turns staying with him until his death.

John was a very tidy man, and everything was kept in place. I’m told that if he replaced a railing fence, all the old fence and even chips had to be put away before he moved on to another chore. All the buildings on his property were whitewashed every spring, and everything was in fine condition. It is said that if the Rural Beautification Society had been in existence at that time, he would certainly have won first prize.

Punctuality was one of his many qualities. If milking time started at five o’clock, he always managed to start at that particular time, leaving other chores until later. John was also a roadmaster, a job in which he had to oversee the maintenance of the highway. In summer, a grader, powered by several teams of horses, was used to scrape the road. In winter, the rail fences were removed so that the fields could be used as a highway. He was reimbursed for his labor by having part of his taxes paid.

Although a very busy man, it was the custom in his home to have a few minutes to rest after the noon meal. If he had hired help working with him, they also took time to relax before the afternoon tasks began.

His love for the community excelled in his commitment as a trustee for the Bear River South School, and as an elder in his parish church, St. Alexis, in Rollo Bay.

John H. MacKinnon was a highly respected citizen in the community of Bear River, who gave of himself willingly to help others.

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