Stebner, Herman (1892-1991)

https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/gen_oh/39 [13665]

Biographical Information: Herman Stebner was born in Wood Lake, Minnesota, on October 9, 1892, into a family of German immigrants. Stebner attended the St. Cloud Normal School (now St. Cloud State University) and graduated in 1915. He later attended the University of Minnesota with aspirations to become a school superintendent. His studies were interrupted by World War I when he was drafted and sent to France. At the end of the war, Stebner relocated to Waite Park and found work in an automobile garage until 1943. Afterwards he spent some time constructing military aircraft for Curtiss-Wright before his retirement in 1953. While in Waite Park, Stebner met his wife Mabel and they married in 1923. Together they raised two children.

Transcript Summary: In an interview conducted on March 27, 1978, Herman Stebner discussed his life. Stebner said he was born in Wood Lake, Minnesota, on October 9, 1892, but chose to relocate to St. Cloud and, later, the Twin Cities to attend college and become a school superintendent. However, Stebner’s goal never happened due to being drafted due to World War I and sent to France. Due to his service, he said he suffered from a “nervous spell” for several years thereafter. Stebner asserted that his relocation to the Waite Park area after the war turned out for the best. Here he managed to find steady work in an automobile garage and met his wife Mabel in 1923. Additionally, Stebner also spoke about his experiences during the Great Depression and World War II. He noted that he served as a school board member in Waite Park and spent some time constructing military aircraft for Curtiss-Wright before ultimately retiring in 1953.

Interview conducted by Cal Gower and John LaDoux