My Genealogy Hound

SIDNEY S. STEARNS, street commissioner of Cortland village, is a native of St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and was born March 18, 1845. His parents were both natives of Vermont. Clark Stearns, his father, was always a tiller of the soil. Part of his family was born in Vermont and part at Louisville, St. Lawrence County, N. Y. It was at the last place he died. He was the father of a family of twelve children, namely: Maria; Alfred; Levi; Laura; Stephen; Elijah; Clarinda; Ellen; Lucinda; Sidney S.; Clark; and Mary.

Sidney S. Stearns, the subject of this personal sketch, received a common school education. In 1859 he went to Woburn, Mass., where he worked one year, when he went to Eau Claire, Wis., where he remained one year. Inspired by a spirit of patriotism, brought on by the stirring events of 1861, he determined to enlist and render service to his country. He accordingly joined the ranks of the 91st Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf., and remained in the army fifteen months. After leaving the service of the United States he went to Louisville, N. Y., where he engaged in farming for three years. Agricultural pursuits, however, were not congenial to his tastes, and so he sought a position on the railroad. This he secured, and was in the service of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Co. for seven years, making his home in Scranton, Pa., during this period. He then engaged in the grocery business the following six years. After which he moved to Cortland, N. Y., and engaged in the meat business for five years; subsequently he followed the line of life insurance until 1895, when he was elected street commissioner of Cortland village. His services met the appreciation of all good citizens irrespective of party, and he was re-elected in 1897 for another term of two years. The duties of the position to which he has been chosen have been faithfully and honestly discharged. His successive elections show his popularity. It has been his constant aim and earnest endeavor to satisfy the wishes of the people. He is honest and upright in all his dealings. Mr. Stearns was married August 7, 1865, to Laura E. Day. She was also born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., a daughter of Joseph and Eliza (Proctor) Day. Her parents were natives of the old Bay State. They had a family of seven children.