diary4

A Glimpse of Life in

Newton-Ransom Twps., PA

in 1895/1897

Kindly provided by Paul Thompson

William is 53; his wife Lizzie Klipple Thompson is 47

Ina is 27; Frank is 23; Kate is 18; John is 15

Aunt Jane Thompson Courtwright is 84

Sarah Jane Thompson, wife of Bezaliel Garey, is 60

William's father, John Thompson is 87

Feb/Mar 1896

Sat Feby 1 1896

I & John cut 2 bins of hay with horse - enough to last months or more, Raining with ice on ground.

Mother (HARRIET SMITH THOMPSON) got a card from HATTIE SNOVER, Scranton saying that Uncle JACOB SMITH, Iowa is dead; but does not give the cause of death or state when he died.

Mond 3 Feby

Took Kate down to Ransom. Sent 8 1/4 pounds of butter to Jane Garey from fathers.

Milt Petty came at 8 1/2 o'clock and we killed the red cow. He hade no charge.

PM Took on hind quarter (115 pounds) to John Hice. The other hind quarter to J A Lacoe (115 pounds @ 5 1/2c). Hice $6.21, Lacoe $6.32. Took the front quarter (97 lbs) to C Klipple @ 4 1/2 c. Owed Christ for 10 bbs borrowed. Then 87 1/2 @ 4 1/2 c 3.91 due. Christ was gone to Scranton, Lacoe was gone and Hice did not settle. I got no money on the meat. John took hide to Theo. Stone. It weighed 56 lbs at 2 1/4 - 1.26.

Thurs 5 March

Trimmed grape vines. Warmer. Read a part of the day.

Frid 6 March

John Wilson helped me saw wood. I would have gone to fathers to saw, bu J L Stone wrote me that he would be here today to install me agent for the Ins Co. He did not come. W E Lott, East Lemon was here: he showed me the note given by C E Lacoe & J M Whitsup for the Champion Machine - $222 with int after the 1st of Jany. I told him to tell C H Beisecker to pay it without an order.

Sat 7 March

Did intend to take straw to McCann's but it was raining in morning; went with buggy left paper to A Kisley's office to have F A Whitlock, auditor of township. Bought pr shoes for self of Davidow, 140 Penn Ave 1.69 & 1.00 thought to be cheap. Came home by Milwaukee. Very Muddy.

Mond March 9, 1896

I was to Milwaukee got sworn as Town Clerk. Came home by C Klipple's. Brought hams from his smoke house. At 10 o'clock John L Stone came here. Brought applications for the Abington Mutual Fire Insurance Co. They have no policies yet printed ase waiting for Charter. We went by Chris Klipples to Milwaukee. Chris was gone. Next to see Peter Bedell. Bedell was gone. We saw Geo Sherman about his house in Glenburn. He signed $1000. Mr. Petty said he would $500 on his barn. L M McClosky said he would take $300 on house where Bertha lives. N G Reed said if he could get his old policy cancelled without loss he would come into this company $3000. H(?) Klipple said he would take 2000 if he could get his conceled. He said $200 collected for policy & survey was to pay his expenses.:while I might be entitled or would be to the $150 . He thought he divided with me that would be right. I agreed to this but said if I thought this would not be enough I would quit any time. J D Hopkins was here to see me about taxes.

Tues March 10, 11896

Got Dick shod at Snovers and did not pay. Was to Chris Zeiss' and made a survey of his building.

PM Went to fathers and to John Dersheimers talked insurance to him. He said he had renewed not long ago. Was to DWR's. He had no insurance but would not at present take any. Came to J Hice's. He would take on his store and dwelling. I promised to write to J L Stone about store.

Wed 11 March

Went with John Wilson to fathers to saw wood. Quit about 2 o'clock on account of snow. Snowing hard tonight. Got letter from Stone sending names of those who paid him on their offered insurance.

Thurs 12 March

I was around Milwaukee. Took Milt Petty's application for insurance also Chris Zeiss, Wm Klipple and Peter Bedell. Snow deep.

Frid 13 March

Took C H Beisecker's application for insurance and was to Dr Cooper's. He had 2000 on paper, but had renewed his with the old stock Company and did not give me an application.

Attended funeral of Less Thompson's child 14 mos old.

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