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!
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.
Friday, July 24, 1908
Earl and I drove to Durand in p.m. to the ballgame. C-11, D-23. Stayed at Blanche Durham's for supper. In evening Blanche, Ruby Stroud, Ezra Morgan, Earl and I went to theatorium and walked all over town. Saw Cook.
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Copied from 1907 directory
(There is no reference to Blanche Durham/Derham or her parents, or Will Cook, in the Durand directory.)
Thursday, July 23, 1908
I rode downtown with Chester S. and stayed there for dinner then I went down to see Winnie. She and I went to the drugstore for a sundae. Earl's St. Charles girl was down to see him but he did not pay much attention to her. "Earl, are you through with Grace now?" "Yes, for now." Ha! Ha! Walked home towards evening.
Tuesday, July 21, 1908
I took Rose over to Uncle Charlie's in p.m. and stayed there for supper. Got home at 9 o'clock.
Monday, July 20, 1908
Rose and I went boat riding in p.m. and in eve. she and my folks went downtown.
Sunday, July 19, 1908
We all went to Hugh McCurdy's funeral. Awful large attendance. Felt awful sick all a.m. but better in p.m. Saw Walton. Oh! deah. Eli and young Vins were coming up in evening but we had promised to go for a ride with Earl so they did not come. We went to Owosso and stopped to Connors for a hot chocolate. Sicker than a dog when I got home at 11:30. Earl and Rose had a great time.
Saturday, July 18, 1908
Papa and I went downtown in p.m. and I got Rose's letter so went to train and met her. Saw Winnie and Hazel. Sick all night.
Thursday, July 16, 1908
Ironed all a.m. Papa and I went downtown in p.m. Earl and I went to ball game between Corunna and Laingsburg. We won 11-6. Great! I stayed at Belle's to supper and in evening came out home with Earl. Cook called but I was "busy". Ha! Ha!
Monday, July 13, 1908
Papa went downtown and Mama and I went over to Aunt Mary's after the butter but stayed all day.
Sunday, July 12, 1908
Arthur Peacock's, Chet S.'s, Will Mann's, Jud Peacock folks, us and Earl went to Chilt's woods for a picnic. Had a good time. In evening Earl and I drove to Durand. Met Blanche Durham (in the dark). He had a foolish streak. Ha! Ha! Got home at 11:30.
Saturday, July 11, 1908
Awful hot. Worked hard all day. In evening my folks went downtown. Talked with Will C. in even.
Thursday, July 9, 1908
Mr Muzzy came to help Papa draw hay. W.H. and I walked downtown in p.m. She staid at Belle's for supper and walked home about 9 o'clock.
**Transcriber's note: Mr Muzzy is likely to be Dan Muzzy, the only other Muzzy that Grace references in her 1908 diary.
**Transcriber's note: Mr Muzzy is likely to be Dan Muzzy, the only other Muzzy that Grace references in her 1908 diary.
Wednesday, July 8, 1908
Ironed all a.m. In p.m. W.H. walked down to Hazel L.'s. In evening Earl and I went to Pricilla party in casino and Winifred came home with us. Had a dandy time. Mama came home in p.m.
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Transcriber's note:
Hazel L. is assumed to be Hazel Lowe, because Hazel Lowe and Winnie Humphrey are known to be friends as shown in this newspaper entry. Any time "Hazel and Winnie" are seen together it is assumed to be Hazel Lowe and Winnie Humphrey.
Tuesday, July 7, 1908
Washed. Turned cold at noon. Rev. Woodhams called in p.m. We looked just awful but we did not care.
Monday, July 6, 1908
Felt mean all a.m. In p.m. we went downtown and called on Mrs Carland, Mrs Engleheart, Belle, Ella Shuttleworth, Eva Dudeck, Earl and Will Parker. Awful warm. Canned cherries all a.m.
Sunday, July 5, 1908
Mama and Papa went over to Uncle Charlie's and she stayed. Glen M. came up in p.m. and we ate watermelon and had a circus. Earl came about 8:30 and brought 2 qts ice cream. Had a dandy time but Winifred lost her ring.
Saturday, July 4, 1908
We started to get milk from Hawkins. We went downtown in p.m. and got Winifred. Went to ball game between C- and some niggers. 8 to 6 in our favor. Rained a little. Got home 7:30.
Wednesday, July 1, 1908
Papa took the cow to town. He and Glen K. went fishing in p.m. but got only four minnows. Mrs Ed Thompson came to see Mama but she wasn't here.
Tuesday, June 30, 1908
Glen Keelin up in p.m. Also Mable came for me to help her on a waist. Cook called from Vernon to tell me that he was going to the party if I was going. Earl and I went to K.P. party in casino. Rex and Will C. were there. Danced once with W.C. "No more." Had a dandy time. Met Owosso bunch.
Sunday, June 28, 1908
Earl came up about 2 o'clock. Made ice cream. Chester and Ella stopped here for a little while in p.m. Rained towards night.
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