Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co. 1893. p. 721. L. B. STEARNS one of the leading contractors and builders of Union county, was born in Montgomery county, New York, March 11, 1837. He was the youngest son in a family of seven children born to Asa Stearns, who was born in Bayfield, Massachusetts, in 1793. He went to New York when very small and grew to manhood in that last- named State. It was in this State that he was married to Miss Anna Paddock, and in 1855 removed to Wisconsin, where he died three years later. By trade he was a millwright. His wife outlived him until 1877, when she too died, aged eighty- three. Only three of the family are now living, namely: Our subject, a brother in Chicago and one of Los Angeles, California. At the outbreak of the Rebellion our subject enlisted July 12, 1862, in the First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery and served until July 13,1865, when he received his honorable discharge. When he entered the service he was only a private, but was promoted to the position of Sergeant. Mr. Stearns participated in the second battle of Bull Run and of Monocacy Junction, at which he was slightly wounded. After his discharge Mr. Stearns came home and resumed work at the carpenter trade. It was our subject who placed the first machinery in the White Water Wagon Works, and in 1872 he removed to Grand Haven, Michigan, where he established the Stearns' Manufacturing Mills, where he turned out windmills, doors, sash and everything that could be manufactured out of wood in that line. In 1882 he sold out and removed to Cove, Union county, Oregon, where he has since been engaged in contracting and building. He has also been employed by Knapp, Buell & Co. as salesman of agricultural implements. At one time Mr. Steams was quite wealthy, but a series of misfortunes deprived him of his hard-earned money, and when his machinery was burned up in Michigan he resolved to come to the great State of Oregon and endeavor to retrieve his lost fortune. Although he had nothing when he came to Oregon, he is now in very comfortable circumstances, and has erected a nice little residence in the town of Cove, where lie has become so well and favorably known. Mr. Steams was married March 23, 1864, to Miss Frances O. Payne, born in Aztalan, Wisconsin, February 28, 1842, daughter of James and Frances Payne, natives of Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Steams have three children, namely; James E., the oldest, is now at Rocky Bar, Idaho; but the twin daughters, Frances Clara and Carra May, are fourteen years of age and reside at home. Our subject is a member of the order I. O. O. F. and Knights of Honor. Mr. Steams is a Republican in politics and was nominated by his party for the position of Constable, to which office he was elected in the town of Cove. Mr. Steams has proved himself an honorable gentleman in all the positions of life he has been called upon to fill, and officially, socially and privately his career is above reproach. ******************* 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.