Blacksmiths

It is known that John Hendry was an early blacksmith in the town. He had first operated a blacksmith shop at Gepps Cross, and then at Mt Charles (Charleston) before going into partnership with John Godlee, and they expanded an existing smithy facility into an engineering plant to manufacture agricultural implements and other iron structures for the district. In 1865 he had a section of land that he owned surveyed, and it was named Hendryton. 

From a news article reporting the proceedings of the Mount Pleasant Show in March 1867 it stated....We may mention that in looking over the shop of Mr. J. Hendry, blacksmith and machinist, in Mount Pleasant, we were shown some cast-iron girders, in course of manufacture for a bridge on the main line of road to Mannum, and which are quite equal we are told to anything of the kind made in the colony. They are estimated to carry a weight of 15 tons each.

Mr. Hendry was also making an iron cross-head for the engine of the Mount Pleasant steam mill- a work which by being executed in the township saved the trouble and expense of sending to Adelaide for the same thing. A punching-machine has been made on the premises, and is quite equal in the work it performs to an imported one punching three-quarter inch holes through half inch iron. At present it is worked by horse power, but it is the intention of the proprietor to shortly substitute an engine. There are constantly employed at this Shop about 14 hands, and the business in reaping-machines and other agricultural implements is very extensive. Besides Mr. Hendry's establishment in this line, Mr. G. Popel does a  good trade, keeping seven workmen in employ in the blacksmithing business.