GAINES, Louis Oliver 1867 - 1949

GAINES, MORGAN, HUYETT, LAMSON

Posted By: Richard K Thompson (email)
Date: 10/8/2010 at 20:39:22

Fairfield Daily Ledger
Monday June 27, 1949
Pg. 1 & Pg.4

DEATH CLAIMS PIONEER CITY INDUSTRIALIST

L. O. GAINES, pioneer in Fairfield industrial history and well known in the washing machine industry for nearly a half century, passed away at his home, 608 S. Main street, early this morning. His death came at 3 a.m.

He had been in failing health the past four years and seriously ill for the past few months.

Last rites will be Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the Presbyterian church. Burial will be in Evergreen cemetery.

Mr. GAINES was born in Fairfield in 1867 and was 82 years of age last May. He was the oldest son of Richard and Margaret MORGAN GAINES, and was educated in the Fairfield schools and the Elliott Business college at Burlington.

In September, 1890, he was united in marriage to Stella HUYETT of St. Joseph, Missouri, who is a granddaughter of the late Ward L. LAMSON.

Mr. GAINES started his business career in the J. C. Thorne dry goods store in Fairfield. In 1892 he and his brother, Frank D. GAINES, purchased their father's interest in the hardware business which at that time was located on the west side of the square in the room now occupied by the Purity cafe.

A few years later, because of the growth of their business, they purchased and moved to the building where Gobble's Store for Men is located. It was in the tin shop over the store where Mr. GAINES started his experiments in building washing machines.

Through business channels he learned the Dexter Washing Machine company at Dexter, Iowa, could be purchased. Through the association of R. Day Hunt, Henry Alston, Elmer A. Howard and Fred Hunt, arrangements were made to purchase the washing machine firm and move it to Fairfield.

In July, 1911, and under the supervision of Mr. GAINES, the erection of the first washing machine factory building began in Fairfield. It is now the site of the present Dexter company office building.

In the organization of the new company, he was elected the first president and continued in that capacity, and as a member of the board of directors, until 1948.

Mr. GAINES was a member of the Congregational church and was a charter member of the Fairfield Country club and Walton club, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and for over 60 years he was a member of the Knights of Pythias. He also served as a member of the board of trustees of Parsons college for 13 years.

Among his other business interests was the buying and selling of farms. Turning a farm into a modern, profit-paying project was one of his most enjoyable hobbies.

The local industrialist was the last of a family of four sons, Frank D., Rollin and Fred.

He is survived by his wife, Stella HUYETT GAINES; two sons, Huyett H. of Palos Verdes Estates, California; and Louis E., 505 E. Burlington street, Fairfield; and four grandchildren, Carol Ann and Huyett, Jr., and Janyce Elaine and Barbara Lou. The body is at the Monger funeral home.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes. I am not related to the person(s) mentioned.

[Note: The photo at the bottom of this posting ran with the above column, and was added by the Admin.]

============================

Added by Admin, June 2022 --

"The Fairfield (Ia.) Daily Ledger"
Tuesday, June 28, 1949
Page Five, Column 1

Dexter To Close In Tribute To GAINES

Tom Hunt, president of the Dexter Washing Machine Co., announced today that the plant will close tomorrow in tribute to the late L. O. GAINES, early leader of the comany who passed away yesterday.

The Dexter foundry, factory and all departments are included in the shut-down. Work will be resumed on normal schedule Thursday morning.

Funeral services for Mr. GAINES will be held tomorrow at 4 p.m. at the Prestyberian church. Mr. GAINES served as first president of the Dexter company and took an active part in company affairs until 1948.

~~~~
Admin entry copied with permission from The Fairfield Ledger, Inc. IAGenWeb Bylaws PROHIBIT the COPYING AND RE-POSTING OF THIS MATERIAL IN ANY PUBLIC VENUE such as Ancestry or Find A Grave without WRITTEN permission from the submitter ~ copyright restrictions apply.
*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

RKT note: Buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Fairfield, Iowa. 4th.009

Jefferson Obituaries maintained by Joey Stark.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen