Notes taken by Mary Althaver

M- in Eckford Dec. 27 at bride's father's, EH Cook, by Rev. John Ashley, Alfred L French of Tekonsha & Miss Clara B Cook.

M- at res. of J Simpson, Marshall Twp., Christmas 1877 by Rev. A Hunsberger, Andrew Barnes & Miss Arvilla F Boughton, both of Marengo.

M- by same, assisted by N Fassett, on Dec. 31, at res. of bride's father, SS Fairbank, Esq., Emory E Goodenow of Albion & Miss Gussie Fairbank, Litchfield.

D- at Binghamton, NY, Dec. 28 of typhoid fever, Frank Slauson, brother of CA Slauson of Homer, age 24

D- Nathan Eslow at home in Homer Dec. 28, age 79. Born Burlington, New Jersey, June 1, 1799. 11 years later he moved to Ontario, Wayne Co., NY. In 1824 he married Miss Mary Leach, lived in Ontario area until 1835, then moved to Homer - the homestead now occupied by his son, Zachariah P. His wife died 12-31-1863. Children: Zachariah P, Israel W, and Elizabeth. He remarried March 1865 - Mrs Ann E Ruel, who survives him. He was the assessor here, then supervisor and held office 29 years, then was Justice of Peace for 8 years.

Wm. Harris rented & refitted Richardson market, now has choice meat & buys hides too.

1-9-1878

D- Mr Keslar, an old resident of Homer, died at his res., 1 mile N of Homer this morning.

M- Jan. 3 at Daniel Dorsey's res., by Rev. Gerrish, Dr LT VanHorn & Miss Phebe J Dorsey, all of Homer.

Mr Smith moved his law office to second story brick building S side of Main. Twp. clerk & deputy occupy same rooms.

1-16-1878

M- Jan. 10 at ME Church in Homer by Rev. TH Jacokes, AB Lacy & Mary L Eslow, both of Homer.

Auction - John Hoffman - at Osborn Livery House & Stables - horses, buggies, etc.

Probate order - Hiram Kesler, late of Albion.

1-23-1878

Fine of $10 for ringing engine house bell when not necessary.

JH Bacon, 3 mile S on Litchfield road, sold his farm & has scheduled an auction.

HC Hart has a dyeing establishment on Broad St – faded clothes made bright.

1-30-1878

Homer now has 3 billiard saloons.

M- Jan. 26, in Homer, by Rev. TH Jacokes, WG Bender & Minnie Rapp, both of Sturgis.

2-6-1878

OW Mumbrue sold his harness shop to JJ Banford & CH Dorsey.

M- at res. of bride's mother, Jan. 30, by Rev. A Hunsberger, Edwin A Ames & Miss M Jennie Sinclair, all of Marshall.

About $5000 has been subscribed for new ME Church.

2-13-1878

M- at Cook's Prairie Feb. 7, by Rev. John Ashley, Geo. W Roberts & Cordelia J McVay, both of Butler.

D- Age 76, died on the 6th, Stephen N Gerow, at his res. in Homer. He was born Ulster Co., NY, Feb. 17, 1801, married 5- 9-1830 to Dianna Townsend of Ulster Co. & moved same year to Perry, Wyoming Co., NY. Lived there 20 years, then came to Marengo, Mich., farmed until 1875, when age caused him to move to town. Wife & 4 of 7 children survive him - 2 sons- Ward T & Jerry, 2 dau. - Mrs KP Allen & Mrs Henry Tompkins, survive him. He was a member of Universalist Church 35 years. Res. on Leigh St.

D- Lewis Miller of typhoid fever on the 8th at home in SE part of twp., age 30. Born Avon, Livingston Co., NY on June 20, 1847. He was youngest of 9 children - 5 boys, 4 girls - all survive him, also his mother. Father died when Lewis was a child. He lived here 3 years, before that in Convis & Marengo & York State.

D- Ira Allen, age 69, 2-8-1878 of heart disease. He was born Danby, Rutland Co, Vt on 7-7-1809. Married Rebecca Calkins in 1828, moved to Ohio in 1835, to Homer in 1853, lived several years in village, a blacksmith. Before that, on a farm in S part of twp. He died while his children, King P & his wife had gone to Marengo to bury their father, Mr Gerow, who died 2 days before. Had 10 children, 6 of whom & wife survive. All but 1 have families.

2-20-1878

Fire - last evening - fire in engine room of Ott's Hoop Factory on Sophia St. - damage slight.

Young ladies of Homer have petitioned Common Council to remove billiard tables from village - signed by Miss Mary E Thorn & 27 others.

Notice: My wife, Henrietta Percival left my bed & board, etc. Won't pay her debts. Erastus Percival.

At Union Hall - Esther presented March 5 & 6, directed by MW Ferris, Persian & Jewish costumes - a rich musical treat.

2-27-1878

Greenback Caucus to be held.

Co-Partnership between SS Thorn & LD Bradley dissolved by mutual consent.

3-6-1878 (Note: this issue is missing)

3-13-1878

John Ott's hoop factory is running night & day.

EL & HL Hopkins have invented a machine for making barrel hoops - can turn out 26 well finished hoops per minute.

Auction - at res. of Lewis Miller, deceased, 1 1/2 mile SE of Fisher school house.

Mr Wells Pratt & Geo. E Davis have left Homer for Sylvan Center, Jackson Co., where they have gone into mercantile & farming. Pratt retains his interest in Parks & Pratt bank. Mr Davis is an auctioneer.

Wm J Gregg is retiring as village president. New one is Wm A Lane.

M- at ME Church in Marshall by Rev. A Hunsberger, Henry Long & Miss Ula Kibler, both of Lee, Feb. 22.

Geo. Sanford, the Homer tinner & eavestrough man, has moved from Sophia St. to building on S Side Main - 2 doors from the Public Square.

4-3-1878

M- at res. of Miss Eliz. Wooley of Homer, March 27, by Rev AS Badger, Charles S Chase of Eckford & Miss Sarah Wooley of Homer.

M- at bride's parents res. on Sunday the 31st by AJ Ashley of Eckford, FW Brainard of Clarendon & Miss Lillie B Waterman of Homer.

D- at res. 5 mile SE of Homer, on 31st, Emma, wife of Sylvanus Nowlin, age 22 yr.

Eckford Twp. CE Darrow, Supervisor.

Last Friday was the 60th birthday of Mrs Daniel Dorsey.

List of Eckford Twp. voters in 1836 - first twp. election held there: Henry Cook, Elijah Cook, John Richey, Samuel Blair, Jonas Blair, Benonah Cutlar, Abram Mumbrue, Nelson Rogers, Seth Rogers, Elijah T Chase, Daniel Dunakin, Lionel W U'Dell, William Herick, Andrew Herick, Charles Olin, Madoc Bordwell, Albert H Cadwell, Alfred Arnold, Thomas Walker,

Simeon S Stone, Simeon Cowles, Joseph Otis, Daniel B Eddy, Silas Comstock, Orra Bush, Jabez Bush, Edward L Rogers, Thomas Maple, Luciens M Howe, Samuel Whitcomb, Harry & Kent Cooley, John Cooley, Joseph I Ale, Jeremiah Hinkle, Chas. Hinkle, Oshea Wilder, Daniel Wilder, Daniel Brotherton, Peter Brotherton, Charles Allen, Hiram Hungerford, Willet Marshall, Charles K Palmer, Oliver Baldwin, David Budlong.

4-24-1878

OW Mumbrue is turning out fine buggies.

M- in Clarendon, Apr. 19 by LJ Andrus, Esq., Orville A Crandall, of Burlington, & Miss Sarah E Smith, of Clarendon.

5-1-1878 (Nothing of great interest)

5-8-1878

Preparations are being made to move the old ME Church from present location, across street to make room for new church to be erected.

MW Hatch, our ex-druggist, has bought 40 acres, 2 miles N of village.

5-15-1878

CD Burt, lately appointed assessor of village has resigned. Geo. Westcott was appointed. AC Sabin resigned as village trustee, Thos. Lyon will replace him.

5-22-1878

There are 140 dogs in the township. Tax on same $152.

Glass coffin is the latest thing at Dolph's furniture store.

Will W Clark, from Marshall, opened barber shop over Mahany's store.

M- at bride's parents in Eckford on 19th ultime, by Rev John Ashley, Deacon Levi French of Girard & Miss Electa J Patterson.

D- in Wichita, Kansas, May 16, Alice, only dau. of Orange Bugbee & granddau. of Mrs LE Hill & L Bugbee of Homer. Age 11 yrs. Her mother died only 3 years ago.

D- May 19, Mrs Catherine Berger, age 69, born Northumberland Co., Pa., married to Jacob Berger March 8, 1827. He died about 1850. She had 7 children, 6 living. Lived in PA & NY until 1856, when she came to Mich. Lived several years in Homer. Member Lutheran Church, Homer Presby.

D- Chas. Southwell, about 5 miles S of Homer, May 18, age about 12 yr.

14 year old girl abducted by horse doctor. He was arrested & jailed, but escaped. Girl returned home. Lena Mount, age 14, who lives with her mother in S Albion, near Homer, was abducted by Hugh F Edwards, alias FH Brown, age 38, married and has 7 children, lived near Homer.

M- in S Bend, Ind., on 20th ult., by Rev. JH Stover, Ethan I Allen of Homer & Miss Anna Brown of S Bend.

Sheriff's sale against Stephen Wait & Melvin Osborn.

Foundation on new ME Church is progressing.

Library of Homer Literary Society is open to members every Saturday. Mrs ND Beedon, librarian.

Mr & Mrs Arza Lewis celebrated Golden Anniversay Sat. last.

D- in Nebraska on May 29, oldest dau. of Loren Bugbee of Homer & wife of Capt. Wm. Larabee, age 44y,9m,6d.

6-12-1878

D- in Homer June 10, Mrs Abba E Waterman, wife of Lewis, age 34 yr.

6-19-1878

Cornerstone of ME Church will be laid 4th of July.

Prof. & Mrs. HA Bunnell & Geo. J French returned from Carthage, Mo., where they spent the winter.

D- John Johnson in Clarendon, June 12, age about 39.

6-26-1878

Daniel Dorsey celebrated his 62nd birthday with a party.

M- in Homer on 28th ultimo, by MM Camburn, Esq., EJ Banks & Miss E Johnson, both of Union City.

Banford & Dorsey sold harness stock to JB Eckes, who will carry on in old location.

ME Church - pioneer church, the first erected in Homer, is to be replaced. The old one was begun in 1839, finished in 1840, and built by EP Potter, promoted by Milton Barney. New building is brick, 42' by 70', has corner tower, basement for Sunday School, etc. (Note:a lot more church history available in this article)

7-10-1878

D- July 6 at res. in Homer, Mr SH Burt, age about 65. (Note: Obit. a week later) Age about 64. Born in what is now Southfield, Berkshire Co., Mass, came to Mich. about 1840, joined Presby. Church in 1851. Twice married, 4 children, but one is living. One son died in Army. Moved several times in this area and Jackson.

List of things in cornerstone of ME Church - newspapers, church history, photographs, names of Mrs IA Hutchinson & her SS class who paid for cornerstone.

Probate order : Samuel H Burt, dec., wife Hannah M Burt, spec. adm. Geo. H French.

7-24-1878

Root beer - at TS Dorsey's.

D- Henry McGee - over 40 yrs. res. in County, died at Albion on the 20th inst.

Report of Andrew Torrent's murder was a mistake - he's alive.

D- Ledlie Burt, 44 yr res. of twp., found dead on his premises here last Sunday, from heart disease, age 63. Petition of Ann Burt to have Israel W Eslow made admin.

D- at Ceresco, Mr Johnson, on the 19th, an early County settler.

8-7-1878

Wm Raby, Jr. - 10 cent haircuts over Green's shoe store.

Mr & Mrs A Collins were in a buggy accident - bruises & sprains.

8-28-1878

Wanted: a good man to help Cook & Collins buy the wheat at Clarendon station at one dollar.

9-4-1878
ME Church is ready for its roof.

CS Brooks of Marshall opened a photo gallery in Lyons' Block.

FF Hoaglin of Albion opened a clothing store at corner store of Lyons' Block.

D- Eveline Leonard, Sept. 1, wife of Charles Leonard. Age 33.

D- John MB Weatherwax, brother of Mrs Henry Churchill of Homer. Died at Eldorado, Calif, Aug. 13, born Herkimer Co, NY 7-4-1811. He came to Mich in 1836, had farm in Homer & business with Abram Letts - Letts & Weatherwax. Was elected to twp. offices, also in nursery business. Went to Calif. 1850, leaving wife & 5 children here. Wife died before he reached Calif. & 1 child died here. Remaining: 1 son in NY, 1 son & 2 dau. in Calif. He was in grocery business in Sacramento.

9-11-1878

Burglars went through the homes of JW Vandeburg, Mrs MD Pease on Main St and A Collins on Hillsdale St.

9-18-1878

Allen & Vroman - all those indebted to the late firm please settle up.

Com. notice - estate of Samuel H Burt, signed Com. Albert Collins, CJ Murray.

9-25-1878

Geo. Cotton putting up ME steeple. Church will have a slate roof.

Now seems fact that front of old brick store on S side of Main is to be taken off & rebuilt back 10 feet in line with other buildings.

Rev. Mr Kellogg has arrived to fill the pulpit of the ME Church. Rev. Jacokes has moved to Dowagiac.

D- Mrs Lydia Dow Wooley, at her res. in Homer, this morning. She was born April 11, 1797 & is last of family of Jeremiah Whipple of Cazenovia, NY. She came to Mich in 1844. Husband James T Wooley died 1851.

10-2-1878

Homer Greenback Club active.

Banford & Dorsey will have an auction - leaving town.

M- in Coldwater, at bride's mother's Sept 29, by Rev RT Martin, Lewis Waterman of Homer & Amelia Ball of Coldwater.

M- at ME parsonage in Homer, Sept 29, by Rev. Kellogg, Fred W Doolittle & Miss Ida A Phelps, both of Tekonsha.

M- by Rev. Kellogg Oct. 2 at brides' parents' res. in Homer, Wm. W Thompson & Miss Sarah J DeBow, both of Homer.

10-9-1878

Number of children in twp. between age 5 & 20 is 564, those in school 503.

Buffalo robes, horse blankets, etc. - Jake Eckis.

John Adams meat market - Hillsdale St - best steaks 8 cents per pound.

10-23-1878

LB Tompkins, Atty., will open office on Sophia in building occupied by SA LaDow.

D- John T Doan - at Union Yarmouth, Ont. Canada, Oct 20, age 87. Father of Mrs Woodbury & Mrs JM Palmer of Homer.

(Note: issues missing from 10-30-1878 to 12-11-1878)

12-11-1878

D- funeral of Mr WW Wood at Concord last Fri., Masons & Odd Fellows from Homer went, big purse raised for widow.

E Henderson, township treasurer - taxes collected at my drug store.

Charles E Hillis - painter - houses, signs etc.

D- remains of Miss Brown, who died here months ago, were moved to Ypsilanti - the res. of mother of deceased.

New uniforms for firemen cost $150.

Index now published by Lane & Sutton.

D- at Jackson, Dec. 9, Orrin Mills, son-in-law of James Carey.

D- Leslie Nims, son of Dr Nims of Jackson & formerly of Homer died at Philadelphia a few days ago while bathing in his room.