1868-1869

January 1868

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... stopped at Geo Spades all night ..

Oh ... the loving Kindness of my Heavenly Father ... extended ... ... pleasant day ...... stopped at Spades

3rd - ... rained til ...

5th - At S. S. ...

6th - ... working ... cold

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chopping wood for Mr. Ca...

14th - ...ting a ...and ...

16th - Chopping wood

Finished at Mr. Ca... and...

18th - Hauling ... and coal for ...

19th - ... ... this morning so I did not get to Sabbath School. Mr and Mrs Fluharty here this evening

20th - Chopping wood for Mr. Brigham. Amelia Eugene and ... over at Roberts. Came home when dark ... getting across the river

21st - Hauling wood for Mr. Brigham today

22nd - Commenced working on the Saw Mill again ... ... at night

23rd - ... in the Saw Mill weather warm and ...

25th - ... today ...for want of cars I only worked ... the saw mill... ... very fast this evening

26th - ... ... Lina Amelia and I at preaching tonight

27th - Worked in the Saw Mill this forenoon. Jesse commenced ... at midnight

28th - Both of us to work till noon I went over to .... put in an extra 1/2 day Sawing wood. So cold this ... the ... stopped till morning.

29th - ...

30th - ...

31st - ...

February 1868

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February 1st- In the mill working ...

2nd - Sunday Amelia Eugene and I at Sabbath School Mr. Edwards a ... preached ...

3rd - In the mill Jesse traded horses today.

4th - Working in the mill

5th- A cold stormy day put in the forenoon at the mill and the afternoon at L... So cold that Jesse ...

Feb 21st - I have not written any in my journal for a good while but today my father arrived here ... All very glad to see him

22nd 23rd 24th 25th 26th 27th 18th and 29th - Working in the saw mill

March 1st March comes in like a lamb this time at S.S. this morning. One of the miners fell ... bridge and was instantly killed

2nd - S.. in the mill. a big boil on my ...

3rd - ...

4th A warm pleasant day. Father and Jesse ... ... today

5th - The reads very muddy. weather warm

6th - Commenced raining this ... about 2 O’clock rained ... and drizzled till noon. Worked for ...

7th - At the mill ...

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... ... warm and pleasant

10th - .. Jesse and ... ... prairie very well

11th and 12th - The roads very muddy.

13th - This afternoon I went to haul a load of lumber ... when we came to cross found the Ice running so fast that ... so we were obliged to camp in the woods ... blanket to sleep on . There was several ... came same fix with ... ... argued politics awhile then laid down ...

14th - Mr. ... and I walked home to ... breakfast and horses ... had a ... miles to cross the R R bridge got over the river about 8 O’clock

15th - Sunday. Most likely my last in Moingona. Attended S. S. in the morning Amelia and I took dinner at Mr. Browns. Jesse and Lina at Roberts

16th- Made a start for Yatesville found the roads in an awful condition only traveled about 8 miles camped in a school house near Bluff Creek

17th - On the road got as far as Mr. Harveys where we staid all night. Father bought a cow here.

18th - Came to George Spades staid with him all night

19th - Driving hard to day to reach home which we did but Jesse and Barney had to stop for the night at Strattons

March 20th - Resting today went to a debate tonight

21st - Showed Father my 80 today he was well pleased with it. Attended the Yatesville Lyceum this evening.

22nd - Sabbath at my home again among my brethren and sisters very glad to meet with them at prayer meeting this evening

23rd - Commenced sowing Wheat today. weather warm and pleasant.

24th - Aleck and I went over to Mr. Lowes to draw our money for hauling material for the School house. left father to harrow while I was gone. Al Drew came today

25th - A big storm of rain and hail turned into snow this evening snowed about two inches

26th - Barneys moved in the house with Jesses for a day or two

27th - Thawing today

28th - Hunting today Mr. Coffin preached to us at the School house this evening. Mr. and Mrs Blain paid us a visit

29th - Sabbath A beautiful day Spring appears to be smiling at the victory she has gained over the wintery elements. Had plenty of preaching two sermons from Bro Coffin and one from Bro Hamilton

30th - Aleck Al Drew and Barney went to town

31st - A very pleasant day sowing Wheat

April 1868

April 1st - All fools day saw several of them here finished sowing Wheat on the Van Horn place

2nd - The wind blowing a perfect gale. Father, John,

Mr. Jack Mr. F....cke and myself went all over Father’s claim. I stopped at Barneys for prayer meeting. had a good meeting. Mr. & Mr Tony & Mr. Beebee at our house.

April 3rd - The ground froze up this morning Aleck and I out hunting stopped at Jesses for dinner came home and found Robt here.

4th - Helping Mary Jack fix up the paper for the Lyceum, quite a debate tonight on the merits of horses and cattle. The paper caused considerable lang...

5th - A beautiful day at S. S. Class Meeting & Prayer Meeting

6th - The ground froze up this forenoon Aleck and I over at Barneys helping to put in his wheat

7th - Wrote a letter for father to Mother Heard that Robts claim had been sold so Jesse Barney Aleck and I went into town to see about it Barney and I staid at Beebees all night Aleck & Jesse at To...ys

8th - Went to the Land Office and straitened the matter out. Jesse and Barney bought a breaking plow came home this evening

9th - Hauled a load of hay for Mr. Fleck took dinner with Barney & Mal At Prayer Meeting tonight

10th - Father Mr. Jack, Jas Van Horn Jesse D Fluharty Aleck took a trip out to Twin Lakes

11th - Aleck and I harrowing at Barneys

12th - Reorganized our S. S. Mr. Clay reelected Supt. Mr. Glover Asst Supt and Cas.... Yates Librarian. Snow on the ground Barney & Mal over here Eugene commenced to walk

13th - A cold disagreeable drizzly day. Mr. Spade and Uncle Gregg arrived here this evening from Illinois.

14th - Another rainy day. Uncle Father and Jesse went out to view the country. Aleck and I went and set out some cutting on our land. I planted a little when the rain commenced to come so hard I was obliged to quit.

15th - My 23rd birthday. Uncle Gregg Mr. & Mrs. Fluharty Jesse & Lina here for dinner. I was plowing some for oats. sowed some Wheat on my own.

19th - At Sabbath School and Class Meeting

20th - Sowing oats and harrowing it in rec’d a letter from Mrs Andrew Jack.

21st - Went to town to mill Mr. Jack Father Mr. Brooks & two other gentlemen went in with. When we got to town saw Mr. Coffin who told us of Aleck getting his foot cut went to the doctor’s office and saw him came back to Coffins where we staid all night.

22nd - Came home today

23rd - Sowing oats and harrowing them in, pretty cold

24th - About an inch and a half of Snow on the ground this morning. I wrote a letter to P Cox rec’d one from W. N. The sun came out ... warm and soon melted the snow all off. ... and I greased our H...

25th - A pleasant day. attended Singing School ...

26th - At Sabbath School preaching by Bro Hom... then class meeting had an excellent Meeting Prayer meetting at night.

April 27th - Monday the weather warm and pleasant. I finished harrowing in my oats. and prepared a piece of ground for onions.

28th - Raining most all day. Uncle Gregg and Mr. Tony here for dinner.

29th - Uncle Gregg started for home. Mr. Brooks M.r Hokes and several others with myself sta... for Lake City to attend court as jurors. Camp... out near Mr. Siffords 1/2 mile from town.

30th - I done the cooking for our mess. I had the misfortune this morning to cut Mr. M... hands. Court called at 11 O’clock but Judge failing to be present the court was adjounred till the first Thursday after the second Monday in August. About 1 O’clock Mr. Gould and I started for home afoot. I stopped at the School house for prayer meetting. got home about 9 O’clock

May 18 1868

May 1 - Amelia and I making some garden on our own place. Sowed Some Onions. Planted early Potatoes. took dinner with Mrs. Farren...

2nd - Plowing for Father and Barney. went to Singing School at night. the grasshoppers becoming very numerous.

3rd - Sabbath at Sabbath School Class & pray meeting

4th - Amelia and I up at the farm planted some Peas & Beets and prepared the ground for sorghum. A shower drove us home in the afternoon

5th - Went and borrowed Mr. Roots plow. plowed a little and planted sorghum rained in the evening

6th - Plowing some today but on account of a shower was obliged to take shelter at Mr. Farends awhile then put for home

May 7th - Plowing. Amelia and I at prayer meeting

8th - David Fluharty and I helping Jesse to survey the Section he lives on. had to do some tall wading hunting witness corners came to Barneys where I staid all night

9th - Plowing in the forenoon. Attended preaching and quarterly conference afternoon only three official members present. Bro Williams Bro Gould and myself. Singing school tonight

10th - Sabbath. Bro Hamilton the only minister with us. a very good Love feast this morning

17th - Our Congregationalist brethren organized a society at the school house five persons joined. Made arrangements to have preaching regularly

June 1868

June 2 - People are getting fearful that the grasshoppers are going to ruin our crops but like the children of Israel our only hope is in God.. Commenced breaking on father Jacks claim. An Indignation Meeting at the School house last night to give expression to the feelings of the people in regard to the Impeachment of A. Johnson Pres of the U. S.

3rd - Father Mary and Cass out at Twin Lakes fishing. Father Jack and I breaking

4th - Another heavy rain last night.

7th - Bro Hamilton baptized Eugene today. May the Lord give us grace to perform our vows unto him

8th - Had the pleasure today of seeing my dear mother and bro Clifford who arrived here after a long and tedious journey

9th - Mother and Mary went over to Barneys and Jesses

June 12th - All of us out at Twin Lakes on a fishing excursion caught about one hundred and fifty

15th - Moved up on our claim today

29th - Have been breaking some on Father and Mr Jacks ... my own claims and viewing with no small amount of anxiety and distress the destruction of Wheat Corn Oats and vegetables by the hungry grasshoppers. have been off all day hunting a cow to buy found one at $30 at Mr Welches staid with him all night

30th - Came home with my cow today

July 1868

July 1st - Mother and I went to town today

2nd - Amelia and I visited Jesses this evening. Made up our minds to go back East for harvest along with Bros John and Clifford

3rd - Getting ready for our trip

4th - Helping father awhile today at his shanty Jesses Johns and George Spades here to eat with us

5th - Attended quarterly meeting over at the Lizzard

6th - Bro John Clifford Aleck Mal and babies Amelia Eugene and I pulled out for Ill got about Seven Miles east of Ft. Dodge

7th to 12th - passed through Webster City from there to Lakins grove through Illinois grove Whiskey Bottom Redman Marshall town Marietta Indian Town Cedar Rapids. Tipton Round grove and Hickory grove to Le Claire

13th - Arrived at Mr. Condrons about 5 O’clock this evening met Will and Ruth here visited Maggie and Austin Stonebraker in the evening.

14th - Went to Uncle James Jacks took dinner with them then went over the river to see the friends there found them all well and busy harvesting. occupied the same room tonight that we did the first summer after our marriage. A very warm day

15th - To see Uncle Greggs then back to Nicholsons where we took dinner. then over the river to Uncle Jameses. P. F. Cox here tonight on his way home

16th - Commenced harvesting today for Wm Wilson @$3.00 per day. very hot

17th - Still working for Mr. Wilson find them to be very kind people. thermometer at 106 degrees today

18th - At Mr. Wilsons

19th - Sabbath. at S. S. with Uncle Jas to S. R...

20th - Harvesting for Andrew Jack. hot

21st and 22nd - “” for Andrew Jack very hot

23rd - With Mr Wilson again

24 and 25th - At A Jacks. Amelia and I went over to Austin Stonebrakers this evening (25... went over to Condrons for dinner

26th - Sunday at Austins all day

27th - Commenced stacking today grain very hard to stack

28th - Stacking

29th - Stacking . A Mr. Russell came this evening to get me to go with him to Durant to run with a Threshing Machine

30th - Finished stacking at noon then Mr. Russel and I started for Durant traveled till after midnight. stopped at Capt Shrys slept on the haystack

31st - Fixing up the Machine stopping at Mr. Washburnes

August 1868

Aug 1st - Commenced Threshing at Mr. Nesbits

2nd - At Congregationalist preaching. Wrote to Amelia and bro Jess

Aug 3rd 4th and 5th 6th - At Mr. Nesbits

7th - Doing nothing today. Mr. Russel and I went to the country this evening

Aug 8th - Finished at Mr. Nesbits went to Mr. Gillespies

9th - Sunday at Congregationalist preaching in the morning. Wrote a letter to Father Jack Oh how lonesome I felt today at Episcopalian meeting tonight

10th - Raining very hard this morning so I saddled up old Nance and started for Pleases who lived about 12 miles from here arrived there at noon in the evening Miles and Nancy Nicholson and Bro John came here John going to run with the machine

11th - John and I went to Durant this forenoon found Mr. Russel ready to go to go to threshing. Recd a letter from Amelia

12 13 14th - Threshing at Gillespies

15th - Moved before sunrise this morning to Mr. Cunningham

16th - At Cong and Methodist preaching wrote to Amelia

17th 18th and 19th - At Mr. Cunninghams

20th - Left this noon and came to Capt Shrys

21st - At Shrys lots of melons

22nd - At noon today took the cars for Davenport met with Davey Condron rode home with them from Davenport. Had a big hunt for Amelia found her about midnight at Stonbrakers

23rd - At Austins all day

24th - Took the cars this morning at Pt Byron stopped at Moline to see cousin Anna Freeburger then at Rock Island to see Mother Jack over to Davenport took the train there for Durant found the Machine at Mr. Shoemakers

25th - Finished here today and moved to Mr. Smiths

26th - Got through here and moved to the dutchmans

27th - Still in germany

28th - Raining Bro John went home

29th - Threshing

30th - Went to Cong preaching got wet by the rain. Wrote to Amelia and Father.

31st - Still raining. Mr. Russels horse sick so he started with her to Ill left Walter and I to plow

September 1868

Sept 1st - Plowing at Capt Shrys

2nd - Commenced Threshing

3rd - Threshed a little while had a fuss with the Dutch and quit the business and went to plowing

4th - Plowing and looking for Mr. Russel

5th - Mr. Russel came this evening John and I quit got our money and came up to Pleases through the rain. I recd in all $73.00

6th - Sunday. Pleas and I at preaching today

7th - Started for Le Claire met Uncle Gregg and Bro Clifford on the road today got to Austins this evening.

8th - Raining this morning visited Wm Condrons this evening

9th - Ruth Condron Amelia and I went to Princeton today stopped at Ruth and Amelias mothers grave went to Mr. Huines in Princeton I went over the river to Cordova saw Jas Torpin & lady also Aaron Smith and Brewer Stout. Came back to Condrons where we staid all night

10th - Went with Austins to the Scott Co fair at Davenport a very large crowd in attendance came home this evening with Austins

11th - At Uncle James for dinner then went over the river stopped at Port Byron and had pictures taken of Genie and ourselves. Mother Jack along with us came to Nicholsons tonight

Sept 12th - Called at Mr. Sigsworths and Mr. McCutchens stopped and took dinner with Mr. Garnetts saw Eliza. Came back to Wills where we staid all night

13th - At preaching today heard Mr. Irwin preach met with a great many of our old acquaintances and friends at church today

14th - Went up to Mr. Coes today left Amelia at Mr. McRoberts till I came back then went to Pt Byron where we done some trading at Metzgers then over the river to Uncle Jameses

15th - Went over to Stonebrakers this morning the Threshers there raining nearly all day fixed my wagon bows and made preparations to start for Ft Dodge

16th - Started this morning about 9 O’clock drove very hard and arrived at Pleases this evening A very heavy frost tonight

17th - Left Pleases this morning and came to Uncle McCools at Clarence where we staid all night

18th to 26th Snow storm on the 23rd of Sept Passed through Mechanicsville ... Mt Vernon Cedar Rapids, Vinton, Buckingham. El Dora near Grundy, Ceuter, Iowa Falls Alden Webster City and Ft. Dodge and arrived at home safe and sound the evening of the 26th. Thanks to God for his preserving care over us found the folks all well and very glad to see us

October 1868

Oct 1st to 31st - Busy for a while making sorghum molasses digging potatoes butchering etc etc had the promise of the Yatesville school so I went to Lake City and procured a Certificate from the Supt but was disappointed in getting the school so hearing

from Bro Robert who was up to make some improvement on his claim that there was a vacant school near Moingona I immediately started for that place and succeeded in engaging it at a salary of $40.00 per month for four months. I cannot but acknowledge the hand of God in leading me by a way which I knew not.

November 1868

Nov 3rd - Election day. A President and Vice President of the U. S. elected today. I had the honor of casting my vote for Grant and Colfax considerable excitement in our neighborhood over some of the Township offices. No blood shed.

Nov 5th - Started for Moingona this morning in company with Father and Mother who are also moving there for the winter. found an empty house tonight into which we put a stove and camped for the night

6th - Arrived at Moingona about dark staid at Roberts all night

7th - I rented a small house not far from where I am to teach, moved into it today.

16th - Commenced my school today.

26th - Thanksgiving day. I had no school so Amelia and I went an visited Uncle Saml Jacks who live 4 1/2 miles from Boone came home this evening

December 1868

Dec 1st to 25th - Teaching getting wood for School house and for my own use. getting hay and corn out in the country for which purpose I had to borrow money from Bros Jesse and Robert and Cousin Thos C Gregg

Dec 25th - Christmas. had all our friends that live in Moingona here for dinner 23 in all had a very pleasant time the day warm and pleasant

Dec 27th - Amelia and I to church stopped at Mothers for dinner had some stuffed geese very nice

January 1869

Jany 1st 1869 - Chopping wood and staying at home all day Some foolish fellows out running around the houses tonight to scare people scared us considerably especially Amelia

23rd - Came with Uncles down to Booneboro to church. Aunt, Amelia and I went to Methodist preaching. Came home this afternoon

26th - Father Jack and Uncle Gregg came this evening from Yatesville. Father came home with me tonight from preaching.

27th - Staid with us today. we all went down to Moingona to meeting. Father staid down to start for home in the morning

31st - Sabbath. at Speaking Meeting this morning. their preaching by bro Martin Mr. Doran wife Amelia and I at Fathers for dinner. At preaching tonight

February 1869

Feby 2nd - A Snow storm all day today.

3rd - Snowing and blowing very hard today about the worst storm of this winter

4, 5, and sixth - Teaching every day except Saturdays and Sundays. Eugene goes to School once or twice a week has learned to behave himself very nicely. got my better half to teach for me several evenings after Recess while I hauled wood for Mr. Doran

March 1869

March 5th - Four months have passed away and I am teaching my last day of school for this term thanks to a kind Providence I have not missed a single day since school began. Lewis Doran took the prize for having made the most improvement in the term

gave the scholars all nice cards, shook hands with them and said Good Bye

Sunday 7th - Attended Sabbath School where I have a class of young ladies to teach. Se have such a splendid S. S.

8th and 9th - Went to Mr. Phelans with my Register to Mr. Cases for an order on the treasury for my school money. there to the Treasurer Mr. Elsey and presented the order but no money on hand

10th - Borrowed Sixty dollars @ 10 perct int from S. S Rogers for which I gave my note for thirty five days with Messrs Blair & Couch as security

11 and 12th - Hauling Wood for Mr. Doran snowing

13th - Pleasanter today than it has been for several days We went to town this evening. Father and Mother came home with us and stayed all night.

14th - Stormy and cold did not go to preaching but Spent a pleasant Sabbath at home.

15th - Tomp is chopping today

16th - Wrote a letter to father. Thomp has gone to town this evening ...th - Hauling wood. Amelia visited Barneys. I came and took dinner with them

18th - Mal & Barney here for supper hauling wood

19th - Bro Clifford came over this morning and informed us that the ice was giving way very fast. he helped me haul wood and pack up so we moved over to fathers this evening ...th- My cow ran back to our old quarter I went after her Mother along to Roberts. came back and helped father to haul wood.

21st - Sunday. Amelia Eugene & Clifford and I went over to Robts I staid all night

March 22nd - Mr. Doran and I out in the country about two miles to the Township Treasurer. got the money for the wood I chopped for the School house. Amount $17.50. came back and hauled wood till noon for father. Mr. Blair measured their wood this evening. Mr Doran and I also straitened up our wood business. found I had made enough by my hauling & chopping to pay my store bill of about $45.00 and a little over

23rd - Packed up and got ready to start for Yatesville by two o’clock in the afternoon. Mud pretty deep only made about eight miles found a good place to stop. plenty of room, good stables etc

24th - This morning came to Bluff Creek which we found very high. had to load the calves (one of them a yearling) on the wagons & tie the cows behind the wagon. got to within 4 miles of West Dayton good stopping place tonight.

25th - On the way the roads very bad about Dayton only got as far as Oth put up with Mr. Hart

26th - Making great calculation on getting to father Jacks tonight but on coming to Prairie Creek and attempting to ford it found it too deep so were obliged to go around to the South Lizzard bridge. stopped with Bro Tonys tonight who treated us first rate

27th - Came across Aleck and Mr. Yates at Powers grove Mother and Amelia came out with them . I arrived at father Jacks about sundown

28th - At Class Meeting heard a sermon by bro Ladue

29 30 31st - Stopping at father Jacks

April 1869

April 1st - A very stormy day Aleck and I visited Jesses and fathers folks

April 2nd - Aleck and I tried to tramp out Oats. Too wet. so I built a shed for my horses shoveled the coal out of my house etc

3rd - Moved up this morning Mary and father along and helped us to fix up

4th - Sunday. Went to Meeting with the team Bro Henry preached. then a meeting held to talk over Sunday School plans. oh what a storm of words! Meeting adjourned without accomplishing anything

5th - Aleck father and I finished thrashing oats

6th - Went down after my seed Wheat. Harrow Etc by invitation Amelia and I over at Mr. Ferands for dinner wild goose for dinner

7th - Commenced sowing Wheat Set out some cottonwood trees

8th - Rained today wrote a letter to P. F. Cox

9th - Plowing for wheat with Mr. Ferands plow it would not scour so I went down to get Alecks Amelia went along and got her chickens. staid all night Mr. and Mrs. Ferand & family and Mrs. Root here for supper

10th - Lavina came home with us this morning & staid today & tonight

11th - Sunday Went to church with Bro Clay heard a good sermon by Bro Preston organized a M. E. S. S today the following officers appointed L. Jack Supt. E. B. Clay asst Supt. J. B. Close Librarian and T. Smith Treas & Secy. Bros Gould Moses & Radley offered the office of Treasurer & successively declined. Father and Mother joined our class by letter Jas Smith here today

12th - went out to Twin Lakes today for Potatoes got them at 50 cts per bushel

13th - Plowing

14th - Sowing wheat the wind very high

15th - My 24th birthday Oh may I as I grow in years grow in grace and in the knowledge of God. A blustery rainy disagreeable day Bro Jones took dinner with us

April 16th - Harrowing in Wheat. Father here for dinner

17th - Sowed some Wheat on very low ground had to mud it in

18th - Attended preaching to day after the sermon bro Preston organized a M. E. Sabbath School in this place the following officers were chosen L Jack for Supt E. B. Clay Asst Supt J. B. Close Librarian and T Smith Secy and Treasurer

19th - Bro Clifford and I put in Barneys wheat today

20th - Cleaning up my ... Clifford here and took dinner whth us

21st - Sowing and harrowing in oats.

22nd - Went over to Jesses to help him put in Robts Wheat too late as Jesse had just finished. Staid over there nearly all day.

23rd - I went to Mr Closes to get Alecks plow sharped. Amelia went along and visited Mrs. Close. brought Mary Jack home from her school which closed today

24th - Sowing some more oats finished

25th - Sunday. Went to hear Bro Harvey preach at 11 o’clock then Bro H Amelia & I went down to fathers for dinner then back to hear Bro Preston Bro Clay and Bro Gould met and settled a difference that had existed between them

26th - I had the sick headache this morning Sat out some cuttings on the ... between Aleck & I Mrs Farend Jesse Lina & John Gregg here for dinner

27th - Hauled some rocks for a found... for house. In the afternoon went fishing out to Twin Lakes caught 25 fish Came home found Mary Jacks Emma ... & Fanny Tony here

28th - Plowing for corn. Aleck here for dinner. gave me some ...llo... cuttings which I set out on my South line E of Farends house. Amelia and I took supper at Bro Clays this evening

April 29th Plowing corn ground Set out some more willows

30th - Plowing This day (Friday before quarterly meeting) being fast day we abstained from eating any supper Pray the Lord help us bring our bodies under subjection and May our hearts feast upon the riches of his grace. “oh for a lowly contrite heart a heart from sin set free”

May 1869

May 1st - Started this morning for quarterly meeting down at father Jacks met Robt & Ellen & family who arrived from Moingona the night before. father Jack and I went on over to the Leumpkins School house took dinner at Mr Broadstones. Attended preaching by Bro Robinson and quarterly conf took supper at Isaac Willson at his fathers all night

2nd - A lovely morning. Love feast preaching & communion took dinner at Bro Youngs came home this evening

3rd - Plowing untill 3 or 4 O’clock. Aleck and I tried to dig out some foxes. I got ready to go to mill to Lake City left Amelia at her fathers I went down to fathers and staid all night

4th - Brother Clifford and I started early this morning got down to the river about 5 o’clock got the promise of some corn from Mrs Lawrence. Went to the Mill where we staid all night. Slept on the Millers porch

5th - Up this morning got our grists dug up a few trees came to Lawrences loaded up our corn and came home. I staid at Father Jacks all night

6th - Came home and went to plowing set out a few trees

7, 8 th - Plowing for corn

9th - At S. S. Preaching by bro Harvey. took dinner at Barneys in the afternoon. Preaching by bro Preston. Class meeting immediately after

10th -Mr Ferands team plowing for me today. I was harrowing

11th - Furrowing out corn ground this forenoon. Aleck planting with a hand planter for me in the afternoon.

12th - Planted awhile this morning. rain came on so I sat in the house the rest of the day wrote to Uncle Walsh

May 13th - Ploughing for corn. cold & chilly. got some brooms at Mr Glovers

14th - Planted corn awhile today

15th - Ploughing and planting potatoes

16th - Went to our S. S. this morning took dinner with us heard Bro Harvey preach staid for Union S. S. and Cong. preaching by bro La ...ue

17th - Made a had bridge on the road this morning. plowing

18th - Planted some melons this morning. Marking for corn in the evening

19th - Father Jack here last night staid till noon helped me plant corn. Mrs Clay & Mrs Hoad here

20th - Went over to fathers and helped him to plant corn. Amelia visted at Mothers stopped ... prayer meeting

21st - Planted Potatoes in the morning. commenced planting corn after dinner but the rain came on & stopped me got two bushels of Potatoes of ... Nalley

22nd - Working on the cattle yard today took dinner at father Jacks

23rd - Attended S.S. and held class meeting.

24th - Raining this morning. [following four words crossed out] Planting so.. this morning father and I out to Twin Lakes fishing

25th - Amelia and I cleaned the well out today

26 27 28th - Hoeing planting Sitting in the house on account of the rain etc

29th - Went to Twin Lakes fishing caught about seventy

30th - Amelia Eugene and I walked to S. S. this morning rode home with Bro Preston who took dinner with us

31st - After Maple seed over to the Lizzard. planted some this evening

June 1869

June 1st - Finished planting Maple seed took some over to Barneys & fathers

2nd - Clifford came this morning & commenced braking. commenced replanting my corn cause blackbirds

3rd - Mal had a young son this evening Helping Aleck make fence till noon planting corn afternnon

4th - Finished my corn

5th - Planting melons, citrons etc on the breaking Tom Gregg here for dinner

30th - Aleck and I went to Ft Dodge bought some groceries and dry goods at Mr. Furlongs came out to Blains where I staid all night

July 1869

July 1st - Came home today

2nd - Barney & Cliff here breaking my hedgerow

3rd - Amelia and I attended a picnic at the School house

4th - Sunday at S. S. Father Jack and I took dinner at Bro Jones

July 6th and 7th - Plowing corn

8th - Plowing corn for David Fluharty Amnelia visited Mrs. F

9th - Still plowing for Mr. F. stopped at Mr. Radleys

10th - Plowing corn etc Barney and Mal here for supper

11th - Bro Preston preached I staid for Union S.S.

12th - Rained hard this morning. Commenced making a milk house

13th - Finished the Milk house. took supper at Mrs. Farends

14th - Went and watched the men working on the Rail Road awhile

15th - Amelia Mrs. F and I visited at Jesses today I sowed some turnips

16 and 17th - Plowing corn and pulling weeds

18th - Amelia visited at her fathers. I went to Preaching

19th - Plowing corn.

20th - Helping Aleck to stack Barley

21st - Plowing corn. Father and Mother visited us today

22nd - Finished plowing my corn. Sowed some turnips. at prayer meeting tonight

23rd - Plowing turnip ground for Barney Amelia visited Mal

24th - Hoeing cabbage picking Potato bugs etc. Bought a bolt of mosquito bar

25th - Sunday. The Union S.S. met with ours today had a pleasant time singing talking etc

26th 27th and 28th - Cutting and putting up some hay and Making preparations for harvesting

29th - Commenced cutting wheat for father Jack but concluded at noon that it was too green so quit for today. Mr. Yates doing the cutting for us with his reaper

30th - Helping Bro Clay cut and shocked about 10 acres

31st - The harvesters at my house this forenoon cut some wheat and Oats. Attended Preaching and quarterly Conf in the afternoon at the School house.

August 1869

Sunday Aug 1st - Had a glorious love feast this morning. preaching by the P. E. Bro Todd also in the afternoon by Bro House a Cong Minister. Bro Toneys came home with us for dinner

Aug 2nd - Harvesting for Aleck and Mr. Yates

3rd to 13th - Harvesting for Mr. Yates and E B Clay Wm Root Aleck and myself. the weather splendid. crops pretty good. Put up a small stack of Oats on the 13th . On the 7th witnessed a glorious yet terrible sighting a total eclipse of the Sun. Commenced coming on in the afternoon, and about 4 O’clock for a few minutes the earth was enveloped in darkness. Chickens went to roost, birds came fluttering to the ground and a light dew fell when all at once the Sun burst forth in all his splendor. “Oh Lord how wonderful are they works. In goodness hast thou made them all”

Aug 14th - Raining

15th - Attended a grove meeting over on the Lizzard

16th - Father and I stacking Wheat till noon when it commenced raining

17th - Part of my stack to tear down as I had only commenced

18th - Stacking today. Rained very hard tonight again

22nd - At S. S.

23rd - Father and Mother here. Finished Stacking this evening

24th - Father and I helping father Jack with his stacking today

25th - Mowing for father, with Mr. Clarks mover. Mother came home with me tonight

26th - Today about 3 O’clock Amelia gave birth to Thomas Clifford a bouncing boy, Mother Mrs Jones and Lavina Jack here.

27th - At a Republican Convention at Mr Yates this afternoon

28th - Working at my sod stable

29th - At S. S. preaching by bro Harvey also had Class

30th - Making a mange in my stable. pulling beans etc

31st - Mowing for Barney

September 1869

September 1st - Mowing for myself. Broke the d...er and had to go to the blacksmith shop. Barney and Cliff here this afternoon

2nd - Raked and put up my hay. rained this evening

3rd - Lavina gone home so I am chief cook at our house

Memorandum Lavina Married to Wm Lowe. I attended the wedding
Haying a good while as the weather was very uncertain and a great deal of rain. Father Jack and I made some Sorghum Molasses down at Mr Blains who kindly furnished us Mill and everything free, I sold my colt for 40 dollars I’d not got all my plowing done on account of so much wet weather. Sometime during the first week in Oct we were favored with a visit from Sisters Nancy and Mary Jane Wm Nicholson and Maria who staid with us a few weeks

October 1869

Oct 11th - At the Election held in our Township I had the fortune (or Misfortune) to be elected Township Clerk

Owing to disappointment in getting my money from Boone Co for teaching last winter I couldnt build as I intended. Cold weather came on and found us in a very uncomfortable shanty but thanks to God I found some money to borrow, bought some lumber, got Father Bro Clay and Mr. Farend to help put up a house and Moved into it Nov 29th 1869 Mr. Farend kindly giving us shelter while we were building it also while I was getting ... threshing done. I had 104 bushels of wheat and 54 of Oats. Stacked my corn of which there was over 150 bushels I attended the Teachers Institute at Lake City from the 23rd of Oct to the 30th. Procured a Certificate and engaged to teach the Yatesville School 4 months at $30 per month. Commenced teaching Nov 29th In Dec Mother was taken sick and Amelia and I came down to help take care of her. We sent for Dr Nicholson of Fort Dodge who pronounced the disease to be enlargement of the spleen
We spent our Christmas at Father Jacks and took dinner on New Years at Wm Lowes
James Van Horne and Mr. Yates became bondsmen for me in the sum of $2,000 for the faithful performance of My duties as Town Clerk. Was sworn in by G. ... Stars and entered on the duties of the office Jan 18th 1870