The Good Shepherd

George Tennant was born in 1871 at Beverley, near Galt, Ontario, but spent most of his childhood in Bruce County. He came to Bracebridge as a young man in 1897. Soon after his arrival, he purchased a sawmill at the edge of town on the Wilson’s Falls Road. A year later, the sawmill burned to the ground. He rebuilt it, but several years later purchased another sawmill just south of the Hunt’s Hill bridge. This operation was incorporated and known as the Northern Planing Mills Co. Ltd.. George Tennant was president of the company, a position he held until his death. 

Mr. Tennant was very active in public service and gave generously of his time and talents. He served on Town Council and the Power, Light, and Water Commission for 31 years – for many of these years, he was chairman. He had a keen interest in sports; he was an enthusiastic curler and a generous supporter of the local Lacrosse Club known as the Black and White. Mr. Tennant was a member of the Order of Odd Fellows and the Rotary Club. 

In 1903, George Tennant married Annie Phillips of Bracebridge. (Annie Phillips’ family home was known as “The Pines” and is the property on which the home for the aged was built.) George and Annie Tennant raised a family of three (Leslie, Phyllis, and Eleanor) at their home on the corner of Front Street and Hunts’ Hill (Taylor Road).

George Tennant was a faithful member of the United Church and served on the Board of Stewards and the Session of the church.