Herman K. Stallman

World War I

Herman (known as Kelly) Stallman was born on May 21, 1889, in Petersburg, NE to Barney and Mary (Wittrock) Stallman, both of whom were German immigrants. The family lived in Iowa but moved to Nebraska prior to Herman’s birth. By 1910, Barney was deceased and Herman had moved to Roselle, IA to live with an aunt and uncle. He was employed as a painter.

In 1915, Herman opened a hardware store and automobile business in Templeton with Charles Loxterkamp. Herman left the business when he was inducted into the US Army on May 27, 1918. He was assigned serial number 3226528. Herman was sent to Camp Dodge near Des Moines for training. He was assigned to Battery E, 337th Field Artillery of the 88th Infantry Division. On July 31, 1918, Herman was promoted to Private First Class.

In late July, 1918, the 88th Division was ordered to mobilize to Europe. Herman and his unit were transported to Camp Upton on Long Island, NY. The 337th Field Artillery boarded the “Bohemian” on August 17, 1918, in New York harbor and sailed to Liverpool, England arriving August 31st. A few days later, they were transported across the English Channel to Le Havre, France.

By mid-September, the 88th Division was at the front although fighting was largely at a standstill. Troops were busy rehabilitating the trench system to make it habitable. The first action came with a German attack during the night of October 12-13. The Germans attempted another raid on October 18 but it was quickly repulsed. The 88th Division conducted four successful raids against the enemy before being retired from the front line in early November. The Armistice was declared on November 11, 1918.

Although much of the 88th Division remained on occupation duty until the spring of 1919, Herman and his unit boarded the “Sierra” at Bordeaux, France on January 7, 1919. The voyage back to the US arrived at Hoboken, NJ on January 19. The troops returned to Camp Dodge by train and Herman was discharged on January 31, 1919.

He returned to the business in Templeton and, on June 3, 1919, married Hilda Scharnweber in Carroll. In 1920, Charles Loxterkamp and Herman sold the hardware business in Templeton and set up operations in Dedham where they continued their partnership in the automobile business. They moved their operation to Carroll in 1928. On January 1, 1937, Herman purchased the interest of Charles Loxterkamp to become sole owner. However, by November, 1940, his health was declining and he sold the business to Mike Wittrock.

Herman died of cancer in Carroll on July 13, 1941 at age 52. He was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Carroll, IA.