18 July 2. Fannie arrives with her young sons, Donald & Malcolm. July 10. Fred arrives from Chicago; Harlan from Springfield–so all the family at the farm at the same time. July 29. Fred returns to his work in Chicago. August 11. Rev. Thomas MacKenzie [Fannie’s husband] arrives from N.Y. and on September 1st with his family (Fannie, Donald, Malcolm) return to Port Jarvis, N.Y. September 6. Paul starts 2nd grade at McMillan School. Clayton and Jason return to Selma High School. Hogs sold at Selma for 4 cents a pound. September 8. Clara leaves for college at Monmouth. September 16. Homer leaves for New York to attend Union Theological Seminary. September 20. Fred now located in Bussey, Iowa–working with the Wabash Railroad. November 1. First good rain since August 24. Had a killing first on September 21. November 12. Threshed wheat out of barn, and the wheat that had been left in ricks in the field. All 20 men that helped were fed dinner and supper. December 31. Martha again records where all the family is located. 1898 January 1. As in the past few years since some of her children are in school or work elsewhere, Martha begins the year by recording where each one is. Also, as has been her custom through the years, she quotes poems or Scripture, or writes her own tribute to the new year. April 11. School directors elected; first time women could vote in this district–a Mrs. Barber was elected (Martha remarks “it is high time” women could vote and be elected.) April 12. Evidently Jason wouldn’t go to school a couples days. Her comment! [Note: the entry below was not included in the notes] “I was sorry to know that Jason is at home. O if Abraham Lincoln could have had his opportunities for an education how happy he would have been.” May 5. Martha went to the W.C.T.U. [Women’s Christian Temperance Union] convention in Springfield. May 22. The Sunday School she started in school house is now 1 year old. May 23. Homer plans to stay in N.Y. and work during the summer. June 14. Homer’s plans change; comes home. July 1. Fannie MacKenzie and sons Donald and Malcolm home. July 6. Clara arrives home from Monmouth. July 19. Fred arrives for a 4 week visit. August 1. Mr. MacKenzie, Fannie, and Harlan leave for a week’s trip on Lake Erie. August 29. Home with the MacKenzie sons, Donald & Malcolm, leave to meet their parents, Mr. MacKenzie and Fannie, in Cleveland–then on to N.Y. where Homer will stay with the MacKenzies until Seminary opens. (Union Seminary) September 5. Clara returns to Monmouth. September 15. Clayton enrolls at Cedarville College. September 29. Jane (James’ sister) is severely burned while lighting a lamp. She was 86 years. On October 4 she died. November 12. Tells about “the old rocking chair” that comes back home. December 17. Jason has chicken pox.
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