Hon. Willard Stearns' obituary, Adrian, Lenawee County, Michigan

Copyright © 1998 by Joyce K. Nickless. This copy contributed for use in 
the USGenWeb Archives.  

 

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December 30, 1908 - I attended at the Baptist church, the uneral of Hon.
Willard Stearns who died day before yesterday, 28th inst., at his home, No. 17
East Butler St., at 12 o'clock, after an illness of several months duration.
Since 1867 Mr. Stearns has been a resident of Adrian, coming to Lenawee County
in 1851 from Cherry Valley, New ork, where he was born Oct. 3, 1838. He was
born a posthumous child, his father having died in July preceding his birth.
He attended the common school three months in the year, graduated from the
state normal in 1862; he enlisted in the army in July 1863, in Co. H, 11th
Michigan Cavalry and was mustered as a first lieutenant of the company. After
resigning from the army the next year, he resumed teaching school. He
graduated from the law epartment of the University in 1867 and at once formed
a partnership with Gov. W. L. Greenly. He was elected in 1871 county
superintendent of schools for Lenawee Co., being the first Democrat elected in
the county for 12 years. In 1872 he was nominated by the Democrats for Supt.
of public instruction and in 1876 was on the ticket for secretary of state. He
was elected justice in 1875, and has served ten or twelve years as an alderman
in the city council. He was post master of Adrian under Cleveland for five
years, and in 1888 was the Democratic nominee for congress. In 1898, he made
the race for circuit judge, and the next spring was elected mayor of Adrian,
and re-elected in 1900. For several years Mr. Stearns was editor of the Adrian
Press and at the time of his death was a member of the board of education.
Mr. Stearns was considered by all who knew him as an independent, fearless and
strong fighter for the things which he considered the best for the welfare of
the city, county and state. He was liberal and generous and very public
spirited. He gave his four children a university education. He devoted his
energy and ability for Adrian's welfare, and only those who knew him best,
knew how much study and thought he gave to the welfare of the community. Many
of the public improvements and general good of the city can be traced directly
or indirectly to his efforts. He was a strong, honest, earnest man - one of
nature's noblemen. Nearly all of the above sketch of the life of Willard
Stearns I have taken from the Adrian Times which was
published a few hours after his death. I was, however, personally aquainted
wit him. Several times Mr. Stearns gave me work when I was in sore need of it.
He will be greatly missed in Adrian.