1903-1905 Diaries and Ephemera of a Talkative Indiana Quaker Mother of 11 Keeping House and Keeping Busy in the Community

On offer are two diaries of a woman describing in great detail life in the mid-west at the end of the 19th century. 

The author of the diaries is Catherine Elizabeth Meier (1854-1934). She was born near Bucyrus, Ohio to parents George and Catharine Keller, and raised in Indiana. In 1874, she married John Conrad Meier in Randolph, Indiana. John had emigrated from Bavaria, Germany in 1870. John C Meier was a baker by trade and, after moving from Cincinnati, took over the successful grocery business of his father-in-law, George G Keller in Winchester. Catherine Meier's father had emigrated from Germany before she was born, and Catherine was literate in German. She was a Quaker and an active member in her church community. 

Winchester had a high percentage of German speakers and Quakers in the local population. Given the Quaker influence, Winchester became a very important stop-over on the Underground Railroad – the secretive route that spirited runaway slaves from the southern states to Canada and freedom.

As the mother of 11 children, Catherine Meier had a very busy household and her diaries reflect this. Somehow she finds time to write daily, keeping extremely detailed notes of all that happens to her, her family, and members of her community. Some excerpts follow:

“Am very nervous. Did not sleep well on account of Edwin not coming home. Where could he have spent this cold stormy night? My are is better. I cut 2 underwaists for myself, then a waist for Clifford, got all done but the buttonholes. Minnie did the other work. Alma complains of too much appetite. Had a nice soup for dinner. Willie Tisher was here to dinner. Father had me write a letter to S.C. Cramer and send the money for the periodicals. A letter from Hugo. Pa heard that Edwin was going to St. Louis to join the national guards. I pray God be with him! Father told me Aunt Christine broke her wrist” [Feb 16, 1903].

“Minnie rinsed and hung the white clothes up before going to work. I then washed two lines full and the girls double blanket. Beans and a little salad for dinner. I then rested 15 min, then Troy and I went to the farm and planted the lettuce, it was 4 1/2 when I got home. Irene and the Sanders girls went to the woods. After supper went to Eastmans & Prices 5 minutes. Then to the store. Mrs McAllister was here to see about her hat. Alma and Minnie did the ironing. Edwin went to Muncie this morning, he said to hunt work! When will he be back and when will he settle down and do right? Bertha Marlatt married Ira Macy” [Apr 29, 1903]. 

“I washed dishes until time to dress to go to Union City to the funeral of Geo Lenkensdorfer. At the train I met Mr and Mrs Guthiel, Wm. Lenkrensdorfer and three daughters and Mr and Mrs Hirschand Mrs Study & Karl & George. Heard a good German sermon. Came home about 5:30 PM. Irene had dumplings for dinner. Pa had 5 loaves of bread ready which I baked, also baked a cake and three apple and teo custard pies. Bathed the boys early. I was almost too tired to undress for bed. Mary Meier Blizzard had a little son” [Aug 29, 1903].

The pace doesn’t change two years latter as she records her daily life in 1905.

“Another year begun, who will see the end. Today was warm as spring. At 5 to 9 I started to the farm to get cream. I had not enough to supply. Wineland came to town to his cousin to dinner. I baked 11 pumpkin, 2 apple & 2 mince pies. Had potatoes beef & turnips for dinner. I took a nap then read in Tennison which Minnie gave me last night. After supper I started to mothers but met Minnie who said mother was going to bed so I returned & went to church to hear the cantata “Nativity”. The church was full. They received a collection of 40 dollars” [Jan 1, 1905].

“I got up at 5 1/2, wrung the clothes from the boil. Then the others got up. Had fried potatoes for breakfast. It took me till noon to get the washing done. At 11 1/2 it began to rain, the clothes were not all dry. Wineland was here to dinner. Has beans and pork. I was too tired to wash dishes. Had little help from the men. I laid on the bed and dozed and rested, then took my work and went to Mrs. Hopkins. Grace & Bernard came from school to stay all night. Pa baked 6 loaves of bread, a coffee cake and lots of doughnuts. Hugo pulled teeth for Mrs Sallie Smith. Past 10 and still raining. Some water in the cellar” [May 11, 1905].

“I was sore from head to foot from yesterdays work. If only Pa would give me a bit of sympathy. How much easier all would go!...” [Nov 28, 1905].

The 1905 diary has a very thorough cash expense record for January through September, giving a very good picture of the costs of many of the daily items needed and used by families at that time.

Accompanying these two diaries is a collection of nearly 4 dozen newspaper clippings and ephemera. These also include some invoices for various products she and her husband purchased and a lovely black and white photograph. Although it has no information on it, it is not unreasonable to suggest that this is a picture of Catherine Meier.

For a social historian, this is a simply excellent look at the daily life of a busy mother at the beginning of the 20th century. It is simply stuffed with the details of everyday life. For research in Women’s Studies, these two diaries are a superb illustration of the daily life and routine of a very hard-working woman coping with the challenges of raising a large family at that time in a small mid-western community. It would be an excellent addition to any reference collection depicting that time and that place for ordinary women. A genealogist would find the countless references to family friends and neighbours a valuable source of information.

Both diaries measure 6.75x3.0 inches. Both contain 365 pages and are 100% complete. Both diaries are in Fair condition with obvious signs of age and loosening of the spines/pages.