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Permanent LinkSenator Frederick Louis Maytag View All Years
FREDERICK LOUIS MAYTAG was born in Cook County, Illinois, near the town of Elgin on July 14, 1857, and died in Los Angeles, California, March 26, 1937. Interment was at Newton, Iowa, in the Maytag mausoleum in the Newton Union Cemetery. His parents, Daniel W. and Amelia Maytag, removed in 1866 to near Marshalltown, Iowa, where they settled on unimproved land. Here Fred L. attended rural school in winter and worked on the farm in summer and there grew to manhood. In 1880 he entered the employment of an implement firm in Newton and eighteen months later became a partner in the firm. In 1891 he sold his interest in that firm and purchased a lumber yard. In 1893 he joined with three others in forming the Parsons Band Cutter and Self-Feeder Company and a year later became the manager, and by 1909 he took over the ownership of the company after which it was known as the Maytag Company. In 1907 a hand power washing machine with wringer attached was added to the company’s products. By 1924 they had perfected an electric motor attachment to the washing machine and in 1914, a small gasoline engine attachment to use in homes that were without electric current. In 1922 they developed the aluminum tub for their washer. Thus step by step was built up the nearest perfect washing machine for family use ever known, and by the organizing and administrative ability of Mr. Maytag and in spite of disappointments and reverses there grew up a business successful beyond expectation. By 1924 the company attained to leadership as the world’s largest producer of washing machines. Mr. Maytag never devoted much time to service in public office, but did serve eight years as a member of the Newton City Council, and in 1919 to 1920 was one year mayor. In 1901 he was elected senator and was re-elected in 1906, serving consecutively from the Twenty-ninth to the Thirty-third general assembly. He was an honor to public service in all these positions. He was remarkable for his ability as an organizer and as an executive. He was a just and kind man with a high sense of honor. When financial success came to him he generously contributed to many philanthropies and remembered his town with benefactions in the way of public improvements, and by his will he shared extensively with relatives, employes, associates and friends the proceeds of his success. His estate was said to total many millions.