Thomas Dowkes homesteaded on SE 16-1-34 WI in the valley by the river (west side), where he built a log house, and barns for the cattle and horses. For eleven years the Dowkes family moved from the log home on the hill (20) to the log house by the river (16) in the fall, and back again to the hilltop in the spring. By doing this they had shelter for themselves and the cattle, as well as a good supply of wood to take up to '20' for their summer cook stove needs.
During the season at the river they had what they called 'The Fish Box'. It was a device for trapping fish, located where the big ravine joined the river, near their buildings. The fish would add variety to the pioneer's diet.
In the fall of 1891 the railroad came in through Carnduff and Glen Ewen. Thomas, being a carpenter, went to Carnduff to help on buildings. As Thomas had worked in a store in Listowel, J. B. Preston, storekeeper in Carnduff, and Thomas, decided there should be a store at the Dowkes farm. So then for a number of years the farmers brought their tubs of butter and eggs to the Dowkes' store to exchange for their merchandise. At intervals this produce was taken to Carnduff by Mr. Dowkes with the oxen and wagon. They used a granary for the store at '20' during the summer, and part of the built-on kitchen of the house on '16' during the winter months. The people came from far and near, many from the United States, to trade at this country "store". Mr. Preston used to come down occasionally to take stock. Adelia was supposed to look after the store.
In the year of 1900, Thomas built a large two-story cement house on '20', the first cement house in the West. An expert came from Winnipeg to oversee the job. A year or two later they built a large barn in the hillside, the stable below for horses and cattle, and a large loft above for hay, etc. After this there were no more moves to the valley home.
When living in the new house, the store was kept in a large room upstairs for a while. As the farmers acquired horses and buggies for transportation to town, the country store was no longer necessary.
After the Dowkes family permanently vacated their log house on '16', several families from United States made it their home at various times, until they could settle somewhere else. There were the large Dickinson family, the Satterlees, and Mr. and Mrs. Franks; the latter of whom bought the house, moving it from the river to a location at the bottom of the hill at the mouth of the large ravine.
Besides his many varied accomplishments, Thomas was an amateur dentist. On leaving Listowel, a dentist by the name of Dr. Large gave him some good advice concerning going to an unknown country; also gave him a pair of forceps for extracting teeth. He made good use of them for in the West dentists and Doctors were few and far between. Thomas would have his patient sit on a chair while someone held the patient's head. Once Thomas obtained a good grip on the tooth, he persevered until the tooth came out, regardless of how loud the patient yelled! There was no freezing or anaesthetic in those days. Once he pulled three teeth for the teacher, Hannah Grandy. She looked very frail so he decided to give her a little rest in between but she said, "Mr. Dowkes, I'm ready." But a big husky man would come in to have one pulled and nearly bring the roof down with his noise!