1928-1929 Manuscript Diaries of a Willard, Ohio Farmer Who Becomes a Widow But Must Continues to Thrive While Enduring Further Tragedy

On offer are two diaries covering two years in the life of a farmer in Willard, Ohio named William Newton Keesy (1867-1942).

William married Carrie Niekirk (1867-1928) in 1892, and they had two children, Parke and Wilma. He farmed near the small Ohio town of Willard. He also served as commissioner in Huron. Following the death of his wife, William moved in with his daughter Wilma and her family. Sadly the 1940 census, completed two years before his death, shows him living in a boarding house. 

When he kept these diaries at age 61-62, William Kessy lived an ordinary life, looking after his wife who was very ill, and would die before the end of 1928, and participating regularly in community organizations. Again, from context, it appears that, in addition to farming, he worked servicing pumps at gas stations and service weigh scales.

His entries are succinct and convey a sense of the rhythm of life in small-town Ohio at that time. The following excerpts will give a flavour of these two diaries. The diaries also contain a fair amount of ephemera such as medical bills, invoices, etc.

“R and cloudy. I went to Willard and tested Standard Oil Co Bulk and Service Station” [Feb 15, 1928]. 

“I made a thing to put coal oil barrel on and in P.M. went over to see Herbert he is sick has been since Monday. Wilma came and her and Carrie went to W.M.A. at Dawson. I went down to in eve a little while” [Apr 6, 1928].

“Hung screen door and painted in A.M. In P.M. hoed potatoes. All kids were here in eve had ice cream. We set out tomato and cabbage plants. I went down to Clarks and got them” [July 4, 1928].

By late summer, Carrie was beginning to have health problems and there are a number of references to doctor appointments, a receipt from the Cleveland Clinic and a detailed list that William kept of Carrie’s medical bills at the back of the diary.. Through the autumn, Carrie’s health continued to fail, but life continued for William and his adult children. Some excerpts:

“I went to Willard then to cemetery and over to Charley’s then home, then got a message from Mabel and went to Willard, and in eve to Willard to a Republican meeting. Frances Riddle went with me. Carrie and Mary went over to Wilma’s for dinner” [Oct 8, 1928]. 

“Got things ready to go to Columbus in the morning to Sealer Convention. In PM I went to Delphi and Willard. Eva came out first before dinner and is going to stay until I get home from Columbus” [Dec 3, 1928].

“At home all day. Carrie has been bad. Doctor was out in eve. Bob and Wilma was out in eve” [Dec 12, 1928].

“Fair. Carried died this evening at 7 o’clock. Parke and I cut up beef and Dora put it down” [Dec 28, 1928].

His family troubles were not over, but continue in his 1929 diary. On Jan 2, 1929, he notes that his 10 month old granddaughter is sick. She had contracted measles and a bronchial infection and did not recover: 

“Stayed at Bob last night. Merle died at 5:20 this morning” [Jan 30, 1929].

“Little Merle Aileen was buried today aside of Carrie. Now she has her. Dear lord keep me so I can go to them” [Feb 1, 1929]. 

Despite the tragedy of 1928 and 1929, William perseveres. He spends a lot of time with Wilma and her husband Bob, and Parke. He also continues with his daily tasks, as was necessary at the time. Some excerpts:

“Frank and I cleaned the chicken coop then I went to Attica and brought Eva and Minnie out and Dora and Wilma came over and they divided up Carrie’s wearing apparel and then took them home” [Feb 18, 1929]. 

“I went to Norwalk by way of Younges and home to Willard and got car greased and shaved and hair cut and got oil changed and car greased. Bob and I got all of my things last evening” [May 3, 1929]. 

“At election then out to Park’s and to Grange in eve” [Nov 5, 1929]. 

“Got ready for Christmas. Parks were down in eve. I got 2 pairs of socks and a tie from Parkes and a desk light from Bob and Wilma” [Dec 24, 1929]. 

For a social historian, these  diaries provide a real look at one aspect of life in small town America in the early part of the 20th Century. He keeps detailed cash account listings at the back of both diaries, and the ephemera helps shed light on economic information from the time.There are numerous references to family, friends and neighbours for this to be a good resource for genealogists.

The 1928 diary measures 5.5x3.4 inches, is 183 pages and 100% complete. Overall Good. The 1929 diary measures 6x3.4 inches, is 183 pages and 100% complete. Overall Good. William’s handwriting is particularly legible for a male diarist.