Grace Rose lived from 1887 to 1981. She was born in Michigan and lived there most of her life. This is a transcription of her diary written in 1908, the year she turned 21. She lived in Corunna, Michigan at the time. In just a few years, she would be married to Earl Derham. Read on for the adventures of a single girl in the early 20th century!
Thursday, December 31, 1908
Worked hard all day. Made Mama's waist. In evening Earl came up and we watched the old year out and the new year in. "Naughty kids." Will begin the new year right. Ha! Ha!
Tuesday, December 29, 1908
Mama and I went downtown in p.m. I stayed at Ella's all night. Earl and I went to club dance in evening. He was sore at Duffy because he would not let Ray come. Rained hard when we went home and was awful slippery.
Friday, December 25, 1908
We all went over to Uncle Theo for dinner. I waited for Earl. He gave me the cut glass water set. Swell. We got home at 9 o'clock and nearly froze.
Wednesday, December 23, 1908
I got a ride home with Dan Muzzy. Mama and I went downtown in p.m. Earl took his last degree "for a while" last night and he looked as if he felt pretty mean. Fine day and the sleighing is just grand.
Tuesday, December 22, 1908
I walked downtown in p.m. and stayed at Ella's for supper. In the evening Ella and I went to the theatorium. Us girls went to Hattie's and had a dandy time. Exchanged xmas presents. I gave each of the "little girls" a string of beads. Ha! Ha! Stayed with Winnie all night.
Monday, December 21, 1908
Dandy day. I walked downtown in a.m. and went over to Owosso to do some shopping. Stopped to Belle's and Ella's and Papa came down after me towards night.
Thursday, December 17, 1908
Snowed and was a terrible day. I had planned to go to the club party but didn't. Earl came up.
Saturday, December 12, 1908
Bessie Crane and I went to Owosso to do some shopping. Found out who Nellie Buell was.
Thursday, December 10, 1908
I went downtown in p.m. Stayed to Belle's for supper. Snowed in evening but Earl and I went to Owosso to see "Little Dolly Dimples." Coming home we saw Mr Reynolds, Will Duffey, Burr Eveleth, and Cloyse Lewis on the car and they were in hard shape. Ha! Ha!
Sunday, December 6, 1908
Made peanut candy in a.m. I took W.C. home toward evening. Earl up. Snowed during the day.
Saturday, December 5, 1908
I drove downtown after W.C. in evening. Earl told us to go to the theatorium so we minded him.
Thursday, December 3, 1908
Ironed in a.m. In evening Earl and I took Romaine with us to the club dance. They had the stage out and the new floor all layed.
Monday, November 30, 1908
Rained all a.m. Papa took Belle and Grace home in a.m. and went to Durand to the bank. Wrote letters in the evening.
Sunday, November 29, 1908
Belle, Arthur, Donald, and Grace up all day and Aunt Mary up too. Rained all night so Grace and Belle stayed all night. Arthur and Donald went home with Earl. We could not be alone only about an hour but we will make up for lost time some day.
Friday, November 27, 1908
I walked downtown in p.m. and stayed with Winnie all night. We 6 girls went to Jennie Chaffie's in evening. Had a swell time. Mable and Hattie mad at Winnie. Got home at 11:30 but talked until about 2.
Thursday, November 26, 1908
Aunt Mary, Uncle Theo, and Earl up for dinner. I went down to Ella's with Earl while he worked. Wind blew awful hard.
Wednesday, November 25, 1908
I went downtown in p.m. Saw Earl, Mable, and Winnie, and Hazel. Met Winnie Jackson. Heard that Felicie Van Liew was married. Rained in a.m.
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Transcriber's notes:
Felicia Van Liew was in the Corunna High School graduating class of 1906, but I have not been able to find a record of her marriage.
I have seen her name spelled Felicie, Felicia, Felice, and the unusual spelling shown November 26 (unless that is a reference to someone else).
The family is referenced in the Corunna Journal 23 January 1908 when Felicia's father passed away. The newspaper reports that they are living in Bennington, about 9 miles south of Corunna.
Tuesday, November 24, 1908
Chilt, Salem, Ernest, and Peck over in evening to hear Papa and I play. Earl came later. Rained in a.m.
Saturday, November 21, 1908
Mama and I drove downtown in p.m. Aunt Louise and I drove the men near Vernon to fish.
Friday, November 20, 1908
I got my present from Earl. "Swell." I walked down to Bessie's in a.m. In p.m. she and I drove their hired man's horse to Vernon. "Postal cards." Ha! Ha! She brought me home.
Thursday, November 19, 1908
Mama and I drove downtown in p.m. Dandy day. Earl and I went to club dance in evening. Aunt Louise and all over in evening to go fishing. She gave me my new back comb.
Tuesday, November 17, 1908
I walked downtown in p.m. Went to see Winnie and stayed to Belle's for supper. Earl and I went over to Owosso to see "Our New Minister". Great.
Sunday, November 15, 1908
Awful cold. Earl came about noon. Had oysters for supper and I found a pearl.
Sunday, November 8, 1908
Alone all day but Buckles folks and Earl up in evening. Earl and I had sort of a scrap over Wallie when there was no reason for it at all.
The only other time Wallie has been mentioned in Grace's 1908 diary is on February 10, when she mentions receiving a letter from him. So, Wallie must not live in the Corunna area, and is likely to be around Grace's age...enough that he is considered a threat to Earl...
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Transcriber's note:The only other time Wallie has been mentioned in Grace's 1908 diary is on February 10, when she mentions receiving a letter from him. So, Wallie must not live in the Corunna area, and is likely to be around Grace's age...enough that he is considered a threat to Earl...
Friday, November 6, 1908
Papa and I went over to Aunt Louise's and got a cow. Mrs Gilbert over in p.m.
Thursday, November 5, 1908
Papa and I went down to Grandma's in a.m. She and Aunt Minnie went to Minn. at noon. In evening Earl and I went to the theatorium and dancing club. Got home at 12:30. Did not get the milk.
Wednesday, November 4, 1908
I went to Owosso in p.m. and bought my black skirt and dancing slippers. Earl called up in the evening.
Tuesday, November 3, 1908
Mrs Rob Fields and Bessie Crane up in p.m. I took Bessie home towards night.
Sunday, November 1, 1908
Aunt Louise and family over in p.m. Also Earl, Hattie, Winnie, Mable, and Romaine. Chilt and Salem over too. I took the girls home in evening and Earl came to meet me. Wren's barn burned at midnight. Did not get the milk.
Saturday, October 31, 1908
Papa went downtown in a.m. In p.m. I went down town and up to Grandma's. Saw Hattie, Winnie, and Mable.
Friday, October 30, 1908
The Dr up. I went to Brands for some butter and milk. Uncle Charlie and Adele stopped on their way to town. Milk 35 times.
Tuesday, October 27, 1908
Finished our threshing in a.m. Did not get the milk. Earl up in the evening.
Monday, October 26, 1908
Mrs Morgan stopped in a.m. Threshers here for supper and all night. Belle came up to help me. I took her home in the evening.
Sunday, October 25, 1908
Mary Jenkins and children over in p.m. Also Aunt Mary and Mable. Earl up in evening.
Thursday, October 22, 1908
Alone all day as Papa was threshing. Mrs Ed Thompson over in a.m. In evening Earl and I went to club dance in Opera House. Had a swell time and got home at 12:30.
Monday, October 19, 1908
Aggie Buckle stopped to see Mama in a.m. Did not get the milk. Chilt over in evening.
Sunday, October 18, 1908
Earl came up in p.m. and we drove over to Roy Rose's and Uncle Theo's. Came home for supper. Hot.
Friday, October 16, 1908
Belle and Ella S. up here all day and Belle washed my hair. In evening Earl and I went to Herbert's 17th birthday surprise party. Had a good time. Did not get the milk. Got home at 2:30.
Thursday, October 15, 1908
Mama felt a lot better all day. Ella Harmon up in the p.m. for a little while.
Wednesday, October 14, 1908
Fine day. Earl up in the evening. Did not get the milk. Papa started to draw his beets.
Sunday, October 11, 1908
Papa went down after Aunt Minnie in a.m. Earl up for dinner. In p.m. Stoddards people, Aunt Mary and Mable were up here. Mama felt real good all day. Papa and Aunt Minnie went over to Aunt Louise's to get the butter and look at the cow. Did not get any milk from Chilt's. Earl up again in evening.
Saturday, October 10, 1908
Worked hard all day. The Dr. came up also Edward and Mertie but they did not stay long.
Friday, October 9, 1908
Mrs Hawkins up all p.m. In evening Donald drove up after me. I went to the theatorium and then Earl and I went over to Owosso to see "Quincy Adams Sawyer". On our way home we saw someone trying to get honey from the basswood tree across the road but we scared them out.
Thursday, October 8, 1908
I went downtown in a.m. and got my hat. Went to see Winnie and Mable and also to the fire at Stell Curly's.
Wednesday, October 7, 1908
Papa was downtown nearly all day. Ironed. Mama was some better during the day but got worse toward evening. Mrs Gilbert, Salem, and Ernest up in evening also Earl but he went home early on account of not feeling good.
Sunday, October 4, 1908
Aunt Mary, Mable, Herbert, and Uncle Theo over in p.m. Also Winnie C., Mable W., Romaine B., and Hattie F. came along the R.R. and came up here. We went over to Chilt's to see Salem, the Syrian boy. Roy Derham called up and said "Earl had gone to see his brother in Ann Arbor." Ha! Ha! Did not get the milk. Awful nice day and warm.
Saturday, October 3, 1908
Mama was sick nearly all day and Dr. Norris came up. Papa went downtown in the evening.
Friday, October 2, 1908
Aunt Louise and Mamie K. over in p.m. In evening the men went spearing. Mama and I had quite a talk. Did not get the milk.
Thursday, October 1, 1908
Mama went to see the Dr. N. I saw Hattie and went up to her house for a few min. Earl up in the evening.
Irving W. Norris, M.D., was a doctor in Corunna. His biographical sketch was printed in a town history and is shared below.
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Transcriber's note:Irving W. Norris, M.D., was a doctor in Corunna. His biographical sketch was printed in a town history and is shared below.
Wednesday, September 30, 1908
Walter up in evening to talk about Martha and see the pictures of us 4.
Sunday, September 27, 1908
We were all down to Stoddards all day. I came back with Earl in evening. Belle's folks up there for supper. He certainly will know me after a while. Ha! Ha! Did not get the milk.
Thursday, September 24, 1908
We all went downtown in p.m. Belle and I went to ballgame. C. Masons - 8 and Byron Masons - 5. I stayed there to supper and went to the club party at the casino. Got home at 12:30. Earl and I went to the theatorium before going to the party. Good. Saw Percy Rose.
Wednesday, September 23, 1908
Did not get the milk. I went across lots to Hope's and stayed all day. Had a dandy time.
Sunday, September 20, 1908
Earl came up at noon and Donald came too but he did not stay long. Earl felt foxy all right wanted to tell Mama "something" but I would not let him. Sat in the hammock all evening.
Saturday, September 19, 1908
Worked all a.m. In evening I took Mertie back home. Saw Earl and Mable W. gave me her picture.
Friday, September 18, 1908
Mama took Meal downtown in a.m. and stayed all day. Mertie came home with Mama and stayed all night. Walter Hatch came up to talk about Martha. Quite confidential.
Thursday, September 17, 1908
Ironed in a.m. Meal Vaughbrot came in a.m. and stayed all night. Mama took me downtown in p.m. I stayed at Grandma's for supper and went to Owosso to see "Paid in Full" in evening. Home afterwards. Show was fine. Got here about 1:30.
Sunday, September 13, 1908
Uncle Theo, Aunt Mary, and Mable over towards night. My folks went over to Aunt Louise's in evening after butter.
Saturday, September 12, 1908
Bessie went home in a.m. In p.m. I drove downtown and up to Grandma's. Belle up after some pears.
Friday, September 11, 1908
Canned corn in a.m. In p.m. Bessie Crane came up and stayed all night. Will, Bessie, and I went after the milk in the evening. Awful smoky. Aunt Louise over for a few minutes.
Wednesday, September 9, 1908
Walked all over Flint to see the factories and asylum. Toward evening we took the train for home. Met Walter H. at Durand. He had been visiting Martha for 4 days. I went to Belle's while Earl got his horse to take me home. Got in bed at 12 o'clock.
Tuesday, September 8, 1908
Rose, Earl, and I went to the State Fair in a.m. In p.m. Earl went to Chicago - Det. game and we went to the Temple. Took the evening train for Flint and got to Ella's about 8:30. Awful tired.
Monday, September 7, 1908
Got up at 3 o'clock and Ray drove us to Durand where we went to Detroit. Met Rose at the station and we went to League ballgame between St. Louis and Detroit a.m. 4 to 3 in our favor. Got our dinners downtown and went right back to the game in p.m. 9 to 3 in our favor. After the game we went up to aunts. Earl stayed all night with Ed Archibald and I stayed with Rose.
Sunday, September 6, 1908
Stoddards up in p.m. Earl drove up in p.m. and stayed all night. Went to bed early.
Friday, September 4, 1908
We went down to Grandma's in p.m. I saw Mable W., W.C., Rex, Will S., Earl, and Romaine B. Dandy day.
Wednesday, September 2, 1908
Washed all a.m. In p.m. I walked downtown and Belle, Mertie, and I went to the ballgame between Byron Masons and Corunna M. and we got beat quite bad. Stayed at Belle's all night. In evening went to the theatorium and Earl came up there afterwards. Saw "Willie" Soper and Aunt Minnie in the drugstore. Played pedro and fought for the sporting sheet.
Tuesday, September 1, 1908
Washed in a.m. In p.m. I went downtown with Papa to get my shoes. Went up to Grandma's for a little while and Mertie was there all alone. Leah Eveleth and her mother had been here to see Mama when we got back.
Sunday, August 30, 1908
Milbourn up in a.m. for a little while. Belle and Arthur and kids up all day. I took them back in evening. Earl came up.
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Transcriber's notes:
"Milbourn" could be Melbourne Rose, Grace's cousin.
Saturday, August 29, 1908
In p.m. we drove around by Kerby to go downtown. Went to theatorium. In evening Mama and I walked over to Eveleths.
Friday, August 28, 1908
Kit Black came up before I had breakfast and wanted me to go to Vernon and Durand with him so I did. Saw Ruby Stroud and Will Cook. Took dinner at the depot.
Thursday, August 27, 1908
Canned pears all day. Earl came up in evening. The "black man" called up in evening and I could not imagine who it was.
Tuesday, August 25, 1908
Belle and I went to the ballgame between Corunna Masons and Bancroft Pythians and they busted up in a fight with a score of 6 to 5 in Corunna's favor. Earl surprised me and came up in the evening. Got my "College Girl".
Saturday, August 22, 1908
We went down to Grandma's to spend the day. Earl got me there and we came home.
Friday, August 21, 1908
Awful lazy all day. In evening the boys came up and we played pedro. E- "I believe if we keep on there will be a double wedding." Ha! Ha!
Thursday, August 20, 1908
M. and I walked downtown in p.m. and called at Grandma's. Stayed at Belle's for supper and came out home with the boys. "Cheats."
Wednesday, August 19, 1908
Ironed all a.m. Walt came up in evening and Earl came later. Got in bed at 12.
Tuesday, August 18, 1908
Mama, M., and I drove over to Aunt Louise's to get the butter. Stopped at Roy's on way home. Went to bed early.
Monday, August 17, 1908
My folks came home. M. and I went to meet Mama in evening and saw Walt. Nearly had a collision with a telephone pole when we met the street car. Walt, M., and I went over to Owosso to the carnival and it was fine. "Drunken man." "Pass the beer." Ha! Ha! Pie! Pie! Earl and Walt brought us girls home and took the horse back with them.
Sunday, August 16, 1908
I drove downtown after the boys but could find only Walter. We hunted around after Earl but he had missed us so walked out here. Had a great time. "Pictures and candy." Intended to drive to Byron but it rained in a.m. so we gave it up.
Saturday, August 15, 1908
We washed the buggy and ironed in a.m. In p.m. we drove to Vernon around by Shiatown, downtown, and then home. Intended to go downtown in eve but it rained so we stayed at home and went to bed early.
Friday, August 14, 1908
Chilt over in a.m. and did the chores. Washed. We drove downtown in evening and Walter and us went to W. Owosso to the carnival. Earl came later. Went thro' the "electric fountain". Good! The boys drove home with us and stayed a few minutes.
Thursday, August 13, 1908
M. and I went over to Owosso in p.m. In eve we drove down after the boys and had a circus. "Curtains, sofa pillows, and candy." "Rat." Donald came home with us to do the chores and we took him back. Aunt Minnie and children and Grandma stopped for a few minutes towards evening. Chilt over in a.m. and told our fortunes. Great.
Wednesday, August 12, 1908
Rained all night. Went downtown in p.m. and intended to go to Owosso but Charlie wouldn't stand so we drove around by Kerby home. The boys called up in eve.
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Transcriber's notes:
I don't know who Charlie is. Maybe Charlie is the horse, except the rest of the time Grace refers to the horse as "the horse".
The Kerby family owned a lot of property in Caledonia Township. The nearest cross street to the Rose farm is today called Kerby Road.
Tuesday, August 11, 1908
Walter and Earl came up after dinner with a double carriage and we drove to Bancroft to the Mason vs Pythian ball game. 15 to 9 in the K.P.'s favor. Great game. "The girl on the ladder." "I'm Mr. Brown." Ha! Ha! We rode on the back seat coming home. Came nearly getting lost. Took the team back to Owosso and took the car as far as Derhams where we got the rig and Martha and I came home alone so that we could keep the horse. Rained like sixty on the way to Owosso and home. Got here at 11:30.
Monday, August 10, 1908
My folks went to the lakes in a.m. and left us all alone. Walt called up in a.m. Had a ride in the automobile from Hawkins.
Sunday, August 9, 1908
Baked bread, 2 cakes, made ice cream and everything else in a.m. Walter Hatch drove up before we had even combed our hair. Earl rowed up. We 4 went down to Chilt's woods and took our suppers. "Martha's mouth." "Slams." "I've got an idea." Ha! Ha! Earl and I rowed downtown and the others drove. Came home around by Hope's. Earl and Martha kept us awake alright.
Saturday, August 8, 1908
We all went downtown in p.m. to Fireman's Field Day. I thought Earl was mad but it was all my imagination. Came home after the balloon ascension. Walton did not bother us. Had a dandy time.
Friday, August 7, 1908
We all went downtown to "Homecoming" and took our dinner to the park. Saw Walton and he hung around us all p.m. "Darned fool." We stung him good after supper. Walter H. was with us all during the fireworks and helped us hitch up our horse. "Rubber." Went to the ball game in p.m. St. Charles - 2 and Corunna - 14. Ice cream, candy, and merry-go-round. Ha! Ha! Got home at 10:30.
Wednesday, August 5, 1908
Came home in a.m. Stopped at Belle's on way home. Ironed all p.m. Mertie came up and stayed all night. Earl came up in evening.
Tuesday, August 4, 1908
W.C., Hattie, and I went over to Owosso in a.m. to see a wild west show parade but they had not come yet so we came back. I went to Grandma's for dinner and afterwards to the drugstore for a little while. In evening Earl and I intended to go to the show but it was so tough that Hattie, Winnie, Earl, and I took in the theatoriums. W.C. lost her pocketbook but we found it again. Rained awful hard so we got home quite early. Earl and Winnie felt foolish coming home.
Monday, August 3, 1908
I rode downtown with Papa in p.m. and stayed with W.C. all night. Hattie, Winnie, and I went to the new theatorium in eve. Rained in the night.
Sunday, August 2, 1908
Dandy day. Grant Morse stopped in p.m. on his way to work on the Valley Mills bridge. Earl and I went for a ride in evening.
Friday, July 31, 1908
Washed the colored clothes. I went down to Cranes in p.m. and stayed to supper. Mama went over to Harmons. Papa was cutting oats for Uncle Theo and he stayed all night.
Thursday, July 30, 1908
Got up early and washed all of the white clothes. Talked with Ward from Cranes'. Mr Haines came over to telephone and was drunk. Earl and I drove over to Aunt Louise's in evening. "Nose-bleed." Getting down to business.
Wednesday, July 29, 1908
Sewed all day. Talked with Earl in p.m. In evening my folks went downtown after their carving set and fountain pen.
Sunday, July 26, 1908
Earl rowed a boat up in a.m. and stayed to dinner. In p.m. my folks went over to Uncle Theo's. We rowed downtown towards night and got the horse and buggy. Took Etta to the train. Rode around by Kerby home. Great conversation. Told me some news and plans. Got in bed at 1 o'clock.
Saturday, July 25, 1908
We all went downtown to the Farmer's club picnic at the park. Hattie, Hazel, Hope, Winnie, Bessie, Agnes, Rose and I were together. "Mr Hildebrandt." Ha! Ha! Mrs C., Bessie, and I went to Owosso in evening and then I rode home with them. Got here at 9:30. Uncle Lewis and Papa went spearing and Minnie stayed all night.
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