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The Montz Family of Louisiana 1721 - Present |
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by Monty Montz |
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Page 39 |
OCCUPATIONS, MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
PAST ANCESTRY:
FUTURE GENERATIONS OF THE MONTZ FAMILIES MAY WONDER WHAT
types of occupations were held by their great-great grandfathers, and what type of
up-bringing did they have. These following accounts may help answer some of the questions.
THE OCCUPATIONS OF LONG AGO CANNOT COMPARE WITH THOSE OF today, especially those which existed along the
Mississippi River in most farming communities. From the inspections of the census records which recorded
occupations as well as names and ages of children living within a household, many occupations were
derived. One such listing included the name of a head of a Montz household whose occupation was a
"cooper." This person was a maker of barrel hoops or staves for cylindrical wooden containers.
MANY OCCUPATIONS INCLUDED FARMERS, BLACKSMITHS, CLERKS, common laborers, and other occupations. Many worked
for themselves growing vegetables. A few individuals held prominent occupations in medicine, architecture,
and construction. But the great majority of earlier occupations were more or less common in their
method of making a living for their families. Most families were humble simple folk with little education,
Some individuals operated small schools at their home while others were listed as common laborers.
SINCE NEW ORLEANS WAS THE LARGEST CITY NEAREST THE GERMAN
Coast where the original descendents settled, it is interesting to look at the City Directory for 1894,
which listed the name and occupation. The earliest recording prior to this date showed a man by the name
of Montz (Paul F.) who lived in New Orleans and was a grocer. Other census recordings are listed as follows:
| 1895 | |
| Eugene Montz | a laborer on the railroad |
| John Montz | retired |
| Paul Montz, Jr. | retired |
| Raoul Montz | retired |
| Sidney Montz | retired |