Tradesmen and Craftsmen

by Stefan Schmied
Translated by Gerald "Jerry" Thomas Boyle

     From numerous records, we know that tradesmen were settlers along with the farmers. They found that their jobs were needed only if they were able to provide crafts to the farmers. Wood and metal craftsmen were needed. Baking, spinning, and weaving were done in the homes; to have barmen and butchers was basically a privilege. So we can say, that the number of trades people in the towns was never significant.

      After the introduction of a trade license, the number of tradesmen increased quickly. Blacksmiths, carpenters, wagon makers, barrel-makers, shoemakers, etc. were no longer in the position of making a living from trade alone. They were forced to farm their own land or vineyard, or to augment their income by harvesting for others.

      There is a record of eight families in the town who were tradesmen in 1828. Unfortunately, there is no record on which trade they worked. Before the Second World War, the following trades and businesses were in Scheindorf: 2 shoemakers, 2 carpenters, 3 blacksmiths, 1 wagon and barrel-maker, 1 mill, 1 inn, 2 butchers, 3 general stores, and 2 threshing machine-men.