What is a presser? COMPLETED

[mazi]

I am wondering about the canned meats industry, did they perhaps press the cans on-site so to speak, they must have had to seal the contents in at least.

mike

[1pds]

Wiki suggests that meats require "pressure canning".  See this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_preservation#Canning_and_bottling

[1pds]

I've just been Googling "meat pressure canning" and variants including "industrial scale" etc. and it would seem that pressing meat is an integral part of meat canning.  So I assume that your relative could have indeed been a presser in a meat processing business.   

[Genealiza]

Not knowing what city we're dealing with, most people during that time probably lived within walking distance of their work.  Have you looked at those who live around him to see what business they worked in? It would show whether there was a slaughter house/meat packer, print shop, or tailor in the area.

[shellyesq]

Depending on where the person lived, there may be a city directory that gives his occupation and/or the address where he worked. 

[mjn]

Thanks everyone for your help. You've given me lots of avenues to explore. I think the most likely job was working on meat production as all the other records I can find list his occupation as a butcher/cattle dealer/farmer.
mjn