Gaston, Joseph.  "Portland, Oregon, Its History and Builders."  Vol. 2. Chicago-
Portland: S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911. p. 98.
 
JOSEPH O. STEARNS

     Joseph 0. Stearns, engaged in the practice of law in Portland since 1898,
has in other districts been identified with the pioneer development of Oregon
and has been active in political circles. He was born in Jackson county, Oregon,
October 15, 1855, a son of the Rev. Samuel E. and Susan (Whittaker) Stearns, the
former a Baptist minister. In the public schools of Portland the son pursued his
education. He possessed an artistic temperament, the beauties of nature making a
strong appeal to him, and he was ambitious to excel as an artist; but
circumstances rendered it impossible for him to pursue his studies in that line.
After leaving school he entered a machine shop and learned the trade, being
influenced to that step by the fact that his eldest brother was engaged in that
occupation.  In the spring of 1879 he left Portland for Walla Walla with the
intention of purchasing a machine shop at that place, the sale of which,
however, was consummated prior to his arrival in that city.
     Mr. Stearns then turned his attention to mining at the head of Granite
Creek, Baker county, Oregon, lured by the tales of fortunes easily made. He
found that wealth could not be had for the asking, however, and returning to
Walla Walla in the late fall, he there entered the real-estate and insurance
business. He met with a fair degree of success in his undertakings there and
remained a resident of the city until December, 1888, when he removed to Alsea
Bay in Benton (now Lincoln) county, Oregon, where he occupied the position of
justice of the peace until the formation of Lincoln county in 1893. He had
served as justice of the peace for six years and at the end of that term was
appointed one of the first county commissioners and assisted in forming the
county. He acted as commissioner until July, 1894, and was again called to
office in September, 1896, when appointed county judge by Governor Lord. He
served upon the bench until July, 1898, and following his retirement returned to
Portland where he has since engaged in the practice of law. He has here been
accorded a good clientage connecting him with some of the important litigation
tried in the courts of the district. He has developed powers of careful
analysis, clear and cogent reasoning, and his arguments present the strongest
points that can be found for his contention. He has always been associated with
the republican party in his political activity and a stanch and effective
advocate of its principles.
     On the 15th of May, 1881, Mr. Stearns was married in Walla Walla,
Washington, to Miss Isa R. Smith, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick B. Smith,
who were Washington pioneers of 1852. The father was one of the early sheriffs
of Cowlitz county and it was there that Mrs. Stearns was born. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Stearns have been born the following named: Edwin L.; Joseph O.; Ralph C.; Edith
A.; Ellice M.; David W.; Walter T.; Agnes R.; Kenneth P.; Howard C.; and Horace
Avery, all of whom are yet at home. A life-long resident of the northwest, Mr.
Stearns has been a witness of the growth and progress of Oregon and of this
section of the country for more than a half century and in the various
localities in which he has resided he has been numbered among the men of
enterprise and of influence, taking a decided stand in favor of good citizenship
and progressive movements. He is now actively connected with a profession which
has important bearing on the advancement, stability and prosperity of the
community and one to which life and liberty, right and property must look for
protection.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in August 2007 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.