Blacksmithing is an ancient occupation. Archaeologists have evidence of smithing happening in Egypt as early as 1350 B.C.E. Blacksmithing is the art of heating metals until it becomes soft enough to bend and shape using tools like hammers, tongs and an anvil. A blacksmith works with iron and steel while a whitesmith work with fine metals like silver, gold or putting a fine finish on steel. Farriers are blacksmiths who shoe horses and other livestock, and wheelwrights are blacksmiths who build wagon wheels and apply iron rims. The local 19th century blacksmith could make or repair just about anything.
Albert E. Hocklin owned his own blacksmith shop and wagon works in Mission Hill township, Yankton, in the late 19th century through the early 20th century. Albert was born in Norway in 1863 and immigrated to the U.S. in 1893. The 1900 U.S. Census tells us that he is 36 years old, single, can read, write, and speak English and is working as a blacksmith. In 1930, he is 65 years old, single, working as a blacksmith and is now a naturalized citizen. This photograph shows Albert’s shop and the man standing in the doorway, though unidentified is likely Albert!