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The
early female residents of Buchanan Township overcame
situations that are difficult to imagine. From braving
the wild animals and seasonal elements of the Upper
Ontarian wilderness to having to raise a family alone in
these harsh conditions, women met the challenges of
settling Buchanan Township with extreme courage and
determination.
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Throughout the 1800s, many of the wives
of the lumber workers were left on their own for the winter months while
their husbands were working in the lumber camps. This left the women to
fend for themselves in the unforgiving wilderness of the Upper Ottawa
Valley.
Mrs. Richard tries to recover the family pig from a bear
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Work in the lumber industry was often
dangerous and on many occasions men from Buchanan lost their lives. In
an era before social security, the wives and children of the deceased
had to scrape out an existence.
Emmy Chequen
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In 1937, a young Viola McCarthy (nee
Blimkie) began delivering mail in Buchanan. Using horse and cutter in
the winter and a 1931 Model “A” Ford in summer, Viola dutifully
delivered the mail to the 37 families along her route for a quarter of a
century.
Viola Blimkie, rural Postmistress of Buchanan
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The Eatons Catalogue brought temporary
comfort to the early female settlers.
The Eaton’s Catalogue
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