Occupations Part 1: Conrads

It being Labor Day, I thought I would write a post about the occupations of my direct ancestors. I quickly realized it would become very long, and so have broken it down into my four main lines which I will post during this week. First, the Conrads. Here is the line, starting with my grandfather and working back.

• Edward Charles Conrad (1905-1981): hosiery worker, merchant
• Nicholas Conrad (1867-1942): warper
• Nicholas Conrad (c1824-1874): box maker, barrel dealer, cooper

Hosiery Mill Workers, Philadelphia, c.1937-1938. Wikimedia Commons.

My grandfather, Edward Conrad, like many of his neighbors in Kensington, worked in the hosiery mills after leaving school. In the 1930 census, he was listed as a knitter and in his 1940 World War II draft card he indicated his employer was International Hosiery at 1200 E. Venango Street in Philadelphia. He later owned his own business at the  corner of H & Ontario Streets. He closed the business before I can remember, but I know he sold ice cream among other things.     

Warper at his machine, Newton, NC, 1908. Wikimedia Commons.

My great-grandfather, Nicholas Conrad (1867-1942), was a warper at the hosiery mills. This is the only occupation I ever saw listed for him. He worked in the mills at least from age thirteen in 1880 to his death in 1942 at the age of 75. My father told me he was very thrifty, and would walk to work rather than pay a nickel to ride the streetcar.     

Barrel Maker in the 1850's-1860's. Wikimedia Commons

My great-great grandfather, Nicholas Conrad (c1824-1874), likely immigrated in the early 1850's. I have not found him in the 1850 census, and he was married in Philadelphia in 1853. This means I only have 2 census records for him. In 1860 he was listed as a box maker and in 1870 as a barrel dealer. His 1874 death certificate records his occupation as cooper, which is someone who makes barrels and similar containers.