#52Ancestors, Week 36: Working a Trade

Once again, I have fallen behind.  Who would have thought the start of the school year would have set me back?! 😏  For the week of Labor Day, our challenge was to consider those who worked in the trades.  Honestly, I wasn't sure what all that encompassed, so I went to everyone's best friend - Google. "A skilled trade is any occupation that requires a particular skill set, knowledge, or ability. It is usually a hands-on job."  Based on this definition, I would argue most men of older generations would be considered tradesmen.  For this post, I thought I would focus on 3 generations of men all born in the 1800s: Thomas J. Green, George William Pearson, and Horace Irwin Pearson.  These men were all related to each other, but their trades were very different.  

Thomas J. Green (1827-1898) was a blacksmith.  Knowing this helped me to follow him through 2 marriages and identify him in Civil War records.  The 1860 census was the first documentation I found that indicated Thomas was a blacksmith. Interestingly, "by 1860, the United States census recorded 7,504 blacksmith workshops and 15,720 workers employed within them. It also listed blacksmithing as the fourth most popular trade after lumber milling, flour milling, and shoemaking."  Thomas had chosen a popular profession. Blacksmithing was particularly important in the mid-1800s because blacksmiths produced nails (at the breakneck speed of approximately one per minute).  Unlike today's commercially produced nails, these nails were quite expensive.

Thomas utilized his trade during his time in the Civil War where he served as a blacksmith in the 11th Illinois Infantry.  Unfortunately, his Civil War pension file seems to indicate Thomas suffered damage to his eyes as a result of his trade.  An acquaintance of his, William Richardson, related the following: "[Thomas's] eyes looked weak and red.  He was shoeing horses and mules for the train...they discharged him from the train because he could not see to work...He always had shoeing...after night."  Described as a strong, healthy man before his enlistment, working long hours around a hot fire late into the night eventually took its toll. His first wife, Ann Echols, recounted that he returned from the war a changed man, and this is what ultimately lead to their divorce in 1869.

After his divorce from Ann and marriage to Harriet Youngblood, Thomas still listed himself as a blacksmith on the 1870 and 1880 censuses.  If I had to guess, I would say he shod horses and worked on plows and other farming implements in rural Union County, Illinois. I don't know what effect his war-time injuries had on his ability to earn a living.  I only know that, in 1879, he applied for a pension on the grounds of disability, and that pension was eventually granted.  (It might also be worth mentioning that, by this time, industrialization and mechanization had caused a fall-off in the popularity of the blacksmith trade.)

Thomas's son-in-law, George William Pearson (1858-1927), worked on the railroad. The railroad was a popular trade in George's area due to the Illinois Central railroad that ran from Chicago to Cairo, Illinois.  The trade seemed to be ever-evolving.  With every census, George was employed by the railroad, but the job description was always different.  In 1900, he was simply listed as a railroad laborer.  Perhaps he started out building railroads and worked his way up to a more specialized position?  By 1910, he was a loan inspector of railroad goods.  In 1920, he was a car repairer on the railroad.  This is also the occupation listed in the Deaths and Stillbirths Index.  Regardless of the position, "I've Been Working on the Railroad" would have been an appropriate song for George.  Unfortunately, it is likely his line of work led to his youngest son's accident in 1903. 

George's son, Horace Irwin Pearson (1894-1941), lost both his legs in a railroad accident. There is no way of knowing exactly what transpired, but the accident happened near Mounds where George was employed by the Illinois Central railroad.  It seems reasonable to assume Horace was on the way to visit his father.  Whether or not this was the case, Horace probably would have felt comfortable around the railroad, and perhaps this false sense of security led to his tumble from the freight train.

What trade is available to a double-amputee?  Door-to-door salesman doesn't immediately come to mind, but that is how Horace ended up supporting himself. Some might argue that a door-to-door salesman doesn't qualify as a tradesman.  What training do you need?  Is it really necessary to have knowledge or ability?  Perhaps you don't need training, but I would argue the other two are necessary.  Horace would have needed knowledge of his products and also knowledge of his clientele.  As far as ability, he had to be able to convince people they needed his products if he hoped to make a sale.

In 1910, Horace was still living at home with no listed occupation.  I have been unable to locate a 1920 census for him, but I am hopeful that I will eventually be able to make a positive identification by matching him to his line of work.  In 1930, Horace is listed as a canvasser of notions.  A quick search of 'notions' suggests he might have been selling tools necessary for sewing.  By the time of his death in 1941, an article concerning his demise said he sold pencils, shoe strings, and other miscellaneous items, and that he got around by using a platform mounted on roller skates.

From blacksmithing to railroads to selling items door-to-door, these men plied a trade in order to support themselves/their families - an admirable trait at any point in history.

Sources:

1. "The Life of a Blacksmith in the 1800s," Working the Flame, workingtheflame.com/blacksmith-life-1800s/. Accessed 10 Sep. 2023.

2. "Illinois Central Railroad," SCRC Virtual Museum at Southern Illinois University's Morris Library, scrcexhibits.omeka.net/exhibits/show/sihistory/poststatehood/icrr. Accessed 10 Sep. 2023.