The diaries (Series 1) begin in 1870 when Lizzie was 14 years old. After 1871, there is a gap in the diaries until 1897, when she again wrote about her daily activities. The diaries chronicle daily life in a rural society. She details the chores done each day, such as cooking, cleaning, and sewing. Dravenstatt also tells of the routines of her husband and son concerning the farming activities. Her dedication to her family and friends is evident in the frequent visits with them and her dedication to attending weddings and funerals. The church was also a major topic in the diaries; a large amount of Dravenstatt’s social activities involved the Eagle Methodist Church.
Dravenstatt additionally tells of new events in her time. She bought and used her first stove December 31, 1904. The family’s first automobile was bought May 6, 1910.
Not only does Dravenstatt discuss her own personal activities, but also events that affected her society. She frequently attended Temperance meetings and tells of measles and flu outbreaks in her local communities. Of particular interest are the entries that detail the coming of a Medicine Show (July 28, 1901) and Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show (June 11, 1902 and August 7, 1908).
The account books (Series 2) detail the purchases of the Dravenstatt family. In many of the earlier diaries, they are included in the back rather than being in a separate volume. Dravenstatt wrote down nearly everything she bought, from insurance to ice cream. A transcribed copy of the ledgers (Series 4), done by Patricia Sanford Brown, is included in the collection.
The Autograph book (Series 3) belonged to Lizzie Dravenstatt’s son, Roy Dravenstatt. The book includes signatures and poems by local friends and family.
Lizzie Augusta (Sowles) Dravenstatt was born August 20, 1855 to David Salmon Sowles and Hester A. (David) Sowles. She was the last of three children. Her sister, Sarah Ann Sowles, was, born May 15, 1848, and her brother, Byron D. Sowles, was born October 13, 1850. The family lived in Portland, Michigan, part of Ionia County.
On August 14, 1872, Lizzie married Amanias E. Dravenstatt. They settled on a farm near Eagle, Michigan, in Clinton County. The couple had one son, Roy Dravenstatt, born October 22, 1880. On May 30, 1911, Roy Dravenstatt married Ethel L. Rice. The couple lived with Roy’s parents and had no children.
A full synopsis of the family, including extended family members, can be found in Patricia Sanford Brown’s book, Seasons for Growing: The Diaries of Lizzie A. Dravenstatt. An index of names, places, and subjects is available in the back of Seasons for Growing Volume 2.
