D.E. Terriere Diaries

The collection contains 37 handwritten pocket-size diaries created by Chicago resident D.E. (David Edward) Terriere from 1870 to 1913. Diaries from the years 1871, 1881 and 1905-1908 are missing. Although economical with words, Terriere’s entries offer a view of his family life and include records of his financial transactions for everyday purposes such as train fare, household expenses or entertainments as well as the sums given to his wife for other purchases. The entries often note specific routes or transit methods that he has taken to arrive at a destination, but seldom offer many details of events, his places of work or those with whom he dined. Terriere’s diaries, however, provide a glimpse into the activities of a middle class white Chicago citizen and business person. He notes election days, visits to the 1873 Inter-State Industrial Exposition of Chicago and the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, fireworks on the 4th of July, family picnics, baseball games, severe weather and other activities, though always with few words; for example:

Friday, October 21, 1892

Bank not open today. Dedication of Columbian Exposition. Allie Carroll and Hattie were at fair all day. I took wife, mother and Allie Carroll for a ride. I went to see fireworks in Washington Park in the eve.

The collection also contains a diary kept by Mrs. Terriere’s mother, Anna Elizabeth Correll of Niles, Michigan, for the year 1900. She notes that the diary was given to her as a gift by David Terriere. Her entries describe family relations along with her regular butter production, possibly for the country store Terriere & Perrott, and other domestic duties.