Hiram E. Leonard Diary, January 31 - February 6, 1872

“31st Wednesday  fine winter weather but cold  I did my choars choared round all day closed up at 8 and went to bed at 9 nearly sick with a cold.

“February 1st Thursday  A fine cold day  I did my choars choared round the office all day closed up at 8 and went to bed at 9 tiard & sick with a cold  There was a Masonic Ball at Naperville at Slates Hall was about one hundred couple there [in margin] Jacob A Galusha was married today to a Mrs Bisby who formerly lived at Wheaton.

“2nd Friday  fine winter weather but cold  I did my choars choared round the office all day closed up at 8 & went to bed at 9 sick with a cold.

“3rd Saturday  rather a fine cloudy day & spit snow a little  I did my choars choared round all day closed up at 8 & went to bed at 9 ½ sick with a cold  Lezer Stone & Emma Stone had a bit of a fuss.

“4th Sunday  A cloudy day with some snow squalls & quite cool  I did my choars choared round the house & howel some was about sick with a cold went to bed about 9 about sick the folks went to meeting in forenoon & afternoon  little Ann Eliza McNelly was taken sick tonight about 11 or 12 oclock  She was taken verry sevearly.

“5th Monday  fine weather for the season  I did my choars choared round all day closed up at 8 & set up with the baby the most of the night [in margin] I sent to Wheaton 3 times for a doctor & did not get one at last. The child Ann Eliza was verry sick & in much distress all the time Hatch called  I telegraphed to William McNelly today.

“6th Tuesday  A fine day for winter but cloudy  I did my choars choared round all day closed up at 8 & went to bed about 11 but did not sleep much [in margin] the baby was pretty sick & Pratt came to see the little girle and said she had the dropsey on the brain & could not live  she was tremendious sick, Dr Hiett came about one hour after & said there was a chance for her to recover & Caroline set him to work he helped her some but did not cure her  Mrs Emma Anesworth left______.”