My Genealogy Hound

Stinson S. Stearnes, farmer, was born in New Castle, Me., January 25, 1811, and is the second of seven children, three sons and four daughters, born to Ezekiel and Nancy (Dodge) Stearnes. The parents were natives of Massachusetts and Maine, respectively, and both were of Scotch descent. After marriage they spent the greater part of their lives in Maine, although both died in Boston, Mass. He lived to be seventy-six years of age, and she ninety-eight. He was a cooper by trade, although he made farming his chief occupation through life. Their son, Stinson S., received a very limited education, and when about nine years of age began working in a tannery, grinding bark. Here he remained until about nineteen years of age, when he removed to Boston, and worked in a currying shop for about two years. He then went to Martinsburg, Va., where he superintended a tan-yard for about five years. He then went across the mountains to Ohio, and, after working in that State for a time, rode on westward until he reached Huntsville, Mo., where he located. In 1842 he married Miss Minerva Reed, who was born in Howard County, Mo., February 14, 1822, and soon after they removed to Osceola, Mo., where Mr. Stearnes purchased a tan-yard and operated the same until the breaking out of the war. In 1866 he and family moved to Washington County, Ark., and here they have since made their home. Mr. and Mrs. Stearnes are the parents of seven children: Martha J., Theodocia, Cyrus P., John W., Charles S., Bettie and Moses. Mr. Stearnes is the owner of over 161 acres, of which 125 are under cultivation, and he and Mrs. Stearnes are members of the Christian Church.