Emmanuel A. Schrock (1924-2003)
Emmanual A. Schrock (1924-2003) was a career blacksmith, making his livelihood working iron and steel under the hammer most of his life. He said there used to be as many ‘smithys as there are gas stations in towns today. As times changed and many blacksmith shops disappeared, he always managed to adapt his craft to meet current needs in the area. In his later years he became known for his intricate ornamental work with sculpted iron flowers, leaves, and hummingbirds.
The shop was located in the former livery stables in Fredericksburg, Ohio. It was a wonderful collection of tools, scrap iron, past and present projects and prototypes, and inspirational architecture and space. I remember Mrs. Schrock coming by the shop regularly to help clean, finish, and prepare finished pieces for the Saturday markets. The sights and smells of the shop in full operation remain with me to this day. In the course of a busy work day, there never seemed to be enough time to take it all in, studying the old and handcrafted tools and projects hanging from every available surface.
I am very grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Schrock for agreeing to take me on as a young and inexperienced student and instructing me in the foundations of blacksmithing. Finding a true career ‘smith is hard enough, let alone one who is willing and able to pass on His knowledge while trying to make ends meet. I can still hear many of his instructions word for word when I am employing the various techniques in the shop. Many years later, he would still take the time to reply to my letters with news and encouragement and I still correspond with Mrs. Schrock to this day.
Mr. Schrock taught the blacksmith trade to his son-in-law Bryan and also instructed his grandson Weston on many techniques. Bryan supplied forged items to Lehman’s Hardware in Kidron, Ohio for several years. Weston has a forge set up and makes hand forged lawn hooks and miscellaneous ornamental items. The blacksmith shop in the old livery on Diagonal St. at the time of this writing is owned by Ivan Weaver and may be seen in the link below.
…I can’t wait to see his next shop!
Emanuel Schrock
APPLE CREEK — Emanuel A. Schrock, 78, of Apple Creek, died Saturday evening, Feb. 22, 2003, in the emergency room of Dunlap Hospital in Orrville, after being taken there from his home.
Services will be Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at Rock of Ages Church of God in Christ Mennonite, 4451 S. Kansas Road, Apple Creek, with minister Luke Troyer officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call (tonight) Monday from 6-8 and on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the church. Arrangements are being handled by Spidell Funeral Home in Mount Eaton.
He was born Dec. 18, 1924, near Farmerstown to the late Abraham and Elizabeth (Yoder) Schrock and married Rebecca Hershberger on April 19, 1951. She survives.
He made his living as a blacksmith most of his life and enjoyed forging ornamental wrought iron crafts during his retirement years.
He was a member of Rock of Ages Church of God in Christ Mennonite near Apple Creek.
Surviving in addition to his wife, are 10 children, Elizabeth (Prem) Khemchandani of Dalton, Eli (Elva) Schrock of Freeport, Abraham (Janella) Schrock of Gentry, Ark., Erma (Kelvin) Gable of Apple Creek, LeRoy (Priscilla) Schrock of Center, Colo., Miriam (William) Coblentz of Fredericksburg, Mary (Samuel) Lehman of Murray, Ky., Martha (Bryan) Unruh of Dundee, Philip (Anna) Schrock of Dalton and Regina (Glenn) Troyer of Fredericksburg; 41 grandchildren; his stepmother, Anna B. Schrock of Maryland; five sisters, Edna Burger of Bowerstown, Anna Troyer of Millersburg, Sarah (Abe) Troyer of Apple Creek, Amanda (Nelson) Miller of Millersburg and Lizzie Ann (Harry) Yoder of Millington, Md.; a sister-in-law, Sarah Schrock of Missouri; three brothers, Jonas (Ella) Schrock of Millersburg, Andy (Saloma) Schrock of Catlett, Va., and Wayne (Edna) Schrock of Sioux Lookout, Ontario and a brother-in-law, Peter L. Miller of Sugarcreek.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Rachel, two brothers and two sisters.