HUGHES, Walter Vincent 1881 - 1945

HUGHES, HALL, MANATREY

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 10/8/2011 at 20:56:38

"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Tuesday, March 13, 1945
Page 1, Columns 4 & 5

WALTER HUGHES DIED SUDDENLY EARLY TODAY

Walter V. HUGHES, president of the Iowa Malleable Iron Co., died at his home, 707 East Burlington street, at 3:00 oclock this morning. A heart attack was the cause of his death. He had been in his usual health when he retired last night. A physician was summoned when his wife found that he had suffered the attack but death followed within a few minutes after the physician arrived.

For forty years Mr. HUGHES had been a moving force in the business and civic life of Fairfield. He was regarded by many as Fairfield's "first citizen." His interests had been as varied as the community needs which has presented themselves over the period in which he had been a citizen.

He was born in Columbus Junction on April 2, 1881, the son of William and Frances HALL HUGHES. After the completion of the public schools in that town he came to Batavia college and was graduated with the class of 1904. For a year after his graduation he was a railroad auditor. In 1905 he returned to Fairfield and became auditor for the Malleable Iron Co. In 1910 he was elected assistant secretary of the firm. In 1916 he became secretary-treasurer and in 1917 he was made general manager, a position he held until the time of his death. Following the death of the late R. B. Louden, in 1940 (note: Louden died in Nov. 1939), Mr. HUGHES was named president of the company.

His interest in the manufacturing industries of the city had been avid. He was the first president of the Streator Productions Co. He was also a director of the Dexter Co. from 1919 to 1939 and also of the Iowa State Bank and Trust Co. during those yars. He resigned from several of his directorships in 1930 when the state of his health made it necessary for him to give up some of his responsibilities. He also became president of the Everstick Anchor Company, a subsidiary of the Malleable Iron Company, when that concern was moved to Fairfield in 1932.

He had been a member of the Iowa Manufacturers Assn. and served that organization as director for several terms and was president from 1937 to 1939. He was also active in the affairs of the National Association of Manufacturers and several other organizations within the fields in which his businesses operated. He had also been a trustee of Parsons college for twenty-five years and had been one of the most active participants in the affairs of the college during his terms of service.

He was the first president of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce and had continued to take an active interest in the work of that organization. He was a charter member and past president of the Rotary club, and had served several terms as trustee of the Presbyterian church. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a Past Exalted Ruler of the Elks club. The later organization had planned to honor him next Thursday night by presenting him a gold lifetime membership card in appreciation for the service he had given that organization during his lifetime.

Even though he was forced several years ago to give up some of the business responsibilities he had never declined to undertake community tasks which were presented to him. Only yesterday it was announced that he had consented to head the payroll allotment division for the county ____ ____ program. (Microfilm is faded and scratched) His acceptance of this task was indicative of his character; he always wanted to do his part in any sort of endeavor for his community and his fellowmen.

He was married to Bonnie MANATREY on December 3, 1910. His wife survives him. His parents and a brother and sister preceded him in death.

He and Mrs. HUGHES had always been active in the social life of the city and their home was the center of the most gracious hospitality which was shared by a host of friends both in Fairfield and throughout the state.

Funeral services were held at the Presbyterian church on Thursday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. with the Rev. C. R. Douglass in charge.

The family has requested that there be no flowers at the last services.

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

Note: Walter and wife Bonnie (who died in 1960) are buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Fairfield, in Lot Old.P.334.