William C. Stearns, of the firm of Beckman, Schroeder & Sterns, prominent business men of Clayton City, is an Ohioan by birth, and was born in the town of Brunswick, Medina County. He removed to Illinois in 1853, remaining there some eighteen months, and in 1855 settled in Clayton City. He embarked in the furniture business in partnership with Mr. Campbell, and continued seven years. He then followed draying until 1881, when he engaged in the livery business, as a member of the firm of Beckman, Shroeder & Sterns. They keep a first-class establishment, and are meeting with good success. Mr. Stearns was married in 1846 to Nancy Gambrel, in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was born in 1825. Five children have blessed this union, viz.: Nettie, born in 1847, married H. Kleinhans; Edwin, born in 1852; Charles, in 1856; Elmorina, on Dec. 16, 1859, and Frederick W., born July 16, 1862. In politics Mr. Stearns is a strong Republican. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 727-728 |