Clara takes over the responsibility of keeping the family's farm diary beginning in 1902. In 1906 the Philps build a new farmhouse and in 1914, Clara marries. That year while she is away with her new husband, her mother, father, and sister keep the diary. When Clara is writing she refers to her father as "Da" or "Father"; when her mother Elizabeth is writing she calls him "Robert." After her marriage, the diaries are largely written by her sister Olive. The women keep track of everyone's activities and accounts for cream, eggs etc. for several years.

Clara and Melville were married in 1914

     
The new farmhouse, 1906

Photos courtesy of Diane Mikoleit