A.T. LAINSON, contractor and builder, No. 32 Fourth Street, residence, No. 120 Franklin Street, Council Bluffs. Mr. Lainson's business was established in 1887 and during the year 1890 aggregated $40,000. He employs an average of twenty-five men per day.

Some of the principal buildings in Council Bluffs have been erected by him. Among them we mention the following: the residences of W.C. James, W.W. Loomis, J.J. Steadman, A.W. Askawith, O.P. Wickham, George W. Crane, J.A. Herreld, Henry Van Brunt, Forest Smith, Mrs. T.B. Lewis, H.A. Baird, three flats for S.H. Foster, and the interior work of the Grand Hotel, besides other buildings of minor importance.

Mr. Lainson is a native of Kent County England, born near London, December 28, 1853, son of William and Mary Ann (Argles) Lainson, the former a second cousin of William Cubit, Lord Mayor of London. His parents have been residents of Council Bluffs for two years. The father, although now seventy-two years old is following his trade, that of carpenter and is assisting his son. The mother is in her sixty-eighth year.

Mr. Lainson was only three years old when the family came to America and located in Canada, where they lived three years, after which they moved to Pennsylvania. Thirteen years later they came to Iowa and settled in Carroll, where they remained three years. In 1876 they took up their abode in Ida County, this state, and in 1883 came to Council Bluffs. His father being a carpenter, Mr. Lainson was brought up to that trade. He received a common school education. He gives his undivided attention to his business, and has met with eminent success. He makes interior work a specialty.

Mr. Lainson was married in Ida County, Iowa December 20, 1880 to Miss Cassie E. Battin who was born in Wisconsin, December 27, 1862. They have one child Harry A., four years old.

Politically Mr. Lainson is Independent, casting his vote for the man he thinks best qualified to fill the position. He is ranked among the energetic young businessmen of Council Bluffs.