Family Recipe Friday: Margaret Post's Apple Pie

My mother's recipe for Apple Pie....this recipe looks too easy to believe!  I've never made it as the recipe has been in the hands of my sister since our parent's death.  Mom was an excellent cook.  I'll be buying some Granny Smith apples at the grocery store soon!  Margaret Troyer Post was the daughter of Elmer and Mary (Motzko) Troyer, the grand-daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Schrock) Troyer and Philipp and Maria (Fietzek) Motzko, and the great-grand-daughter of Yost and Martha (Plank) Schrock, John and Elizabeth (Yoder) Troyer, Franz and Francesca (Piechota) Moczko, and Martin and Catherina (Dyga) Fietzek

Mary Post Warren

© copyright 2011, all rights reserved, Mary Post Warren

Family Recipe Friday: Mrs. Troyer's Brown Sugar Cookies

One of my Great-Grandmother Elizabeth (Schrock) Troyer's recipes.  This is an awesome way to use up that brown sugar that always turns hard on you and then is not useable. I can't even begin to count the number of half full boxes of brown sugar I've had to just toss.  Plus they are very easy to make.

Mary Post Warren

© copyright 2011, all rights reserved, Mary Post Warren



Family Recipe Friday: Mrs.Troyer's Chocolate Loaf Cake

Joseph and Elizabeth (Schrock) Troyer were my great-grandparents on my mother's side, through her father Elmer Troyer.  Joseph and Elizabeth had five children - William Franklin, Ella May, Jesse Edward (died as infant of 2 months), Elmer David, and Edith Magaline (aka Edie).  She was the third child of Yost and Martha (Plank) Schrock.

My mother had several of  "Mrs. Troyer's" recipes...all of these recipes were very simple, of course made from scratch, recipes.  Today I share with you her recipe for:

"Mrs. Troyer's" Chocolate Loaf Cake



1 cup sugar - 2 cups flour - 1/4 cup cocoa - sift together

4 Tables(poon) melted shortening

1 cup sour milk (to sour- 2 Tables(poon) vinegar or lemon juice in cup of milk)
Vanilla
     Beat well.
1 teas(poon) in 2 or 3 teas(poons) hot water
     DO NOT BEAT AFTER ADDING SODA
350 Deg(ree) for 1 hour 20 to 30 min(utes)

Mary Post Warren

© copyright 2011, all rights reserved

Family Recipe Friday: Mrs Troyer's Tamali Pie

"Mrs. Troyer" was my maternal grandfather's mother...Elizabeth Schrock Troyer.  She was also the third child (first daughter) of Yost and Martha (Plank) Schrock.  My sister and I found this recipe, and others, among my mother's old recipes (no I have not misspelled 'tamale' in the title - it is spelled with an 'i' on the recipe card).  Whether this is an error on the part of the person who typed the recipe, the actual way my great-grandmother spelled it, or an alternative way of spelling 'tamale' I do not know.

I've not used the recipe, although I may use it soon.  I love Mexican food.  I'm not sure what "Grandma's Spanish Pepper"....I assume it's a homemade spice that could be replaced with a similar McCormick or Schilling spice, or make your own with chili powder and other spices.

Mrs. Troyer's Tamali Pie

1 cup cornmeal (cooked thick)
Brown pork in skillet - take out and make plenty of gravy. Put meat back in gravy-add onions, garlic and seasoning.  Cook for approximately 1hour or until pork is very tender.
Line greased baking dish with mush-pour in pork mixture-add 1teas<poon> (heaping) of Grandma's Spanish Pepper which has been mixed with a little hot water.  Add ripe olives and bake for 1/2 hour at 400.

Mary Post Warren

© copyright 2011, all rights reserved, Mary Post Warren

Memories of Yost and Martha Schrock - Part 19 - The Finale

This is the second part of Part 19 and is also THE FINALE on the book of  "Memories of Yost and Martha Schrock"....I am not positive as to when these memories were originally written but I do know it was before 1963 when my grandfather died. 

Nancy Schrock Priser was the eighth child of Yost and Martha (Plank) Schrock.  She married Benjamin Frank Priser probably between 1875 and 1887. They had three known children John Wesley Priser (born: 11.23.1887), Fred Earl Priser (12.8.1892), and George W. Priser (2.22.1896).

Aunt Nan Priser Memories (Part 2):
(Written by Bessie (Schrock) Sherck)

The family was too large to all go to church in one buggy, so some always had to stay at home.  My father had a sweet tooth and said if they left him home he would eat all the scarps (preserves).

She said she remembered the first binder Grandpa had and how hard they still had to work to get the grain harvested.

Aunt Clara had a little rocking chair and one day as she was rocking her doll, she said "Blessed Jesus allus faln nuner" (Everything falls down).

She remembered when Father and Mother lived with them and the door that separated their part had a big crack under it.  Grandma had asthma and sneezed a lot.  Carrie liked to go to Grandma's too often so she would lie on the floor and listen if they called her.  When Grandma would sneeze she would say "Calling me Grandma? Well I come."

She said when she was 10 years old Grandma told her she would have to knead the bread because she want to make a new dress to go to my Mother and Father's wedding. So she did and was she proud of her nice bread. She told of the big bake oven and how Grandpa used to make the fire and when it was hot enough (they tried tit by putting their hand in to test the heat) he would pull out the fire and it was ready for the bread and pies.  He made a bench to put the pies and bread on until the oven was hot.  The bread went in first then the pies.  She had one iron pan  about 6 inches in diameter which, when the loaf was baked, would be about 10 or 12 inches high.  She said when it was done they used to cut the hot crust off and spread it with fresh butter, Oh, how good it was.

She also told about butchering day. With such a family 6 or 8 hogs had to be butchered.  They put the sides in a large jar and pieces were cut to fit the jar.  They put in one layer of side and one of sausage until the jar was full.  A brine, which bore an egg, was poured over it and when they wanted some buckwheat cakes it would be put to soak the evening before.  She said it was "Oh, so good."  The hams and shoulders were smoked with good old hickory and stored in the upstairs over the summer house.  I can almost smell and taste them now.  She said before they had sausage grinders they chopped the sausage.  She said Uncle Issac was good at that.  He was so active and used to dance around so fast.  Made sort of a a game of it.

The young people in those days did not have so many places to go, so entertained themselves at home.  They had games of hide the thimble, drop the handkerchief, and many others.  They sang a lot too while someone played the organ, but when things would get too lively like:

                                          Krinkly, cranky is the song,
                                          Sing it and dance it all the day long,
                                          From the top and to the toe,
                                          Sing and dance it as you go"

Grandpa would come to the door and say "That's is enough", and it was.

I can remember about 4 o'clock every  evening hearing Grandpa call "pe-pe".  It was time to start chores when he called the chickens.

I am very fortunate to be living so close to Aunt Nan in these wonderful last years of her life and have enjoyed helping her collect these memories to be handed down to future generations.  Her wonderful sense of humor and Christian spirit tell more than words of the atmosphere of Grandpa and Grandma's home and the influence of that home is still going on.

(Editor's notes: Again Nan Priser was Yost and Martha Schrock's 8th child. Her memories told to her niece Bessie Schrock Sherck who was Elias and Nancy (Hoover) Schrock's 2nd child. Elias Schrock was Yost and Martha Schrock's 4th child and one of Nan Schrock Priser's older brothers.

Paragraph 3: Clara was the 10th child of  Yost and Martha (Plank) Schrock; Paragraph 4: Carrie was  Yost and Martha Schrock's granddaughter via their 2nd son Elias, she was also Bessie's (author of above) sister; Paragraph 6: Issac was second child of Yost and Martha (Plank) Schrock).

Know anything about anyone mentioned in this post? Please contact me using the e-mail address to the right under my picture.

Mary Post Warren

© copyright 2011, all rights reserved, Mary Post Warren

Memories of Yost and Martha Schrock - part 19

Nancy Schrock Priser was the eighth child of Yost and Martha (Plank) Schrock.  She married Benjamin Frank Priser probably between 1875 and 1887. They had three known children John Wesley Priser (born: 11.23.1887), Fred Earl Priser (12.8.1892), and George W. Priser (2.22.1896).

Aunt Nan Priser Memories (Part 1):
(Written by Bessie (Schrock) Sherck)

I invited Aunt Nan to spend a day with us to rehearse the memories of her dear old home.

While we made quilt blocks we talked and laughed as she told many interesting happenings.  I will try to write them as she told them to me.

She said Grandpa had a firey horse named Ben. One day he hitched Ben to the buggy and Grandma, Uncle Will, Aunt Sarah and a big basket of eggs in the buggy and started for town.  Now as they started, Grandma said, "Now do be careful".  "Oh," said Grandpa, "I'll saw him down", and at that he cracked the whip and off started Ben on the run.  The buggy hit a high spot at the side of the lane and spilled them all out, eggs and all.  They had a lot of scrambled eggs.  Aunt Sarah had a broken arm.

One time Aunt Nan went out the north way past the grape vines.  A pig pen was close by. When she came in the house she said, "I found a new nest at the sie sthall (pig pen) in the grass with one oye (egg) in it.  Dutch and English seemed to be mixed up badly in their talk.  Aunt Mary and Aunt Nan went to school together but one day Aunt Mary was not feeling well, so told Aunt Nan if the teacher asked why she did not come to tell her she was too "foul".  Now Aunt Nan knew foul meant rotten in English so she told the teacher she was too rotten.

Here is her recipe for fried cheese which she said Grandma used, which first came from the Weavers'.

• Scald clabbered milk until it can be crumbed between the fingers.  Put into a bowl and mix with 1/2 teaspoon soda to the gallon of milk and a pinch of salt.  Pour in a hot skillet in which butter has been melted.  Stir constantly until the curds are all creamy, being careful not to scrape the bottom of the skillet.  There will be a crust that can be taken out and eaten.

Once when Grandma was frying cheese, Aunt Sarah was standing by to get the crust and Grandma took it out and ran for the orchard and Aunt Sarah after her.  She did not remember which won but I should think they shared it as that was the spirit of the family.

Once Aunt Nan and Uncle Will were playing together in the back barn (Uncle Will always seemed to get the worst end).  Grandpa said they should not open the East door that went to the barnyard below.  Of course, like modern children, they wanted to open the door to see what would happen.  Aunt Nan unhooked the door and down one side went because the one hinge was off.  She told Uncle Will to run down in the barnyard and take the rake and push the door up so she could hook it again.  But instead the other hinge broke and down went the door and broke Uncle Will's collar bone.  When Grandpa came home he did not scold but said, "We'll wait until morning to see how he is".  Of course, by morning they found out it was broken.

Another time they were playing by the bake house.  Things were not going so well so Will called Aunt Nan an Alt Sow (Old Sow).  Grandma heard them and said the next one who said that would get penned up.  So Aunt Nan thought she would try to see what would happen.  Grandma heard her and in she went to the little hall between the bedroom and living room which also was the way to the cellar.  She said she slipped out and ran down the cellar and out the outside way.  She said Grandma let her go which sounds like Grandma.

TO BE CONTINUED LATER THIS WEEK - THE FINALE.

(Editor's notes: Again Nan Priser was Yost and Martha Schrock's 8th child. Her memories told to Bessie Schrock Scherck who was Elias and Nancy (Hoover) Schrock's 2nd child. Elias Schrock was Yost and Martha Schrock's 4th child and one of Nan Schrock Priser's older brothers.)

Sarah is presumed to be Yost Schrock's sister; Will was William Schrock (Yost and Martha Schrock's 9th child); Mary was Mary Jane Schrock (Yost and Martha Schrock's 6th child; Weavers were Levi and Emma Weaver...Emma was Yost and Martha's 5th child).  Hope all this makes sense!)

Know anything about anyone mentioned in this post? Please contact me using the e-mail address to the right under my picture.

Mary Post Warren

© copyright 2011, all rights reserved, Mary Post Warren

Memories of Yost and Martha Schrock - part 18

LuLu Vandersten was married to William Schrock.  William was the 9th child and youngest male child of Yost Y. and Martha (Plank) Schrock.

A TRIBUTE TO FATHER SCHROCK

Lulu (Vandersten) Schrock Reichert Memories:

You ask me to tell you some of my impressions of Father Schrock.  That is a big order for it is now more than 65 years since I first met him.  I do not remember just where or when that was but I do recall it was a strange meeting to me.  I was a mere snip of a girl yet in my teens, no heavy weight- 92 pounds - and here before me stood my future father-in-law, erect, smiling, long white bushy hair in barn door pants.  He extended his hand and his keen, dark eyes seemed to pierce me to the bone.

By my side stood his son, William, my beloved.  He spoke, "Father, this is Lulu, the girl I want to marry".  I was scared.  Father's eyes seemed to say, "I wonder what William wants with that speck of a girl, will she make him a good wife, can she bake, cook, sew, and so on?"

I was the youngest to be borne by marriage into the Schrock family.  For that reason I think I long felt fearful and timid, especially with Father.  When he once saw I could bake bread and make nice fat rolls of butter I began to feel I was gaining some respect.  That day before Sarah's funeral my mother and I baked pies nearly all day for Sunday dinner.  In those days many friends returned to the home after the burial.  We put the pies on a long table in the cellar.  I never saw so many pies in my life.  A week or so later Father called the children together one evening to straighten up accounts.  My name was on the list "To Lulu $1.75 for baking pies"  Goodness me!  I was shocked!  Such kindness.  I cried.  I wanted no pay and refused to take it and did only after much persuasion on the part of Em and Mary and Will.  Then I knew I was in good standing with Father and never doubted again.  A dollar and seventy-five cents did the trick.

After that it was always a joy to watch him think of and do acts of kindness for his children.  He was a good father indeed.  His many prayers offered for them and with them, surely can never be forgotten.  Those prayers were in Dutch.  I could not understand them but their sincerity was evident from the reverence paid them.  Fortunate indeed the children whose father sets such an example.

I enjoyed Father Schrock more and more as I knew him better and longer. There was a sparkle of wit in his eyes and a bunch of fun in his soul.  He loved his Lord and fulfilled His command, "to do justly and love mercy and to walk humbly with Thy God".  Thus he lived until the day he was called to be with the saints who from their labors rest.  Blessed be his memory!

By special request I narrate the following incident which was of much concern and thankfulness to both Mother and Father Schrock.

On a certain Saturday evening in early fall, son William, attired in his best, hitched Big Ben, a favorite horse, to the buggy, pursuant to a five mile trip eastward across town to go wooing a certain young lady who was expecting him that evening.  The sun had set and the sky darkened rapidly.  Hour after hour passed, 10, 11, 12 o'clock but no Lochinvar appeared (No telephones in those days.)  "Something surely happened.  We may know in the morning", thought she.

Sunday morning came - so did he, early.  But a different attire!  A different horse!  A different buggy!  The the story - said he,  "Last night I was driving along at the usual pace when I came to the mill race.  The top railing had somehow gotten diagonally over the bridge and the horse went straight into  the race submerging himself, buggy and me completely into the water.  Somehow I got to my feet and crawled up into the buggy top and jumped, landing on the bank.  I ran to the first house for a lantern - soon half of the town was there.  They got the horse and buggy out.  No damage done.  I jumped into buggy and hastened home into dry clothes.  Father rubbed Old Ben down and Mother cared for me.  This morn we seem no worse for the accident."

Sunday morning services were missed but many thanks were offered that day for the salvation of what might have been the death of a good man.

(Editor's Notes: Sarah is presumed to be Yost Schrock's sister; Em, Mary and Will are assumed to be Emma Schrock, Mary Jane Schrock, and William Schrock)

Know anything about anyone mentioned in this post? Please contact me using the e-mail address to the right under my picture.

Mary Post Warren

© copyright 2011, all rights reserved, Mary Post Warren

Memories of Yost and Martha Schrock - part 17

John Wesley Priser was the first child of Benjamin Frank Priser and Nancy Schrock.  He was the grandson of Yost Y. and Martha (Plank) Schrock.

Wesley Priser Memories:

As I remember grandpa's home, it was about 120 rods in off the road.  As we would enter the lane there was a gate fixed so, as we would drive on something, the gate would open and would close the same way.  Oh, yes, I remember the stone that stuck out about six inches that we would hit sometimes.  There was a hedge fence on both sides of the lane and about a mile of it altogether on the farm.  It was always well trimmed as long as grandpa was able to do it.

As we come to the buildings to the left was the big bank barn, buggy shed and hog house.  To the right a wood house and milk and well house at the corner of which was a gate where we entered the yard.  It was a big white house built for two families with board walks leading to the front and back of the house, and also away from the house along the well house and wood house on one side and the grape arbor on the other side to the out house.

With all the buildings and big yards we would have big times playing hide and seek when us cousins got together.  There was the orchard south of the house and the pond east of the barn where we would like to wade in and sometimes fell in.

Once us boys took a rope and tied it to Willie's express wagon and then lassoed a pig - results: it run around the the straw stack and wrecked the wagon.

I remember one summer the grasshoppers destroyed their garden and trucks.  Ate the leaves off the hedge and bushes and the white board fence was black with them.  I remember the long wood box back of the cook stove in the kitchen where us boys would be or the couch in the living room in front of the north window.  As I remember it we had good eats and plenty of them and I can hear grandpa return thanks in German.

I remember Aunt Sarah, Sally Zook and Sally Mishler and many other memories as the old home was 60 years ago in the good old days.

(Editor's Notes: Aunt Sarah is presumed to be Yost Schrock's sister; Sally Zook is unknown - no Zooks in my genealogy database; Sally Mishler is not in my database either but I do have several other Mishler's listed so she could be related to one of them.)

Know anything about anyone mentioned in this post? Please contact me using the e-mail address to the right under my picture.

Mary Post Warren

© copyright 2011, all rights reserved, Mary Post Warren

Memories of Yost and Martha Schrock - part 16

Nona Mae Cripe was the 6th child (4th birth), to Amos F. Cripe and Mary Jane Schrock.  Nona married George Keim.  She was the grand-daughter of Yost and Martha (Plank) Schrock.

Nona Cripe Keim Memories:

My earliest memories of the Grandfather Schrock farm are at Grandmother's funeral. When the folds were ready to leave for the church, Noble was missing.  In a hunting around buildings he was found down south at the house among the grape vines hiding as he didn't like to go to 'thimbles' as he called them.  He and I were not going but they did want to know where he was.  Many visits were made and good times had while Uncle John and Aunt Clara lived there and cared for Grandfather.  When Clara and Charley lived with him I remember going to Middlebury with my Dad and shopping in Shettles store.  I picked out calico for Clara to make my doll a dress.  She also trimmed a tea-matting sun bonnet for my doll.  What colors I chose, at least Mother thought it was awful.  I stayed there 2 days while she sewed for my doll.  I well remember seeing grandfather sitting in the big living room and how he did sing.  Never will forget the well kept hedge fences and the large apple trees and good apples.  Very proud to be of the Yost Schrock family and will try hard to live up to his principles.
 

(Editors Notes: Noble referred to in the paragraph was Nona's twin brother who died in 1910 at the age of 18 - another story, another time; Clara and Charley were Nona's older sister and her husband: Clara Cripe and Charles Berkey; Uncle John and Aunt Clara were Clara Schrock <Yost and Martha (Plank) Schrock's daughter> and John Zimmerman (Clara Schrock's husband ).

Know anything about anyone mentioned in this post? Please contact me using the e-mail address to the right under my picture.

Mary Post Warren

© copyright 2011, all rights reserved, Mary Post Warren

Memories of Yost and Martha Schrock - part 15

G. D. Cripe (Glen Dutch) was the 9th child (5th birth), to Amos F. Cripe and Mary Jane Schrock.  'Dutch' married Bess Maude Beaty.  He was the grandson of Yost and Martha (Plank) Schrock.

G. D. Cripe Memories:

My memories of Grandpa Schrock are few, but quite vivid and impressionable.

My first memory of him was when he was living with Uncle Levi and Aunt Em.  His bedroom was in the parlor, the northwest room of the house.  Each time we visited there, we children were permitted to visit him in his room alone.  On each visit, I would ask him how he felt and each time his reply was that he believed he could take me down if we wrestled.

Another memory was that grandpa always said Grace at the table, when visiting at our house, in Dutch.  His prayer was always the same and I tried to memorize it without knowing the translation.  It started something like this, "Natiker Katiker Unbumhatiker Vater".  Does anyone else remember this prayer or it's translation?

I remember also the last visit of mother and father with grandpa, a few hours before he went into a coma, from which he passed away.  Mother reported this call to several persons over the the telephone and reported that as they left, Grandpa started to sing, "Over There", singing as they were leaving,  "I'll soon be at home over there".

I am sure Grandpa Schrock's Christian life was the foundation of the Christian heritage the Schrock family enjoys today.

Know anything about anyone mentioned in this post? Please contact me using the e-mail address to the right under my picture.

(Editor's Notes:  Paragraph 2 - Uncle Levi and Aunt Em referred to Yost and Martha (Plank) Schrock's 5th child, Emma Schrock and her husband Levi E. Weaver.

Mary Post Warren

© copyright 2011, all rights reserved, Mary Post Warren

Memories of Yost and Martha Schrock - part 14

Floyd Cripe was the 5th child (3rd birth), to Amos F. Cripe and Mary Jane Schrock.  Floyd married Grace Barthel.  He was the grandson of Yost and Martha (Plank) Schrock.

Floyd Cripe Memories:

I scarely know just what this is all about.  All the information I received was by telephone.  For my impressions of Grandma Schrock, I can just remember of her funeral, and that funeral procession was as long as the lane.  When the hearse was at the road the buggies were just leaving the yard.  I also remember one time when we were there, I saw a paper addressed to Yost Schrock, and I asked who that was, as I knew him only by Grandpa Schrock.  Of course, most everyone remember his last buggy horse "Ben".

Clara and Charley Berkey lived with him several years, and I worked for them one summer.  I can recall several things that happened that summer, but they were not directly connected with Grandpa Schrock, only as I stayed there.


Milk Churn


Clara had me churning one day out in the old milk house, it was a barrel churn, and the lid came off.  You can guess what a mess that was on the brick floor.  Also I recall having several hard thunder storms.  At home we boys all slept in one room, and down there I was all alone.  She tacked blankets up at the windows, but the lightning still came in so she said I could go down and sleep with grandpa.  When I went in his room, he was on his knees praying and didn't hear me right away.  The experience I will not forget.

Also Charley would ask occasionally to return thanks at the table, (as he ate with us).  Now I could tell you this better than I can write it, as I don't know how to spell in German, but he always began like this  'Naiter Gaiter, and Bun-Hatsic a Fanter'.  I used to have it memorized but just do not recall anymore to make sense out of it.  But I think I have heard it said that he never prayed in public.  I think if you had Grandma's date of death, you would find I was quite young.  However, I do remember when Uncle John Zimmerman's lived there, and I think Clara and Charley followed them after they moved out.

(Editor's notes:  Clara and Charley Berkey - Clara was the daughter of Amos F. Cripe and Mary Jane Schrock. Grand-daughter of Yost and Martha (Plank) Schrock

Uncle John Zimmerman was the husband of Clara Schrock (daughter of Yost and Martha (Plank) Schrock)

Know anything about anyone mentioned in this post? Please contact me using the e-mail address to the right under my picture.

WHEW - this one was confusing as I got mixed up with the two Clara's!

Mary Post Warren

© copyright 2011, all rights reserved, Mary Post Warren

Memories of Yost and Martha Schrock - part 12

Elma Weaver Kindy was the wife of O. Glenn Kindy.  She was the daughter of Levi E. Weaver and Emma Schrock, and the grand-daughter of Yost and Martha (Plank) Schrock

Elma Kindy memories:

I have only a few vivid memories of Grandpa and Grandma in their home.  I was small when grandma passed away.  I do remember very well when Mother and I walked through the fields to grandma's and as we crossed our chicken yard I picked up some chicken feathers which I, at least, thought were pretty, and gave them to grandma, who at that time was sick in bed.  I can still see her accepting them and taking them in her hand.

I'll always remember grandma's black hair and grandpa's snow white hair.  The house, also is quite clear to me.  The milk house with it's clear cool water running trough where the milk crocks, butter, etc. were kept. And the cool brick floor which felt so cool to our feet.  I also remember the outdoor oven but cannot recall ever have seeing bread taken from it.  I also loved that big smoke tree in the front yard.

I think my most cherished memories were when grandpa came to live with us for nine years.  His room was what we called our parlor.  In it was his bed, high dresser, stove and rocking chair on which I can still see him rock and sing, sing and rock.  I do not remember grandpa ever being considered a care.  His pleasant disposition and his jolly spirit repaid all care that was necessary.

I recall at one time he was not feeling too well and we felt he should not go out to the outside toilet which was some distance north of the house.  Well, he would go.  It had been snowing, the snow was perhaps a foot or two deep.  Mother and I kept watch for him.  He would go two or three steps, look forward to see how far he still had to go and back to see how far he had gone - on a few steps more and again look forward and back.  He finally made it.  Coming back was not so bad as he had made a path but he was willing to take our word for it after that as he found out it was too much for him.

Know anything about anyone mentioned in this post? Please contact me using the e-mail address to the right under my picture.

Mary Post Warren

© copyright 2011, all rights reserved, Mary Post Warren

Memories of Yost and Martha Schrock - part 11

Clara Cripe Dykeman was the daughter of Amos F. Cripe and Mary Jane Schrock, Mary Jane Scrock was the 6h child of Yost and Martha Schrock.

Clara Cripe Dykeman Memories:

My first memories of Grandpa Schrock's were when they got the new organ and Aunt Clara (Schrock) played and the other children sang the old church songs.

It was such a treat to go to Grandpa's !  I know we were like our children of today, as we played games, hide and go-seek, and such.  Then grandma had us four older ones to sit around the old heating stove and have some little treat for us and tell us stories.

The old large wood box had a lid and we sat on the back of the stove and kept quiet for a while.

All the good dinners!

When old enough to go to school, I could go and stay over night once during the term.  It was a great treat to have grandma fix my lunch.  I wonder in years to come, if our children will have pleasant memories of our homes.

We loved to go back to the orchard and climb the trees, and to the old garden and bake oven in back of the house.  So many interesting memories that I never can forget.

I can just hear grandpa praying in dutch.  He looked after his family even after they were married and helped and suggested when needed.  I can understand now, but then it didn't mean so much to me.  Those were what kept the family together.  They were interested in each other.  I think their church came first.  How thankful I am we had that background.

My first school teacher was Uncle Will Schrock and lucky, it was, as we children couldn't speak English and he could help us out.  Aunt Lulu came for the spring term and was my teacher.  She didn't talk dutch and it was a bit hard for her, but she was so patient and we got along some way.  We couldn't help but love her with that smile she always had.

Later, when I was married, grandpa let us move in the old house with him.  Poor man, had to eat my first cooking and baking.  I wonder how he ever did it, as we didn't buy our food ready to eat like we can now.  We just had to eat what we could make but even now, I'm glad we lived when we did, as we have learned to appreciate everything more than the children of today who have most anything they want. We never went hungry and had plenty to be comfortable and best of all had a faith and trust in a great God.

I can remember before Aunt Nan had a family.  I would just love to go home with her for a few days. I can still see the old horse go up and down those hills back west toward Bristol.

One night while staying at their house, I had a bad dream. I left the cot where I was sleeping, in their room, and got up and slept with them the rest of the night.  Many things, I have long since forgotten, but never these thing that happened in early childhood.

Now that we have our children, I hope we can leave some worth while memories with them.

(Editor's note:

Paragraph 8:  Lulu (Vandersten) was Will Schrock's wife.  William (Will) was the 9th child of Yost and Martha (Plank) Schrock. 

Paragraph 10: Nan (Priser) was Nancy Schrock (8th child of Yost and Martha (Plank) Schrock.

Know anything about anyone mentioned in this post? Please contact me using the e-mail address to the right under my picture.

Mary Post Warren

© copyright 2011, all rights reserved, Mary Post Warren

Memories of Yost and Martha Schrock - part 10

Della Amanda Sherck was the wife of Ira Eugene Weaver, who was the grandson of Yost and Martha Schrock and the son of Emma Schrock and Levi E. Weaver (Memories of Yost and Martha Schrock - part 9)

Della Sherck Weaver Memories:

As I spent one summer at Uncle John Zimmerman's, the year Grandma Schrock died, I have many pleasant memories of both Grandpa and Grandma Schrock.  There were always so pleasant and so happy and contented it was a pleasure to have them around.  The next summer following, Grandpa Schrock had the front rooms and Uncle John the rest of the house.  Grandpa came over in Uncle John's part always to eat and any other time that he cared to.

I enjoyed hearing him in his room reading the Bible, praying and singing once a day ands sometimes more often.

I suppose it was the summer when Uncle John hired Ira to help on the farm that we began to take notice of one another, or maybe it was the cooking, as I have heard the way to a man's heart is thru his stomach.

(Editor's notes: John Zimmerman was Clara Schrock's husband.  Clara Schrock was the 10th child of Yost and Martha Schrock.)

Know anything about anyone mentioned in this post? Please contact me using the e-mail address to the right under my picture.

 

Mary Post Warren

© copyright 2011, all rights reserved, Mary Post Warren

Memories of Yost and Martha Schrock - part 9

Ira Weaver Memories (part 3 of 3; read part 1 and part 2 for the full memories):

While Yost did a very masterful job of farming, he did not go in for show.  Three horse teams was about his limit. One day Yost was passing a neighbor's farm who had a 4 horse team in the field.  He called to Grandfather, "Gooked net des groose Yoslite?" ("Don''t this look big, Yost?")

Time went on. Aunt Sade passed away. Grandma passed on, and it became evident that a change was necessary.  For a while he rented to children, and then grandchildren, then sold the old homestead and gave a nice sum to each of the children.  I understand that a number of the children offered to open their doors to him..  Mother Weaver offered him the best room in her home.  The northwest room was chosen and evidently grandfather enjoyed himself the remaining days.

Grandfather was never enthusiastic about portraits and almost refused to have his picture taken.  Grandmother, however, had her's taken and all the children shared with each receiving their picture.  One of these pictures was placed in grandfather's room on the stand.  He cherished it so much that he consented to have his taken.  We prize both of them highly.

When Grandfather came to the Weaver's he brought his buggy, low sides, wide seat and faithful Old Ben.  Most people considered Ben to be too fractious for a man the age of Grandfather.  I often wondered how he got the harness on this tall horse, for grandfather was rather short in stature.  Grandfather succeeded in getting the harness placed, including the bridle, all this time Ben was admonished with the familiar 'Ho Ben!' 'Ho Ben!'  Bem was ;ed carefi;;u tp tje biggu wjere 'Ho Ben!' was repeated until he was fastened to the buggy with the last trace and grandfather, having a firm hold on the reins, would step in the buggy, Ben prancing all the time, they were off on high.  We were always apprehensive of grandfather's safety but Ben always brought him home, usually on high.  It was a sad day when grandfather and Ben parted.  Grandfather with a smile, which he carried to the last.  He wore well ke[ppt short whiskers.  Grandmother with her smile and prayer veil which she wore continuously.

The old Homestead could tell a lot of stories of romance.  I know of one which probably does not mean much only to those directly interested.  A girl of sweet sixteen was employed one season, between high school terms, by Clara Schrock Zimmerman, to do house work at $2.00 per week.  At this time, John Zimmerman employed the writer to help on the farm.  It was that occasion that gave rise to appreciate the jolly good times, good dinners and, while the writerprobably wasn't very serious, there was somewhat of a  'girl of my dreams' in his eye and thinking, all unbeknown to Della Sherck (Weaver) I am quite sure.  It was the beginning.  One year later in June the first attempt was made to win her affections.  I offered to see her to church one Sunday evening in June.  Della accepted.  This continued for five years and then the wedding on Ap;ril 15, 1906.  Fifty years later God spared us to celebrate our 50th Anniversary.

The demands of Cousin Clyde Cripe for memories is responsible for all of this story.

(Editor's Notes: Paragraph 2 - I have still not been able to identify who Aunt Sade, if she lived at home until she was 32 did she have issues that should cold not live on her own and if so, what were they?; Mother Weaver was  Della Sherck Weaver, wife of Ira Eugene Weaver

Know anything about anyone mentioned in this post? Please contact me using the e-mail address to the right under my picture.

Mary Post Warren

© copyright 2011, all rights reserved, Mary Post Warren

Memories of Yost and Martha Schrock - part 8

Ira Weaver Memories (part 2 - read part 1 here; part 3 coming later this week):

There was an apple tree located at the extreme north west corner of the farm.  Early Harvest by name.  It was next to the road and in season was visited by the Weaver clan and I suppose the Cripes, and Schrocks, all knew it was there.  The large house built to accommodate two families separated by a door that never was locked.  It was well kept and painted white.  A broad lane from the large farm yard ran south.  On the east side of the house yard continuing south past orchard touching the southwest field, thence, to the Christ Pletcher farm, where it joined a lane thru the Pletcher's farm to the south road, Highway Number 20.  This lane was traveled by the Schrock children on way to the Pickrell school.  This orchard was south of the house.  All kinds of apples: Early Harvest, June Sweet, Sheep Nose, Tolpehoken and many others.  The berry patch and truck patch between the house and orchard. All kinds of berries, especially the June berry row.  From the large enclosed porch to the east and to the north east a walk led to the rock pump house, with windmill on top.  Fresh water was pumped in a small tank then thru a milk trough where the food was refrigerated, then on to the farm in a large tank for the live stock.  The floor of the rock building was laid with brick, as I remember.

The walk ran north to the wood house where was kept plenty of dry wood.  A small house known as the fruit drying house.  To the west was the grape vineyard with a number of varieties: Moors Early, Niagara White but mostly Concords.  This vineyard was well kept and provided the family the fine grapes.  Grandfather loved them.  About this time there was a belief that grape and berry seeds were responsible for inflammation of the bowl (bowel)  (now appendicitis).  Grandfather's children were very apprehensive of him eating so many grapes and cause bowl (bowel) trouble.  By the number of places near the vineyard where grandfather sat swallowing the seeds and dropping the hulls on the ground, it indicated that Grandfather ate lots of grapes.

Carrying of wood from the wood house to the large wood box in the house near the stoves was a lot of fun for the grandchildren when they visited grandpa.  The house was large and well furnished.  Even the sleeping rooms up stairs, where the children all slept and from this home went out, at the proper time, to establish homes.  The large bank barn located northeast of the house, a a suitable distance.  A large manure and straw stack yard.  Eastward was a lane running east to reach the east fields.  The farm consisted of 160 acres and was all tillable but a few acres in the northeast corner, quite rough, this was his timber lot.  Source of lumber and wood, and a good mushroom timber.

The farm produced large crops of wheat and corn and the harvesting was done by hand work.  Grandfather always had plenty of clean jokes to tell.  Heard him tell of when he and some other boys came upon a neighbor whose wagon, heavily loaded, mired so the team was not able to move it.  The boys grabbed the wheels but put their power in reverse.  Finally the man stated that the team could not make it.  When Yost said "your team pulls well" and they grabbed the wheels and put it in forward, out they went.

(Editors notes: paragraph 1 Christ Pletcher - unknown (not in family tree); paragraph 2 - 'bowl' referred to twice should be bowel.)

Know anything about anyone mentioned in this post? Please contact me using the e-mail address to the right under my picture.

Mary Post Warren

© copyright 2011, all rights reserved, Mary Post Warren

Goshen Indiana

At a family get-together a couple of months ago my cousin gave me these pictures to scan.  Our mother's grew up in Goshen Indiana, their father (my grandfather) Elmer Troyer was from Middlebury Indiana, which is a short distance from Goshen.


Goshen High School, Goshen Indiana



The high school on the right is where my mother (Margaret Troyer Post) graduated from in 1927.  Her sister (Dorothy Troyer Haines) graduated from Goshen High School about 3-4 years later.

My great-great grandparents Yost and Martha (Plank) Schrock settled in the Middlebury Indiana area in approximately 1850-1851.  They purchased 160 acres of land 1 mile west of Middlebury.

These pictures were taken by my cousin in approximately 1992 while visiting the area.  One of these days I would like to travel to Goshen, Middlebury, and Elkhart Indiana to visit where my mother grew up and to see the area where Yost and Martha (Plank) Schrock settled and raised their family.

Know anything about anyone mentioned in this post? Please contact me using the e-mail address to the right under my picture.

Mary Post Warren

© copyright 2011, all rights reserved, Mary Post Warren

Memories of Yost and Martha Schrock - part 7

Ira Eugene Weaver was the was the son of Levi Weaver and Emma Schrock, and grandson of Yost and Martha (Plank) Schrock.  He wrote several type written pages of memories so this will come in several postings.  This is part 1 of 3-4 postings.

Ira Weaver Memories:

Perhaps the first recollection I have of this home was when Mother Weaver and a few of the Weaver children would cross-cut across the Weaver farm, the Noah Simmons farm and the west central field which led us into the back yard to be met by Grandpa, Grandma and Aunt Sade, as we called her, there was no uncertainty as to our welcome.  And this was also true with the many visitors that frequented this good old home. Grandfather usually had a joke or two to inject into the conversation.

This homestead was the talk of the Middlebury community.  Yost Schrock was born near Smithville, Ohio, March 28 1827..  Martha Plank was from near Wooster, Ohio.  After their marriage they lived in Ohio three years then moved to Middlebury, Indiana and purchased the 160 acres, one mile west of Middlebury.  Two children were born in Ohio and ten were born on the old homestead.  Here the family lived, labored, loved and prospered.

Two children died in infancy. Aunt Sade died at the age of 32.  She never married.  The rest of the nine child married and established homes, most of them in the community at one time or another. Seven from the Schrock home attended school at the Pickrell School more than a mile by short cut across the fields.  Mother Weaver often spoke of their little army going to and from school.  They all received a good education and Mother Weaver could out spell any of her children.

The labors of Grandfather and Grandmother, together with the boys and girls, made possible the development of this successful home.  I head grandpa relate how a neighbor reported that when the Schrock boys husked corn there was an ear flying continuously.  I remember dropping corn three to the hill and three droppers and three to cover.  I was being followed by Uncle Will and did he make me step.  At the end of the field (80 rods) thru some argument, Uncle Will said he would throw me over the the rail fence.  I said he couldn't.  He did.

The old home was well kept, seemingly larger farm than any of the children acquired.  There was a heap of living in this home.  The buildings were located a little west of the center of the farm.  A lane one half mile long to the north led to the road.  This lane, as well as the north side of the farm was bound by  osage hedge fence which was always well trimmed and kept so as to control it's growth and beauty.  The home was wide open to the children of the community and the grandchildren and everyone, even the beggar along the way.

The grandchildren, who were many, seemed to visit the home in regular relays.  What was the experience of Clayton Cripe, Clyde Cripe and Ira Weaver, was true of all ages of grandchildren.  It was a happy occasion when the time came for this group to cross the field from the Pickrell School with dinner pails in hand to report at grandpa's for an evening of fun.  I think we visited every place of interest, even to filling the huge wood box with sufficient fuel for days.  The the call to come and get ready for supper.  With the offering of thanks by grandpa in German, came the finest supper consisting of plenty of whipped potatoes, space will not permit listing all the foods.  Always plenty of potatoes left over for potato patties for breakfast.  Our dinner pails were filled with plenty of cookies, pie, pickles, fruity.  Off across the field for the Pickrell school with a hearty invitation to return again.

TO BE CONTINUED

(Editor's notes: Mother Weaver referred to in paragraph 2 is Emma Schrock Weaver, 5th child of Yost and Martha Schrock and Ira Weaver's mother.  Noah Simmons and Aunt Sade are unknown.  Aunt Sade must have been one of the 10 children of Yost and Martha Schrock because of references made, but I find no one who meets her description among the 10 children I have listed in my genealogy program.  Most likely Sade was a nickname.

Paragraph 4: Uncle Will is most probably William Schrock, 9th child of Yost and Martha Schrock.

Paragraph 6: Clayton Cripe and Clyde Cripe were the twin sons of Amos F. Cripe and Mary Jane Schrock, 6th child of  Yost and Martha Schrock)

Know anything about anyone mentioned in this post? Please contact me using the e-mail address to the right under my picture.

Mary Post Warren

© copyright 2011, all rights reserved, Mary Post Warren

Memories of Yost and Martha Schrock - part 6

Jasper Sherck Memories

I can't think of very much that went on there.  I remember being there at an oyster supper.  I remember when Clara Zimmerman said supper was ready and the oldest boy should bring his girl.  Harvey went first, then Willis, then Henry Krack, then Edd. then myself.  That was the first time mama and I ate together.  I remember we had a wonderful time.

I remember threshing at your place one time.  It was very warm and us boys took our shirts off.  Grandpa was standing by and he said if you are going to take anymore off let me know.
(editor's note: oysters were a tradition in my family on Christmas Eve.  Mom said it was an old family tradition and I'm fairly sure this is where it came from. 

Jasper Sherck was the husband of Clara Adaline Weaver (daughter of Levi Weaver and Emma Schrock, grand-daughter of Yost and Martha Schrock.  I do not know last names or relationships of Harvey, Willis, or Edd mentioned in paragraph 1 nor do I have a Henry Krack listed in my genealogy program.  Clara Zimmerman was born Clara Schrock, 10th child of Yost and Martha Schrock)
Know anything about anyone mentioned in this post? Please contact me using the e-mail address to the right under my picture.

Mary Post Warren

© copyright 2011, all rights reserved, Mary Post Warren

Memories of Yost and Martha Schrock - part 5

Bessie Schrock Sherck was the first daughter of Elias and Nancy (Hoover) Schrock.  She was born on October 18, 1883.

Bessie Sherck Memories:

As I remember grandpa and grandma's home I think of an ideal Christian home.

A home where the grandchildren were always made welcome.  Many times I remember as I walked up the lane to the front gate grandmother would be there to meet me.  I remember staying there one week to help out while Aunt Sarah went on a vacation.  Each evening we had family worship.  I still can hear grandpa pray in Dutch, although I could not understand many words.  I knew he was sincere by the way he prayed and lived after he prayed.

I remember, too, the big cantelopes they had and it was there I learned to eat them cut up with sugar and cream.  And the old milk house where the good fried cheese and fresh butter were kept.  The long trip she had to take to get them.  I remember the old orchard with the snow apples and I can still see grandmother quilting for the children and grandchildren.  I can almost hear grandpa coming up the road humming gospel hymns as he drove the old horse.  All in all, it is their ideal Christian home that has been a highlight in my life.

(Editors Note:  I am not positive but I think 'Aunt Sarah' is Yost Schrock's sister born September 10, 1834.  The only other Sarah I could find in my genealogy program is Sarah (Miller) Schrock who was Yost Schrock's mother and therefore Bessie's great-grandmother.

Mary Post Warren

© copyright 2011, all rights reserved, Mary Post Warren