Jefferson County Online A part of the IAGenWeb and USGenWeb Projects Who's Who in Jefferson County, 1931 Lorenzo R. Heston

"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Saturday, July 25, 1931
Front Page

Who's Who In Jefferson County
By Herbert F. McDougal

L. R. HESTON

L. R. Heston once had a hobby. Maybe it's his hobby yet, but it has grown into a nationwide business, and has considerable export trade as well. It began back when he and A. L. Anderson, were employed at Louden's the one as a draftsman and the other as a pattern maker. They decided that they needed some project of their own on which they might perfect their technique. The first thing they made was an iron shaper. In making the patterns for that they needed a band saw, so they devised one out of gas-pipe and washing machine gears. It was such a good saw that a contractor and builder saw it and bought it.

Then they set about seriously to develope (sic) a more artistic one. That was the real beginning of the business, which was established in the basement of Mr. Heston's home. That was in 1921. It grew until it employed three men and produced two thousand saws, and then it was evident that it must have large quarters. Land was leased at Sixth and Depot streets, and a building erected, 30 by 60 feet in size. The business kept on growing and another building the same size arose. It still grew and the third section 30 by 30, followed. These came one a year--1925, 1926, 1927. A year was skipped, and by that time it was evident that larger quarters were needed. The present factory on Kirkwood street was built in 1929. It is of brick, the office part 30 by 70 and the factory 50 by 115. It is modern in every particular, with lots of light and air to provide ideal working conditions.

Mr. Heston was born March 30, 1893 on a farm near cross Lanes. He went to the Cross Lanes school, graduating in 1911. When he had acquired his diploma, he hied himself back to the farm to indulge in agriculture, but the results were not satisfying. He tried a job at the Burlington freight house, but gave that up and almost decided to see where his mistakes in farming had been made. Just then an opening presented itself for him to go to Louden's and learn drafting. That suited him exactly. His pay was $1 a day. That was in 1913 and he remained in the Louden employ until 1924. His stay there, however, was interrupted by the World War, when he went to Camp Mabray, Austin, Texas, in service in the motor repair division.

Mr. Anderson also was in the service, so their projects, which already had got under way, had to be discontinued. When they both got back from service, however, they took up their work again, and since that time have built up the present wide business.

Mr. Heston married Miss Ruth Larson October 10, 1917. They have three children--Emma Lou, John and Mary Jane.

Mr. Heston is a Methodist, a Rotarian, a member of the Forum club, the Chamber of Commerce and the Walton club. He has been a member of the Boy Scout council, and is a director in the Iowa Loan & Trust company, and a trustee of the Methodist church. He has been president both of the Chamber of Commerce and Forum. He is also a member of the school board and a director of the Streator Products company.