Any idea what 19th century occupation of "Traveler" was?

Question

I am researching my family history. An ancestor in Chicago in the late 19th century is listed with the occupation of "traveler". It appears to be different from "traveling salesman" (there are other people with that occupation listed), so I'm not sure what it could be. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

The most common usage I know of is a person who is a peddler - one who takes goods, on a wagon at that date and goes from house to house (or farm to farm or village to village) and sells and buys goods. Thus he is not a salesman taking orders, he is a traveling goods store - like Hakim in the musical Oklahoma.

Answer 2

Mike gave you a really good answer, I found this for you, the list below is taken from the web site posted.
http://rmhh.co.uk/occup/index.html
Tranqueter Made barrel hoops
Tranter Peddler, often hiring himself out with his horse and cart
Trapper Opened and shut doors for miners
Traveller 1) A Gypsy 2) Travelling salesman
Travers Toll bridge collector
Treen Maker Made wooden domestic goods
Treenail Maker Made "treenails" - long wooden pins used in shipbuilding
Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Or someone who travelled seeking whatever work was available. In Britain there were many "Day Labourers" who were employed by the day as & when needed. Many of these would travel the area according to where the labour was required

Answer 4

Could have been a peddler or a vagabond or a gypsy.