Irwin Alfred Stellmacher was born May 1, 1896, in Renville to Henry and Louise Yunker Stellmacher. In 1906, he moved with his parents to Marshall where he finished school. In 1917, he went to the Rahe Automobile Training School in Kansas City and received his diploma on June 15, 1917. On April 7, 1918, he entered the United States Army and was sent to the University of Cincinnati for further training. He was then sent to France during World War I. After his discharge, he returned to Kansas City and was employed by the Packard Motor Car Company. In November of 1921, he returned to Marshall. On Nov. 11, 1925, he married Dolly Thomas in Tracy by Rev. Frederick C. Boller. Following their marriage, Irwin continued to work as a mechanic in Marshall until retiring and moving to Cottonwood in 1940. Dolly passed away on Feb. 14, 1971, and Irwin passed away on Oct. 31, 1984.

Irwin is best remembered as a mechanic, inventor, and barnstormer. He was known as an aviation pioneer and barnstormer in southern Minnesota from 1923 through 1936. On Oct. 5, 1923, he received delivery of his first airplane, a J-1 Standard biplane with as Hispano-Suiza engine that he later swapped out for an OX-5. During the week, Irwin worked as an auto mechanic, and on weekends he would barnstorm, giving lessons and rides to people in southwest Minnesota. He had posters printed and hung them around in towns. He charged $2.50 for adults and $1.25 for kids for the sightseeing rides. Irwin operated his plane out of a Marshall pasture that later became Ryan Field. He was given the opportunity to pilot the “Stanolind” a tri-motor owned by the Standard Oil of Indiana for about 10 minutes in 1928 during the dedication of the airport in Mankato. Irwin had given M.W. Dock, a manager for Standard Oil, his first airplane ride in Marshall several years earlier.

In the book, “Minnesota Aviation History 1857-1945” by Noel Allard and Gerald Sandvik, there is a section where Irwin is mentioned and is quoted, “I remember Balaton, Minnesota on a Sunday, I kept flying until it was pitch dark. You couldn’t see the ground, but people kept paying $2.50 to go up and see the lights of Marshall and other towns. You couldn’t see the ground, so I’d land by car lights.”

The photograph featured this week from the Lyon County Museum’s collection is Irwin Stellmacher and his wife Dolly in front of his airplane.

The Lyon County Museum is hosting David Johnston, the American History Story Teller on Monday, Oct. 21 at 5:30 p.m. Johnston will present on “The Wright Brothers First Flight at Kitty Hawk, NC.” This program is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

The Lyon County Historical Society (LCHS) is a nonprofit, member-supported organization. LCHS operates the Lyon County Museum at 301 West Lyon Street in Marshall. The Lyon County Museum is open year-round to visitors. To contact us, visit our website: www.lyoncomuseum.org, call: 507-537-6580, email: director@lyoncomuseum.org, or on our Facebook page.