1878 HANDWRITTEN MANUSCRIPT DIARY OF HARD WORK AND THE RURAL PIONEER LIFE

On offer is an original manuscript diary dated 1878 handwritten by Joseph Marean of Liberty Centre, Warren County Iowa. This is a super account of the day by day doings of Joseph and his wife Mary from Tuesday, January 1st to Tuesday, December 31st, 1878. Local historians and genealogist will be delighted to find entries including; various farm chores, visits, meetings, neighbors, weather conditions, medical ailments, expenses, purchases, sales, etc. Here are some snippets: "Th. 3rd January; Went to Leacona to mill got one Sack of buckwheat ground one Sack of corn. left two Sacks of wheat, came by the coal bank got 10 b. coal - Th. 10th January; Went to Indianola to pay my interest. Took five Sacks of Buckwheat left at mill. Weather pretty cold - Fri. 18th January; gathered one load of corn got the Sick headache. Mr. P Mr. Zigler came here a short time this afternoon frost coming out pretty fast - Sun. 3rd February; We were to meeting at Green Plain School House Rev. Zigler preached Weather pleasant. Strayers boys came and staid all night - Thu. 14th February; I went to Lucas Station to get help hand John Franks goods out. he did not arrive. It snowed near all day. got home at about 9 Oclock - Tue. 12th March; I dug at the Celler. Mary went to the Rebekah Lodge - Fri. 29th March; I plowed all day, this evening it snowed real fast for a short time weather cool and blustery all day - Fri. 5th April; I sowed about 2 acres of clover Seed the balance of the piece in Timothy. John Strayers were here a short time. it rained a little this afternoon wether cool - Mo. 22nd April; Hauled a load of coal from the bank. I sacked wheat, Shelled corn &c this afternoon we went to town goat a bolt put in the plow share - Thur. 9th May; I planted 10 acres of corn wether cold. used John Frank's planter - Thu. 23rd May; I went to Liberty Center to try my mare. Harrowed corn ground this afternoon - Mo. 3rd June; I helped to wash quilts this forenoon, this afternoon I planted pumpkins - Wed. 26th June; I was to Hammmendsburg to John Proctor Law ??? Stoped at John Strayers for dinner and super - Tu. 9th July; I plowed the Truck patch this forenoon, this afternoon I harrowed the Buckwheat ground twice - Mo. 22nd July; I started to Norwood at two o clock this morning and Bred Lucy to W. Millers horse, got back and commenced to bring Oats for C.K. Kempel soon after 9 o'clock this afternoon W. Decker Ace. Mosher helped one bind oats, wether pleasent - Tu. 6th August; Will helped me Stack all day, we finished the Flax - Mon. 26th August; I went to Indianola, Shiped 2 barrels of potatoes to Boston, brought back a load of lumber to build a granary, Saw Six prisoners go on board the train to be taken to State Prison - Sun. 8th September; We were to Green Plain to the Quaker meetings John Wood preached, went to Mr. Lencas,s? for dinner, it rained a good shower - Tu. 24th September; worked at the granary this forenoon, this afternoon I gathered a load of corn for Kempel, and one for myself - Tu. 8th October; I went to the Election. voted the republican ticket excepting a few Township officers (Greenback), it rained and hailed a Shower this afternoon Mary went with Kempels to the Rebekah meeting - Mo. 14th October; I worked at the wire fence part of the time. this evening Jake Keller brought his mare over Sick to Doctor her. She had the colic and died - Th. 7th November; we hauled three loads of Straw, finished the corn cribs and Stable wether pretty cold - Fr. 22nd November; this forenoon I drove my hogs to the Center they weighed 255 per head, A.K. Kempel, P.L. Keller helped me drive them - Wed. 11th December; I went to the Shop to get the team shod, Mary went along and Stoped at C. Michaies? - Su. 29th December; this afternoon we took a Sleigh ride South of the Center, a round of 14 miles, the Snow thawed Some, the north and South roads near bare. Back of the book also includes several pages of various detailed listings of the Family's Expenses and Sales. The book measures 6" by 7 1/2", and 3/8" thick and contains approximately 80 pages of handwritten notes. Book's cover is made of a brightly colored heavy paper board material with a brown colored leather spine and hinges. Overall G. ; Manuscript; 12mo - over 6" - 7" tall; Hand Written, Personal, Americana, Memoir, Handwritten, hand written, autograph, autographs, signed, letters, document, documents, manuscript, manuscripts, writers, writer, author, Holograph, personal, Americana, IOWA, IA, BIOGRAPHY, AUTOBIOGRAPHY,