ANDERSON, Abner Leslie 1886 - 1947

ANDERSON, JOHNSON, MCFARLAND, SHAW, TRAIL

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/25/2021 at 20:22:46

"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Monday, December 1, 1947
Front Page, Column 4, continued on Page 7, Column 6

A. L. ANDERSON, VETERAN FIRE FIGHTER, DIES

Abner L. ANDERSON, 61, assistant fire chief and co-founder of the Fairfield firm, Heston and Anderson, died suddenly of a heart attack yesterday at his home, 705 Kirkwood street.

His death came at 11:45 while Mr. ANDERSON was preparing to serve as a pallbearer at the Fred Little funeral yesterday afternoon. He toppled over in his home as he was preparing to eat his dinner.

A doctor and the coroner were summoned, but Mr. ANDERSON was dead when they arrived. Coroner Jack Raymond said there would be no inquest.

Last rites will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Hoskins funeral home with Dr. E. A. Piper and Rev. S. P. Williamson in charge. Burial will be in Evergreen cemetery. Members of the fire department will serve as pallbearers.

"Ab," or Abner, as his host of friends knew him, had served the city of Fairfield for 33 years as a member of the Fairfield fire department. He first joined in 1911 when the company was still active in the New Chicago area. There were two companies in Fairfield at that time.

When the city purchased the first truck in 1916, the company in New Chicago was disbanded, and Mr. ANDERSON then joined the Ellis Hose company in 1919 and had been a member since. He was named assistant fire chief in 1936. He held a long and faithful record and his loss will be keenly felt by other members of the fire department.

Mr. ANDERSON was also well known in Fairfield business circles. He and his co-partner, the late L. R. Heston, founded the plant bearing their names in 1921. The Heston and Anderson firm had started from a humble beginning, but it grew rapidly until it became one of the major industries in Fairfield. The firm moved to its present location in 1929 after outgrowing two other locations in eight years.

He was an expert pattern and tool maker, and invented the several band saws and pieces of woodworking machinery manufactured by the Heston and Anderson firm. Shortly after Mr. Heston passed away suddenly in June, 1944, Mr. ANDERSON sold the plant to the St. Paul Foundry and Manufacturing company, but he remained with the firm as development engineer. He was active in his work until his death.

A veteran of World War I, he was a member of the American Legion Post. Mr. ANDERSON was also a member of the Lutheran church, the Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen and a life member of the Walton club.

Abner Leslie ANDERSON was born August 10, 1886, in Fairfield, the son of the late Andrew and Justina ANDERSON ANDERSON (sic - her maiden name was JOHNSON, not ANDERSON). He spent his entire life in this community.

He was married June 29, 1922, to Lizzie McFARLAND, who survives. He is also survived by the following brothers and sisters, Mrs. Anna SHAW, Harlan, Otis, and Mrs. Esther TRAIL, all of Fairfield.

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"The Fairfield (Ia.) Daily Ledger"
Thursday, December 4, 1947
Page FOUR, Column 4

Firemen From Several Communities Attend ANDERSON Services

Firemen from several nearby communities were among the hundreds of persons who attended the last rites yesterday afternoon for Abner L. ANDERSON, veteran Fairfield fireman who died suddenly at his home last Sunday.

Visiting firemen included the following from Ottumwa: H. W. McClure, chief; John Burke, assistant chief; George Krafka, captain; H. I. Cutworth, captain; Tom Williamson, fire inspector; Garvin Soots, Paul Dennis, Hubert Smith, Elmer Carr, Earl Proctor and E. R. Kirkland, retired firemen.

Those from Burlington included Chief Middleman and Captain Loyd Larson.

Six members of the Fairfield fire department served as pallbearers, and the others along with the auxiliary and visiting firemen, served as honorary pallbearers.

Military services were held at the cemetery for Mr. ANDERSON, a veteran of World War I and member of the local American Legion Post. They included the military rifle salute by members of the Service Company, National Guard, and taps (sic - Taps).

The floral offering at the Hoskins funeral home was one of the largest seen in Fairfield for some time. One piece depicted a ladder with 11 rungs, one of them broken, sent by the local fire department. The broken rung symbolized the loss of one of the 11 members.

As the funeral procession passed the fire station, those members of the department that were not pallbearers, and auxiliary firemen, stood at attention by one of the trucks.

Mr. ANDERSON, co-founder of the Heston and Anderson factory in 1921, had been a member of the fire department for 33 years, and had served as assistant chief since 1936.

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"The Fairfield (Ia.) Daily Ledger
Monday, December 8, 1947
Page TWO, Column 4

CARD OF THANKS

Our heartfelt thanks to all who extended comforting sympathy and help in our recent sorrow. For the beautiful service, floral offerings and other kindnesses, we are deeply grateful.

Mrs. Abner ANDERSON
Mr. and Mrs. Harlan ANDERSON
Mr. and Mrs. James SHAW
Mr. and Mrs. Otis ANDERSON
Mr. and Mrs. W. L. TRAIL

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(Note: The paragraph below accompanies the photo at the end.)

"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Monday, December 1, 1947
Front Page, Column 3

ABNER L. ANDERSON, 61, Fairfield's assistant fire chief who died suddenly of a heart attack at his home yesterday, was a veteran fireman with 33 years experience. He joined the company in New Chicago in 1911. After that company was disbanded in 1916, he joined the present fire department in 1919, and was named assistant chief in 1936. He and his co-partner, the late L. R. Heston, founded the firm, Heston and Anderson, in 1921.

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot 3rd.060 at Evergreen Cemetery with wife Lizzie, who died in 1964.

Jefferson Obituaries maintained by Joey Stark.
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