Ink-Slinger Profiles by Alex Jay: Medill Loebner

Medill Loebner was born on June 10, 1910, in Chicago, Illinois, according to the Jaquith Family in America (1982). Loebner’s parents were James Loebner and Anna Wallitzer.

In the 1920 U.S. Federal Census, Loebner was the second of three sons whose parents were Romanian emigrants. Their father was an editor of a Jewish newspaper. The family was Chicago residents at 1923 South Kedzie Avenue.

In 1926 Loebmer graduated from Harrison Technical High School.

According to the 1930 census, the family of five resided at 1119 Independence Boulevard in Chicago. Loebner was a self-employed commercial artist. Information about his art training has not been found.

The Journal of the Proceedings of the City Council of the City of Chicago, May 24, 1935, said a claim for salary was made for Loebner. The Journal, November 26, 1935, said the claim was disallowed.

The Newspaper Feature Service produced a long-running series of romantic cartoons, by several artists, beginning in 1913. Loebner contributed to the series in 1935.

The 1940 census recorded Loebner and his parents in Chicago at 1627 East 67th Street. Loebner worked at a retail art shop. His highest level of education was the second year of college.

The Evening Star (Washington, DC), February 11, 1944, reported the work of the Public Library’s Division of Work with Schools and its outreach program. Loebner designed the posters that “were produced by the students of the commercial art division of the Cardozo High School under the direction of Dr. John Washington.” The posters were used on three Library trucks.

The Jaquith Family in America said Loebner married Katharine Crane Cox in Washington, D.C. on May 17, 1944.

At some point they moved to New York City. Loebner was listed in the 1946 directory at 56 West 70th Street.

Jonas W. Watson, Ancestry and Descendants (1950) said Loebner lived in Astoria, Queens County, New York.

Loebner was one of two artists who illustrated Arithmetic 6: The World of Numbers by Dale Carpenter and Dorothy Leavitt Pepper. The book was published in 1950 and copyright renewed in 1977.

Loebner passed away February 27, 1951, in New York City. The Jaquith Family in America said he died in a subway accident. He was survived by his wife and three children.


—Alex Jay