Career
His "Stearns Hotel" became the original building of the Third State Normal School campus in 1869, predecessor of Saint Cloud State Teachers College, now Saint Cloud State University. Stearns was born January 9, 1807 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The couple moved west to Missouri, Illinois, and eventually to Minnesota.
In 1870, he moved to Mobile, Alabama and then to New Orleans, Louisiana He died on May 22, 1898 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Stearns County was officially established on February 20, 1855, and was originally called Stevens County to honor Governor Isaac I. Stevens (Doctorate), who had conducted an expedition to the area in 1853. The name was later changed to honor Stearns.