The collection consists of a journal that belonged to John M. York who owned a general store in Ionia County, Michigan. The journal dates mostly from 1899 to 1901 with a portion dating from 1922. Also within the journal are the recordings of 1913 auction sales by George Kelner. This journal may be connected with the ledger in another collection (c.00524); both were found in the home of Ludwig C. Winters by the donor.