Mary was here to day.

Feb 28 – Cloudy and warm to day. No business at all. Received a letter from E. P. Wightman to day. Pa went up to Howlands to mill to day. Nancy got 3 yds of Calico to day and 5# Sugar.

Mar 1 – Cloudy and some dull. Vilage caucus to day, some excitement at the caucus about officers. Nancy went over to Pa’s today and I went over at night and Ethan took us down to Fathers.

Mar 2x – Cloudy and sunshiney by spells. I got one hundred a fifty dollars of Aunt Julia to day and gave my note payable on demand at “10 pr ct”. Father signed it with me. Dated tomorow. Hannah is sick abed to night. (back)

Mar 3 – Pleasant. Lection to day of Vilage officers. I took 4 gems and 2 negatives to day. Father came over to night and got Nancy and me to go to Kalamazoo to morrow to that law suit. Nancy is going to stay to Pa’s tomorow.

Mar 4 – Pleasant to day but cold. Fathers and Allertons[45] suit comenced to day. I went over home last night and stayed all night to Fathers and in the morning I went and took N down to Pa’s and got him and took him to K.

Mar 5 – Pleasant and a little warmer than yesterday. At law to day again. Got done takeing testamony today and the lawyers got through talking law to the judge. We went home before they adjourned.

Mar 6 – Pleasant an warmer again to day but it was the coldest morning we have had an at leaste it froze the hardest in our rooms last night. Verdct renderd to day. Gave Father 22 dollars and all of the costs. Nancy came home to night.

Mar 7 – Pleasant. A dull day to day. Printed to day, did not have very good luck. Will Plank was here to day. He was out here on Allertons law sute, went home to day.

Mar 8 – Pleasant but windy. Eb was here to day and said he would go in with me if he could get the money. I have taken nine negatives to day. Jacks[46] people are here to night.

Mar 9 – Snowed last night and all day to day. Snow is now 6 or 8 in deap. I have worked all day to recouching negatives and fixing up things around a little.

Mar 10 – Pleasant But not much business.

Mar 11 – Pleasant part of the day. Printed to day and took in seven dollars. Father was here to day a little while. He went to Howlands burg to mill today. Mrs Alfred talked some of buying me out to day.

Mar 12 – Pleasant. Mrs Alfred is talking some of buying me out to day again but dont think she will hardly do it. I have taken two neg’s to day and three tin types.

Mar 13 – Pleasant. I printed to day and sold out to Mrs Alfred in part to day. Busines has been prety lively to day. Went to the bell ringers to night.

Mar 14 – Pleasant. Hannah and Ida were a visiting this afternoon and they and Mary P., Ethan and Henry were here to supper to night. Will was here this evening a little while.

Mar 15 – Rainey and windy. Eberly was here to day and we comenced takeing an Inventory of property that I am to put into trade. James was here to day. We came prety near haveing a fire in town to night.

Mar 16 – Pleasant to day and I printed. Last night the wind blew so hard that it shook the house. Will came over to day and went to church. He took our dirty cloths home with him.

Mar 17 – Not very pleasant to day nor very bad weather. Finished up pictures all day to day. Comenced haveing a sore throat to day but did not think it would amount to much. I went down to see about some lumber but did not buy any.

Mar 18 – Cloudy. I got up this morning and built two fires and loped around till after breakfast and then took two neg’s for Dalenbeck of his wind mill, then went to bed stayed all day. Ma, Pa, Father, Jim, Becky[47] & Mrs Plank were here to day.

Mar 19 – Cloudy. Ma stayed to Mr Hoags all night, came here and stayed to night. Father and Mother were here to day. I was sick all day. Nancy she did not feel very well. Ethan started to come over after Ma to night and Bill[48] ran away, broke the wagon all up.

Mar 20 – Cloudy and some stormy. Ma went home with Lowis before breakfast as she was over to bring the boys to take the Cars for Plainwell. Nancy is sick to day and I am better. Hannah came over to day with Father. Ethan was here also.

Mar 21 – Cloudy and blustering. Mrs Alfred comenced moveing in to day. Will came over to see how we were this morning and Ethan this afternoon. “We are.” Nancy worse, I am beter. Hannah is here yet. I must go to bed as I am tired. Worked to day.

Mar 22 – Pleasant. Mrs Alfred took her first pictures to day in this room. Father and Will were here to day. Ethan was here to night. Hannah is here yet. Eberly was here to day, spoke to Hannah to day.

Mar 23 – Pleasant. We have been packing up to day so to moove tomorrow. Hannah is here. Our people were here to night, all but Will and Arthur was with them. Father is comeing down tomorrow to moove us.

Mar 24 – Cloudy. We mooved to day. Mooved part of our things over to Pa’s and part over to Fathers. Nancy is not very well.

Mar 25 – Cloudy. I took three negatives of Ethan too day and two of Allie Wightman. Nancy is sick to day. Ethan got some rice and I got a beef bone and we had soop for supper.

Mar 26 – Cloudy. Nancy is sick, had Dr Alfred over to see her this morning. He said she only had the sore throat. Printed to day with Mrs Alfred, had very good luck. Rode home with Wolcott.

Mar 27 – Pleasant. I came over this morning and mounted my prints and retuched them and Eli took 6 home of Allie. Nancy had a trance[49] this evening and she felt better after it.

Mar 28 – Pleasant in the forenoon and rainey in the afternoon. I went to Battle Creek to day. Nancy is better to day and I am worse. I did not have any success at Battle Creek.

Mar 29 – Cloudy and some rainey to day. I stayed to home to day all day. Nancy and me were both worse to day. Ethan and me sawed wood to day a little while and then I went to bed.

Mar 30 – Pleasant part of the day and rainey part of the day. We were at Pa’s yet, have been here ever since last Monday night and dont know how long we shall remain here. Mr Planks people were at Pa’s to dinner to day.

Mar 31 – Pleasant but mudy and weather raw. I went to Vixburg to day. Went down to Kalamazoo on Accomidation at 9.53 A.M. and started from K. to V. at 4.15 P.M., started from V. to K. 7.10 P.M., started from K. to G. 9.30 P.M., got home at 11.00 oclock P.M.

Apr 1 – Rainey part of the day. I went to Augusta to day to see about getting a set of rooms to photograph in but did not succeed. We have been at Pas one week and a day and now we are at Fathers to stay a week or two.

Apr 2 – Stormy. I went over to the burg and got some pictures an other traps and mooved them over to our folkses. I cracked some black walnuts and butternuts to day. I was told to get some things at Pas but forgot them.

Apr 3 – Pleasant. I went down to Pas in the morning to get some things and ask Ethan to go with me up to Mr Flanderes and we went in the after noon. Aunt Mary Crawford[50] came to day. We went down to see her in the Evening with Pa.

Apr 4 – Pleasant. Ben Harthy came here last night to go to work to day. We commenced mooveing fence but we only mooved one load and then the sawyers came and we had to saw in the afternoon. I went up and got Skinners[51] hired man at noon.

Apr 5 – Pleasant. I helped saw again to day but was so lame that I could not do much but drive, so I quit at 3 o’clock and went to the burg. Pa and Ma went up to Aunt Kates to day. Miss Yawger was here to night.

Apr 6 – Stormy. Nancy, Hannah and myself went up to Aunt Kates to day. Aunt Kate is layd up with a burnt arm. She fell into a pot of boiling sugar. Lucy[52] is sick with epizoot. Hellen York[53] and her children[54] were there.

Apr 7 – Stormy. Town meeting to day. Father and me both staid away from town meeting. I went to the burg and got two loads of goods this forenoon and sawed wood in the afternoon. Got through.

Apr 8 – Stormy. Will an me went up to Fords to take up a load of traps for Boardman. I went to gales burg and got 32 yds calico for a tent and dress for Nancy and some other things, amt 4.72.

Apr 9 – Stormy. I sewed on the tent in the forenoon and Nancy helped me. She worked on it alone in the afternoon and I went up in the woods and choped a load of wood and then came down and got the team and drew it down to Pas.

Apr 10 – Pleasant. Went downd to Pa’s to day and went to ceeping house. I went over to the burg this morning and got some glass and pictures and some other things. Hannah went up to Fords to day “quilting.”

Apr 11 – It comenced raining last evening and rained some all night and a little this morning. Hannah got home this morning. I tinkerd all day on things to Photo ___ with. Pleasant this afternoon.

Apr 12 – Snowed last night about one inch. I went down to Fathers this morning and got some things and then went to the burg and got some groceries and chemicals. Went to the burg again this afternoon and got some meat.

Apr 13 – A very pleasant day to day. I wrote a letter to Loyd to day. Jimmie[55] and me went a guming to day up in Schrams woods. Pa went and took Ethan and Han up to Aunt Katies. Father and Mother went up to Uncle Woods[56] to day.

Apr 14 – Pleasant. I worked all day most trying to take pictures and working Cheimicals. Found that my dark tent was too light so went over to the Burg and got twelve yds more calico.

Apr 15 – Cloudy and some rainey to day. I worked on tent all of the forenoon and tried it and it worked first rate. I made envelopes this afternoon. Jimmie went to the Burg this forenoon and stayed all of the forenoon.

Apr 16 – Cloudy but not so bad as yesterday. I made 44 sticks for Nancy to curl her hair on. Went to the Burg in the afternoon and when I got back Ethan and me mooved the Privy. Father and Will Plowed to day.

Apr 17 – Stormy most of the time to day. Will Plank came here to day. Ethan, Will and me played crochet to day. Father went up to Mr Samples Auction to day. Will went to the Burg this afternoon. Nancy and me have got the toothache.

Apr 18 – Cloudy and raw. I played crochet with Will P., Ethan an Lou. I went to the Burg to day and got some cod fish oil, cloth and some thill[57] straps. Made the straps my self. Nancy and me bothe got the tooth ache to night.

Apr 19 – Pleasant. Very. I albumenized some glass to day and took some pictures. Took one picture of Laton and his peddle wagon. Ethan went to Kalamazoo to day and got some lines and a mane strap. Paid 95 cts for them.

Apr 20 – Pleasant but Some cloudy and a raw wind. Looked some like a storm. It snowed a little and rained a little. Henry and Will were here to day. Ethan and me were down to Fathers a little while.

Apr 21 – Cloudy and raw. We went down to Fathers to day. I took a negative of the house to day. I helped Will tar the boat to day and the tar got a fire. I played 5 games of crochet with Hannah this morning.

Apr 22 – Snow storm last night and this morning. It fell about six inches deep but it is almost gone now. Ethan has been working all day on patent right street car starter.[58] He and me went to the Burg this afternoon.

Apr 23 – Pleasant to day. I printed to day in the forenoon and plowed in the afternoon for Father. Mounted my prints about half past four in the afternoon. Ethan went over to the Burg this afternoon. He rode with H. D. Streeter Esq.[59]

Apr 24 – Pleasant. I finished up pictures this forenoon and helped wash. Went over to Galesburg in the afternoon. I go so Creisote[60] to put on my tooth. Ethan has been at work on modle all day.

Apr 25x – Pleasant. Henry came home from Elkhart last night and stoped at Pa’s and stayed all night and untill about noon to day. Ethan has been at work at modle. I have been loafing all day. Nancy is sick some to day.

Apr 26 – Not Very Pleasant to day but still it was not so bad that Ethan and me went to Kalamazoo. I had my tooth pulled to day. Got 2# Nitric and 2#Muriatic acid, One box Concentrated Lye. We stoped at Aunt Kates and got supper.

Apr 27 – Pleasant. Ethan and me went a guming to day. Will went to church to day on town. We had a mess of greens to day and three Roosters. Hannah and Ethan went up to the woods to day.

Apr 28 – Cloudy and sprinkled some. I went out a little while to day and tryed to get a job but could not so I came home again. Was gone from home six hours. I agreed to go and help Father to morrow.

Apr 29 – Pleasant. I comenced working for Father to day, worked all day. Ethan has got his modle done. John T. Allerton licked and drove his gray mare all the forenoon in a shamefull manner.[61] Ida Barber stayes with Hannah to night.

Apr 30 – Pleasant. I plowed for Father to day. He and mother and Will went to Kalamazoo to day. Ethan and Hellen Randall went with them. Will stayed all night with Charley Flecher.

May 1 – Cold this forenoon and Rained this afternoon. I worked untill ten o’clock and then turned out on account of the rain. Put the team in Pas barn until after dinner and then went down to Fathers with the team.

May 2 – Rainey in the morning but pleasant in the afternoon. I went down to Fathers, helped him run through a load of wheat for market and then I went up in the woods and split fence stakes until noon. Afternoon helped run through another load of wheat and then went to the Burg.

May 3 – Rainey in the morning but cleared off about nine o’clock. I worked in garden in the forenoon. Worked for Father in the afternoon at plowing. Mr Warren came over to see me about getting my life Insured.

May 4 – Pleasant all day. We were at home all day. Ethan and Hannah and Henry went down to Aunt Kates to day and Henry and Ethan went to Kalamazoo after medicine. I wrote to Dr Johnson to day and sent him 1.00.

May 5 – Pleasant. I plowed for Father all day. Will went over to the burg to day. Father went over this mor afternoon after noon and got some plaster. Lew Bristol[62] was at Fathers to day.

May 6 – Pleasant. I plowed for Father to day. Ethan went to town to day and got twelve dollars and a half on “pattent right.” He bought him a pair of pants and a necktie. Nancy wrote to Johnson today.

May 7 – Rainey all day to day but I plowed until about half past three P.M. Lowis was here to day. Halley comenced marking for corn. Father comenced draging this afternoon. Eliza Jane Ridler staid here to night.

May 8 – Rainey all day but cleared off about night. I went over to the Burg in the morning and got my boots repaired. Ethan and me worked all day on a bracket saw. Got it so that it worked first rate. Jack Bristol was married to day.[63]

May 9 – Pleasant in the forenoon and rained in the afternoon. I plowed for Father in the forenoon and in the afternoon Ethan and me worked on sawing machine. Nancy and me went up to Fathers and stayed all night.

May 10 – Cloudy all day, rained some. I worked at burning brush for Father in the forenoon and plowed and draged in the afternoon. Will went over to the Burg to night. Nancy came home when I went to plowing at noon.

May 11 – Rained in the morning and cloudy and cold the rest of the day. Hannah went up to Mr Giddings last night to help Susan. She has a little girl 2 or three days old.[64] Ethan and me went up to the saw mill.

May 12 – Pleasant but windy. Draged, plowed and Planted to day. Put in a full day. We comenced planting corn to day. Finished plowing for corn to day.

May 13 – Pleasant but windy. I planted corn ¾ of the day for Father and set out 49 cabbage plants. Ethan and I went over to Galesburg to night. Mr Halley[65] comenced planting to day. Pa and Ethan helped him.

May 14 – Pleasant but threatning rain. I planted corn and potatoes up to the west place in the forenoon and planted corn at the east place this afternoon. Mr Halley finished to day. Mrs and Miss Barber, Mother and Aunt Julia were here visiting to day.

May 15 – Pleasant but threatning rain. Planted corn for father to day, finished about five o’clock. Father and Will went over to the burg and Ethan went with them. He helped me plant part of the afternoon.

May 16 – Very Pleasant. I went down to Fathers this morning and worked at the compost until 9 oclock and then came down and went to putting it on the corn. Worked a little while and then came home and had the ague.[66] Took a dose of Pills to night.

May 17 – Pleasant. Pa delivered his heifer to day. I helped him drive her over to the burg. I stayed to the burg until half past two P.M. Talked trade with E. P. W.[67] some to day but did not come very neer tradeing. I sent Dr Johnson for medicine for Nancy.

May 18 – Pleasant to day to some but I have not spent a very day. I had a very hard fit of ague. Father and Mother came down to night and we went home with them to stay all night.

May 19 – Some rainey but we went to town. Ethan came down and rode with us. Nancy stayed to Aunt Katies while Ethan and I went to Kalamazoo. The great Eastern show was in Kalamazoo. They had three band wagons and one steam piano, 26 dens[?], 1 small Elephant, 2 camels, 10 couple Ladies and Gentlemen on horse back.

May 20 – Rainey this morning but cleared off in the afternoon. I had the ague all night last night and all day to day but sat up a little while along toward night. Father plowed a little piece down by the bottom land for potatoes. Nancy got her medicine.

May 21 – Pleasant. I have not got the ague to day so I go a greening down on the bottom land and get some horse radish and grate it and some artichokes and pickle them. Ethan Finished plowing today.

May 22 – Rained last night but pleasant to day. I escaped the ague last night but felt pretty bad in the forenoon, felt better in the afternoon. Ethan and I went a fishing, caught a quite mess. I feel better tonight.

May 23 – Pleasant but windy. I worked some to day. “Put in about ¼ of a day for father”. Mart Millham and wife and Child[68] were here to day. Ethan planted for Towns[69] people. They had to plant over.

May 24 – Pleasant. I put in ½ day helping Father plant potatoes. I went over to town in the Evening. Ethan, Sis and Hannah went up to Aunt Katies. Sis stayed all night and Net Whetmore came home with H and E.

May 25 – Pleasant. I have been at home all day. Nancy has been sick. Hannah and Ethan went to take Nettie Whitmore up to Aunt Katies. E Henry Keith was here a little while this afternoon and Henry Rodgers and little girl.

May 26 – Pleasant but threatning rain. Worked all day to day. Drew straw in the forenoon and piled lumber and choped in the afternoon. Nancy is better to night. Will was complaining of being sick to night. Ethan went to Kal. rode back with M. O. Streator.

May 27 – Warm and Showery. ¾ of a day worked at building and repairing fence. Ida and Libbie Allen were here this afternoon. Pa and Ma went down to Fathers to night. Pa went up to Fords after a brass kettle.

May 28 – Pleasant. Worked all day for Father. Nancy and Ma and Hannah came up to Fathers this afternoon. Nancy and me are going to stay all night. Father and me built fence all day. Will plowed.

May 29 – Pleasant. I worked all day Fixing fence and triming orchard. It looks like rain and sprinkled a little, the wind blows quite hard. Will was sick all day with the ague.

May 30 – Pleasant. I worked ¾ of a day for Father and he worked ¼ of a day for me. Nancy was taken sick this after noon and between 9 and 10 she gave birth to twins, both boys, one was dead and the other lived about two hours.

May 31 – Pleasant. I remained in the house all day with Nancy. She feels pretty well considering if she would give up the baby’s. She feels awful bad about loseing them and dont want to give them up. When she sleeps she talks about them all the time. Frost this morning.

Jun 1 – Pleasant. Frost this morning. Nancy is not as well this morning. She feels weak and aches all over. She is better this afternoon. Lowis, Mrs Skinner,[70] Arthur, Uncle Ed and Aunt Hannah[71] were here to see Nancy, and Henry Keith and Will Clark.[72]

Jun 2 – Pleasant. Nancy is better. I worked about a third of the time to day for Father and the rest of the time I was with Nancy. Lowis, Henry, Louesia, Ethan, Hannah, Ma, Mrs Ford and Tamer were here to day.

Jun 3 – Pleasant. Nancy is better. I worked ¼ of a day. Tip, Rass, Sate, Schram, Jim were here to day. Hannah came up, stay all night. I finished moovening the lane fences day. Allertons cattle were on Fathers to day.

Jun 4 – Pleasant. Nancy is getting better. I worked ¾ of a day. Eberley came along and stoped to Pa’s and asked if he could lay down as he was very sick so Ethan let him have the Lounge and then went and carried him home.

Jun 5 – Pleasant, very warm. Nancy is not quite so well to day. I worked my poll tax[73] to day. Mrs Skinner and Lowis were here this afternoon. Hannah went home a foot to night.

Jun 6 – Pleasant and very warm, Nancy is on the gain. I worked all day cultivating corn. Ma came home with me at night & Ethan came up and got her at dark. Nellie Stanford called this evening and Harry was at Pa’s.

Jun 7 – Pleasant and very warm. Nancy better. I worked all day, cultivated in the forenoon and washed sheep in the afternoon. Hannah came up with us at noon. Will went to town after we got through washing sheep.

Jun 8 – Pleasant, warm and looks as if it wood rain. Lowis was here this morning and Willie and Ethan and Milhams were here. Willis went to the consert with the horses and buggy. Nancy sat up and had her dress on.

Jun 9 – Pleasant but very warm. Nancy is not quite so well to day. Ma came up with me at noon. I put in 2/3 of a day cultivating corn. I went to the burg and got my hair cut and carried Mrs Alfred some chemicals ½# Ether, 1 pt Alcohol, ½# Colodion.

Jun 10 – Pleasant but dry and warm. I worked all day, drew stone in the forenoon and hoed corn in the afternoon. I went to bed with the ague before dark. Louesa staid here all night. Father and Will went to Kalamazoo this afternoon.

Jun 11 – Very Hot, dry, dusty unhealthy weather. I got up this morning and went from the parlo bed room to mothers and got into her bed and did not get out until three o’clock. Nancy is about as usual.

Jun 12 – Hot & Dry Weather. I got up this morning and tryed not to have the ague but it comenced shakeing me a bout 8 oclock and I did not feel like getting up. Was sick all night. I slept or layed and rolled in Mothers bed. Hannah slept with Nancy. Nancy had the ague.

Jun 13 – Hot and dry. Nancy feels better I believe but still feels aguey. I got up this morning and tryed to get to the table but could not so I went back to bed and could not get up until three oclock. The hardest ague fit I ever had I think.

Jun 14 – Hot and dry. Nancy feels some like the ague and she lays down on the lounge and Father puts her to sleep and she sweats it off. I go to bed and shake an hour and a half and then fever and sweats. Get up at ½ past three.

Jun 15 – Hot and dry. Nancy is not quite so well. I am better, did not have the ague. Ma came up here yesterday and stayed all night. Ethan and Hannah came up after them to night. Pa’s old hen (Grannie) died about 5 oclock.

Jun 16 – Hot and dry. Nancy is better. I got up and went back to bed again with the ague before seven o’clock. Mr Cross and Guss Gidings sheared sheep for Father to day. I had the belly ache pretty hard all the afternoon. Father had about 200# of wool, was offered 40 cts for it.

Jun 17 – Hot and dry. Nancy is better. I got up feeling pretty well and have felt pretty well all day. Pa went up to Aunt Katies after Ma. She went up last night with Uncle Joe[74] this morning before four o’clock and got back about four oclock PM.

Jun 18 – Hot and dry. Nancy is better. I have not had the ague but felt pretty bad all day. Lowis was here in the forenoon. Father went to Kalamazoo and when he got back he and I went to the burg to get some tinkering done.

Jun 19 – Hot and dry. Nancy is still better. I feel pretty well. Father commenced haying. I went down home a horse back twice and up to Dell’s[75] a foot. It looks some like rain to night. Hannah was here a little while. Mrs Seymor came over to help Ma weave.

Jun 20 – Hot and dry. Ethan and me went to Brady. Started from home ½ past five. Got home about ½ past ten. I went to see about getting a room to take pictures in. Heard about Lyons and concluded to start for there in the morn.

Jun 21 – Hot and dry. Ethan took me to Kalamazoo to the cars. Started from home at 5 oclock, left Kal at 8 am, arived at Rapids at 10.30 am, left Rapids at 11.20 am, arived at Muir 1.20 pm. Done up the business I could to day and started for Dickersons, arived there 7.10 pm, walked all the way.

Jun 22 – At Dickersons. It comenced raining about 9.00 Am and stoped about noon. We all went over to Marys after it stoped raining. She came back with us. Lewis went to see his chickey-bidey and did not get back until one oclock.

Jun 23 – At Dickersons. Threatning rain. Mr Dickerson took me down to Muir, got there about seven o’clock. Made arangements with Jay Olmstead about rent, got the refusal of his room until next Monday. Got home at 9 pm.

Jun 24 – At home. Some rainey. I have felt prety near used up to day. Nancy is well enough to come home and Lowis came and brought her home. Father and me went over to the burg to night after supper.

Jun 25 – Pleasant but hot. I went down to Fathers to help him but Lewis Bristol came and took my place so I came home and packed up some goods. Went to the Burg and sent Jay Olmsted rent, ten dollars. Got box and some nails.

Jun 26 – Pleasant. I have worked all day packing. Have got things pretty near packed. Father took his wool down to the burg to night. Ethan went down to Aunt Katies and got some Cabbage plants.

Jun 27 – Pleasant, two little showers. I worked all day cultivating corn. Was pretty near tired to death at night. Ethan worked for Dell haying. Jim went down and stayed with Will to night. Frank Tousley got his leg broke last night jumping off the cars.

Jun 28 – Pleasant but hot. I worked for Father ¾ of to day. Took the mowing machine apart and fixed it in the forenoon and worked in garden in the afternoon. Went to the burg after supper. Bill Mathews youngest child was drowned thursday 4 pm, buried yesterday.

Jun 29 – Warm and rainey. I have been at home all day. Nancy is not very well to day. Lowis, Mrs Skinner and Sate were here this afternoon. Father was here this morning. Jim went down to Fathers to stay all night.

Jun 30 – Cool, rained some in the forenoon. I worked for Father all day dragging the follow and Father sowed the buckwheat and dragged it in. Nancy is better, she finished my shirts to day and comenced her an apron. I feel pretty good to day.

Jul 1 – Hot sun, cool wind and showery. I have worked all day for Father. He went to mill over to Comstalk, took 4 bushels over for Pa. I wrote a letter to Dr Johnson for aunt Julia. Father went to the burg to night.

Jul 2 – Showery. I went down to the burg with my goods this forenoon. Arthur was to the burg and I came over with him. He staid to Fathers until five oclock. We ground the cradle and knives and killed a sheep.

Jul 3 – Showery. Ethan and me went to the burg and I shiped my goods to Lyons. Father comenced harvesting. I did not get to work until about eleven oclock, quit at half past three pm. I borrowed 500 of Osgood and went over to night and paid him, or I paid it to his clerk.

Jul 4 – Showery. I went up to Fathers this morning to harvest but we could not do anything for rain, so I staid at home until noon and then went down again. We came down and finished cutting this piece on the corner. Ma’s brother and wife[76] came this afternoon.

Jul 5 – Pleasant for the first time in a week. Worked for Father harvesting. Got about half of the piece at home done. Ma’s brother people went home to day. Allerton shut Fords cattle up at noon and went and notified him at sundown.

Jul 6 – Pleasant and cool. I set out some of Fathers wheat this morning and at night set it up again. Pa and ma went up to Aunt Katies. Father and Mother went up to Uncle Edds. Ethan went up to Skinners.

Jul 7 – Pleasant in the forenoon and until about six o’clock and then it comenced raining and rained until bed time. We drew four loads and one jag of wheat. Randall has most of his wheat cut and it lays on the ground in bunches.

Jul 8 – Pleasant and cool. We worked at harvesting. We had only Streator to help us. Ethan was sick to day so he had to lay off. Sate came down and staid all night. Aunt Julia got a letter from P. T. “Barnum” “Johnson” to day and he told what ails her.[77]

Jul 9 – Cool wind, some showery, but we drew wheat all day. Got all of our wheat that grew on our own land. Father went to the burg to night. I rode home and Nancy was ready to go to Fathers so when Dell came along we went to stay two or three days.

Jul 10 – Pleasant, some cloudy and cool. Harvested all day. Nancy has been picking berries. Will has been complaining some to day. I am some lame and I feel some as though I might have the ague.

Jul 11 – Very Pleasant. Harvested all day. Nancy picked cherries some to day. Streator, Father and John Culver went to the burg to night. Eberly drove on the machine all day. Nancy is feeling pretty bad to night.

Jul 12 – Warm, looks some like rain to night. Hank worked for Father. They finished cutting wheat this forenoon, drew in nine loads in Mr Streators barn and four in Fathers. Will raked the wheat stubble up to the other place and part of this down here. Arthur Arms[78] came down to night. He is going to stay all night. (I[79] wrote for Hank, he was tired).

Jul 13 – Pleasant but warm. We drew wheat all day. Father paid me twenty dollars to night. Finished harvesting to day. Our folks came and brought us home to night. Hannah went up to Aunt Katies to stay all sumer.

Jul 14 – Very warm. I comencdced packing my Chest this morning. Went over to the burg in the forenoon, rested some in the afternoon and Nancy and me went up to Fathers just night. Very warm to night.

Jul 15 – Very warm. I started for Muir 11.35 am, had to wait in Jackson almost three hours, arived at Muir about half past ten pm. I was very warm. The chest was some racked but not seriously. Stayed at the Olmstead house.

Jul 16 – Warm and showery. I commenced on packing my goods in Muir. I have woorked pretty hard to day and am pretty tired to night. My goods came from detroit to day and were all right. I am going to lodge myself to night.

Jul 17 – Warm and showery. I have worked all day streightning things around. Have not got quite done yet. Am pretty tired. Sent a letter to Nancy to day. Run in debt to day for some curtains.

Jul 18 – Pleasant and cool. I tried to take pictures to day for the first in Muir. Did not have very good success at first but did better. Took two for a little boy, very good ones. I have had the blues like thunder, and home-sick as a dog.

Jul 19 – Pleasant and cool. I took my first negative this morning in Muir. Chemicals dont work worth a snap yet. I was so home-sick to day that all I ate I had to crowd down with a fork. Pewamo Band up here to night to give a Concert for benefit of Muir Band.

Jul 20 – Pleasant and cool. I went to church this forenoon to the Pres^b church and after dinner which was at 2 pm I took a stroll over to Lyons to a lecture at the Pres^b church in the evening, sub Prear[?] Test.

Jul 21 – Pleasant and cool. I got up this morning and worked all day. Took two dollars worth of gems to day. Loafed around all the evening. Went up to see the editor of the Grand River Hereld about advertiseing for me.

Jul 22 – Pleasant and warm. I have had a pretty good day for business to day, took two negatives and a good many positives. Took in 3.90 and some more that I have not got yet. I expected a letter from Nancy to day.

Jul 23 – Warm but otherwise pleasant. I received a nice long letter from Nina[80] today and answered it. I have worked hard but have not accomplished much. Bought 13 yds cambric for curtains.

Jul 24 – Warm but Pleasant. Mary Holbrook was here. I went over and played with the Brass band a little while to night. I think I will write a letter to Ethan to night. I have taken pictures just a week and have taken in 13.90.

Jul 25 – Warm but pleasant, looks some like rain. I printed a little to day. I went to band meeting to night and played with the boys. Today has been the dullest day since I comenced business here. I put my name up to day on my sign.

Jul 26 – Warm but pleasant. I have not been very busy to day but still have had enough to do for cumfort. I went up north about 2 mi with the band to practice and we came back and played in town.

Jul 27 – Very warm. I have been very lonesome to day. Went to church to the Deciple to night. I wrote a letter to Nina and one to Geo. R. Angell ordering a back ground and some other fixings and chemicals. I have had the blues to day.

Jul 28 – Warm, had a very nice shower to day. I took two Lagruners[?] pictures with just their pants on. They were pretty drunk. I went over to Lyons and painted three places on the fence (Photos at Muir). Sent a letter and a paper and some Photos to Nina.

Jul 29 – Very Pleasant. I recived a letter from Nina to day. Was most tickeld to death to hear from her again. I took a picture to coppy to night and make a 4-4. Mr Abby is going to let me know in the morn about rent.

Jul 30 – Very warm. I have written some to Nina to day, shall send it tomorrow if nothing happens. I drank a glass of beer and smoked a cigar to day, told Nina all about it in my letter. Went out a looking a place to rent to night but did not rent.

Jul 31 – Rainey and cool toward night. I scrubed out this morning. Took 2 gems and one negative for Ed Von Aultne[?]. I went up to Ionia to day on mail 4.30 D & M, came back 6.30 D-L-M, so cost me in all 50 cts. I bought a Warbler to charm babys with, make any kind of I noise.

Aug 1 – Pleasant part of the day and cloudy and hot. I went to bed last night feeling pretty near like haveing the ague but did not have it. I woke up and was awful sick, vomited the rest of the night and was sick most all day to day. Sweet comenced work for me to day.

Aug 2 – Pleasant. Aunt Lib and Uncle Geo[81] were down to Muir and I went to up home with them to stay all night. I left about ¼ to four in the afternoon. I did not feel very well and I thought I ought to take a little rest. We got up there about 6 oclock.

Aug 3 – Pleasant and cool. At Uncle Georges. Lewis and I went over to Marys and got her in the morning. We had green corn for dinner. After dinner Lewis took Mary and me and came within 3 miles of Muir and then I got out and he went to take Mary home.

Aug 4 – Very pleasant. It has been a rather busy day but not much pay. I ripped up my dark tent and made back ground and curtains of it. I went up and played with the band a little while then came down and got to talking with the tinner and talked until bed time.

Aug 5 – Pleasant. It has been very dull today. I got a letter from Nina and one from Mother. Comenced answering Nina’s to day. Took a negative of my room this afternoon, took a negative of Prof Bengamin, teacher of the brass band. Added 1 oz of Silver to my neg bath.

Aug 6 – Pleasant but warm. I printed to day. Was not very busy. Took in 3.00 after 4 oclock. I went to band meeting and learned one piece. I sent a letter to Nina with a picture of the Gallery and a dollar in money. I have had the blues some to day if I know myself.

Aug 7 – Pleasant and warm. I done more business to day than any day before. Went a seranading with the brass band. Had lots of wine, apples and cake. Got home after midnight a little. I am going to print tomorrow.

Aug 8 – Pleasant, but very warm. I printed to day. Have not taken in but three dollars and a quarter to day. Mr Sweet has been here part of the day. I packed a bunch of shingles to day for the first time in my life. I am lonesome to night or home sick or something.

Aug 9 – Pleasant and warm. I have been lonesome to day as bussiness has been dull. Harvey Holbrook has been here to day. Wanted me to go home with him but I could not go. I feel some like the ague but am not going to have it.

Aug 10 – Pleasant and very hot. I went to church this forenoon and then went over to see Mrs Long. She aggreed to do our washing for .40 a week and is to do mine washing and ironing until Nina gets here for the same and She furnishes soap and starch.

Aug 11 – Pleasant but very warm. Harvey Holbrook was here stoped on his way to Partland. He gave me two apples. Today has been the best day I have had since I came to Muir. I have taken 7.05. The Lyons Artist was here to day and I went over there this evening.

Aug 12 – Warm and Showery. I rec’d a letter from Nina and one from Father and mother. I have read them several times through and it does me more good to read them than it does to eat. My stomach is in a very bad condition. I never had it feel so before.

Aug 13 – Pleasant but warm. I had a pretty good day of it today. Mailed a letter to Nina and one to Faher. Sent Nina 16 dollars this afternoon. I dont fell very well yet but think I shall get along all right.

Aug 14 – Cool this forenoon and very warm in the afternoon. I printed to day. Went over to Lyons to night. It has been very dull all day out. I have taken some pictures, did not take any until after three oclock.

Aug 15 – Rainey and dull. I took 4 gems but did not get pay for them. The first day since I have been in Muir but what I took in something. I went out a seranading with the band last night. Did not get home until after midnight. Went out in the country.

Aug 16 – Pleasant and cool. I feel pretty well considering that I was out on a drunk last night. It has not been a very busy day but I have taken 6.40. I could not go to dinner so I went over about three oclock and had a boal of bred and milk.

Aug 17 – Pleasant but threatning rain. I went to church and when I came back I went to the P.O. and got a letter from Nina. She will be here in a week from next tuesday if nothing happens. I comencd answering it right off so as to get it out to morrow.

Aug 18 – Pleasant. I finished writing to my Nina to day and mailed it to her. I have been pretty busy to day takeing tintypes. Took one negative of a man on my own hook. If nothing happens I will have less flies to morrow than I have had to day as I netted my windows.

Aug 19 – Pleasant but very warm. It has been very warm to day and very dull. I rented the room over Probascos Brocks store to day and paid 4.00 in advance for them at 1.00 per week. I wrote a letter to my Mothers to day and got one from Mother.

Aug 20 – Very warm and threatning rain. I have printed to day but have not taken in a cent. I orderd a bill of goods to day. A young lady came here to day and said she would learn the trade to comence next Monday morning for 10.00.

Aug 21 – Very hot this fornoon. I did not take any pictures until afternoon. I rained very nice this afternoon. The lighning stuck one House in Muir. I got a letter from Nina to day and mailed one to her this afternoon. She sent me a bill of our goods.

Aug 22 – Very warm. I took babys pictures all the afternoon. Did not have very good success only took in 2.45. I receved a bill of goods to day, 3 yds carpet and a back ground and some other little things amt 20.75. I had to borrow 2.00 of Pussey Burt.

Aug 23 – Cooler to day, cloudy and very dull. I have not taken in a cent to day. I am strapped and worse and feel as though I could go right down through the floor. My throat is most awful sore to day, cant hardly swallow. Plainly speaking I have got the blues.

Aug 24 – Warm and pleasant. I went to church in the forenoon, staid to Sabath. I took charge of Mrs Ransoms class. I received a letter from Nina to day. She is comeing Tuesday on mail. It has been a very long day to day.

Aug 25 – Pleasant but hot. I am sick, brok out with the heat. It has been a pretty good day for busines to day. I went down to the Plaining mill to get my Frame but they had made a mistake and made it 4 ft square instead of eight.

Aug 26 – Cloudy in the morning, cleared of about noon but cloudy afternoon. Nina came to day on mail and the goods arrived here yes this morning and Hank brought them over after dinner. We ate supper at home alone to night in Muir for the first time.

Aug 27 – Pleasant but warm. I did not do much to day, awful dull only took in .50 and we got three chairs and some curtains. Went to bed pretty tired to night. Have not got settled yet but still it seems like home. We sent a letter to Ma to day.

Aug 28 – Pleasant. I took in .35 cts to day. Put up my back ground to day. Took one picture of Nina and she put it up. I helped Nina wash the woodwork to night. We sat and talked and looked out of the window a good while. Nancy is feeling pretty well.

Aug 29 – Cloudy and foggy in the morning. This morning about 6 o’clock a freight train ran into the morning express doing fearful damage, several killed and a large number wounded. At night more died through the day. I scrubbed out the Galery this afternoon. Nina went over and helped wash dishes at the hotel.

Aug 30 – Pleasant and a very dull day. Did not take in a cent. Uncle George came down and we went home with him. The past week has been the dullest week since I got up here. I am strapped and am not doing any work at all. No one comes, have not done any thing to amt to any thing since Monday.

Aug 31 – Rainey and hot. Uncle Georges folks and us went over to Marys and after supper they came and brought us home. I am pretty near sick and so is Nina. Johney Long came and brought our cloths home after I had got to bed.

Sep 1 – Pleasant But dull. Only took in .65 to day. I have got the blues pretty bad. Nancy is in a fix,[82] got so the first week which was last week. It beets the duce how I do get along. I cant help but wish that I was dead.[83] I bought some beats to day.

Sep 2 – Pleasant and very dull. I could not get any butter this morning so we had to get along with out. Nancy got up this morning sick at her stomach which estableshes the fact that she is in a fix again.

Sep 3 – Rainey and dull. I did not take in a cent all day. I expect that I will see some pretty hard times now. I dont know whether it is because my pictures dont suit or because I am such a mean unlucky cuss.

Sep 4 – Pleasant this morning. Nancy is not feeling very well. I took in four dollars and 50 cents to day, all for photographs. Retuched three negatives. I have got the blues most awful bad to day and expect to have them the rest of my days.

Sep 5 – Peasant but windy. Very dull. I have printed to day, got done about two oclock. Nancy was sick to her stomach again this morning and I have got the blues worse than ever. Oh! how I do wish I could get along without haveing the blues so.

Sep 6 – Cloudy and cold this morning. We had a fearful accident here last night. Little Jimmie Sylvester[84] was killed while playing with the cars.[85] I did not take in a cent to day but I tended to my bussines just the same.

Sep 7 – Some rainey and windy. I boiled my baths to day. Nancy is not very well so we did not go to church. She wrote a letter to Dr our folks and I wrote one to Dr Foote. We went down to the dam in the maple river just sundown.

Sep 8 – Pleasant but cool. It is very dull, not a thing to do and of corse I have got the blues like the duce. I have taken 2 gems of Mr Long to day and that is all I have done. I have made up my mind to quit business october first.

Sep 9 – Pleasant and cool. I took in 2.25 to day but it is most awful dull now days. I albuminized glass this morning. We got a letter from home this morning and one from Loyd Higgins.

Sep 10 – Pleasant. I took in 5.00 to day, the most I have taken in in a quite a while. I took a 4-4 negative of Probascos little girl which I did not get paid for and dont expect to get any thing on that as they want something two nice altogather.

Sep 11 – Pleasant and warm. I had a good day again to day, took in 5.00. The artist over at Lyons came over here and left three negatives for me to print some pictures from, two fancy pictures and a lady.

Sep 12 – Pleasant in the morning but cloudy in the afternoon and rainey. I printed to day the biggest job of printing I have had since I have been in Muir. I had very good luck printing to day. Bought 2 pr Shears.

Sep 13 – Saturday. I put up pictures all day and every one was suited that saw their pictures. I felt like the ague all day, had some fever most all day. Only took in 1.70. I got the Saturday night and got a letter from Mary Plank to Nina. I took in a little over 16. this week.

Sep 14 – Very cool but Pleasant. We went to church and like to froze to death. I dont think I will go right away unless they will try and make it comfortable. I guess I had a chill to day at any rate I felt like the ague in the afternoon and went to bed with a high fever.

Sep 15 – Cloudy and some rainey. I helped moove the stove into the other room this morning. I had to buy 4.35 worth stove pipe and a piece of zinc .75. Mary Holbrook was her to day to dinner, the first person that has eat with us in Muir.

Sep 16 – Pleasant and a little warmer than yesterday and day before. I took in over six dollars to day and went a fishing. Did not catch any but bought one and paid 30 cts for it. I was pretty near sick to night had a mustard plaster on my back and front.

Sep 17 – Cool and rainey all day. I have retuched two negs to day. Have not taken in a cent but have been in my rooms all day. I feel a little better than I did yesterday. We received a letter from Ma last night.

Sep 18 – Pleasant. I took in 8.50 to day and have retuched some negs or some on one negative. I am at work on one of the worse negatives now that I ever saw in my life I believe. I got a bill of goods to day amt 5.30.

Sep 19 – Pleasant and cold. I have printed to day and shall mount them this evening if nothing happens. I bought a load of wood to day paid 2.00 for it. We looked for Ethan some to day but he did not come. I shall look tomorrow.

Sep 20 – Pleasant and cool. I spotted out pictures all day to day. Only took in 1.45 to day. I took two pictures of Mrs Burt but did not get my pay. I went to the train to see if Ethan came but he did not and I was awful disipointed to think he did not come.[86]

Sep 21 – Cloudy but pleasant. I was disturbed from my peaceful slumbers last night or this morning rather about half past two by somebody knocking and went to the door and found Ethan there. We got up and prepaired a place for him to sleep.

Sep 22 – Rainey and cool this morning. Ethan is here yet. He started frome here about half past 11 eleven oclock. It has been a very dull day to day and I have broke a 4-4 negative of Mrs. Fers.

Sep 23 – Cloudy and dull. I took in $3.37 cts to day. We went to the circus in the evening. It was the best circus I ever went to. Nancy is about sick. She has a sore throat and we have booth got bad colds. I got a letter from Horise Utica Ny.

Sep 24 – Cloudy and dull. I paid Probasco to day for rent on building 4.00. He took the picture of his little girl at 3.00. I received 2 more offers to day, answerd them.

Sep 25 – Cloudy and dull. I received more offers to day and answerd them. I have taken in almost 5.00 to day. We received a crock of Butter from Mother to day. Nancy is not very well at present.

Sep 26 – Pleasant. Took 3 negatives but did not take in any money until evening and then I took in 1.20. Sold two frames to Mrs Wagar. It was cold this morning but grew warm toward night and was quite warm.

Sep 27 – Pleasant and very warm. I have took in 8.50 to day. Got a letter from Uncle H Crawford.[87] Says I can have a job if I come. I expect a job of photo soon so I shant go.

Sep 28 – Rainey and dark. I printed all day to day. Dont think I shall try to print any more in Muir. Nancy is not very well but is better than she was. I went up to Mrs Longs to take the dirty clothes up and.

Sep 29 – Rainey again to day. I Finished up my pictures to day that I made yesterday. I comenced packing a little to day. I have been pretty busy to day and expect to be busy all the rest of the week.

Sep 30 – It cleared off to day and I packed some and took one negative of the telegraph operator and sold it to him for 12/-.[88] I took my last pictures in Muir to day.

Oct 1 – Pleasant. I packed all day to day and was pretty tired at night. I expect to start for home next saturday if nothing happens. Louis was here to supper to night.

Oct 2 – Pleasant. I finished packing up my things in Muir to day at the gallery.

Oct 3 – Rainey. Packed all day at the house. Get most every thing packed at the house to day and start for home to morrow night if nothing happens.

Oct 4 – Rainey. We finished packing and got the goods at the depot after noon. We started from Muir ½ past five went over to Lyons to take the cars and they were late so we did not get away until after mid night. Took a freight from Lansing to Jackson.

Oct 5 – Rainey in the morning and cleared off at noon, but rained again at night. We had to stay all day at Jackson. Got home about ½ past 8 oclock in the evening.

Oct 6 – Awful cold to day at Pa’s. Ethan took us down to Fathers and staid to dinner then he and me went to Mr Riddlers to a raising. We staid to Fathers all night. Alfred Luley was there too.

Oct 7 – Pleasant. Alfred Luley and me went down to the burg and got my trunk. Hannah came home to day. Stoped at fathers and staid till Nancy and me went down that night. We staid all night at Pa’s.

Oct 8 – Pleasant and very warm. We went up to Aunt Katies with Pa’s Horse and wagon. Aunt Fledia[89] went up with us, she stayed. Ethan went as far as Busters to work. When we came back Nancy stoped to Fathers and I took bill home then I come back.

Oct 9 – Pleasant. I have written in Wednesday what I ought to write to day so I will write here what I ought to write for Wednesday. We washed to day and I husked two shocks of corn and helped pick up.

Oct 10 – Pleasant. Father and me went to Hartwells to make cider and in the afternoon we picked up some Butnuts and I carried them up stairs. Father went down to Galesburg with a load of wheat. He got 1.35 for it. Croock-neck Squash and carry me home. Weve spliced to day.

Oct 11 – Rained a little this morning. I sowed plaster to day. This eve Father, Will, Fred and I went to the Burg. Nancy went up to Pa’s. Ethan went to the Burg with us. Pa lanced Hannahs Felon[90] to night. Mrs Earl, Hattie and Libbie Taylor visited at Pa’s this afternoon.

Oct 12 – Pleasant. We were at Fathers all day. We looked for Gustus Chase[91] and his wife but Tip and Rasstus and Charley[92] went up there so they did not get down. Mother and Nancy worked all day getting my cloths ready to go to Chicago.

Oct 13 – Pleasant. Nancy and me went down to Galesburg this morning to take my trunk down. We called on Mrs Alfred and Mrs Barber. Then we stoped at Pa’s and staid and Father took the team home. Father, Mother and Will came down to Pa’s in the evening. I started for Chicago 11.58 P.M.

Oct 14 – Pleasant all day. I arived in Chicago this morning about 7.00 oclock AM. I walked up Michigan St to Clark and up Clark to the North Chicago City Railway office. Found Uncle and he introduced me to Mr Squiers and he gave me a job.

Oct 15 – Pleasant. I comenced work for N.C.C.R. yesterday afternoon as student and worked all day to day as student. I wrote a letter to Nancy this after noon.

Oct 16 – Pleasant but cool. I ran as student this forenoon and ran for My Tutor this afternoon. Got to bed about 10 oclock P.M. I was pretty tired when I got to bed.

Oct 17 – Cool but not very bad. I did not get a run to day so I strolled about the streets. I went down to the river and on board of some of the steamers and saw the sights. Got lost but soon found myself.

Oct 18 – Some rainey and cool. It rained and blew quite hard last night in the night, blew up some side walk. I got a run this afternoon and did not get in until almost mid night and was pretty tired.

Oct 19 – Cool raw wind. I did not get up until 7.00 am, ate breakfast and went down to the office but did not get a run so went down to the lake and to the water works. Came home and got dinner and went to work on extra, recived 1.50.

Oct 20 – Pleasant but cool. I did not get any run to day so I went up to the park this forenoon and saw the sights. Afternoon I went down to state street and Madison. Sold my silver for 5.00 and left my watch to be repired at Severns.

Oct 21 – Cloudy and coold. I have not worked any to day. I went down to the lake and all over north side. Got a letter from my Nancy to day, answerd it to night. She is not very well.

Oct 22 – Cool in the morning but warm in the after noon. I went on this morning and worked until about six oclock Making about 11 hours. I run to day on lincoln avenue for George Haskin on set car.

Oct 23 – Cool in the morning but warm through the day and cool in the evening. I have been running for the same man to day that I did yesterday. Comenced 10.56 am and quit 12.00 mid night.

Oct 24 – Cool but pleasant. Dust flew awfuly. I worked on Lincoln ave to day. Got in at midnight. I am not feeling very well.

Oct 25 – Cool but pleasant, warmer in the middle of the day. I did not do any thing to day only loaf. Got a letter from Mother and Nancy to day.

Oct 26 – Coold and rainey. Loafed all day again. I comenced a letter to Nancy but did not finish it.

(No more daily entries.)

——-

Notes in back of diary:

H. C. Morton & Son
Benton Harbor, Michigan

Jan 3d 1873
Mr Morton agreed to watch a chance for a place to put in a side and sky light and apprise me of as soon as possible.

Left Junction at 4 oclock and 10 minutes, arived at Kalamazoo 6 oclock and 50 minutes. Started from Kalamazoo 7 oclock and 51 minutes, arived at home 8 oclock and 20 mi.

Jay Olmsted, Muir, Mich
Photo

Gruse[?] Eradicator
1 oz Sal Soda ½ oz Borax
1/8 Salt petre 1 pt Soft water compound and all is ready. Apply with a woolen cloth

Hiram Crawford
430 North Clark St
Chicago, Ill

Oct 21, 73
Received of H. A. Brown 5.00 five dollars for board
Mrs Long

Enamle for photos
1 oz white wax some turpintine some brams[?] some perfume

Jan 19th Henry, Ethan, Hannah, Pa and Ma, Louesa, Nancy & myself were at Mr Planks to dinner to day besides Fred Allerton, Mr & Mrs P, Will, Carrie, Mary & Becky.

Good negative colodion
Makes good Ferotypes[?] by adding about 1 gr of Bromide of Cadmion to each ounce and Dulute about 2/3 with AxE

March 2nd 1873 we were to Fathers all day to day. Father brung us home to night.

Toning Solution
30 oz Water
30 gs Acetate of Soda
30 gr Salt

——-

[1] Inscription on the front cover: H. A. Brown, Photographer, Muir, Galesburg, Mich. Henry is known better, and referred to, as Hank

[2] The X’s, which were placed under the date, are not explained

[3] A gem was a small tintype photograph. Tintypes were printed on iron, but called tintype because the metal resembled tin

[4] His wife, Nancy (Keith) Brown. They were married October 5, 1872

[5] Ambrose Brown

[6] Nancy’s sister, Hannah Keith

[7] According to both Luke Keith’s and Nancy Brown’s diaries, he went with his brother-in-law, Henry Keith

[8] Matilda (Allen) Brown

[9] His mother’s sister, Julia Allen, who lived with Ambrose & Matilda Brown

[10] His brother, Willis Brown

[11] Nancy’s father, Charles Luke Keith Jr. Both Nancy & Hank refer to her parents, Sarah (Crawford) & Charles Luke Keith Jr., as Ma and Pa, and to Hank’s parents, Matilda (Allen) & Ambrose Brown, as Mother and Father

[12] Nancy’s brother, Ethan Keith

[13] Believe he is referring to Byron Allen, the son of neighbor, John S. & Amanda Louisa (Worden) Allen. Any possible relationship between them and Matilda (Allen) Brown is unknown at this time

[14] The stepson of his uncle, John Wood Allen; he was the son of John Wood Allen’s second wife, Mary Stephenson, and her first husband, John Yates

[15] Nancy’s half-brother, Henry Keith, the son of Charles Luke Keith Jr. by his first wife Minerva (Payson) Keith

[16] Nancy’s mother, Sarah (Crawford) Keith

[17] Believe he is referring to his paternal first cousin, Arthur Arms

[18] Neighbor, Richard Barber

[19] A seance

[20] Neighbors, John & Eliza Ann (Young) Bailey

[21] Neighbors, Marius O. & Laura (Rawson) Streator

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

[23] Neighbors, Byron, Cora, Ida, Libbie and Emma Allen are mentioned throughout the diary. They are the children of John S. & Amanda Louise (Worden) Allen

[24] John Quincy Streator, the son of Marius O. & Laura (Rawson) Streator

[25] The son of neighbors, William & Harriet (Groat) Plank

[26] Nancy’s aunt, Catharine (Keith) Bradley Lee

[27] Neighbor, William Plank

[28] Neighbor, Harriet (Groat) Plank

[29] Neighbor, the son of John & Caroline (Rapelje) Allerton

[30] Carrie and Mary Plank, the daughters of William & Harriet (Groat) Plank

[31] See footnote to January 16^th entry

[32] Nancy’s half-sister, Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner, the daughter of Charles Luke Keith Jr. by his first wife Minerva (Payson) Keith. Hank sometimes spells her name Louis or Lowis

[33] Lois’ sister-in-law, Sarah “Sate” Skinner

[34] Nancy’s youngest sister, Louese Keith, who is sometimes referred to as Sis or Louesa

[35] Nancy’s youngest brother, James Clinton Keith

[36] Hannah’s boyfriend. From an entry in Luke’s diary on 12-13-1872 he mentioned that Hannah got a ring from Eberly Underwood

[37] His mother’s brother, Sidney Allen

[38] Eli P. Wightman

[39] A search of FindAGrave.com reveals that Rev. Phillip Potts died January 25, 1873 and is buried in the Galesburg City Cemetery, Galesburg, Michigan

[40] Alvan and Jesse Lee, Nancy’s second cousins

[41] Kalamazoo, Michigan

[42] See footnote for January 24^th entry

[43] A neighbor, Joseph Flanders

[44] Nancy’s paternal first cousin, Frances Catherine “Kate” (Keith) Chaffee, the daughter of Harvey and Alfleda (Starr) Keith

[45] Luke, Nancy and Hank all wrote in their diaries of the Brown and Allerton lawsuit. Luke wrote the following in his diary on November 18, 1872: Mr Allerton drawed some wood for Mr Plank. He asked me about the hogs, did Mr Brown say any thing about the hogs before the trial commenced. I think not. He says we stood by the gate talking, heard the hogs and I started to go to home and Mr Brown followed an we saw the hogs in my lot. This is what he says to day

[46] Believe he is referring to Jackson P.  & Julia S. (Wood) Bristol; Julia & Hank were paternal first cousins

[47] Rebecca Plank, the daughter of William & Harriet (Groat) Plank

[48] Luke Keith’s horse

[49] Nancy would sometimes fall into a trance. During these trances she had an Indian spirit guide named Maumee and would produce very delicate intricate drawings. When she came out of her trances, she remembered nothing of what had happened nor was she able to produce the same style drawings. She would be so drained after these trances that Hank finally told her that she should tell him if she felt a trance coming on. He then, somehow, kept her from going into the trance

[50] Mary (Hamilton) Crawford, the widow of Nancy’s Uncle Edwin Crawford

[51] Adelbert “Del” Skinner, the husband of Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner

[52] Lucy (Lee) Milham, the daughter of Catharine (Keith) Bradley Lee by her second husband, George Lee

[53] Helen (Bradley) York, the daughter of Catharine (Keith) Bradley Lee by her first husband, Ethan Bradley

[54] Marion and Helen York

[55] Nancy’s younger brother, James Clinton Keith

[56] Simeon Wood, the husband of Ambrose Brown’s sister, Reliance Brown

[57] The poles between which a horse is hitched to a wagon

[58] One of Ethan Keith’s inventions (see May 14, 1873 letter)

[59] Neighbor, Henry “Harry” D. Streator, the son of Marius O. Streator

[60] Creosote, an oily liquid distilled from wood tar or coal tar which was used as an antiseptic

[61] Luke Keith wrote in his diary that “J T Allertons old white mare lying in the lot almost dead”

[62] Most likely Louis Bristol, the son of Jackson Bristol (see footnote for March 8^th entry)

[63] Michigan Marriage Records at Ancestry.com show that Jackson Bristol married Alta Burge on May 8, 1873 in Galesburg, Michigan

[64] Michigan Birth & Christening Records at Ancestry.com show that Adelia Giddings was born May 10, 1873 to Augustus & Susan Giddings

[65] Neighbor, Byron Hawley; Luke Keith’s diary mentions him frequently

[66] A form of malaria characterized by stages of chills, fever, and sweating

[67] Eli P. Wightman

[68] Martin & Lucy (Lee) Milham and their daughter, Clara Milham

[69] Neighbors, Albert & Pamelia (Hosley) Towne

[70] Sarah (Knight) Skinner, Del’s and Sate’s mother

[71] Ambrose Brown’s sister and brother-in-law, Hannah (Brown) and Edmund Chase

[72] Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner’s son

[73] Tax on a person, as distinguished from that on property, especially as a prerequisite for voting

[74] Nancy’s cousin, Joseph Lee (son of Rhoda (Keith) and Charles Lee)

[75] Adelbert Skinner, Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner’s second husband

[76] Henry and Virginia (Worley) Crawford. Henry was Sarah (Crawford) Keith’s brother. See Nancy Brown’s July 4, 1873 entry

[77] Julia had cancer in her later years and possibly this is some reference to it. A 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. The reference to “P. T. Barnum” Johnson seems to show Hank’s lack of confidence in the doctor

[78] Son of Cynthia E. (Brown) & William E. Arms. Cynthia was Ambrose Brown’s sister

[79] Nancy

[80] Years later, his daughters, Lela and Bess, were reading through his diaries and noticing the many references to Nina, they thought he was having an affair with another woman. Nancy noticed their hostility towards him and asked what was bothering them. When they told her their suspicions she explained that “Nina” was his pet name for her

[81] Investigation continues as to their identity

[82] It appears Hank believes Nancy is pregnant; however, their son Claude wasn’t born until January 23, 1875

[83] Hank suffered from depression as can be seen by the many entries regarding his feeling blue. Years later, his brother-in-law, Jim Keith, was laid off from his job. In a letter dated May 25, 1890, Jim wrote to his brother, Ethan, regarding his layoff and said, “I dont know what to do. I never had Hank Brown’s blues befour and never want then again.”

[84] Michigan Death Records at Ancestry.com show that James B. Sylvester, age 9, was killed in a railroad accident. He was the son of Henry S. and Mary Sylvester

[85] Train cars

[86] This last sentence was in Nancy’s handwriting

[87] Hiram Crawford Jr., Sarah Crawford Keith’s brother

[88] /- is the symbol used for shilling. A shilling was a coin of Colonial America and varied between 12¢ and 16¢

[89] Alfleda (Starr) Keith, widow of Luke Keith’s brother, Harvey

[90] Deep inflammation on finger or toe

[91] His maternal first cousin, Julius Augustus Chase

[92] Erastus and Charles Towne; Tip might be their brother Cullen Towne

——-

Cash Account, January
		Received	Paid
2	Fare to Benton Harbor		1.90
“	Dinner at Junction		.50
3	Board at Benton Harbor		1.50
“	Brazilian Nuts		.10
“	Fair to Coloma		.30
“	“ from “ to Junction		.40
“	Junction to K		.90
“	K to Galesburg		.30
“	Peanuts		.05
			5.75

 

Cash Account, April
1873	Cash Acct	Dr	Cr
Apr 30	To Cash on hand	8.30
“       “	By V for B		1.00
“       “	“ Sugar 8#		1.00
May 6	“ Doctor bill		1.00
“       “	“ One Hat		.25
“       “	“ Sundries		.20
“       “	“ Oysters		.25
“       8	“ Repairing bods		.35
“     17	“ Dr Johnson		4.00
“       “	“ Cristar to watch		.25
“       “	“ Sundries		.10
“     19	To Cash	1.00
“       “	By Medicine		.75
“       “	“ Tomatoes		.06
“     24	To Cash	1.00
“       “	By Mescetoes		.40
“       “	“ Tea ½#		.50
“       “	“ 1 paper tacks		.10

 

Cash Account, June
1873	Cash Acct	Dr	Cr
Jun  2	To Wing B. A	5.00
“       “	By A???ica		.10
“       9	Haircut		.25
“     20	By Beer		.15
“       “	“ Rubber		.06
“     21	To Cash per J A H	5.00
“       “	By Cars		2.90
“       “	Omnibus and Hack		1.15
“       “	“ Dinner		.25
“     23	“ Cars		2.35
“       “	“ Crackers		.05
“     23	“ Beer		.05
“     24	“ Shirts		1.80
“       “	“ Factory		.25
“       “	“ Medicine		.45
“     25	“ Rent to Muir		10.00
“       “	“ Box		.50
“       “	“ Postage		.18
“       “	“ Nails		.06
“       “	To Cash of Father	10.00

 

Cash Account, July
1873		Received	Paid
3	To Cash	5.00
“	By Nails		.06
“	“ Screws		.08
“	“ Leather		.10
“	“ Freight		4.95
13	To Cash	20.00
14	By Rope		.09
“	“ Pens and holder		.05
“	“ Postage		.03
15	“ Cars to Jackson		1.75
“	“    “     “   Lyons		2.10
“	“ Omnibus		.25
16	“ Freight		2.88
“	“ Drayman		.75
“	“ Ball of Goods		8.55
“	“ 2 gel crock		.25
“	“ Comb and brush		.80
“	“ Broom		.35
“	“ Paper & Env		.02
17	“ Wire		.30
“	“ Postage		.03
18	To Cash rc	.75
“	By Egg, Cork, Buttons		.07
“	Silk Thread		.15
19	To Cash Ric	1.90
22	By Cash to bal	27.65	27.65

 

Cash Account, August
		Received	Paid
Jul 22	To Cash on hand	4.54
“       “	By Glass & putty		.85
“       “	“ Paper and nuts		.15
“       “	“ Board		3.00
“     23	“ Curtains		2.62
“       “	“ ½ gal oil		.18
“       “	“ Starch		.06
“       “	“ Wire		.30
“     24	“ Paint		.35
“     24	“ Cotton flannel		.10
“     25	“ Postage		.03
“       “	“ Glass and putty		.25
“     26	“ Netting		.15
“       “	“ 3 Cigars		.25
“       “	To Week rec	14.05
“     27	By Washing		.35
“       “	“ Colars & paper		.50
“     28	“ Postage .08 Med .40		.48
“     29	“ Board		4.00
“       “	“ Bill Goods		5.90
“       “	“ Card board		.05
“       “	“ Nina		1.00
“     31	“ [?]		.50
“       “	“ Sundries		.08
“       “	“ Brandy Soda		.15
Aug 2	To Weeks receipes	15.60
“       “	By Cash to Ball		12.89
		34.19	34.19

 

Cash Account, September
		Received	Paid
Aug  2	To Cash on hand by [?]	2.11
“       “	“      “      “     “	12.89
“       “	By One Lamp Chimney		.10
“       4	By Silver		1.30
“       “	“ Postage and egg		.04
“       “	“ Sewing 2.25 thread .8		.33
“       6	“ Board		3.50
“       “	“ Nina		1.03
“       “	“ Sponge		.10
“       7	“ Rent		8.50
“       8	“ Postage		.06
“       “	“ Leese		.50
“       9	To Weeks rects	19.55
“     11	By Paper & stamps		.10
“     12	“ Nina		5.03
“     12	“ Board		3.50
“     13	“ Nina		16.14
“     15	“ Paper 28 Stamps 06		.35
“       “	“ Band		.25
“     16	“ Board		2.00
“       “	“ Paper		.07
“       “	7.05/1.80.4.40.1.40.6.40	21.05
“       “	By Cash to Bal		12.70
		55.60	55.60

 

Cash Account, October
1873		Received	Paid
Aug 17	To Cash brought over	12.70
“       “	By Soda Gum Netting		.11
“      18	“ Tacks on Neting		.55
“      19	“ Rent to Probasco		4.00
“       “	“ Chalk line		.10
“       “	“ Board		1.50
“      20	“ Hair cut, Aples		.45
“      21	“ Postage		.10
“      22	“ Cocked hat		.10
“       “	“ Bill of goods		20.75
“       “	“ Errors		.09
“      23	To Weeks rect	13.05
“      25	By Medicine		.10
“      26	“       “		.30
“       “	“ Soap 10 Tacks 10		.20
“       “	“ Tea 30 Patatoes 13		.43
“       “	“ Stove pipe		.35
“      27	“ Windo Curtains		1.85
“       “	“ Chairs		4.50
“       “	“ Salt		.10
“       “	“ Tacks 20 Screws 05		.25
“      28	“ Apples		.10
“       “	“ E Notices		.50
“      29	“ ¾# Butter		.15
“       “	“ 2# Sugar		.25
“      30	To Weks receipts	7.49
“       “	By Meat		.10
“       “	To Cash to bal	3.69
		36.93	36.93

 

Cash Account, November
1873		Received	Paid
Sep 1	By Cash to bal		3.69

 

Bills Payable, February
1873		Dolls.	Cts.
28	One Note to E. P. W	200	00

 

Bills Payable, July
1873		Dolls.	Cts.
17	Warmer Merchant Paid Cambrick 17½ yds 15 Oil ½ gal 35		2.63 .18
17	Ice Merchant 1 pail ice
18	1     “     “
21	1     “     “

 

Bills Payable, August
	Jay Olmstead	D	C
Jul 1	Comenced renting Phot rooms of
“   “	To Cash on rent	10.00
“   21	“ Repairing roof
“    “	“ Glass and putty	1.50
“   23	“ Lead pipe and putting it in	1.00
“   25	“ 1 10×18 glass and putting it in	.50
“   29	“ 1 10×18 glass and putting it in	.50
Aug 7	“ Cash	8.50
“    “	“ Redicetion[?]	3.00
“    “	By One quarter vent		25.00

 

Bills Payable, September
	Mrs S. M. Long	D	C
Aug 3	By washing		.70
“     “	To Picture	.20
“     “	“ 2 Gems	.50
“     “	“  “    “	.50
“   11	By Washing		.30
“   17	“         “		.40
“   24	“         “		.40
“   24	To 6 Gems	1.50
“   31	By Washing		.40
Sep 5	“         “		.40
“    8	To 2 Gems	.50
“   12	“    “     “	.50
“     “	By Extra Washing		.20
“    20	“ Washing		.40
“    21	“      “		.40