HISTORY
1800s
1900s
FAMILY TREE
Consists of our grandparents ---
ADOLPH and THERESA SCHOCK and their children
First Wife ---
Silvester Schock
William Schock
Joseph Schock
Second Wife ---
Mary Schock Schmitt
Matilda Schock Regier
Rosia Schock Vogel
Frank Schock
George Schock
I am dwelling upon the Joseph Schock Family,
my Father and Mother -- Joseph and Carolina Schock
A union of Seven Children
Joseph, Mary, Adolph, Edward, Frances, Herbert and Elmer and their descendants.
Joseph Jr. married Miss Ida Kosal
Mary, sometimes called “Mamie,” married John Messing, later Theo. DeMatio
Adolph married Miss Mary Stein
Edward married Miss Martha Olshove
Frances --- deceased, one day old
Herbert married Miss Magdalene Cook
Elmer married Miss Frances Abraham
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My grandparents, Adolph, Sr. and Theresa Schock, came to America in July 1860, landing in New York by boat. The voyage took 15 days. [Adolph] brought with him his wife Theresa and three sons: Silvester, William, and Joseph Sr., my father, who was about 5 years old at that time.
He also brought with him his first cousin, Theodore Meggos. They came to Wyandotte, Mich. Mr. Meggos married and stayed in Wyandotte. They had five children, two boys and three girls. My father would sometimes visit his cousin. The oldest married Mr. Groundsted, an undertaker. May married Frank Casper,
a furrier. Nettie married Chris Ropp of Ecorse. They all lived in Wyandotte, Mich. Edward Meggos was a doctor. Nick was in Real Estate. The boys also lived in Wyandotte.
My grandparents came from Essen, Germany, sometimes called Essen-Kossel.
My grandfather’s first wife died in Germany. He then married his wife’s sister, Theresa Meliken, and came to America with his family, staying in Wyandotte
over the winter.
The city was laying track for a horse-drawn trolley car. My grandfather was a big strong man, 6 ft., 1 inch - heavy build. There were 6 or 8 men carrying a steel rail for the track; my grandfather bet them a gallon of liquor if they would put that rail on his shoulder, he would carry it 100 feet. They did and he won the bet. At the time, a gallon of whiskey cost 25 cents. My grandfather was accustomed to heavy lifting in the stone quarry he had in Germany.
When spring time came, he took his family north to Sanilac and Huron County, having friends from Germany in that locality [with] such names as Blocks, Kramers, Vogels, Roths, Hunsangers, and many more.
My grandparents bought a farm – 160 acres in Paris Township, Huron County, or one mile north of Minden City, Mich. Follow the railroad track north.
This 160 acre farm had about 10 acres cleared. [There was] a little log house
and a little old barn, all the remainder of the farm and for many miles around -- nothing but woods, only a trail to go by. This woods consisted of mammoth large trees: hemlock, pine, birch, elm, and many others kinds of wood. This was before the railroad came through.
The family lived on that farm for some time. Then came the 1871 forest fire. It took in about three counties or more: Huron, Sanilac, Tuscola, and part of St. Clair. It started in the west and burned a lot of trees, brush, and swamp due to it being a dry season.
Lots of the forest was hurt by the fire. A high wind blew them to the ground;
then a lot of underbrush grew up. They said a lot of wild raspberries and blackberries grew up everywhere. Timbers had fallen so you could jump from
one log to another.
Then just ten years later from the first fire [came] 1881 - that was the big forest fire. Fire everywhere, a high wind, a lot of dry timber, fire and sparks all over. Everything burned to the ground. It got so dark at 12 noon you couldn’t see for smoke and fire.
A lot of people left their places and went to Lake Huron, about six miles away, to be saved. Many didn’t make it. Along the narrow trail through the woods, animals ran ahead of the fire; and folks lost all that they had accomplished and had to start all over again. Some folks thought it was the end of the world.
The only good thing that it did do was to help clear the land of timber. The people had nothing to start with or nothing to eat.
My father said that their family lived all winter on a little flour and salt pork and rutabagas that they got through the relief that was sent in with some clothing
and a little food supply, but it was poorly distributed. The folks that got the relief to distribute got the pick of the crop. Anything real good they kept for themselves, but it all helped to get started again; and today this area that had
that terrible fire is one of the best farming areas in the State of Michigan.
This farm that my grandfather bought was on the County Line Road between Sanilac and Huron Counties, in section 36 in Paris Township, Huron County. [It was] opposite the farm now owned and operated by Elmer Schock and [his son] Joseph Schock Jr. My grandfather bought this 160 acre farm for $1,000 in gold, [which] he had left after bringing his family and cousin from Germany.
With my grandfather’s second wife, he had 2 sons and three daughters - Frank who married late in life to Katherine Kunders - they had no childen. George Schock who never married. Mary who married John Schmitt - they had 8 children. Rosie who married Joseph Vogel, brother of my mother - they had 4 children. Matilda who married Jacob Regier - they had 3 children.
Those five children from his second wife were all born in Michigan.
Adolph Schock, my grandfather, while in Germany, had a prosperous business. He was a big man, 6 ft., 1 in. tall, weighed 205 lbs. - strong built. He was a very pleasant man, so my father and mother often told me.
I knew my Grandmother Schock. She too was a pleasant old German lady, small stature. When my folks visited her, she always had candy for us children up in the old cupboard.
My grandfather bought this second farm, 160 acres, sometime after the ‘81 fire. This farm was located one and one-quarter mile east of Ruth, Mich.
Grandfather was born March 19, 1819, in Germany. Grandfather died on that farm March 9, 1885. He was 66 years old. Grandmother also died on that farm east of Ruth. Grandmother was born November 12, 1832 and passed away October 30, 1900. She had a broken hip at the age of 68 years.
Grandfather Schock had a stone quarry in Essen, Germany. He employed 12 to 14 men, cutting out watering troughs and mangers out of stone. [That was] before concrete was used for such purposes.
The principal reason they left Germany was his oldest son Silvester was to go into military service within a short period of time - that was the rule in Germany at that time.
Grandfather had three sons from his first wife. Silvester, the oldest, married Miss Dudack from Paris Township, Huron Co. In that union there were 6 or 8 children – some of my cousins I didn’t know, but I did know his 2 sons, George and Barney Schock, also Kate and Matilda…. Some of Silvester’s children died quite young from diphtheria as I recall it.
William Schock married Miss Fitzpatrick. In that union, there were four children, two boys and two girls, Joseph and William – Cecelia and Helen.
Those two Schock families, after living for some time in the vicinity of Minden City and Ruth, Mich., they decided to take their families and go further north - after their father died, they went to Munising, Mich. in the Upper Peninsula.
They worked in the lumber woods and a paper mill at Munising. Silvester died at the age of 72 years; William died at the age of 70 years. They are buried beside their wives in the Catholic Cemetery in Munising.
Joseph Schock, my father, was born April 16, 1855. He had a small farm, 56 acres opposite my grandfather’s first farm on County Line Road in Sanilac County, one mile north of Minden City.
My father also worked in the North lumber woods before he married. He was a river driver. The men in the woods would cut logs all sizes and haul them to the river bank on a large pile. Then in springtime when there was lots of water, they would put them into the river and float them downstream to the saw mill.
Sometimes, the logs would jam up. Then father would ride down the river on
a log and break up the jam… a very dangerous job, but very good pay at that time.
My father, Joseph Schock Sr., married Miss Carolina Vogel. She was born June 3, 1865, the daughter of Sebastian and Christent Vogel. They were married November 10, 1885. Mother’s folks lived on County Line Road, east of our 56 acre farm in Delaware Township, Sanilac Co. The marriage ceremony was in the old Catholic Church. It stood where the Catholic cemetery is at the present time. This church was the first to be established for a radius of many miles - on County Line Road in Section 32 in Sherman Township, Huron Co.
It so happened there were three weddings at the same Mass: Joseph Schock, Joseph Schumacher, and Joseph Pickvon – all “Josephs.” They were married by Father Jervis, who was pastor of the parish, although the parish was established by Father Klug [a] long time before. Both of those priests are buried in that cemetery. Their tombstones are a short distance from where the old church stood.
The old church has been taken down, and some of those white pine beams were placed in the present church of Sts. Peter and Paul at Ruth, Mich. The beams came from a farmer near the old church, Mr. Barney Messing - beautiful white pine timber. A bronze statue is in place of the old church. I would rather estimate those timbers would be at least 150 years old now.
Father and Mother lived on this 56 acre farm for some time; then he bought 40 acres across the R.R. track from Mr. Grometh.
In this union, there were seven children. We were all born on this 56 acre farm one mile north of Minden City. We all went to school at Minden City. We had to walk a mile and [a] half every morning and night. No buses at that time.
It was a three-room school. Each teacher had about forty-five children. They taught up to the 12th grade in later years - at first to the 8th or 9th grade.
We had plenty of work to do on the farm after school to help our Dear Mother as our father did thrashing for the farmers. Father thrashed for 30 years. Mother stayed home with us children.
Father was a Knight of Columbus of Bad Axe Council, No. 1546. At one time, us 5 boys and Father belonged to the K. of C.
Father died on September 12, 1930. [He was] 75 years [old].
Joseph G. Schock was the oldest of our family. He was a horse man and a very good one. He kept the horses and harness in excellent shape with celluloid rings and ribbon.
We always raised two young colts each year. It was Joseph’s job to break the young horses. Father would sell a 2-year-old, a good one, for $175 to $200 apiece – a lot of money.
Joseph was a good, sincere, honest young man. He married Miss Ida Kosal, daughter of Valentine and Anna Kosal of Sherman Twp., one mile east of Ruth, Mich. They were married in the old Sts. Peter and Paul [Church] at Ruth. [The] reception [was] at the bride’s home.
He was a farmer! He also had a thrashing outfit, beaner, and hay press.
In this union, there were four children living, all girls - some boys were lost in infancy. The girls’ names are: Lillian, the oldest daughter – she married Gordon Cleland [and] lives on East Bay City-Forestville Road, Viola …, Geneva… [and] Delores….
After Joseph’s first wife passed on, he then married Anna Stein of Bad Axe, Mich. They lived at Bad Axe. Joseph was born June 19, 1887. He met with an auto accident in Bad Axe, living only a few days before passing away in 1945. He was also a brother K. of C. member.
[My sister] Mary Schock Messing Dematio [was] born June 25, 1888. She married John Messing June 24, 1909. They too were married in Sts. Peter and Paul Church at Ruth, Mich. It was a large wedding as she was the only daughter. They came from far and wide for the reception, held at the old home site. [There was a] bowery for dancing in the apple orchard. All had a good time.
They had a farm on East County Line Road. They had no children. John passed away in 1943. John was a dealer in livestock, buying and selling.
Mamie remarried – Theodore DeMatio of West Branch, Mich. She lived there for six or seven years before her husband Ted passed on. He is buried in West Branch in the Catholic Cemetery.
She then came back to Ruth, Mich. and bought a house opposite the church at Ruth. She lived there for some time before she had a stroke, living only a few days thereafter and dying on January 29, 1969. [She is] also buried in the Catholic Cemetery beside her first husband.
Adolf F. Schock was my second oldest brother. I have many memories of our childhood days. He was about two years older than I was – born January 25, 1891.
He was somewhat handicapped. When a young boy of 12 or 14 years, he had the misfortune of cutting his knee with a draw-knife, letting the joint water out.
At the time, we had two doctors in Minden City, Drs. Healeys, to attend him. Inflammation set in. The doctors wanted to amputate his leg.
Father had a doctor from Harbor Beach come down, Dr. Wagener, an old army doctor. He said he could save the leg, but it would take a lot of care and hardship for the family. He suggested he have ice water drip on that knee day and night to take out the inflammation. Ice was hard to get - only from folks who put it up in the wintertime. This we did for two months, someone with him all the time. It saved his leg, but [he had] a stiff knee.
He was a farmer too. Even though he had a stiff knee, he could do anything on the farm that the rest of us boys could do. His farm joined my older brother’s farm - Joseph Schock, [and] those two brothers worked and farmed together.
At the age of 20, he worked [for] two companies in a sugar factory in Riverdale,
Ill. He also worked in Detroit in the winter months.
[Adolf] married Miss Mary Stein, daughter of August and Mary Stein. They were married in Ruth, Sts. Peter and Paul Church on June 24, 1919. They had a large wedding at the bride’s home on East County Line Road.
In this union, there were five children: four girls and one son. By name they are: Olive – [she] married William McCoy [and] lived in Bad Axe; Beatrice, who married Robert Moxlow – they live in West Det.; Doris, she married Gerald Schumacher - their home is in Roseville, Mich.; and Marion, who married Don Teeple – their home is in Delaware Township.
Adolf, sometimes called “Dolph,” lived on his farm for many years. He was a supervisor of Delaware Township, Sanilac County, for many years. He also was
a field man for the Michigan Sugar Company of Croswell, Michigan, for I don’t know how long, but it was a long time. I would guess 30 years.
Harold, his only son, married Audrey Russell. Harold and his family still live on the old farm. All of Dolph’s children were born on that farm. Harold also followed his father’s footsteps. He is and has been a field man for Michigan Sugar Company for 12 years or more.
Harold took over the farm. Dolph and Mary built a home in Ruth, east of the church on the north side of the street. They lived together until May 29, 1958, when Dolph passed on. He also was buried in the family plot in the Catholic cemetery at Ruth. Mary, his wife, still lives at their home at Ruth.
Dolph was a highly respected citizen and interested in civic affairs. He was a
K. of C. He also belonged to the K. of C. first degree team of the Bad Axe,
Council No. 1546. He also belonged to the Ruth Council.
He was a farmer, who had a thrashing outfit. He thrashed beans and pressed hay.
[Dolph] also was a director of the Minden City Oil and Gas Company, a director of the Minden City Farmers Elevator Company, [and] president of that Co. He was noted for his sound judgment. He also solicited many dollars for the Community Hospital in Deckerville, Mich. He was liked by all who knew him.
Edward D. Schock was born January 29, 1893. At the age of 18, he worked two years for the Pope Sugar Co. in Illinois; [he] also worked in Detroit in the winter months at the Michigan Stamping Co. and for Hayes Mfg. Co.
At age 26, he married Miss Martha M. Olshove, daughter of Max and Mary Olshove of Paris Township, Huron Co. She was born May 1, 1900 [and] was 19 years old at that time. [The] wedding was at the bride’s home.
We also had a bowery in the apple orchard to dance in, and decorated with ribbon. It was a very beautiful day. We had an automobile hired to take us to
and from the church. We were married June 17, 1919, in St. Mary Catholic Church in Parisville, Mich., Huron Co.
We lived with my father and mother that summer as I was an engineer for my father’s thrashing outfit. In November, we moved on our farm, one and one-quarter miles east of Ruth. This [was] the east part of my grandfather’s second farm of 160 acres. Our farm consisted of 106 acres.
We had a small house, 16x24, no upstairs, no basement, no out buildings, only
a barn, 40x50 ft. with [a] stable on one end. No car, only a $5.00 buggy and a $5.00 single harness for an old black driving horse.
We moved in Nov. 1919; in April 1920, became supervisor of Sherman Township, Huron Co., [and] was the youngest supervisor on the County Board. Held that office for 13 years [and] cut taxes by one third in 13 years.
Resigned in 1933 to become Mbr. of Huron Co. Board of Road Comr’s. There again was the youngest in the state at the time. We had charge of all the roads
in our county, state and township - 1345 miles of road. We also had charge of all the county drains in the county. Also all the county parks. We had 6 county parks. Also to improve the airport at Bad Axe.
Held that position for 18 years. Was then County Canvasser 6 years. Was active in civic affairs; in 1935, was a director of the Southern Michigan Road Builders Association; was director and vice-president of the Minden City Oil and Gas Company; helped organize this company. Sold stock to farmers, who were using gas and oil on the farms. This company was organized in 1925.
[Edward Schock] was a farmer [and] a past Grand Knight of the Bad Axe Council, No. 1546. He was the first in his family to join the K. of C. in 1917. [He] was also in the degree team; he was chancellor of the first degree team 18 times in Bad Axe and once at Ruth, once at Port Huron, once at Bay City, once at Richmond; and it was noted to be the best first degree team in the Thumb of Michigan.
He was also chairman of the Republican Party of Sherman Township many years, also a delegate to the County and State Republican Conventions.
He also helped to establish and collected money for the doctor’s clinic at Minden City [and] was elected Director of that Clinic Board.
At one time, he sold auto insurance for 6 years part-time for State Farm Auto Insurance Company, then turning it over to one of his friends, Edw. Schroeder. He also gave his supervisor’s job to one of his friends, Wm. Eppenbrock, as he had to resign to hold the Huron County Road Comm. position.
At the age 56, he retired, sold their farm, [and] built a home in the town of Ruth in 1949. He and Mrs. Schock lived there for nearly 20 years, until the death of Mrs. Schock, his dear wife, on December 21, 1968.
Mr. & Mrs. Schock had a home in Largo, Florida. They spent 18 winters together there as it was better for Mrs. Schock’s health for the winter months.
After Mrs. Schock’s death, he disposed of nearly all of his property - in Florida, the home at Ruth, also the house in Port Huron, and now, makes his home with his oldest son, Laverne Schock, [on] Jenks Street [in] Port Huron.
His wife Martha was a wonderful wife and mother. She contracted tuberculosis
in 1929. She was in the sanatorium at Howell, Mich., for a period of 13 months. Russell at that time was 13 months old, and our oldest son was 8 years old when their mother was taken to the sanatorium for [a] cure.
Mrs. Schock was discharged from the hospital and came home on the farm. She was not to work and take a lot of rest. Then she had to go to Bay City for a special treatment called “Neuthormix” every 9 days for a period of 2 years. Then she was completely recovered. She lived with her family for 38 years.
While she was in the hospital and after she was home, two of her nieces, Regina and Julia Olshove, changed off helping to take care of the children and the housework - with the assistance of Mrs. Schock’s management as my work as Supervisor and Commissioner and farm work kept me away from home somewhat. But the Lord was good to me. He gave me good health to continue on.
[Martha] was a gentle-spirited wife and mother - a simple person in everyday life, a builder of friendship, united in patience.
As I was sitting in her hospital room praying for her recovery, she motioned to me to come to her bedside. She took my hand, and the last words she said to me in a low voice was, “Our Queen is coming.” She closed her eyes and that was the last. I shall never forget. [It was] like the pedals of a beautiful flower that opened its pedals to the warm sunshine of tomorrow. After all was over, that and that alone prompted me to write this episode of the Schock Family Tree, as I knew it.
In this union, there were 5 sons. All were born on our farm one and one-quarter miles east of Ruth. Norman M. Schock was our first child. He only lived about 4 weeks. He is buried at the Catholic Cemetery at Ruth.
Laverne J. Schock married Margaret Essenmacher, daughter of Leroy and Anna Essenmacher of Ruth. They were married in Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Ruth. They had a large wedding in the K. of C. hall. He is a member of the K. of C.
[Laverne] was in the Second World War in which he was wounded in the Battle
of the Bulge in Luxemburg, but recovered and is a radio and television technician. He was employed by Mueller Brass Co. in the Instrument Dept. in Port Huron, Mich. He is now employed at the Thompson place of business in St. Clair, Mich., [doing] mostly television work. They have 4 sons and 2 daughters – Ronald, Jerry, Dale, Johnnie - Virginia is a nurse, and Little Jo Ann died in 1962.
Melvin E. Schock - he married Gladys Gwisdalla, daughter of Joseph and Stacy Gwisdalla. They were married in Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Ruth, Mich. They also had a large wedding in the Ruth K. of C. Hall. Melvin also is a member of
the K. of C.
He was employed by the Huron County Road Comm. as a truck driver for many years. He also was in the Second World War in the Marines. He now is employed by the Ford Motor Company for 18 years or more. He also contracts concrete jobs part-time. In this union, there is only one, a son, Russell. Their home is on Hill St., Warren, Michigan, [but] they also have a summer home near Alger, Michigan.
Floyd L. Schock [is] also a K. of C. member. He married Margaret Loutner, Daughter of George and Lena Loutner of Port Huron. They were married in Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Ruth. They also had a large wedding at the Ruth
K. of C. Hall.
He was a Great Lakes sailor [at] the time of the Second World War; he sailed for
9 years. He farmed a short time, then moved to Port Huron. He is employed by the Mueller Brass Co. of Port Huron 20 years or more. In this union, there are two sons: Richard and Donald Schock. Their home is on Broncroft St., Port Huron.
Russell Schock was the youngest of our sons, a fine boy of 14 years. The first year in Harbor Beach High School, he had the misfortune of being hit on the temple by a pitched baseball, causing a brain hemorrhage. He lived but a few days, never regaining consciousness, passing on in 1943, causing a terrible blow to the family. He is buried in the Catholic cemetery beside his mother Martha.
Herbert P. Schock, 5 years younger - [a] brother who also was a brother K. or C. member. He married Magdalene Cook of Minden City, the daughter of Theodore and Theresa Cook. They were married in Detroit, March 28, 1922, in St. George Catholic Church. Herbert was employed in Detroit for some time in the winter months.
He was president of the Village of Minden City, also a Village Councilman. He also was a farmer and employed by the Minden City Oil and Gas Co. of Minden City as a gas station attendant and manager for at least 35 years or more until
he retired.
In this union there were two children, a daughter Gloria and a son, Herbie Schock. Herbert lost his dear wife on October 5, 1955. He then kept batch with his son Herbie. Gloria married Joseph McCoy of Minden City. Their son Herbie is still in college, now in Germany.
Herbert Sr. was born October 31, 1897. He was a fine man, clean- cut and always neat. He was a kind and good father and provider for his family. He passed away on August 15, 1964. They too are buried side by side in the family plot in the Catholic Cemetery at Ruth, Mich., two miles south and one half mile east of Ruth on County Line Road.
At one time, my father and his five sons were K. of C. [members] at the same time.
Elmer J. Schock, the youngest of the brothers, also is a farmer and a cattleman. He married Frances Abraham, daughter of Charles and Lenora Abraham. They were married in St. Mary Catholic Church at Parisville - reception at the bride’s home.
Elmer still lives on the old farm with Joseph, his oldest son. The farm is much larger now. This is the old farm where we were all born and where Father and Mother died.
Elmer had worked in Detroit in the winter months, coming home in the spring to work on the farm. With all five boys and Father working on the farm and the thrashing machine and hay press, Father could buy an 80 acre farm every two years for one of his sons. He was a good manager.
Elmer and Frances have a home in Largo Florida. They too go South for the winter months each year.
From this union there are four daughters and two sons. Patricia, the oldest of the children, married Roy Keeler. They now live in California. Audrey Schock married Ernie Majectic. They live in Garden City, Mich. Joan Schock is single
yet. She is an office manager in Detroit. Barbara married Richard Julie. They also live in Detroit.
The two sons: Joseph Jr. is a big husky farmer with his father and mother. He operates about 300 acres of land, mostly dairy farming. James Schock, the younger son of that union, was in the U.S. Air Force. He married Jenny Ahl of California. He now has a home in Flint, Mich. He is employed by General Motors Corp.
This concludes the records of the Schock Family as I know it, to the best of recollection and memory. I have left 6 blank pages for anyone who wishes to add to their respective family records as time goes on.
THANK YOU . . .
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A LITTLE POEM OF HOME
It didn’t take so very much to build our home,
A few plain boards, some two-by-fours, and maybe get a loan.
But after all the carpenters have got it up to stay,
The family living in the house start their own way.
To make a home there must be peace of heart and soul and mind,
There must be joy of living, all their shadows left behind.
There must be love of our dear God, a thought of worthwhile things,
When we have those, we will know the joy a happy home can bring.
It must be just the kind of place we are proud to call our own,
A place where all our dreams come true, where we’ll never be alone.
Then when you’re getting old and gray, when love has deeper grown,
We’ll sit beside the fireplace and dream of Home Sweet Home.
God Bless You All,
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++++ This section of the “The Schock Family Tree” appeared at the beginning of the history. I have moved it to the end. It is unedited. JHM
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LET’S NOT FORGET – LIFE IS SHORT AND TIME FLIES – REMEMBER DEATH
WHAT MY DEAR FATHER AND MOTHER MEANT TO ME….
A good Mother and Wife means so much to mankind.
All that I am or ever will be I owe to my Dear Mother and Father. The Mother that loves her husband gives so much of herself to her family. In pregnancy she offers her life to bring a healthy child into the world, for her pride and joy of her husband and herself. For nine months she carried that little helpless child under her heart. When the child is born, oh how happy she is. She holds it close to her bosom to keep it warm and comfortable.
She bathes it, clothes it and cares for it as she would do for her own self, and again she gives so much of herself to the welfare of her family. She gives her own nurse to the child from her own body. When the child needs clothing, shoes or what is necessary for it, again mother see that the child gets the best of care.
Also considered by the good father of the child --- for he provides the necessities for his family. When the child begins to talk and walk again the mother gives of herself in teaching the child when it falls and gets hurt, to whom does it go but to mother. She has all the cures for all the hurts. As the child grows older, she again see that it is kept clean and healthy. If one of the children get sick, and children get many sicknesses in a lifetime, she watches and prays for its recovery. She has many sleepless nights! Again she gives of herself, she takes time out, rocking the sick child to sleep.
My mother would knit stockings for Father and for us children too, also mittens for winter use, from woolen yarn that father got from the sheep he raised for that purpose.
When we were old enough to understand it was mostly mother who gave of her time. She would have us kneel at her feet to learn our prayers and teach us religion at bedtime.
My Dear Father --- it was his task to provide for his family. He worked from daylight until dark to do this. I thank him for the bottom of my heart for his love for his family’s welfare I wish to thank both my father and mother, and the good Lord for having given me such good and loving parents. If I had parents like some today --- to deprive me of my birth right, I would not have been here to tell it. (Information I refer to --- An old saying is: All that I am or ever will be I owe to my Dear Mother.)
THE SCHOCK FAMILY TREE **
Compliments of EDWARD D. SCHOCK
JULY 1970
[Edited by J.H. McCoy, 2020]
** Editor’s note: I have modernized some of the spelling and punctuation and divided the text into short paragraphs to make it easier to read. I have kept the author's abbreviations and other idiosyncrasies in order to preserve his “voice” and style.
I eliminated minor parts of the text that were unclear and used brackets where I felt it was necessary to add words [--]. Overall, I tried to keep my editing to a minimum.
2000s
*****
