Levi Frey

Levi Frey was a Mennonite blacksmith who received special training in Cleveland, Ohio. For some time he did blacksmithing for construction workers in Northern Ontario, later operating a shop of his own in Hawkesville.

History remembers him not as a blacksmith but for his unique lifestyle as an Old Order Mennonite, a group that has remained very conservative in its association with the changing life of the twentieth Century.

He had the courage to frequently leave the closely-knit church society to increase his personal knowledge in a wider world, but he always returned to his home group where he became a highly esteemed layman who, because of his knowledge and wisdom, was consulted on many subjects by his fellow churchmen.

Frey had the distinction of being visited by the Queen’s representative in Canada, Sir Archibald Nye, and Lady Nye, who were very much impressed by the knowledge and personality of this distinguished member of the Old Order Mennonites