Bethel-Zion WI Tweedsmuir Community History, Volume 5, 1964-2004, page 37

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Tannery; In early days roads followed streams of water whether they be rivers or creeks - hence the road we now call the Gore. It followed little No. 10 creek. At the bend of the road - east of the Ketcheson house and directly south of the church was a tannery which served the community. The tannery and home were built on land composed of about 5 acres. The house stood somewhere south of the old tumble-down barn south of the church while the tannery was close to the creek. The tannery was operated by Mr. Peter McGunion and his family. It is not known if he employed any other help or not. He tanned leather and made boots. If a customer wanted a pair of boots made, he sat down and placed his foot against the wall and an outline of the foot was drawn. Harness was made at the Casey farm by Mr. Wells who later became the owner of a piece of land in exchange for a set of harness for Mr. Casey. A house was built and he took his bride, the former Clarissa Sills to live where Kr. .Mrs. Frank Benton now live. Mr. McGunion had a yearning to go west and he disposed of his preperty'to Mr. wm. Dafoe but the tannery ceased to function. Later Mr. Ketcheson became the possessor 0f the land. The buildings fell into disrepair and now the tannery is but a memory although for many years remains of the old tubs or vats used for the washing and tanning 0f the leather could be seen also the old fioundation of'the buildings. Our thanks‘go to Mrs. Billa Ketcheson for the above infbrmation. A blacksmith shop and a hall stood on the corner - on the north side of the road - across from Bethel Church. Mr. Blake SillS' mother wove carpets in the upper part Of the blacksmith shop- We are told there was also a milliner shop near the'tannery. After the first settlers came to this part of Hastings - Thurlow Township - one of the first accommodations was a hand mill placed on the top of a large hollow pine stump. This was later followed by a flour mill built by a Mr. J. Jamieson on the little No. 10 creek. This mill was of great benefit to the community. After a few years service it burned down. Soon a saW'mill was built on the same creek by Samuel T. Casey also the above mentioned tannery by Peter McGunion. Flour for bread, lumber for building and leather*fbr boots provided necessities for the settlerso _ g6 _

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