MIANTRIM-L Archives

From: "Lee Taylor" <>
Subject: A Trip to Michigan, 1911
Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2001 19:12:33 -0500

My great-great grandmother returned to Michigan in May of 1911 to visit old
friends (she left in 1907 after the death of her husband and lived in
Ashtabula County, OH until her death in 1930 at the age of 89). Below is my
(annotated) transcription of the journal of her trip. Lots of names in the
journal, so look for yours! Enjoy!

Lee Taylor


This is a transcription of the first in a large collection of diaries
written by Emily Susan (Newell) Bates, 1841-1930, my
great-great-grandmother. Most of these diaries are written in pocket-sized
notebooks and calendars. For the most part, they appear to be notes written
by Emily during the day (in pencil). Also, there are the odd addresses and
other miscellaneous information. Due to the length of these transcriptions,
I will include my comments in brackets [] immediately after an item that I
feel the need to annotate or ask questions about. I have added some
punctuation/capitalization where it makes things easier to read, but I have
NOT changed Emily's spelling. In some cases, it was hard to read as she
wrote right into the margin and just ended some words without finishing them
there.

"May 22nd 1911
Went to Ashtabula staid all night- with Mrs. Dunn, her sister Emma Abbot of
Los Angeles California was with her. Visited in the evening with Mattie
Isherwood at Minnie Kains. Quite a severe thunder storm in evening. Cousin
Minnie nervous over storm. As I was on my way to Michigan went down to Lake
Shore Depot to make arrangements as I wished to stop at Berea. Could not buy
only to that point. Took dinner next day with Jennies Mitchell.
[Who are these people? Or any of the people in this journal?]
Took train at 4.40 arriving at Cleveland for supper. Quite an excitmeent
while waiting. A fat man accused a couple of women of picking his pocket.
Brought in Conductor, Brakeman & Porter. Fat man went out & got Policeman
but they did not succeed in making them disgorge if they had taken any
money. Said they wer resepectible women & livd in Youngston, giving Street &
No. They all finly went out & I heard no more about it. Arrived at Berea at
7.30 found Hack with Hackman & whole family waiting & they took me the two
long miles for the sum of ten cts. to cousin Mollies door. Found Aunt Hat &
a young cousin whom I had never seen up & waiting as cousin Mollie had not
come home from her Store yet. When she came she claimed she would have known
me although she had not seen me for 44 years. Time had dealt kindly with her
& she look much the same. Her son was out to Lodge & I did not see him until
next morning. Found him a bright young man who has seen considerable of this
world & is shrewd & quite a reader of character & an observer. The next day
went down town to see the changes ovr 40 years time Quarrying Rock had
wrought in this free little College Town. Found that the most of the town
had been moved on to the other side of the River & even where the M. E.
church & College stood had been quarried out. Soon old Berea will be a thing
of the Past. I staid two nights with my friends. Left at 7.30 eve May 25th &
reached Kendolville Indiana 2.19 AM waited one hour for GR train going
north. Arrived at Mancelona 1.30 PM May 26th found Mr. Wallace at Depot. Sat
27 Mrs. W. & I went to Greenhouse & bought potted Geraniums for our lots.
Went down to Cemetary & set them out cut grass. Found the bulbs I set out
five years ago doing well & one beautifull Iris in bloom.
[Cousin Mollie = Aunt Hat's daughter?
Aunt Hat = Harriet Pollock, Mary Ann (Pollock) Newell's sister, 1825-1922.
Emily had another Aunt Hat, Harriet (Newell) Mills, but she died in 1905.
Berea, OH is the home of Baldwin-Wallace College, founded in 1845
The distances (approximately) are:
Ashtabula-Berea - 80 miles
Berea-Kendallville, IN - 200 miles
Kendallville, IN-Mancelona,MI - 290 miles
Emily was undoubtedly visiting the grave of her husband, Chambers Sterrett
Bates, who died in 1906. So this was apparently her first visit to the grave
since she moved from Michigan to Ohio
GR train = Grand Rapids?]

Sunday 28 G.A.R. & W.R.C. met at Hall & marched to Congregational Church &
listened to an addres from the Rev. Ollis. It was good & from an Englishman
just ovr was remarkable. He is anxious to be a real American. After church
the GAR & WRC following marched past Comrade Lazells a sick comrade to greet
him he cried like a child & said Boys I will nevr march with you again which
prophesy has come true as his wife is now a widow. There were nine widows at
memorial services who wer soldiers widows.
Sunday evening listened to the Bacalaurete sermon by Rev. Ollis.
[G.A.R. = Grand Army of the Republic
W.R.C. = Women's Relief Corps, Emily was definitely a member of the WRC
David W. Lazell was the Post Commander of Gen. Lyon Post No. 86 of the GAR
of Mancelona in 1906. He signed Chambers Bates' memorial certificate.]

Monday 29 WRC went to M.E. church & made wreaths.

Tuesday 30 Decoration Day dawned bright & clear we marched to Cemetary &
Decorated our Soldier dead. Came back to Hall & took dinner after which we
marched to M.E. church & listened to a fine sermon from Rev. Lamport. I wish
every young man could hear & take heed to his talk on Patriotism.

Wed 31 Mrs. Root & Goodman came in evening. Went to Normal Class address &
Presentation of Diplomas. Address from Proff Wolf of Albion College.

Thurs June 1st - Went to School House High School to listen to Normal Class
Program went home with Mrs. Holcomb staid at home & visited with Mrs.
Hudson, being tired out.

Friday evening staid with Mrs. Miller & Emma.
[Emma who?]

Saturday morning Ironed. Took dinner with Mrs. Johnson & called on Mrs.
Hunger & Lottie Helfrich, staid at Mrs. Holcombs. Went to Cong. Church
Sunday morning 16 present, rainy, afternoon went to Cemetary to Dick
Burdick's funeral burried with masonic service 65 masons present.

June 4th - Made out Pension Papers before Annie Hudson. Mr. Blair came after
me & went ovr to Daisy staid all night.
[At the Annual County Picnic at Manistee Lake, the Bates' family used to eat
with the Blair family of Westwood and the Avery's (see below).]

Wed 7th Daisy went to Aid & took me up to Mrs. Doyles.

Thursday 8th Effie came after Mrs. Blair & I. After dinner Ed hitched up &
drove over. Farm crops look fine. It rained a little.

Friday 9th Went ovr to Burts. Mrs. Blair & Alice came ovr. I staid all
night.

Sat. 10th - Morning went ovr to Mr. Blairs. After supper drove up to
Mancelona & went to W.R.C. in evening. Met many old friends.

June 11th Went to church. Mrs. Wallace & myself went ovr to Mrs. Millers to
see if Emma would speak for us at Flag day exercises. found her sick a bed.
After dinner went to cemetary found IOOF & Rebekah decorating graves of
their members. Mrs. Lobdell asked where Mr. Bates grave was which they
decorated & promised to put marker on. Came back & called on Mrs. Murden.
Staid all night with Mrs. Wallace.
[IOOF? International Order of Odd Fellows? I know Marion Alpheus Elmer Bates
was a member as I have seen several of his canceled checks for payment of
his dues.]

12th She washed & I did the House work. Went ovr to Mrs. Rices staid ovr
night. It rained all night.

Tues. 13th Took dinner with Tessa. Came back to Mrs. Rices to aid society
staid with Mrs. W. Liles & Alice spent the evening with us.

Wed. 14 morning Called on Mrs. Saxton, Wicks took dinner with Mr. & Mrs.
Barnard then, in afternoon, went to help decorate church for Flag day
exercis in eving went home with Mrs. Rice to supper. The exercises wer fine.
Emma Miller gave the Recitation Christian Patriotism on which she won the
gold medal presented by WCTU. Staid all night with Mrs. Rice.
[WCTU=Women's Christian Temperance Union?]

Thurs 15 Called on Mrs. Evans took dinner with Mrs. Courtwright at Mr.
Mathewsons. In afternoon went with Corps to M E Church to remove
Decorations. Came back to M Wallaces & took supper & visited with Minna
Cook, Burt Hulberts.

Friday 16th Took dinner with Mrs. Leyman called on Alice. In evening went to
Aid society supper with Mr. & Mrs. Wallace where I again met many old
friends called at Mrs. Lazells spent evening at Mrs. Foxes. Staid all night
at Mrs. Holcombs.

Sat. 17th Called on Mrs. Bradley. Took dinner with Lotta called on Mrs.
Whitmores, Hulls & Hugh Millers at old Home which is changed outwardly but
looks natural inside. Took supper at Lottas. Calld at Mrs. Simons in
evening. Staid ovr night at Mrs. Holcombs.
[Is "old Home" where Emily and Chambers lived before he died and she left
Michigan? Does anyone know the name of the people who bought the house from
Emily? Was it the Millers?]

Sunday 18 Went to M E church went home with Mrs. Rice to dinner went to
church again in evening to hear Miss Simonds speak on Temperance. Staid ovr
night at Mrs. Wallaces.

June 19th Rode out to Darragh with Mr. Niles. Stoped at Albert Campbells &
staid ovr night.

20th Went down to Mrs. William Campbells & took dinner. Found her very
poorly. Went back to Alberts. Mrs. Carrie took me out calling. Went to Mrs.
Sayles, Beavers, Deans & Elmhursts where I staid ovr night.
[Frank Sayles called the square dances at the bowery dance during the County
Fair.
Roy & Helen Bates went to school with Enid Beaver.]

21st Rode with mailman Mr. Robertson to Mrs. Struthers made a short call.
Walked on to Mrs. Burnhams & staid until after dinner. Minnie went with me &
carried my satchel. Called at Hagni's & Hotelings saw Mr. Herrington. Then
went out to R.C. Lewis's found Mrs. Lewis out in the wheat field pulling
Rye. Staid all night.
[Hilda & Isabel Hagni were schoolmates of Roy & Helen Bates.]

22nd She took me ovr to Mr. Niles where I took dinner. Mrs. Niles & myself
went ovr to Joe Davis's made a short call. Mrs. Clark & Davis went ovr to
Henry Hagni's with us where the Aid had a meeting preparing for childrens
day. Took supper at Hagni's & Mrs. Avery came after me in evening. Called at
Arthur Fudge gate saw Inzie a few minutes. Staid at Averys until Sat. 24th
when Kaid took me to K- [??] got to Loren Elmhursts for a nine oclock
breakfast. After dinner took the 1.30 train for Mancelona. Went to the
G.A.R. & W.R.C. supper. Staid with Mrs. Wallace ovr night.
[The John Avery family was from Excelsior.
David S. Davis was the Post Adjutant of the GAR of Mancelona. Were he and
Joe related?]

25th Went to Cong- Church. Went home with Mrs. Miller. After dinner we went
up to Hopkins to see nanny goat & twin kids. Called on Mrs. Thomas &
Holcombs. Was not feeling well. Went back to Mrs. W. Did not feel able to go
to church in evening. Staid at home.

26th I done the Housework & Mrs. W. washed in afternoon. Called at Mrs.
Sandalls in company with Mrs. Glass.

Tuesday 27th Ironed in forenoon. Went to Mrs. Hudsons to tea in company with
Mrs. Holcomb, Lulu, Josephine & Sue Knickabocker.

Wed. 28th Called at Mrs. Footes & Stucks in afternoon. Went to W.C.T.U.
meeting at Miss Lyons. Mrs. W- gave a very able report of the Unions Dis-
Convention. Mr. & Mrs. W- Mrs. Glass & myself took supper at Mrs. Sandalls
where we spent evening. Lilu [?] & Mrs. G- entertained us with music & song

Thurs 29th Went to Mrs. Footes & spent the day. Called at Mrs. Kimball found
her sick a bed. Called at Mrs. Baileys & Chamberlins. Fire alarm rang & we
went downtown. It was a false alarm.

Friday 30th Took dinner with Miss Lyon. Went down to cemetary. Took supper
with Mrs. Simonds & staid all night.

July 1st - Eva Pray & Baby came in forenoon & staid to dinner. Mr. Blair
came after me in afternoon.

Sunday July 2nd So warm we did not go to church. [I guess this contradicts
what people say about people standing the heat before there was air
conditioning!]

Monday July 3rd Finished my waist. [Waistcoat?]

July 4th Mrs. B. celebrated by washing. I did Housework. Glenn cultivated.
Mr. B. chored around & in evening Vernon celebrated with fire works.

5th Spent the days at Burts.

6th Show in Mancelona. All went to town. Had a picnic at Alices. Mr. & Mrs.
Wallace wer invited.

Friday 7th Went up to W. Taylors . Staid to dinner. Came back to Mrs. W.s &
we called on Mrs. Johnson & Mrs. Tompkins staid with Mrs. Wallace.

Sat. Took supper with Mrs. McKechnies. Then we went down to cemetary &
watered plants. Found grasshoppers eating everything green. Came back to
Corps in evening. Staid all night with Mrs. Johnson.

Sunday 9th Went to Cong. Church in forenoon. Came back to Mrs. J- for
dinner. Went ovr to Mrs. Rices for supper. Intended to go to M.E. Church but
it looked so much like rain & Mrs. R- not feeling well. Did not go.

Monday 10th Came back to Mrs. W-. After dinner we went ovr to see them
hooking Ferns [??]. Went up to Hot House & called at Mrs. Murdens. In
evening called at Lazells & Delva Thompsons.

Tues 11th Intended going to K- but changed my mind. The wind blew a gale.
Browns Hotel caught fire but was subdued before it burned through roof.

Wed 12 Went to WCTU Picnic at Mrs. Hopkins.

Thursday 13 Took dinner at Mrs. Evans in company with Mr. & Mrs. Fitch. Went
to Mrs. Rices to a reception made for W.R.C. Staid all night at Mrs.
Wallaces.

14th Took supper with Mrs. McBane. Staid all night with Mrs. Rice.

15th Called on Mrs. Hazen Marsh & Cook. Went down to cemetary. Took dinner
with Mrs. J-

16th Mrs. Wallace & I went down to Antrim & took tea with Mrs. Grisser. It
rained quite hard while we wer there. Staid with Mrs. Johnson.

July 17th Went to Cong- Church. Went home with Sue Knickerbocker to Mrs.
Holcombs for dinner. After dinner Mrs. H. & I called on Mrs. Miller & then
went ovr to Mrs. Wallaces.

18th Up & took the 10.30 Train. Arrived at G.R. 5.20. Changed cars for
Toledo. Reached Jackson 8 oclock Toledo 10.5. Changed cars 10.45 for
Ashtabula where I arrived at 3 oclock AM.

July 19th Took lunch & hot coffee. Staid until 6 A.M. when I took car to
Penn Depot. Arrived at Mr. E- [Charles Edwards?] 8.30. Staid until 5 PM when
Elmer came after me. This ends a most enjoyable trip to northern Michigan.

E.S.B.

July 19th 1911"

Transcribed by:
Lee A. Taylor
19-22 August 1999

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• A Trip to Michigan, 1911 by "Lee Taylor" <>