Written between 1895 and 1903, this journal is a record of my great-grandfather Oscar Almon McFarland's observations and thoughts about life in the 19th century.

He tells of his father's service as a Union soldier during the Civil War, his shock upon hearing of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, his fright and sorrow as he witnessed the drowning of a playmate as a young child, the painful and tragic death of his 18-year-old son from lockjaw, and the history of the McFarland family, beginning with the immigrant Daniel McFarland of Scotland.

The latter part of the journal includes information about O.A.'s work as a school teacher, superintendent of schools, insurance and real estate agent, and newspaper owner and editor. He also describes his visit to the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago.