Unusual occupations in 1938

Occupations make for an interesting conversation. If you are talking to a proud parent, you may hear of what occupation their son or daughter has chosen in life. It seems that was quite a thing in most old movies, as the mother bragged about her son “the doctor,” or her daughter married to “the doctor!”

I love to read about occupations of the olden days. The careers may seem to shift as time goes by. In the very old days, a doctor did not make much money. Folks had a tendency to pay the poor doctor with vegetables, poultry, beef or pork. Money was always a hard commodity to obtain. But a doctor carried quite a bit of respect in the town.

In an old 1928 City Directory, occupations were listed with names. I enjoy going through and imagining what some occupations would involve. So I thought I might share a few that I have found.

Of course, we had the well known occupations, such as miner, millworker, salesman, factory worker, carpenter, grocer, teacher, barber, truck driver, housekeeper, lineman, clerk, farmer, dressmaker, bookkeeper, shoemaker, plumber, driller, butcher and baker (no candlestick maker)!

We had at least one blacksmith, painter, tailor, photographer, milliner, lawyer, iceman, bottler, banker, candy maker (confectioner), coalman, cleaner, mechanic, ice cream maker,  laundryman, dairyman, musician, electrician, beautician, watchman, stockman, mail carrier, janitor, printer, policeman and fireman.

We had a house mover, Joseph H. Farthing, of 816 W. Third St. Did he move actual houses from one location to another? Or did he move stuff in a house? And how many houses would need to be moved in a year? Transfer and storage were popular occupations, we had seven such firms in 1928.

Above, I mentioned a confectionery, and that would have to be on my list of fun occupations – right along with ice cream maker. Making candy were F.M. Wood, 110 W. Daugherty St.; William Fahrman, 107 E. Daugherty St., and Jim Mallos, 12 S. Main St. Leonard Purkhiser, at 209 N. Main St., served ice cream.

Not too many listed their occupation as truant officer. G.E. Breedlove, who lived at 224 S. Tom St., was one. I would say his job took him out in the fresh air. And I would assume that he was well known and avoided by some young students.

A very unusual occupation was that of a vulcanizer, at 116 E. Daugherty St. They used chemicals to make rubber more durable.

Moving pictures was listed as an occupation. I am sure this meant they worked with moving pictures at a theater – not that they were stars in the moving pictures. That seems like another fun occupation.

Mrs. Grace Sternaman was the manager of the Western Union at 124 N. Webb St. That sounds as interesting as being a telephone operator. They knew everyone in town.

John Vest Jr. was listed as a swimming instructor. I wonder if he worked at the Y.M.C.A. swimming pool – Not to be confused with Les Ulmer who was a pool (billiards) instructor at 318 S. Hall St. in 1928.

William Teague and Robert P. Hamilton were listed as cemetery sextons. Not too many listed under that title. We only had two cemeteries.

Even back in 1928, E.E. Spracklen and Harlen Hampsten were listed as photographers. Those are names that made it to a time that most of us were around.

A drayman is not an occupation we hear about too much today. A man who drove a dray (wagon without sides) pulled by horses or mules. Alva Golden had that occupation in 1928. A taxicab driver is often thought of driving a car but there were even taxicab drivers who drove a buggy or wagon pulled by horses.

I am not trying to imply one occupation is better than another. I am merely pointing out some of the job descriptions that no longer exist or have had quite a change over the years. We don’t find a need for too many streetcar repairmen, but they do still exist. I love to find businesses that are continuing an old time production that would have become extinct if not for an energetic person reviving an old trade. Companies that make old tin ceiling tiles, or bind a book using old equipment. Those are occupations that hold a special place in time. Maybe one of your relatives had an unusual occupation like mine… moonshiner. You don’t see a call for that occupation too much.