Career
He represented Prescott in the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada from 1836 to 1841 as a Conservative. A Roman Catholic, Kearns received a land grant in Plantagenet Township. Kearns was a lieutenant in the British Army in the 68th (Durham) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry) who retired on half-pay in 1819 and later served as a captain and then lieutenant-colonel in the Prescott militia.
He was a justice of the peace for the Ottawa District.
Kearns died in Plantagenet Township.