William L. Stearns
Company G
1830-After 1884

William L. Stearns, real-estate broker, resident at Midland City, was born March 30, 1830, in Brunswick, Medina, Co., Ohio, and is a son of Daniel and Mary (McIntyre) Stearns. His parents were both of New England origin. The former was born Sept. 29, 1795, the latter Jan 18, 1797. They were married Dec. 27, 1826 at Wadsworth, Medina Co., Ohio. The paternal grandparents of Mr. Stearns, John and Lucy Stearns, removed to Medina County with their family and entered vigorously into pioneer labor in the township of Brunswick, where they were among the first of the permanent settlers. To that date, previous comers had made their way to their new homes with ox teams. The transit of the family and effects of the Stearns household was effected by means of a two-horse team, driven by Daniel Stearns from Cleveland, where they left the boat, to Medina County. These were the first horses driven into Medina County. The McIntyre family were also pioneers of that County.

The family of John Stearns included six sons and one daughter: John M. and Lucy M., eldest born, were twins; William L., Frank M., David E., Daniel M. and Charles W., are the names of the others, and are all living, except the eldest son, who died in 1861, and the father of Mr. Stearns, whose demise occurred Jan. 2, 1873, at Berea, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, whither he had removed with his family in 1844. He was a farmer all his life, but from his temperament and abilities was eminently fitted for a pioneer. The mother of Mr. Stearns is yet living.

The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and remained at home as his father’s assistant until he was of age. At 21 years old he connected himself with a construction corps on the Cleveland & Columbus Railroad, and, after it completion, engaged in its service as a fireman. He acted in that capacity on the engine that drew the first passenger train over the road. He was in the same employment about two years, during which time he received a severe injury. While engaged in firing on the leading engine, which, in connection with another, was drawing a heavy freight train into the city of Cleveland, the boiler of the auxiliary engine burst, killing the engineers on both, and nearly scalping Mr. Stearns. This is believed to be one of the first accidents from a locomotive boiler explosion on record. It occurred in 1846. He was disabled two months. He followed railroading about 12 years, operating chiefly in the capacity of engineer.

In 1858, Mr. Stearns embarked in a mercantile enterprise at Berea, in which he was still interested when the culmination of partisan issued, created by the misguided and infuriated South, merged into civil war. In 1862, when the rebel forces in Kentucky, under Gen. Bragg, threatened the invasion of Cincinnati, Gov. Tod made a requisition for volunteers for the defense of the city. One of its results was the organization of an independent company of sharpshooters, comprising over 100 picked men, under Capt. G. M. Barber. They were designated "Squirrel Hunters," for obvious reasons. (Riflemen understand the technical skill required in the pastime of squirrel-shooting, which is general in the Buckeye State.) Mr. Stearns left his business to enroll in the company, and on its organization was made Orderly Sergeant. The service continued two weeks, and on its dismemberment Gov. Tod conferred upon each of its members a card, bearing the device of a squirrel and containing his certified statement of his appreciation of their action in responding to his summons. In the fall of the same year Mr. Stearns again enlisted, enrolling in the Fifth Ohio Vol. Inf. He was in a company of sharpshooters under his former Captain (Barber), which was detailed as guard at the headquarters of Gen. Rosecrans.

After the engagement of Missionary Ridge, Mr. Stearns was ordered to Cleveland on recruiting service, with a commission as Second Lieutenant. He enlisted 40 recruits for three companies of sharpshooters, and organized two full companies. He remained in Cleveland until Gen. Burnside was ordered to the Potomac, when he joined his command, receiving a commission as Captain of Co. G, 60th Ohio Vol., his command and that of the second company which he had enlisted, doing duty as flank guard. Capt. Stearns took his position April 20, 1864, and was a participant in all the engagements until the fall of Richmond, when he resigned. He was made Major Aug. 20, 1864, after the battle of Stone Tavern, W. Va. He went through the entire period of his service with but slight injury. During the siege of Petersburg he sustained a slight wound.

On obtaining his release from the service of the United States, he returned to Ohio and resumed his business, which he continued until 1874. He had merged his commercial relations in the hardware trade, and at the date named he opened an office for traffic in real estate. He continued to conduct his operations in that line until Oct. 1, 1883, when he opened his present business at Midland. He had been a heavy land-holder in the county since 1875, when he bought about 6,000 acres of land. He has, since that date, operated heavily in real estate in Midland County, and still owns about 2,000 acres of farming lands, one-half of which is situated in the township of Midland, near the county seat. He is the proprietor of the Mineral Spring property on Larkin Street, and owns in connection therewith the boarding and bath houses. The water is justly celebrated for its medicinal properties and enjoys a large patronage. Mr. Stearns handles all kinds of property, personal as well as real estate, and manages an exchange business. He owns three dwellings and several building lots in Berea, Ohio, also a homestead lot and a number of vacant lots at Cleveland. He also owns property in the city of Ft. Wayne, Ind. His residence at Midland is attached to the bath house near the springs. He is a member of the Order of Masonry and of the Odd Fellows.

Mr. Stearns was married in 1854, in Berea, Ohio, to Sarah Caswell. She died at Wellsville, Ohio, leaving a son, who is now deceased. Mr. Stearns was a second time married, in Wellsville, to Mattie, daughter of John and Ann (Malin) Lawrence. She was born in Wellsville, March 31, 1834, and is the mother of one daughter, Minnie. Her parents were early settlers in Jefferson Co., Ohio.

Portrait and Biographical Album of Midland County, Michigan. Chicago, Illinois: Chapman Brothers, 1884, pages 325-326.