13 O what a glorious change for Florence, who can picture the glory–taken as she was from the bed of illness–of pain and suffering and thirst and burning fever and ushered into the realm of eternal glory, into the warm embrace of the Savior that gathers the lambs in his arms and carrys them in his bosom. I have never realized so fully what death is as I have done today. O how utterly helpless we are and powerful God is. Dr. Miller stayed with us till the last–Uncle Ervin and Aunt Bell remained and Uncle Ervin had worship with us. We sang the twenty third Psalm and he read 103 Psalm.” 1889 January 7. Fred returns to Monmouth after being home for Christmas vacation; is not back home until the middle of August, then returns to Monmouth on Sept. 5. May. Harlan graduates from Selma High. September. Homer goes back to Selma. Harlan works on the farm. October 7. McMillan School opened with Hugh Whittenton as teacher. Clara, Clayton and Jason in school there. I did not make extensive notes, although this diary is full of happenings on a farm with this large family. There is always something going on. Mr. MacKenzie came from Xenia to see Fannie several times. 1890 James was 57 and Martha 47. Their children were Fannie 22 at home. Fred 20, attending Monmouth College. Harlan is 18, attending Business College in Springfield. Homer, 16, attending Selma High School. Clara 14, Clayton 10, Jason 8, all attending McMillan school. Mr. MacKenzie (Tom) attending Xenia Seminary and making regular calls on Fannie. April 10. Harlan home from Business School. April 11. A new baby son arrives; they name him Paul. June 9. Fred will stay at Monmouth for the summer, will work on the newspaper. June 17 - August 3. Very dry. 47 days without rain. November 12. Harlan returns to Business School at Springfield; he had been working on the farm since April 10. November 24. A horse runs away with James. (Note: James is my grandfather; he died when I was only 2, so I do not remember him; but reading these diaries makes him real to me. Rankin MacMillan) 1891/1892 Son Fred living at Monmouth, Ill. Publishing newspaper. Daughter Fannie at home doing substitute teaching. Son Harlan attending Business College in Springfield. Son Homer helping on the farm. Clary, Clayton and Jason attending MacMillan school. May 14. Marriage of Fannie and Tom MacKenzie; they will live in Pine Bush, N.Y. where he will be pastor of the United Presbyterian Church. [Note: the entry below was not included in the notes] “...with all the above friends gathered around the front door in the lawn and at 8:30 [a.m.] Fannie and Rev. T. N. MacKenzie took their place on the front step where they stood while the ceremony was performed. Rev. Wm. Morton officiated assisted by Dr. McKenzie and Rev. ?.
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