Throughout the 19th century, the majority of families lived in small towns or on farms, though not always on land they owned. Then in the last decades of the 19th century, cities began growing exponentially through migrations from both rural areas and abroad. October 17, 1905

To train the intellect, students memorize a body of #knowledge and reproduce it through recitation or writing. This system is called mental discipline. It is based on the idea that the mind is a muscle and memorizing provides regular exercise. October 18, 1880

Most schoolhouses are being built to serve students living within four or five miles, which is considered close enough for them to walk. October 21, 1876

63 year old schoolteacher Annie Edson Taylor is the first person to successfully take the plunge over Niagara Falls in a barrel. Needing cash and seeking fame Taylor came up with the perfect attention-getting stunt: She would go over Niagara Falls in a barrel. October 24,1901

49 percent of all students in our public schools are girls. Literacy rates for girls age 10 to 14 are often considerably higher than their male counterparts. October 25, 1870

My Grandmother Hildreth was born in 1769. I remember, when I was very young, wishing for something. Grandmother reminded me, “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride”. October 27, 1900

Grandmother’s Morning Call The lark is up to meet the sun; the bee is on its wing; the ant its labor has begun, the woods with music ring. While #birds and bees and ants are wise and you your morning waste; awaken to the morning sun and to your duty haste. October 28, 1882

Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

Next week I will be casting my first vote in a Presidential #election. I will be voting for Whig candidate General William Henry Harrison. The wounds caused by the Panic of 1837 still haven’t healed. General Harrison will provide the best care. October 30, 1840

I taught school at age 17 in rural Vermont. Recitations were an important exercise for students of all ages. I recall a youngster age 6 memorizing a poem of which he was very proud: Little robin redbreast Sitting on a pole Niddle noddle went his head Poop went his hole.

On May 9, 1893 a New York Central & Hudson River locomotive reached speeds beyond 100 mph.

My first trip east in 1870 on the #Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul #railroad from Charles City took me to New York City to meet with attorneys to start the process of selling my Intelligencer newspaper. We met in the seven story Equitable Life Building, tallest in the city.

Dr. Chase from the University of Michigan suggests using powdered nitre, moistened with water, applied to the face night and morning will resolve freckles without injury to the skin. December 1, 1876

Dr. Chase, from the University of Michigan, also recommends this cure for freckles. Scrape horseradish into a cup of cold, sour milk; let it stand 12 hours, strain and apply mash to the freckled area two to three times a day. December 1, 1876

December 2, 1856: I was pleased to arrange for the delivery of the 250th subscription of The St. Charles Republican Intelligencer. My newspaper has been well received since I rolled off the first edition for auction on Mill Street in front of my office last July 30.

Quite a sensation is unfolding throughout our community by the rumor Dwight Noble has voluntarily abandoned his helpless child to the wilds of nature in the northern part of our county while traveling with a covered wagon. His story is the child ran off and was lost. 1859

I once worked as a footman at a dinner party where a selection of 32 kinds of wine was offered at John Hunter’s sumptuous dinner for his friend President Martin Van Buren on July 10, 1839. The lavish event for 24 guests took place on Hunter’s private island in Long Island Sound.

The upper midwest has short days and long nights this time of year. Sunrise this morning was about 7:30 and sunset this afternoon will be at 4:30. In late June sunrise is at 4:30 in the morning and sunset is at 8:00 in the evening. December 14, 1860

Our first Christmas in #Iowa is but a few days away. Daughter, little Mary, trimmed our #Christmas tree last evening with bits of ribbon, yarn, berries, popcorn, paper strings and homemade decorations. Mary’s homemade decorations are dolls made of straw. December 22, 1856

A train derailment occurred this afternoon near De Soto, #Wisconsin. The tracks run near the Mississippi river. ISCN storm chaser Bill Kranski captured this video of the scene.