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Emmanuel Campbell Gilker (1860 - 1932)Emmanuel Campbell Gilker trained and worked as a blacksmith. He lived most of his life in Dimock Creek. On the 13th of August 1888 Emmanuel Campbell Gilker married Robina Catherine Robertson (1862 - 1948) in the New Richmond Presbyterian Church. They had six children, three daughters (Elizabeth Amelia, Ethel Marjory, and Ida May) and three sons (Alexander Stephen, William Wilson, and George Wave Byers). Of these three sons, two trained and worked as blacksmiths during their lives. Warren, Emmanuel Campbell Gilker's grandson, had many fond memories of his grandfather. Although his grandfather died when he was only 9 or 10 years old he treasured and cherished every memory of Emmanuel Campbell Gilker he possessed. Emmanuel Campbell helped to train and teach his young grandson in the smithy – he loved and spoiled his grandchildren.
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The Ferry across the river at Dimock Creek.1930
Dimock Creek, Quebec, Canada
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This is a photograph of the river ferry at Dimock Creek.4
Photo of the Gilkers' blacksmith shop1920
Grand Cascapedia, Quebec, Canada
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Alexander Stephen Gilker (1894 - 1977)Alexander Stephen Gilker, known as Sandy for most of his life, trained to be a blacksmith along side his brother under his father, Emmanuel Campbell Gilker in Dimock Creek. He settled in Grand Cascapedia and built his own forge. He married Annie McColm (1899 - 1960) and they had four children, three daughters and one son, Warren Wilson Gilker.
Sandy was a charming, hard working, and dedicated man. He was a skilled blacksmith and carpenter. He spent most of his career as a blacksmith making horseshoes and shodding horses. J. A. (Bud) Campbell can recall when he was a child (during the early 1930's) that "people used to bring their horses from miles around and he (Sandy) would shoe them. I can remember when I was a boy sitting on a block of wood watching him do it." Bud Campbell can remember that the blacksmith shop was always busy – there were always people sitting around the smithy chatting and swapping stories while their horses were being shoed. He can also recall that the town bulletins were plastered on the walls of the shop.
The picture to the left is the blacksmith shop Sandy Gilker built.
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An assortment of horseshoes.1930
Grand Cascapedia, Quebec, Canada
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Many of these horseshoes which still hang on a rack in the blacksmith shop were probably made by Sandy Gilker.8
Logging on the Grand Cascapedia River (Sandy Gilker appears on the far right)1918
Grand Cascapedia River, Quebec, Canada
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This photograph was taken in 1918 during a log drive on the Grand Cascapedia River. Sandy Gilker is the figure on the far right.10
Alexander Stephen (Sandy) Gilker and his wife, Margaret Annie McColm1945
Grand Cascapedia, Quebec, Canada
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This is a photograph of Alexander Stephen (Sandy) Gilker and his wife Annie McColm.12
Warren Wilson Gilker (1922 - 1998)Warren Wilson Gilker trained to become a blacksmith under his father and grandfather. He shod his first horse when he was only 15 years old. Warren worked at Jimmy Young's Mill for 18 years after which he found work as a guardian on the Grand Cascapedia River. In 1957 he worked at Camp Chaleur. He was extremely active on the River and believed very strongly in conservation. Between 1964 and 1969 he was Head Warden of the Riparian Association. In 1968 he was asked by Mr. Englehard to Manage Camp Chaleur (Lorne Cottage) and he held that position until his retirement in 1993. During his time at Camp Chaleur he established the first smoke house on the river. Warren Wilson Gilker's efforts and contributions to the Grand Cascapedia River were recognised in 1988 when he and J. A. Campbell were jointly presented with the T. B. (Happy) Fraser Award by the Atlantic Salmon Federation.
Although Warren did not make his living by his ancestral trade he continued to hone his skills in the forge throughout his life. He was an artist at heart and an extremely skilled craftsman. He inherited his father's blacksmith shop and continued to work in it as a hobby and side business. During Warren's life, the traditional role of the blacksmith in the small coastal communities was waning; horses were being replaced with automotive machinery. He thus turned his skills at the forge to making other products, and works of art.
Warren worked hours and hours in his blacksmith shop and his work has been sold all over the world. He made countless weather vanes, many of which can be found adorning houses throughout the Gaspe Coast, many were sent to the United States, but several may be found in more exotic locations (his wife, Evelyn Ruth McClellan, recalls that one was shipped to South Africa). Warren also made countless unique andirons for fireplaces, again many of which were sold internationally (Mrs. Gilker remembers that they shipped an order to Switzerland). Warren developed custom orders for any of his customers who wished for a particular design – he loved the challenge. He probably made many contacts while working at Lorne Cottage and many of his international custom orders were probably made for different guests over the years. He made numerous other things – such as the unique hinges and latch on the Lorne Cottage Ice House on the Grand Cascapedia River, the railing on J. A. Campbell's front door step, etc. Warren also enjoyed carving wood, and he did a number of unique statuettes, plaques, and salmon sculptures. Indeed his salmon sculptures have become highly prized collector's items.
Warren loved Cascapedia; he loved the community, the river, and the people. He was always very active in the community. He played a leadership role in developing and conserving the Grand Cascapedia River, which remains one of the most important sources of employment in the area. He was also actively involved with the Masonic Lodge. J. A. Campbell, a life long friend of Warren Gilker, states that whenever the community gathered, whatever the event, Warren was always front and centre helping out.
Warren Gilker had a love of nature. He would spend hours driving or walking in the area, and he learned a great deal about the plants and animals which inhabit the region.
Warren Gilker worked in his blacksmith shop until he died in 1998. He was dedicated to his trade and craft until the end.
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A family photograph of Warren Gilker and his three sisters1938
Grand Cascapedia, Quebec, Canada
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This is a picture of Warren Gilker and his three sisters. |
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