The occupation of Iceman was common from the late 19th century to mid 20th
century. Many icemen in the Northeastern US had origins in Southern Italy. In 
cities and towns icemen would normally make daily rounds delivering ice for
iceboxes before the electric domestic refrigerator became commonplace.

The profession of ice delivery lives on through Amish communities, where ice 
is commonly delivered by truck and used to cool food and other perishables.

Ice tongs, a vital tool of the trade