John Alexander Blake

John manages the Niagara Oak Tannery located near the steamboat landing. In 1876, he has 1,488 whole hides in tanning vats to eventually be sold in Chippawa, St. Catharines (St. C), and Toronto. He records collecting money from clients, paying expenses, finding markets for his leathers, and managing drunken employees. He enjoys visiting with friends and associates into the wee hours, trips to The Royal with Maria, and fishing and shooting on 4 Mile Pond. A Text-book of Tanning, by Henry R. Procter (New York, 1885) helps one understand the tanning process and terms he uses.