The Citizen, 1992-07-01, Page 48PAGE A16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1,1992.
East Wawanosh Township 125th Anniversary Commemorative Edition
Published by North Huron Citizen
Cheese factories part of E. Wawanosh history
In the 18th century East Wawanosh
residents were fortunate enough to have their
own cheese factories in the area. Several
were built between 1875 and 1890.
One of the first cheese factories was built
on Lot 31, Cone. 11. It was a frame building
near a creek close to the Maitland River. A
spring was close enough to supply water to
the factory.
Some of the milkmen used wagons with
flat racks to gather the milk. Each morning
the farmers would set the large milk cans on
milk stands at their gateways for the
milkmen to pick up. The empty cans were
brought back again. Some farmers brought
back whey in the empty cans to feed the
pigs.
Later some of the farmers had tanks on the
wagons similar to threshing tanks with a step
across on the back of the wagon.
The milkmen used beam scales to weigh
each farmer's milk. Before the milk was
emptied into the truck, a sample was taken.
In 1895 the Blyth Cheese and Butter
Company built a cheese factory on the
southeast comer of Lot 41, Conc.3 on Robert
Marshall's farm. Before the construction of
the factory, Robert drew milk to the cheese
factory on Lot 42, Cone. 9 near Belgrave for
three or four years. The new factory
operated for six years. In 1901 it closed
when the price of cheese was only eight
cents a pound.
Farmers started discussing building a
cheese factory in Belgrave in 1881. One
acre of land was purchased from Matthew
Brandon on the south half of Lot 42, Cone. 9
for $100. L.S. Brandon and George Hood
Couple reflects
on growing up in
East Wawanosh
BY CHRIS ROULSTON
These days it's not often that you hear of a
marriage that lasts 10 years let alone 68
years, but Lewis and Verna Cook of
Belgrave will celebrate their 68th
anniversary this September. They can also
say that they have spent almost their entire
lives in East Wawanosh Township.
Verna was born Verna Mae Sturdy in
Wingham in 1903, but she moved to East
Wawanosh, when she turned three, with her
parents. Lewis was bom in the township in
1903 as well, and has lived there all his life.
"We've been most of our lives together,"
continued on page A18
were the first directors. The site was chosen,
the building erected, a well dug, all the
necessary equipment purchased, and a
cheesemaker hired. Milkstands were erected
at the gates of all the patrons. In 1885 the
Belgrave Cheese and Butter Factory opened.
Paddy McCasey was the first milkman on
the Sixth Line of East Wawanosh. He and
his one-horse wagon were always on time.
He was a good-natured Irishman, but he
didn't like to be kept waiting. If the milk
wasn't there when he arrived, he carried on
without it.
John Ross was the first cheesemaker.
East Wawanosh
Township
125th Anniversary
BEEF BARBECUE
Saturday, July 4, 1992
5:00 - 7:30 p.m.
at Belgrave Arena
Adults: $8.00; Children, 12 and under: $5.00;
Preschooler: Free
Sponsored by: THE BELGRAVE KINSMEN.
TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM:
Beck's Variety Huron Tractor, Blyth
Belgrave Co-op Kinsmen Members Lucknow Co-op
Vance's Guardian Drugs Snell Feed & Supplies
Patrons loved his cheese and could buy it at
wholesale prices. Families were very large
in those days and they would often buy 30 or
60 pounds of cheese in the fall to last until
spring.
Abe Ketchebaw was hired as cheesemaker
after John Ross moved on a few years later.
He was assisted by Ed Vincent.
Creameries began to become popular and
the farmers thought it was more profitable to
keep skim milk at home to be fed to the
calves and the pigs. This soon damaged the
cheese factory's business and it closed down
in 1897.
Donnybrook Fair
continued from page A14
And all his whole faction around him did swarm,
How the sticks they did rattle, stones flew in the air,
So they fought a great battle at Donnybrook Fair.
No banners were waving, no beating of drums,
They used their shillelaghs for Armstrong guns.
Poor Robin Buchanan got a box on the ear,
Which caused all his party to tremble with fear.
Wee Peter McDonald who never was slack,
He says, “My dear Robin I’m here at your back,
That great bully, Carson, in pieces we'll tear,
And we will have satisfaction at Donnybrook Fair.”
With the dead and the dying all stretched in a pile,
The road was blocked up for the length of a mile,
The wives of the wounded were all in despair
For the loss of their soldiers at Donnybrook Fair.
Now to conclude and finish my song,
I will be there next year if I delay not too long.
If not my reporter is sure to be there,
And he will watch the proceedings of Donnybrook Fair.
Congratulations
to neighbours in East Wawanosh on your____
125th Celebrations ___—
ei iblK —
FORAGES
is
j&il
NEW G-2833 Alfalfa
Our first multi-leaf variety, G-2833 produces up to
nine leaflets per leaf.
Key Features:
■ High quality feed
■ Fast regrowth and winter hardiness
■ Resistant to verticillium wilt and highly resistant to
bacterial wilt and phytophthora root rot
HYBRID
— Mathias Harrison, October 23, 1866
Congratulations neighbours in
East Wawanosh on your 125th Anniversary
new g-2841 Alfalfa
This alfalfa produces outstanding yields of high quality feed.
Key Features:
■ Tonnage plus!
■ High leaf to stem ratio
■ Consistent stands
■ Resistant to verticillium wilt and phytophthora
■ Highly resistant to bacterial wilt
Wheel
Alignment
Michelin &
Dayton Tires
G-2852 Alfalfa
This early variety provides outstanding yields of top quality alfalfa.
G-2852 ranks at the top when it comes to disease
resistance. Available In 90:10 and 85:15 blends with timothy.
Key Features:
■ Excellent regrowth characteristics
■ Highly resistant to bacterial wilt and anthracnose, and resistant to
phytophthora, verticillium wilt and fusarium
■ Excellent palatabllity and digestibility
Funk Seeds:
Born ta_Perform
■ • • •' •
Your local
Funk Dealers £
ALIGNMENT SERVICE
(Hwy. 86 West)
R.R. 3 WINGHAM, ONT. NOG 2W0 357-1230
Funk Seeds
CIBA-GEIGY CANADA LTD.
R.R. #3, Cottam, Ontario NOR 1B0
1-800-265-1302
For a stronger crop program
Walter & Barry Elliott
R.R. 1 Lucknow NOG 2H0
357-1358 357-1532
Keith Black
R.R. 1 Belgrave NOG 1E0
357-1092