Herman John Stern, 83, a resident of the Springfield community since that city was called Burns station, died in St. John's hospital Monday morning after a week's illness.

Funeral services will be held in St. Paul's Lutheran church Thursday at 2 p. m., following short services in the home. The Rex. Max von Fischer will officiate. Burial will be in the Lutheran cemetery.

Herman John Stern was born April 24, 1862, in Slederborn, Pomerania, Germany. He came to America when 18 years of age, and went to Burns station, now Springfield, before there was a railroad. May 30, 1884, he and Theresa Fleischmann were married by the Rev. Dietrich Lange, Lutheran pastor in Springfield. They resided in Springfield for 5 years and then moved to a farm in Willow Lake township, where they lived for 45 years, retiring in 1934. The home has since been in Springfield.

May 30, last years, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in St. Paul's Lutheran church in Springfield.

Thirteen children survive, and are: Albert Stern, Mrs. Augusta Dungey and Theodore Stern, Sanborn; Mrs. Frank (Lillian) Jones, Seattle, Wash., Mrs. George (Mary) Otto, Redwood Falls; Mrs. Pauline Polk, Indianapolis, Ind.; Lawrence Stern, Sanborn; Mrs. Clara Powell, Maple Plaine; Miss Charlotte Stern, Minneapolis; Mrs. Anne Osborne, Minneapolis; Miss Alvena Stern, Washington, D. C.; Miss Elizabeth Stern, Washington, D. C.; George...

(Journal - April 11, 1945)

(Biography from "The History of Redwood County Minnesota" published in 1916.)

"HERMAN JOHN STERN, a successful farmer of Willow Lake township, was born in Pomerania, Germany, April 24, 1862, son of Fred and Charlotta (Modeska) Stern. His parents, who were farming people, had seven children, Herman, Albert, Matilda, Elena, August, Mary and Charles. In 1882 they came to Minnesota and located near Springfield, where they purchased 80 acres of land and engaged in farming. There were then no buildings on the place, but good ones were soon erected. In time additions were made to the farm until it contained over a section of land. Fred Stern and his wife have retired from active work and now live at Springfield. Religiously they are of the Lutheran church.

Herman J. Stern, as a boy, attended school in Germany. At the age of 18 years he left his native land for the United States to join his Uncle Frank Rodka, who was living near Springfield and who had sent him money for his journey. He arrived at his destination in August, 1880, and began working on the farms and doing railroad work to earn enough to repay his uncle. In 1887 he bought 120 acres of wild school land in section 36, Willow Lake township. A neighbor broke a few acres for him and here he began farming with five cows. He built a barn of posts and boards, 20x30 feet, and a frame house, 16x24, and after two years set out a grove. He has improved his property and added to it until he now farms 280 acres of land in sections 35 and 36, Willow Lake township. He carries on general farming, raising good stock, and has considerable land set out in fruit. He has built an eight-room house and a barn, 32x52 feet, and has numerous other necessary or useful buildings. As an intelligent citizen, ready to be of public service, he has served as a member of school board, district 88. Mr. Stern was united in marriage May 30, 1884, to Teresa Fleishman, a native of Germany, born in Saxony, May 27, 1864, daughter of George and Anna (Arp) Fleishman, and who, at the age of two years, was brought to the United States by her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Stern have the following children: Albert, now owner of 160 acres of farm land in section 24; Theodore, of section 35, Willow Lake; Emma (deceased); Lilly; Mary; Paulina; Lawrence; Clara; Charlotta; Anna; Alvina; Elizabeth and George."