Trades

In this work an important segment of the productive population will be mentioned only casually. These are trades people, carpenters, brick layers, cigar makers, bakers, plumbers, milliners, dressmakers and blacksmiths. Probably the blacksmith, next to the farmer was the most important man in the early community. Canals and railroads provided plenty of work for the blacksmith. In later years farmers used the blacksmiths' skill for all manner of repair work and for shoeing their horses. O.J. Kusche was Weedsport's last blacksmith. Others who conducted business in the area within the last 50 years include James Hopkins, Charles W. Hudson and Charles Vandenburgh. Fred Klumpp was a skilled tinsmith. Lulu Howland was a dressmaker and Etta Rosecrants and milliner. At the present time Everett Hazer and John Whyte are Weedsport's plumbers.