Stearns, William E. 1820-1896

STEARNS, KLEINHOUSE

Posted By: A. Haught (email)
Date: 3/17/2015 at 17:28:30

Wm. E. Stearns one of our oldest citizens passed away Monday, Feb. 3, 1896, after about three weeks of serious illness.

Wm. Sterns was born in Brunswick, Ohio, in 1820. He came to Clayton from Galena in 1855 and has lived here ever since.

When he first came to Clayton he was one of the firm of Kuempel and Sterns, Cabinet Makers, and after a few years of successful business Mr. Stearns retired, and buying a team began teaming, a business which he was engaged at for a number of years.

He was at one time interested in the livery stable of Beckman, Stearns and Schroeder, but soon retired and resumed his duties at teaming.

He was always a hardworking, honest man with everyone for a friend. He was an honored member of Garnavillo Lodge, No. 90, A.F. & A. M., which body conducted the funeral ceremonies with credit to themselves and to the fraternity.

Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Stearns, Nettie, Fred and Edward precede him to the dark beyond, while Mrs. Rena Kleinhouse of Beatrice, Neb., and Chas. Stearns of Clayton are left with an aged widowed mother his loss.

It is only eight days before the death of Mr. Stearns that their beloved son Edward was laid to his final rest. The father’s weary spirit could not stay long from that of his beloved boy and the ‘angels call’ was again heard.

Rev. Marshall of McGregor delivered a very touching and impressive sermon, after which the remains were taken to the Clayton cemetery on the hill, and laid aside the graves of Edward and Fred. May he rest in peace.

Clayton Picket: February 13, 1896