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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chautauqua County, New York published by John M. Gresham & Co. in 1891. These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary. Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more. There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.
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CRAWFORD STEARNS is one of the most successful farmers and cattle dealers in this county. He was born in Arkwright, Chautauqua county, New York, May 9, 1830, and is a son of Benjamin and Electa (Halstead) Stearns. Benjamin Stearns was of English descent and was born in Vermont, in 1803, and came to this county in 1820, where he became an extensive farmer and stock-dealer and was successful in gathering together a goodly share of riches. In politics he was a democrat and held the office of county commissioner for several years. His religious convictions prompted him to become a member of the Baptist church, of which his wife was also a member. He died in Villanova, this county, in 1866, aged sixty-three years. In 1825, he married Electa Halstead, a native of Canada, who is now in her eighty-fifth year and resides at Villanova. They had six children.
Crawford Stearns was reared on the farm and received his education in the public schools. He has always been occupied in agricultural pursuits, and now owns a fine farm of four hundred and fifteen acres in Villanova, besides being largely interested in cattle-dealing. In 1883, he came to Forestville and built a fine residence which he still occupies. Full of push and energy, he has as a natural consequence been very successful and now in the autumn of life is enjoying the fruits of his efforts. Politically he is a republican and has held several village offices. In religion he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of which he is also a steward and trustee. He is a member of Hanover Grange, No. 594, Patrons of Husbandry, and Hanover Lodge, No. 10, A. O. U. W. Strong in his convictions, pleasant and kindly in temperament and disposition, he is respected and esteemed by all who come in contact with him.
In 1854, Mr. Stearns was united in marriage with Louisa White, a daughter of Joel White, of Arkwright this county, and they have been the parents of two children: Lester F., district attorney at Dunkirk, this county; and Allie M., married to Irving Powers, who is engaged in the railroad business and resides at Buffalo. Mrs. Stearns is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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This family biography is one of 658 biographies included in Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chautauqua County, New York published in 1891.
View additional Chautauqua County, New York family biographies here: Chautauqua County, New York Biographies
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