Albert Herman Stephan came to the Sanborn community from Minnesota Lake, Minnesota, in 1902, to visit three brothers - Henry, Philip and August, who had settled there. On March 20, 1903 he returned to Sanborn to make his home.
Albert was the youngest of 10 children born to Fredrick and Mathilda (Barnick) Stephan. His birth date was July 20, 1878. His parents had both been born in Germany. They met in Wisconsin and were married there in 1862. In early May of 1863 they came by oxen to Faribault County, Minnesota, to homestead. Frederick Stephan became a U.S. Citizen on May 20, 1863 and in July of that year he was drafted for service in the Army. He served under General Grant until the end of the Civil War in which he saw much action. When Albert returned to Sanborn in March of 1903, he bought some land 3'h miles south of town and began farming. During this time he became interested in a neighbor girl, Emma Bommer, and they were married on August 10, 1905. They lived on his farm until 1910 when they moved to Sanborn. In 1912 he began working for Ernest Ledebur in his lumber yard in Sanborn and worked there for three years. He then took over interest in a machine business for a year. In 1916 he went back to the lumber yard and before long made a deal to buy it with Fred Bignall as a partner. In 1919 he sold his half interest to Mr. Bignall and proceeded to build the Stephan Garage. He ran the garage, doing car repairs and livery service until 1927.
In his earlier years Mr. Stephan took an active interest in community affairs. He served on the Sanborn School Board for 14 years, and on the Town Board for 16 years. He was Mayor of Sanborn for two terms. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Woodman Lodge of Sanborn. One of his hobbies in his earlier years was fishing, and he always enjoyed making wooden trinkets. In later years he spent more time at reading, Westerns being his favorite, and he always enjoyed telling stories.
Seven children, 5 girls and 2 boys were born to Albert and Emma Stephan. One girl died in infancy. Ann married Harry Starke of Oriska, North Dakota; Maria married James Lovell of Sanborn; Elsie married Tom Humphrey of Sanborn; Doris married Ed Stevensen of Windsor Locks Conn.; Elmer married Margaret Larson of Valley City. They farmed near Sanborn until he passed away in May 1975. Harold never married and lives in Valley City.
In August of 1955, Albert and Emma Stephan celebrated their Golden Wedding at a gathering of friends and relatives at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Sanborn. Mr. Stephan passed away on, April 17, 1957 at Mercy Hospital, after a short illness at the age of 78 years. His wife continued to live in Valley City until her death in 1966.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 236