1877 Diary of a Very Young, Well Written and Social Wife of a Wisconsin Hog Farmer

On offer is an interesting post-American Civil War farming diary, kept by Anna Bell (Abell) Cornue (1856-1882). At the time of this diary’s writing, Anna was 21 years old and had been married to her husband, the farmer Melvin E. Cornue (1848-1922) from Alden, Illinois, for over three years. Anna would die in her 20s, at her mother’s residence in Geneva, Wisconsin, only five years after she wrote this diary. After Anna’s death, Melvin would go on to make a name for himself in Wisconsin, opening a general store in 1888 and working as an assessor and justice of the peace. 

At the time of her writing, Anna and Melvin are living in Wisconsin near Geneva, and Melvin is running a hog farm while Anna keeps house. She writes complete daily entries from January 1-March 24, 1877 and one week’s worth of entries in mid-May.  Her entries are intensely local, painting a picture of life on a midwestern farm around 150 years ago. Melvin sells their hogs and takes great care of their horses. Anna keeps the house and makes detailed notes about both her and Melvin’s work days. Some excerpts:

“Was a clear cold day wind in the north west. Melvin and I went to Geneva. I was bundled so I did not get cold. Ma and I went up town. I got me a new strainer and ma got me a wash board the snow being so thin in the road the sleighing is getting pretty rough but we have had nice sleighing for so little snow” [Jan 2]. 

“Valentine’s Day but that doesn’t interest me much now. Was a bright morning and quite warm thawed quite a considerable. ..... Melvin hired the carpenter to build the barn today Mr. Austin from Alden $120. I am glad it is let at last. I baked things up today” [Feb 14]. 

“Was a nice bright day but quite cold NW wind M went to [ ] with oats I washed…I cleaned the shanty and baked some. M got home a little after 4. In the eve, Melvin cleaned up another load of oats. I churned. Vina and the baby are over home. Minnie came up here after some milk and spoons. I wonder if we are going to have spring now” [Feb 26]. 

“Got up in good season and got ready to go to G. Melvin had a load of feed and small grist went out back and the snow was perfectly awful deep before got to road broke a whiffletree and M put on a line and we finally got to [ ]” [Mar 15]. 

For a historian, this diary paints a picture of a simple life lived in in rural America mid-19th century. Her entries are complete and, taken as a whole, paint a fairly clear picture of life in those early days.

This 1877 diary measures 6.0 inches by 3.0 inches and contains about 183 pages. It is about 25% complete with thorough daily entries from Jan 1-March 24. The covers are in good condition. The binding is only slightly loosening  and all pages are in good condition as well. The handwriting is legible.