Chapter Four:
Ahead of their Time
“Ahead of Their Time” presents unforgettable local history stories… from the Hopewell Native American culture who lived here over 2,000 years ago to the unstoppable spirit of Fairfield’s earliest entrepreneurs, who helped this small midwestern town both survive and thrive.
Using rarely seen pictures and clips and the award-winning narrations of filmmaker Dick DeAngelis, stories include Fairfield’s groundbreaking inventors and entrepreneurs, as well as people who crossed the cultural boundaries of the time.
Behind the Scenes
Take a glimpse behind the scenes of "Ahead of Their Time". See some of our favorite moments researching and filming this movie.
This "teaser trailer" was released six months before the premiere of "Heroes of Fairfield" to promote local interest.
Dr. Rebecca J. Keck (1838–1904)
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19th-century woman physician and patent medicine entrepreneur
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One of the wealthiest independent businesswomen in the Midwest--a self-made millionaire.
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Moved with her parents to Fairfield, Iowa in 1851.
We found one remaining bottle in Iowa that contained an herbal remedy of Fairfielder Mrs. Dr. Keck . We also found her great great granddaughter, author Greta Nettleton.
Rebecca Keck's Husband John Keck.
We found one remaining bottle in Iowa that contained an herbal remedy of Fairfielder Mrs. Dr. Keck . We also found her great great granddaughter, author Greta Nettleton.
Charter Oak Wagon Factory
In 1887, Joel Turney, a blacksmith turned wagon maker from Trenton, Iowa, moved his operations to Fairfield, Iowa. Within a few years, The Charter Oak factory in Fairfield measured nearly 100,000 square feet under roof with a capacity for 6,000 wagons produced each year.
Louden Machine Company
William Louden (1841-1931) was an inventive genius and put his creativity to work with the sole purpose of making farming life a little easier. He devised a hay carrier which moved hay from the wagon into the barn using a system of pulleys that were both strong and lightweight. When he died at age 90, Louden machinery held 118 patents!
It has been said that William Louden did for barns what Cyrus McCormick did for reapers and John Deere did for plows. His rail system patents were applied to industry and during WW1 and were eventually used by factories all over the country.
Historical Contributors
Lawrence Eyre
Bill Green
Dale Essick
Dave Metz
Dorothy Gilbert
David McCoid
David Sneed
Greta Nettleton
John Doershuk
Lance Foster
Larry Nash
Leo Landis
Mark Shafer
Pat White
Pete Nelson
Peter Saltzman
Roland Peaslee
Steve Weeber
Tina Turney-Thomann
Tom Louden
Partners
Grants
Sponsors
Fairfield Media Center
Fairfield Public Library
Carnegie Historical Museum
Edison Tech Center
University of Iowa
Hay Trolley Heaven
Midwest Old Threshers Heritage Museums
Neal Cunningham and Central Park Furnishings
Everybody's Whole Foods
Cafe Paradiso
John & Kirstin DeAngelis
Bob Ferguson
Steve and Sally Johnston
Martha Rasmussen
The Sterling Foundation
Fairfield Iowa Convention & Visitors Bureau
Edith Jordan
Pat and Barb McMahon
Larry Nash
Fred Reiter
Charles and Karen Ruby
Greater Jefferson County Foundation
City of Fairfield - LOST Fund
Humanities Iowa Major Grant
American Rescue Plan Arts Grant
IAC Humanities Project Grant
Wal-Mart Grant
Sterling Foundation