A to Z Challenge 2020 - B

The Blogging from A to Z Challenge is to post everyday (except Sunday) in the month of April 2020 starting with the letter A and going all the way to Z. My theme is...
Ancestor Occupations 

BRASS FINISHER

My great grandfather Alexander Mavor worked as a Brass Finisher for the Grand Trunk Railroad. The first mention of him in this trade is on his marriage record in 1889. A Brass Finisher’s work is very precise.

Choice of Pursuits 1890 pg.44

I found a Brass Finisher's wages mentioned in the Report of the Royal Commission on the Relations of Capital and Labor in Canada. (Quebec Part II 1889). A Brass Finisher earned about $2-5 a week, paid every other week.

 Report on Labour in Canada - Quebec 1889, pg 1423, mark 690

It states that "Very few in that line come to Montreal from abroad or the rural districts" and that is exactly what Alexander did, coming to the city from a farm in the Eastern Townships! 

On the 1901 census of Canada he stated he worked the 12 months and earned about $600 for the year.

I imagine it was not an especially healthy work environment, as Alexander died in 1924 at the age of 60.

Sherbrooke Daily Record 31 mar 1924, pg.2