Lake-Porter County IN Archives Biographies.....Foster, Albert 1842 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 24, 2006, 10:37 pm Author: T. H. Ball (1904) THOMAS J. STEARNS. From an early period in the development of Lake county Thomas J. Stearns has resided in this portion of the state and is now living at Lake Station. His interest in public affairs has been manifested in active co-operation in all movements for the general good and he has long been a witness of what has been accomplished in this county as it has emerged from pioneer conditions to take its place with the leading counties of the commonwealth. Mr. Stearns was born February 28, 1842, upon a farm in Porter county, Indiana, about six miles west of Valparaiso. His father, Joseph Stearns, was a native of Rhode Island and was reared in New York, whence he went to Porter county, Indiana, about 1838. In 1852 he came to Lake county, casting in his lot with the early settlers of Hobart township, where he performed the arduous task of developing a new farm from wild and unbroken land. He served for several terms as trustee of Hobart township and in public affairs took an active and helpful part. He was also an interested and zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his labors promoted the cause of Christianity in his neighborhood. He died when in his seventy-ninth year and left behind an untarnished name and a most honorable record. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rhoda Wilson, was a native of Ohio and was of Irish descent, while Mr. Stearns was of English lineage. She was reared in the Buckeye state and lived to be about sixty-nine years of age. To them were born thirteen children, nine of whom reached years of maturity, while two are yet living, Thomas J., and Mrs. Rhoda Toothel, of Hobart. Thomas J. Stearns was the next to the youngest in the family, and he was brought to Lake county, Indiana, when but ten years of age. His education was acquired in the old time district schools, and in the summer months he worked at farm labor until he had gained broad and practical knowledge concerning every department of agricultural work. He continued at home with his parents until 1861, when, feeling that his first duty was to his country, he donned the blue uniform and enlisted in the Fourth Indiana Battery as a private. He served for three years and one month, and six months of that time was spent in a rebel prison. He was first incarcerated at Libby and afterward at Belle Isle. He took part in the battles of Shiloh, Stone River, Lookout Mountain, Perryville and many other engagements, but never received a wound, although he was often in the thickest of the fight. After being honorably discharged at Indianapolis, Indiana, Mr. Stearns returned to Hobart, Lake county, since which time he has continuously resided in this part of the state, living a part of the time in Hobart, where he was engaged in conducting a hotel and also in the grocery business. He has likewise followed farming, and he was a guard in the Northern prison for a year. He has manifested energy and enterprise in every work that he has undertaken, and he is now engaged in the real estate and insurance business at Lake Station. In 1864 Mr. Stearns was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Crowthers. They became the parents of two children, but both are now deceased. In 1871 Mr. Stearns married his present wife, who bore the maiden name of Ella Stillwell, and was a native of New York. Her birth occurred in Schoharie county, August 3, 1845, and she is a daughter of Smith T. and Hannah (Banks) Stillwell. She was nineteen years of age when she came to Lake county and here she has since resided. Mr. Stearns has firm faith in the principles of the Republican party and is a recognized leader in its local ranks. He is now serving as township assessor, and for twelve years he was justice of the peace. He is also notary public and has acted in that capacity for twelve years. He belongs to Hobart Post, No. 411, G. A. R., and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. During fifty-one years he has made his home in Lake county, so that he is very familiar with its history and has been a witness of nearly all of its growth and development. Additional Comments: Extracted from: ENCYCLOPEDIA OF Genealogy and Biography OF LAKE COUNTY, INDIANA, WITH A COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY 1834—1904 A Record of the Achievements of Its People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding of a Nation. REV. T. H. BALL OF CROWN POINT, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ILLUSTRATED CHICAGO NEW YORK THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY 1904 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/lake/bios/foster538gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/infiles/ File size: 5.0 Kb