Stromwell, Clemment (1907-?)

https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/gen_oh/40 [13666]

Biographical Information: Clemment Stromwell was born on January 24, 1907, in the town of Foreston, Minnesota. Much of his early life, from the age of 17 and onward, was spent working as an iron rigger in Minnesota’s Iron Range, a job that he held until the Great Depression in 1929. During the Great Depression, Stromwell worked in various positions to support himself and his wife, who he married in 1934, before finding permanent employment as a mail carrier. He was a mail carrier until his retirement in 1972. Aside from his work, Stromwell also possessed a passion for music. He played the violin, banjo, saxophone, accordion, trumpet, and drums and spent much of his free time performing in local bands in Foreston.

Transcript Summary: In an interview conducted on March 16, 1978, Clemment Stromwell discussed his life in Minnesota, as well as his experiences during the Great Depression and Prohibition. Stromwell said he was born on January 24, 1907, in Foreston, Minnesota, where he also attended school during his childhood and adolescent years. Stromwell said upon turning 17, he relocated to the Iron Range to work as an iron rigger, a position that he held until the start of the Great Depression in 1929. Following the start of the Great Depression, Stromwell spent time working in various professions to support himself and his family, before becoming a mail carrier. He held this position until his retirement in 1972. Aside from his work, Stromwell also discussed changes in Foreston throughout his life. He noted the number of local businesses gradually dwindled over time, but the population of the town, including its number of homeowners, steadily increased. He said this was due in large part to a new sewer system and the growth of the local forestry industry.

Interview conducted by John LaDoux