James H. Stebbins

STEBBINS, RATHBUN, DYE

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 3/20/2011 at 16:21:04

A Narrative History
of
The People of Iowa
with
SPECIAL TREATMENT OF THEIR CHIEF ENTERPRISES IN
EDUCATION, RELIGION, VALOR, INDUSTRY,
BUSINESS, ETC.
by
EDGAR RUBEY HARLAN, LL. B., A. M.
Curator of the
Historical, Memorial and Art Department of Iowa
Volume IV
THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Inc.
Chicago and New York
1931

JAMES H. STEBBINS is proprietor of a leading plumbing business of Waterloo,
located at 623 Jefferson Street. Mr. Stebbins is a native Iowan, and was
with the colors during the World war.

He was born on a farm in Scott County, Iowa, son of Harry H. Stebbins and
grandson of Henry Stebbins. His grandfather was an athlete and for several
years was member of the traveling circus. He was also an expert marksman
and very found of outdoor sports. He died when seventy-five years of age.
Harry H. Stebbins was left an orphan and from boyhood was self supporting.
He worked on a farm while attending rural schools, later for several
years was an employee of the Great Western Railway Company, and subsequently a
mechanic in the lumber mill at Oelwein, Iowa. He married Nora Rathbun, who
was born in Wisconsin, and they reared a family of three sons and three
daughters: Stella, James H., Julia, Verne, Myrl and Garald.

James H. stebbins was educated in a rural school in Iowa. At an early age
he became interested in music and for some time was engaged as a harpist
in orchestra work. After his marriage he exchanged his musical work for an
apprenticeship at the plumber's trade, and was in the midst of this work
when he enlisted, December 12, 1918, for service in the World war. He was
stationed at Jefferson Barracks, Saint Louis, and at Fort Riley, Kansas,
until taken ill, and was then sent to Prescott, Arizona, and given an honorable
discharge December 14, 1919.

On returning home he engaged in the plumbing trade at Waterloo and was
appointed and served four years as plumbing inspector for the city. Since
leaving this office he has carried on a plumbing business of his own.

Mr. Stebbins married, May 8, 1912, Miss Francile M. Dye, who was born in
Fayette County, Iowa. A separate sketch of Mrs. Stebbins' career is
included immediately following.