1908 Diary of a Successful Farmer in Tiogo County, New York Who Writes of His Work, His Community and His Family

On offer is a fine diary written at the turn of the 20th century in rural, upstate New York. This 1908 diary belonged to Jerome Josephus Schoonover (1849-1926), a farmer in upstate New York. Specifically, he was born and lived his entire life in Tiogo County, New York. In 1890, Jerome married Lydia Van Norstran (1858-1951). Lydia worked as a school teacher in the Barton and Tiogo areas. It does not appear that Jerome and Lydia had any children. 

Schoonover was 59 years old when he wrote this diary. While his entries are primarily related to his farming business, they are surprisingly long and newsy for a man’s diary. His entries include information about his and Lydia’s social life, community happenings and he keeps a very thorough financial ledger and list of contacts at the back of the diary. Some excerpts follow:

“Mellissa Wright dies. Williams wife. Charl to Dan Wiggins draw some ties from the [ ] to put them on the flats. To Charls and Dan draw load of stalks & load of oat straw from lower barn for me to bed with at home barn. Nice day for time of year. Sent a letter to J.P. Fragl today an answer to his” [Jan 5].

“Some cloudy this morning. Lydia took 3 doz eggs to Stonarts 22¢ trade them out. Report is John Holt went to California on 11 o’clock train yesterday left a note for his wife that she could come if she wants 2. She was to Owego come back 12 1/2 [ ] the same day don’t know what is the matter or the trouble with them. Charles draw manure and draw up some ties 10 for me” [Mar 11].

“Hitched fan to platform and Lydia & I went up to Dr. Post. He fix something for my eye and we stay to dinner up there. Charley helped Clarke stook oats we went down to lower garden to get some cucumbers. Pearl Coleman’s sick so Dr. Post went down with his mobile to see her” [Aug 18].

“Charley drew load of corn for me & DA Wiggins husk is 29 good  and 6 poor. Cloudy & colder he draw 6 – 2 for himself and got me a load of corn fodder I pick up some chestnuts” [Oct 9].

“Lydia & her mother went to the funeral of Mrs. Dan Daily at Barton on morn train. Gibbs finish the price back of the hill. Ground was froze quite hard in morn cloudy all day and cold. Charls Tribe sold his farm to Charles Coleman 1,500 dollars, Art V went to Smithboro to take an inventory of Bailys store goods” [Nov 14].

“Sold Fred Martin 5 doz eggs at 86 cents Rode up to store with Dr. Post in his cutter. Really good sleighing cold wind don’t feel very good today” [Dec 21]. 

This simple, plainly-written diary gives an excellent look at and sense of what life was like in those early years of the 20th century. They paint a picture of a hard but successful life in upstate New York in the years just before the beginning of some of the most momentous changes in life in the United States.

Measuring 6.0 inches by 3.0 inches and contains 365 pages. The diary is approximately 80% complete. The cover and binding are in good condition, as is the spine. The pages are in good condition and the handwriting is legible. Overall Good.