The Fairfield Engine Co., in Fairfield, Iowa, operated from 1916 until 1945. There were many ups and downs for the company throughout its history.
The predecessor company to Fairfield was Anderson Automatic Engine Co., started in 1913 in St. Joseph, Missouri. The principle behind this company, Charles Anderson (C.C. Anderson), claimed to have many years of gas engine building experience. His background also included several years as a bicycle machinist in SW Iowa.
In June 1911, Anderson was granted a patent for a rod packing invention that improved sealing of crankcases in 2-cycle engines. This was assigned to Uhler Motor Co. of St. Joseph, Missouri. Uhler Motor Co. had incorporated in July 1909 to build a new engine design. The new design was based on a patent belonging to Francis M. Uhler of Lincoln, Nebraska. It’s likely the unique Uhler engine did not make it into production, with only a few prototypes constructed. A more conventional 2-cycle upright engine was sold by Uhler in small quantities. Uhler had a factory site in St. Joseph at 830 S. Fifth St. The Uhler Motor Co. struggled and, by early 1913, they filed for bankruptcy.
In August 1912, Anderson submitted a patent application for an internal-combustion engine. Perhaps he was influenced by his time with Uhler, as this new
