Lockley, Fred.  "History of the Columbia River Valley, From The Dalles to the
Sea." Vol. 3.  S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1928.  p. 414.
 
RALPH M. STEARNS

     The late Ralph M. Stearns, whose death, on November 28, 1913, was deeply
regretted by all who knew him, was a man of sound business ideas, splendid
initiative ability and great energy, and the Portland Auto Delivery Company,
which he founded, stands today as one of the prosperous and successful business
concerns of this city. Mr. Stearns was born in Vermont on the 19th of December,
1881, and was a son of Milton J. and Carrie B. Stearns. In 1888, when he was
about seven years of age, the family came to Portland, and here the father
engaged in the grocery business for some time, later turning his attention to
the printing business. He is now deceased and his widow still resides in this
city. Ralph M. Stearns received a good public school education, graduating from
high school, and then engaged in the creamery and dairy business, which he
carried on until 1912, when he sold out and organized the Portland Auto Delivery
Company, of which Oliver S. Cutler was president and Mr. Stearns treasurer and
manager. They engaged in the general transfer and warehouse business, which has
steadily grown until today the company employs twelve people and utilizes seven
auto trucks. The present officers of the company are, Mrs. R. M. Stearns,
president, Joseph F. Schuster, treasurer, and Weslet Cutler, vice president.
     In 1907 Mr. Stearns was united in marriage to Miss T. B. Landauer, of
Portland, and to them was born a daughter, Marjorie, who is now a student in
Oregon Agricultural College. Mr. Stearns gave his political support to the
republican party and maintained a constant interest in everything pertaining to
the prosperity and welfare of his community. He was a member of the Foresters of
America and the United Artisans Life Association. Mrs. Stearns is a daughter of
William and Rosalia Landauer, who came from Michigan to Portland in 1890, and
here the father engaged in the grocery business on East Stark street. His death
occurred in 1910 and his widow still lives in this city. Mrs. Stearns, who is
now at the head of the company, is a woman of good business judgment and is held
in high esteem by those who are associated with her, while, socially, she enjoys
a marked popularity in the circles in which she moves. Mr. Stearns was a man of
strong character and sterling integrity, closely devoted to his business
affairs, doing well whatever he undertook, and he possessed to a marked degree
those personal traits which commended him to the good opinion of all who came in
contact with him, having a host of warm and loyal friends throughout the
community.
 
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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.