This collection contains diaries kept by Otis Monroe Southworth (b. 1861- d. 1940) of Benton Harbor, Michigan for the years 1902-1923. In addition to his diaries are a notebook kept by his son Grover during 1918, a 1922 Diary kept by his other son, Walter, plus items and photocopies of newspaper clippings that were within the volumes.

In these diaries, Otis captured not only his present, but memories and thoughts of his wife Clara L., his children, and what they did for fun as well as chores. His words give insight into the work and homelife of a politically active Socialist and union man. Events outside of Otis’ day-to-day life are rarely mentioned, instead the volumes are filled with local information, his work, his friends and family, and his thoughts. Receiving catalog orders from Sears and Roebuck and other companies were also documented. Prices paid for materials and labor at work and for personal food and supplies are sometimes included. Also covered are the lectures by authors, preachers, and spiritualists that he and Clara attended and games of Pedro played with their friends. Christmas and New Year’s Eve were important events, but other holidays are rarely mentioned. Travel for business and pleasure is chronicled faithfully. The town he is in, if it is not Benton Harbor, is almost always written on the top of the page.

He mentions the weather conditions daily, but temperatures only if they are extremely warm or cold. Otherwise, he makes note of rain, fair, cool, etc. Sometimes he mentions how the weather affected his work, such as it being too cold to build chimneys. He notes birthday and Christmas gifts, union activities, visits and dinners with friends and coworkers, and he often writes about visits, letters, and other activities with his Uncle Albert. He notes time spent with his family on his days off and speaks of the chickens, fruit trees, and berries they own. Other things mentioned about his family and towns people/community include important events such as Anniversaries, birthdays, deaths, funerals, illnesses, holiday events (such as participation in Labor Day parades), and accidents. He faithfully mentions the anniversary of his sister’s and father’s deaths as well as birthdays of his family and himself.

Some examples of typical entries are:

February 22, 1902: “got plans for Pearl Grange School House to figure on.” October 8, 1902: “Grover + Walter went nutting got several Quarts of hickory nuts.” March 19, 1908 (after nearly a year away from home): “Home by 3 P.M. find family well. So glad to meet.” December 24, 1918: “The Happyest [sic] day of our Lives to see Grover safe home.” In addition to Otis’ diaries, there is a 1918 notebook that Grover had during his military service, and a 1922 diary kept by Walter.