"Uncle Matthew's Diary" - Whatever happened to...

I thought it might be interesting to follow up and explore in greater detail the lives of those mentioned in Uncle Matthew's Diary, so starting next week I will be sharing "Whatever happened to..."
Large Weasel

Francis Home

Matthew H. Francis, Ma (Mary Ann Francis), Mae Francis, and Pa (Mathew Francis)

"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 31, 1887*

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It is very pleasent
Smiths were down & spent the evening.
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Diary entry is very plainly labeled September 31 and is the last entry/page  in the journal.

"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 30, 1887

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It is quite cool
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 29, 1887

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It is wet & disagreeable
We was all up to Smiths to our oyster supper this evening
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 28, 1887

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It is pleasent.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 27, 1887

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It is quite cool N.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 26, 1887

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It is quite cool
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 25, 1887

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It is pleasent S.E.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 24, 1887

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It is quite chilly.
I have been husk corn.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 23, 1887

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It is quite cool E.
Ella went to Boone to the fair.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 22, 1887

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It is quite cool N.W.
I went over to the ball play this evening.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 21, 1887

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It is raining S.
We was down to Smith's this evening
Lib & Will was here this afternoon
I started to School
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 20, 1887

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It is pleasent S.
I finished plowing
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 19, 1887

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It is pleasent S.
Sarah & Jean was here this evening.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 18, 1887

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It is pleasent S.E.
Our folks went over to Philips
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 17, 1887

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It is a nice day S.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 16, 1887

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It is pleasent N.
We are picking our winters apples.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 15, 1887

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It is a nice day W.
I went down to Jeans this evening to do his chores
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 14, 1887

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It is pleasent S.W.
Will came after his heifer this afternoon.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 13, 1887

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It is cool N.W.
Will was here this afternoon.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 12, 1887

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It rained this forenoon S.W.
I commenced fall plowing this afternoon
It is raining this evening
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 11, 1887

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It is pleasent S.
Lib & Will was here.
also Sarah & Laura Crook
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 10, 1887

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It is very cool S.W.
Pa went to Boone
I went to Woodward this afternoon
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 9, 1887

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It is pleasent N.W.
We finished haying
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 8, 1887

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It is quite cool E.
Sarah & Jean was here this afternoon.
Ma took sick this evening.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 7, 1887

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It is a nice day N.
Ma & Pa went to Boone.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 6, 1887

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It is quite pleasent S.W.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 5, 1887

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It rained very hard this morning S.W.
School commenced
J. V. King is Teacher
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 4, 1887

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It is quite pleasent S.E.
I spent the day over to Whitakers
I went to the concert in the evening at the 1st M.E. Church.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 3, 1887

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It looks like rain this evening W.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 2, 1887

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It rained very hard. S.E.
Lib was here
we went over to Whitaker's
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" September 1, 1887

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It is a nice day S.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 31, 1887

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It is pleasent S.
Ella went down to Lib's this evening
We brought our 4 calves home from Will's.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 30, 1887

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It rained this forenoon S.E.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 29, 1887

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It is very windy S.
Pa went down to the timber this afternoon
Ma came home from Whitakers.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 28, 1887

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It is pleasent
Pa & Ella went down to Sarah's where they spent the day
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 27, 1887

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It is quite warm
Pa & I helped Mr Smith thrash
Ma went over to Whitakers this evening Mrs W- is sick
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 26, 1887

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It is pleasent N.W.
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""Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 25, 1887

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It is drizzling rain. N.W.
Ma was up to Smiths this afternoon.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 24, 1887

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It is pleasent N.W.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 23, 1887

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It still remains cool. N.W.
Ma & Mrs Smith was down to Sarahs.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 22, 1887

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It is very cool N.W.
Mrs Holiway was here this afternoon
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 21, 1887

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It is cloudy N.W.
Ella was over to Wades this afternoon to a singing
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'Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 20,1887

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It rained this morning which stoped us from stacking hay N.E.
Ella was up to Smith's this afternoon
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 19, 2014

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It is good haying weather S.W.
Ella was up to Jeans this afternoon
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 18, 1887

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It is pleasent.
Ma & May have been up to Mrs. Mudges
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 17, 1887

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We had a little shower of rain this afternoon N.W.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 16, 1887

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It is a cloudy damp day N.E.
we was over to Angus to the old settlers picnic.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 15, 1887

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It is cloudy S.E.
Mr Rhodes & his two girls were here
Pa helped K. Ramsey thrash this forenoon.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 14, 1887

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It is pleasent N.E.
I have been to Smiths this afternoon.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 13, 1887

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It is quite warm E.
We have been stacking hay
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 12, 1887

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It is quite sultry S.E.
Lib & Sarah was here.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 11, 1887

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It is pleasent.
Pa finished halling oats.
Ma & May spent the day at Hubbartt's
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Uncle Matthew's Diary' August 10, 1887

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It is very warm. S. W.
Will halled a load of oats to town for Pa
Pa also halled oats
Ella went down to Lib's this evening
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 9, 1887

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It is pleasent S.
Pa is halling oats to town.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 8, 1887

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It is warm S.W.
Pa helped Edgeton thrash in the forenoon & Waterman in the afternoon.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 7, 1887

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It is warm S.E.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 6, 1887

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It is a nice day N.W.
Pa helped Jim Sayles thrash all day
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 5, 1887

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It is pleasent N.W.
We helped Will thrash this forenoon
Pa helped Milt. Putnam thrash this afternoon
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 4, 1887

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It is pleasent S.
We thrashed this forenoon.
Pa helped Will. Burkhart thrash this afternoon.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 3, 1887

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It has been very warm.
We helped Jean thrash this forenoon
The thrashers came here this evening they stayed all night
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 2, 1887

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It is pleasent S.W.
Ma, Ella, & myself have been to Moingona and we took Fanny to the owner.
Pa helped Mr. Whitaker thrash
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" August 1, 1887

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It is quite still & sultry.
We have been stacking oats
Mr Smith & Harry helped us.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 31, 1887

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It is pleasent N.
Our horse Fanny we sold a year ago this fall by chance strayed here.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 30, 1887

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It is cool & pleasent N.W.
There was a sale up to Mudges I went
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 29, 1887

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We are having a shower of rain N.E.
Pa has been helping Frank Raburn thrash
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Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 28, 1887

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It is quite sultry S.W.
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'Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 27, 1887

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It is pleasent N.W.
We helped Mr Smith stack oats about 3/4 of the day.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 26, 1887

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It is rather warm N.W.
we was were helping Smith's stack oats this afternoon
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 25, 1887

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It is a nice day S.
Ma, Pa, Ella & Sarah have been to Boone.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 24, 1887

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It is quite pleasent S.W.
Mrs McNair & Jim was here from Angus.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 23, 1887

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It is cooler than usual. N.W.

I was down to Jeans this evening

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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 22, 1887

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It is a nice day N.W.
Ma & May have been down to Millers
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 21, 1887

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It has been pleasent N.W.
We had quite a shower this evening
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 20, 1887

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It is quite cool N.
We had a nice shower this morning
I was down to Will's helping him shock oats. Ella & Emma Smith
went over to Wades to spend the evening
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 19, 1887

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It still remains warm S.E.
We commenced to make hay
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 18, 1887

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It is quite warm N.W.
Pa was down to Jean's, Jean has a very sore hand.
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Jean, William, and Sarah Francis Heath

"Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 17, 1887

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It is very warm N.W.
Smith's folks was here
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 16, 1887

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It is very warm S.W.
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Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 15, 1887

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It is pleasent S.E.
we finished cutting our oats.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 14, 1887

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It is pleasent
We commenced to cut oats
Lark Whitaker was here
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All right, I have to admit I thought “Lark” Whitaker was a girl.  “Lark” is mentioned visiting often enough, I supposed she was a close friend of either Ella or Mae. I stand corrected. “Lark”, at this time, was a 10 year old, almost 11 year old, boy (his birthday was the 29th of August). His proper name was David Larkin Whitaker. He probably followed Matthew around and was an extra set of hands on the Francis farm. - Large Weasel

"Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 13, 1887

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It is cloudy S.E.
Ma & Pa was over to Whitakers
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 12, 1887

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It still remains warm N.W.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 11, 1887

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It is very warm S.W.
Lib was here
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Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 10, 1887

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It is a nice day S
Emma Smith & her two Bro's was here this evening.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 9, 1887

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It is pleasent N.W.
Sarah was here
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 8, 1887

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It is quite warm S W
May went down to Sarah's this evening
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 7, 1887

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It is rather warm N.W.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 6, 1887

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It is warm N.W.
Pa went to Boone.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 5,1887

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It has been very warm & sultry. S.W.
Pa has been working on the roads
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 4, 1887

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It is quite pleasent N.W.
I spent my 4th over at Perry.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 3, 1887

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It is a nice day
I was down to Smith's.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 2, 1887

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It is pleasent S.W.

Pa was down to Will's this afternoon helping him stack hay.

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Uncle Matthew's Diary" July 1, 1887

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It is a nice day
I was over to the ball play.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 30, 1887

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We had a little shower this evening S.W.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 29, 1887

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It is pleasent S.E.
Ma & Pa was over to Rhodes
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Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 28, 1887

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It is very warm S.E.
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I think very warm probably meant HOT! I don't believe I've seen Matthew
 use the word "hot" anywhere in his diary. The  summer weather seems to
be warm, quite warm, very warm, and very warm. - Large Weasel

"Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 27, 1887

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It is quite pleasent S.
Ma & Pa went to Woodward. It is the last day of this term's School
we again was examined I averaged 92%
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 26, 1887

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It is quite pleasent S.E.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 25, 1887

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It is warm S.E.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 24, 1887

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It is pleasent S.E.
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" Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 23, 1887

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It is quite chilly N.W.
Ma was over to Whitakers this forenoon
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 22, 1887

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It is quite chilly N.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 21, 1887

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It is a nice day N.
I layed a piece of corn by.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 20, 1887

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It is much cooler N.
Lib and Will was here.
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The Francis sisters later in life.

Sarah, Ella, Mae, and Libbie

"Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 19, 1887

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It is quite pleasent S.
Our folks went to Paterson's
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Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 18, 1887

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It is very warm S.
I was over to the ball play this afternoon
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 17, 1887

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It is quite warm.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 16, 1887

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It is a nice day
We had a traveler - boarder last evening
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 15, 1887

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It is a nice day S.W.
I was replanting beans this forenoon
Ma went over to Whitaker's.
Supt. Ashton was visiting the School this afternoon
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 14, 1887

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It is a nice day
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 13, 1887

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It rained very hard Lib & Will was here
Will was here helping us build a cook house
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 12, 1887

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We had quite a shower of rain S. I was down to the river June berrying
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 11, 1887

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It rained this forenoon E.
The funeral of Mr. Mudge took place this afternoon at 3 P.M.
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James Mudge was 59 at the time of his death and apparently died of a heart ailment.He is buried in the Peoples Cemetery, Boone, Iowa.  Photo courtesy of  Find A Grave. 

"Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 10, 1887

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It is much cooler than it has been E.
Died - this day A.D. 1887 Mr James Mudge of this district.
Ma went down to Lib's this evening Lib is quite sick.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 9, 1887

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We had a little shower of rain. S.W.
Ma & May was down to Sarah's
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 8, 1887

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It is quite warm
I was down to the centeniel school this evening to meeting
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 7, 1887

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It is pleasent S.W.
Jean was here this afternoon
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'Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 6, 1887

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It has been warm S.W.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 5, 1887

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It is quite nice S.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 4, 1887

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It is quite pleasent N. W. Pa was out to a knight of labor organization this evening
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 3, 1887

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We had a shower of rain. S. E. Pa planted beans.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 2, 1887

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It is pleasent S.E.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" June 1, 1887

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It is a nice day S.E. Ma & Pa went to Boone.
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Uncle Matthew's Diary May 31, 1887

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It is quite pleasent
we today received our standing I averaged 83%
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 30, 1887

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It is quite chilly N.W. It is decoration day therefore there is no School.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 29, 1887

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It is quite pleasent Lib & Will was here also Sarah & Laura Crooks.
They organized Sunday School at our School today
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 28, 1887

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It is very warm S.W.
Ma & I have been replanting corn
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 27, 1887

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It is a nice day E.
It has been examination day but our standing has not yet been determined.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 26, 1887

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It is now raining N.W. Sarah was here. Wm Wade was visiting our School this afternoon.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 25, 1887

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It is quite pleasent S. We was down to Smiths this evening
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 24,1887

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It is a nice day N.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 23,1887

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It is a nice day N.W. Ma & Pa went to Woodward.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 22, 1887

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It is quite pleasent W. Our folks went out to Lib's.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 21, 1887

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We have had quite a windstorm S.W. Ma & May was down to Sarah's.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 20, 1887

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It is a nice day S.E. We commenced to plow corn.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 19, 1887

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It is quite pleasant S.W. Sarah was here this afternoon
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" 18, 1887

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We had a little frost last night E.
Lib & Will was here
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 17, 1887

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It is a nice day N. We commenced to dig a well.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 16, 1887

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It is a nice day N We took our 4 calves down to Will's.
We was over to Whitakers after a load of hay
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 15,1887

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It has been a nice day. I have been over to the River. Jean was here   E.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 14,1887

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It is a nice day N.W.Sarah was here Pa was up to Boone
We rec'd John & his wife's picture's
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 13, 1887

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This forenoon was nice but this evening is quite stormy and is raining S.E.
Pa was up to Ogden.
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" Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 12, 1887

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It is a nice day S.E. Ma & Pa have been up to Boone.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 11, 1887

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It is a nice day E. We sold our horse for $80. Lib & Will was here.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 10, 1887

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It is quite warm E. Ella has gone to a party this evening down to Lemaster's.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 9, 1887

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It is very warm W Minnie Wade was here

It is 104 in the shade

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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 8, 1887

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It is very warm SE
I was over to Tayler's
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 7, 1887

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It is a nice day S.E.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 6, 1887

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It has been quite pleasent S.W. Pa went to Woodward this forenoon
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 5, 1887

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It has been quite warm S.E. Pa was up to Boone.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 4, 1887

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It has been a nice day S.E. I started to School.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 3, 1887

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It is quite pleasent NW
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 2, 1887

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It is very chilly SW.
We received a box from John with his wedding cake in it.
School commenced.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" May 1, 1887

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It is warm & windy SW We was over to Whitakers
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 30, 1887

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It is a nice day S.
Emily Smith & her Bro's was here this evening
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 29, 1887

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It is quite pleasent S.E.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 28, 1887

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It is very windy N.W. We commenced to plant corn this evening.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 27,1887

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It is a nice day. S.  I have been harrowing
Pa went to Perry.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 26, 1887

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It is rather cool N.W. I finished plowing
Lark Whitaker was here this afternoon
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 25, 1887

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We had a shower of rain (N.W.)
Annie Mcquiston & Lib was here this afternoon
It is my birthday.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 24, 1887

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            It has turned much warmer. Petersons was here NW
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            Also, on this date in Lake County, California,  Matthew's older brother, John, married Drucilla Rosamond Adams, daughter of Lorenzo T. and Sarah Emily Rantz Adams.

·  ·  ·  ·  ·  Married - At the residence of the bride's parents at Great Western Mine, on Monday, April 24, 1887, by Rev. J. Appleton, John D. FRANCIS to Miss RosaADAMS.  Lakeport Democrat, April 29,1887
http://www.cagenweb.com/lake/lakemarriage.htm#F

http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/45322031/person/6345249471/photox/f5ac92f5-0382-47f6-b56b-5ab05ad85465?src=search

"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 23,1887

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It froze very hard last night & we think it has killed all of the fruit
 as it is budded out. (N. W.)
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 22, 1887

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It rained very hard this forenoon.
It snowed & blowed & was very cold in the afternoon. N.W.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 21, 1887

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It is raining & is disagreeable, S.E.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 20, 1887

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It is a nice day N.W.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 19, 1887

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It is chilly S.W. Sarah was here.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 18, 1887

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It is a nice day N.W. Pa was up to Boone.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 17, 1887

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It is cloudy NE I was down to Smith's this afternoon
Lib & Will was here
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 16, 1887

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It has been cloudy Ma was down to Woodward.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 15,1887

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It has been quite cold N.W.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 14,1887

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It has been windy S.W.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 13, 1887

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It is a nice day. N.W. I commenced plowing stalk ground
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 12, 1887

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It is a nice day we finished planting our potatoes
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 11, 1887

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It is quite windy we have just finished harrowing our oats.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 10, 1887

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We had quite a rain Ella & I was down to Smith's this evening.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 9, 1887

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It has been very windy.
Emily Smith & her Bro was here & spent the evening
Ma was up to Boone
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 8, 1887

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It has been quite warm S.E. Stroup was here.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 7, 1887

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It has been a nice day. Sarah was here. E.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 6,1887

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It has been quite warm N.W. we begun sewing oats
Mrs Smith & Emily was down to our place this afternoon.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 5, 1887

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It has moderated consiterable. E. Lib & Will was up to our place.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 4, 1887

******************************************************************************
It froze very hard last night NW.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 3, 1887

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We are having a regular N.W. snow blizzard. Ma was at Smith's this
 afternoon
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 2, 1887

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It is a nice day The snow is almost gone. S.W.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" April 1, 1887

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It was chilly in the forenoon but turned off quite pleasant in the afternoon
 S.E.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 31, 1887

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It has been a nice day W. Pa went to Woodward with some hog's
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Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 30, 1887

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It is much warmer than it was yesterday S. We wrote to Johnnie
 Pa went to Woodward
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Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 29, 1887

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It is quite dull & very cold Pa was down to Will's after a load of corn
S.E.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 28, 1887

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It is quite chilly W. We butchered a hog this forenoon. Lib & Will was
 up to our house visiting.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 27, 1887

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It is quite cold N.E.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 26, 1887

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We are having quite a snowstorm Ma was up to Ramsey's quilting
 N.E.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 25, 1887

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It is very cold N.W. I have been breaking stalks Mr. Smith was up &
spent the evening
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 24, 1887

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It is very windy N.W. Emily Smith was over to our place.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 23, 1887

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It is a nice day N.W. Our folks just got done cleaning house.
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"Uncle Matthew's Dairy" March 22, 1887

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It is real chilly N. W. We was burning prairie grass this evening.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 21, 1887

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It is quite cool N. W. We begun plowing
 J.V. King is to teach our next term of School.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 20, 1887

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It is quite cool it snowed a little N. W.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 19, 1887

*******************************************************************************
It has been quite chilly E. We received a letter brother from John
 from Cal.
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John Davis (Davies), Matthew's older brother, was working as a laborer (not miner) at the Great Western Mine in Lake County, California. Three years earlier he was listed on the California Voter Registration as follows : John  Francis, Age -  23, Birth - Penn, Occupation - Laborer,  Place - Great Western Mine, Residency date -1884. Twelve years later, he was still listed as a laborer, as opposed to a miner with the additional information : Middle name - Davies, Age -  34, Height - 5' 11 1/4", Complexion -dark, Eye color - dark, Hair color - dark. He had no visible marks or scars. Residence year -1896. Mirabel, Great Western Mine, Lake, California.

John Davis Francis

24 Aug 1861 - 19 July 1899

"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 18, 1887

*****************************************************************************
It is a nice day S. We was over at Whitakers this forenoon after a
 load of straw Frank Smith & his sister was down to our place &
spent the evening
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 17, 1887

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It has been quite cool N. W. Pa went to the timber. Lark Whitaker was
 here and staid all day.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 16, 1887

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It is quite chilly N. Minnie Wade & Ella was over to our place this
 afternoon Ella has just came home from Lib's
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 15, 1887

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It has been a nice day W. Pa was at the timber Ma was down to Jeans.
We have just came home from Holiways we spent the evening there.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 14, 1887

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It is quite chilly S.E. Pa took Lib home
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 13 1887

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It is very cold N.W. Mr. Smith was down to our place this afternoon.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 12, 1887

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It has been very windy. Sarah and Eva Ramsey was up to our
place  N.W.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 11, 1887

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It is windy, but quite pleasant. Will is moving down to the Vance place,
 he brought Lib over to our place to stay a few days. S.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 10,1887

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It has been a very nice day (S.) we have been cleaning the yard.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 9, 1887

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It was quite cool in the forenoon but warm & pleasant in the afternoon
Pa was over at Lib's she is quite sick. S.W.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 8, 1887

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It is thundering & looks much like rain. N.W.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 7, 1887

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It has been a real nice day. Mr & Mrs Rhodes was here visiting. Pa is helping Sarah & Jean move. S.E.
**********************************************************************

"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 6,1887

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It has been a beautiful day with the wind in the S. We was visiting our new neighbors in the afternoon.
**********************************************************************.

"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 5, 1887

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It has been quite nice. Mr. Meredith was over after his cows. S. E.
**********************************************************************

"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 4, 1887

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It has been quite dull ..was the last day of School. we was up to the center in the afternoon visiting. E.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 3, 1887

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It is quite chilly N. Sarah and the baby was up here sewing carpet rags for herself.
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                                                  Sarah's baby

William Francis Heath

born

13 Dec 1885 

"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 2, 1887

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It was quite chilly N.E. Meredith's moved over to Angus & Smith has come to take possession of his place, we was up at Sarah's this evening.
**********************************************************************

Mary Ellen Francis, Age 1, Burial - March 1, 1866

Infant daughter of Mathew and Mary Ann Davis Francis

Burial - March 1st 1866 - Mary Ellen, daughter of Mathew and Mary
                                         Francis, aged 1 yr. 2 days

                                      - Thomas Mathew, son of John and Eliza Ann
                                         Francis, aged 1 yr. 11 m 3 days

North Parish Episcopal Church, Ashland, Schuylkill. Pennsylvania

Source Citation: Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records; Reel: 504. Source Information: Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Historical Society  of Pennsylvania. Source: Life Sketch/Obituary of Mary Francis, Woodward Enterprise.

"Uncle Matthew's Diary" March 1, 1887

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It has been a beautiful day with the wind in the S.W. Ma was over at Whitakers. Pa went to the timber.
**********************************************************************

"Uncle Matthew's Diary" Feb. 28, 1887

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It has thawed a great deal we went over to Lib's this evening after School was out. S.W.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" Feb. 27, 1887

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It has been a nice day. We was up at Patterson's visiting. S.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" Feb. 26, 1887

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We are having a snow storm nearly as bad as we have had it, this winter. (N. W.)
**********************************************************************

"Uncle Matthew's Diary" Feb. 25, 1887

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It has been quite chilly. Ma & Pa has been at Boone. E.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" Feb. 24, 1887

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It is quite pleasant S.E. Our School was all over at the Elkhorn to hear the State Sup't speak He made an interesting speech & gave good illustrations on educational matters.
**********************************************************************

Education was obviously very important to Matthew. He would go on to later teach school in the winter and farm in the summer. His educational credentials were listed in his Legislative Memorial.

“He attended the common schools of his county, and afterwards attended the high school in Woodward, Iowa, from which he graduated in 1888. He later entered Highland Park College in Des Moines, Iowa, and graduated from that institution in 1894.”

Matthew H. Francis Memorial,  April 6, 1927, Journal of the House of the General Assembly of the State of Iowa, Volume 42 By Iowa. General Assembly. House of Representatives

"Uncle Matthew's Diary" Feb. 23, 1887

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This morning was not very cold but it is now turning colder all the time we are also having a snowstorm. (N.W.)
**********************************************************************

'Uncle Matthew's Diary" Feb. 22, 1887

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It was a nice day S.E. (fog) Pa was at the timber.
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Peoples and Cass Township 1896

Enlarged plat showing Mathew Francis Farm 1896

http://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/cdm/search/collection/atlases/searchterm/peoples/order/placec

"Uncle Matthew's Diary" Feb. 21, 1887

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It has been quite chilly E. Ma & Pa has been at Woodward shopping.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" Feb. 20, 1887

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It has been a beautiful day with the wind in E. we was out at Lib's we have just come from Meredeth's we spent the evening there.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" Feb. 19, 1887

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It has been clear but quite chilly W. The roads are all in a sheet of ice it is impossible to go any place with a team unless the horses are sharp shod.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" Feb. 18, 1887

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We had a regular N. W. snow storm Mr. Brooks was here.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" Feb. 17, 1887

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It has been raining & it is very disagreeble  Mr. Holiway was here this morning. (fog) N. E.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" Feb. 16, 1887

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It is quite pleasant Pa was over at Will's. Bud Hubbartt was expelled from School for cursing the teacher. S.E.
**********************************************************************

"Uncle Matthew's Diary" Feb. 15, 1887

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It is quite pleasant. Jean was up at Boone he tried to sell Prince our horse for Pa but he did not succeed.
**********************************************************************

Jean Joseph Heath

"Uncle Matthew's Diary" Feb. 14, 1887

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It is thawing but pleasant Pa & Jean went up to Boone Ma went out to Lib's today to see her new born Grandchild.   S.
*********************************************************************
Jean is Sarah's husband -Jean Joseph Heath.
The new born grandchild is Josephine Belle Clark (Miller) Welker (1887 -1963)

Josephine B. Welker and her daughter, Marjorie

"Uncle Matthew's Diary" Feb. 13, 1887

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It was windy but not cold the wind was in S.E. We was up at Sarah's
**********************************************************************

Sarah Jane Francis Heath

"Uncle Matthew's Diary" Feb. 12, 1887

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It is a little warmer the wind has changed to the S. Ella has gone out to Lib's.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" Feb. 11, 1887

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It is very cold & stormy the wind is in the N.W. We were dissapointed last night the exhibition turned out to be a grand sell.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" Feb. 10,1887

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To day is rather cold it was between a sleet & rain all day there is quite an excitement at our School to day there is going to be a blind man's exhibition here to night they are staying at our house. N.E.

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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" Feb. 9, 1887

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The snow is thawing & it is wet & sloshy. Ma was over at Whitaker's today visiting Mrs. W is sick. S.E.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" Feb. 8, 1887

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The wind has changed to the N.W. & it is much colder. We are all going down to Meredith's this evening.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" Feb. 7,1887

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Today has been wet foggy & disagreeable. Ma & Pa has been out at Lib's today. S.
**********************************************************************
Libbie Francis had married Willis S. Clark (Parents - Joel Clark, Vesta Lorraine Mead) March 27, 1886 and was expecting their first child.  - Large Weasel

Notes: Libbie (Elizabeth) Born 24 Nov 1867, Baptized 9 Feb 1868, North Parish Episcopal Church, Ashland, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania

Source Citation: Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records; Reel: 504.

Source Information:

Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

Original data: Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

Marriage: Source Information:

Ancestry.com. Iowa, Select Marriages, 1809-1992 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2014.

Original data: Iowa, Marriages, 1809-1992. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013.

"Uncle Matthew's Diary" Feb. 6, 1887

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To day is Sunday it is one of the most lonesome days in this part of the country Ella & May has just come from the Holiways they was there visiting, it is a nice day the wind is in the N. E.
*********************************************************************

Francis Family 1888

Back (L-R) - Sarah, Matthew, Ella, John, Libbie

Front (L-R) - Mathew, Mary Ann Davis, Mae

"Uncle Matthew's Dairy" Feb. 5, 1887

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Today has been calm but quite chilly. N. E. Ma was over at Wades today visiting.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" Feb. 4, 1887

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Today is not quite as cold as it has been. We had two visitors at School today Chas. Pendarvis & Orie Williams.
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"Uncle Matthew's Diary" Feb. 3, 1887

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It is a very cold day with the wind in the N. W. Chas. Pendarvis. was visiting the school today.
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Large Weasel's question of the day: Charles Pendarvis was about 20 and also from Boone County. He seems to visit the school periodically. Why?

"Uncle Matthew's Diary" Feb. 2,1887

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It was cloudy in the forenoon and stormed in the the afternoon.
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1880 Census showing Mathew and Mary Ann Francis family.

"Uncle Matthew's Diary"

As a child, I grew up loving the “Little House” series by Laura Ingalls Wilder; pioneer stories fascinated me. I hungrily searched them out on library shelves. Old family photos tucked inside worn albums were cause for me to beg my mother for “real” pioneer stories. She would lovingly relate the stories that bound our family together.

 “Uncle Matthew’s Diary” was hidden away in our family’s “metal box”. The box contained what I was sure were all the secrets of our family. In reality it was a fireproof box that held deeds, wills, our birth certificates and other miscellaneous papers my parents deemed important.  Mother would tell me about the diary and “Uncle Matthew” but I was not allowed to handle the diary as it was too fragile. Years went by until I was grown and a mother myself. Family history became a passion.  Copies were made of the old family photos and the originals became my treasures. And, one day the diary became mine also.  It was soon hidden away in our own “metal box”.

Which does no one any good. Family stories are meant to be shared, loved and retold. The threads of our ancestors’ lives are interwoven with ours. The good, the bad, the plain, the simple, all are part of who we are.

 Matthew Francis was my great, great uncle, the younger brother of my great grandmother, Sarah Jane Francis Heath.   He wrote of his life during the year of 1887 when he was 14/15 and living on a farm in what was then, Prairie Hill, Boone, Iowa. Prairie Hill is no longer there, but the farm still stands. Mother and I visited it during a trip back to Iowa in 1997.

The diary starts on Feb 1, 1887 and continues through September 31, 1887. The entries are small and share what was important to a young farm boy. My plan is to share the entries day by day with added information, and stories to supplement.  Enjoy, share, and add any supplemental stories you would like to contribute.

Love,

Large Weasel

“The Diary of Matthew Francis” forward by Jean Brockmeier Heath Kraemer                                       

                                                                                                                  

        Uncle Matthew Francis was a very real presence, both to those who knew him well, and those of us who came after him.  I will leave his life’s story to Kara to tell, but I feel it a privilege to reflect on the effect of his life on several generations of our family.

     In his younger years, he taught school in some very rough rural areas of Iowa, working with the older boys.  My father said Matthew seldom had to raise his voice or resort to any physical violence, but he was known for keeping order in schools where the other teachers had failed, and he was often sent to schools to restore order.  He worked with youths in the local schools and his church, where he taught Sunday School for many years.

     Matthew was only 13 years older than my father, and was therefore a very important influence in his life-and he was both a friend and mentor to “Will” as my father was called.  During this time, my grandfather Heath was not well after a fall from a horse which left him severely injured, and he and my father were not close.  Matthew taught him to hunt and shoot, and gave him a lifelong interest in boxing, baseball, football, track and horse racing. 

     There is a family story about my father going to a dance at a local dance hall on the wrong side of town at the age of sixteen.  When my grandmother heard where he was, she sent Uncle Matthew to get him out of there and bring him home.  He was terribly angry and embarrassed, but he had to leave, though later he realized he wasn't as old or as smart as he thought he was!

     When Matthew was young he was helping at a barn raising for a neighbor, when a large wooden beam slipped and fell on him.  He survived, but suffered a severe head injury, which caused him to have headaches on and off for the rest of his life.

     Although he never married, he kept a family home for his brother John’s family and later for his parents. He had his own home on the back of the family property.

     In his later years he served in the Iowa State Legislature and was well known for his work.  People came to him for advice on many matters.  He was known for his sound judgment and was very active in state and local affairs.

     When we visited in Woodward, the family often talked about Matthew, and my grandmother gave me his large dictionary and several other items from his office in the Legislature.  When she died they found young Matthew’s diary in her desk, and decided to give it to Aunt Mae.  It was still in the desk when we left to go home, and nobody mentioned it so I took it home with me.  Although I felt terribly guilty at the time, I told my father about it later and he said it was all right.

       I wish I could have known Matthew.  He was a well known and respected man, loved by his family and friends. He was a good influence on my father and the further generations of our family.

     His was a life well lived and remembered.

Matthew Hopkin Francis

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Matthew Francis Diary                                                                          Events of Feb 1887

Feb 1^st

It is a very cold day the wind is in the N.E. Pa went out to Dunkin Grant’s sale today.

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