A Cordwainer is someone who makes shoes. The distinction is that a Cobbler is someone who repairs shoes. Remember the information, as you will be able to impress your friends with that knowledge if you tuck it away, and use it at just the right time. The picture was taken in 1899 at a trade school.
I enjoyed the comments yesterday, especially the ones from people who have jobs where they actually build things. We heard from a carpenter's wife, and from a man who does custom woodwork. We learned that these are tough businesses to be in these days.
Shoe making, like so many things, is pretty much all done overseas now. There is a place near where I live that sill makes custom boots and saddles. Their hand made boots are built to exacting standards, and are made specifically to careful measurements of each of your feet. A pair of these custom boots is highly prized, and people come from all over the world to have a pair made. The company is M. L. Leddy's