Oxford Democrat., 1899-08-15

Hon. Seward >. Stearns, Judge OF
Probate for Oxford County, died st his
home in Norway, last Wednesday, Aug.
9, ST the age Of 43 years
Mr.. Stearns WAS born In Lowell, March
IL. 1856. He WAS educated In the con-
mon schools OF Lowell, AZ Fryeburg
Academy and Bowdoin College, gradu-
sting from Bowdoin in the class Of 1879.
After his graduation he studied law with
Judge A. II. Walker of Bridgton, and
was admitted TO the Oxford Bar In
March. lSS2.
He began the practice Of law in Water
ford. immediately after being admitted
to the bar, bat in January, 1854, removed
20 Norway, and became the law partner
OF the late Henry NJ. BeSrce, the name Of
the firm being Bearce x Stesrns. Mr..
Bearce died In May, lS9l, leaving vacant
the positions Of president Of the Norway
National Bank and treasurer OF the Nor
way Savings Bank. To the latter posi-
tions Mr.. Stearns was chosen 20 succeed
Mr.. Bearce.
During his residence IN Norway Mr..
Stearns took an active part In town
affairs, and had served on the board OF
selectmen. the school board, and the
management OF the public library. He
always took an active interest In all mat
tiers which could tend 20 build up Nor
way, and has done a large share OF the
work necessary 20 securing the growth
and progress which that enterprising
town has made in the past fifteen years.
Mr.. Stearns has always been an ear
nest Republican. taking deep interest
In the welfare OF the party, and had
served on several OF the party commit
tees. Under the administration OF Pres
ideut Harrison be was deputy collector
o, Internal revenue for the western dis
triet OF Maine. In 1895, after lively
campaign within the party, he secured
the nomination for Judge Of Probate,
was elected in September Of that year,
and discharged the duties Of the Office
up 70 the time OF his death, uotwith-
standing the rsvsges made upon his
health and strength by the disease which
pursued him so long, and finally, In
spite OF q gallant fight, conquered.
Mr.. Stearns was deeply interested In
Masonry. He WAS thirty-second degree
Mason, and had been presiding officer OF
the three Masonic bodies-lOdge, chapter
snd couneil-in Norway, and Grand
High Priest Of the Grand Chapter OF
Maine.
In his business relations Mr.. Stesrns
had the entire confidence Of all who
dealt with him. In his personal relations
he made friends Of all who came in con-
tact with him, and that was one secret
Of his success in political matters. In
many departments OF life he viii be as
much missed ss any man In Oxford
County.
IL Is about two years since Judge
Stearns began TO feel the effects OF the
disease which caused his death, and dur
ing that time his zeal and "pluckn have
been strikingly manifest. Although in
q physical condition which would pre-
vent most men from taking any active
part in affairs, he has kept around and
superintended his various business mat
ters, and made plans for the future,
without apparently once losing his eour-
age, until the day before his death. The
end came quite suddenly NJ last.
Judge Stearns leaves a wife and two
young sons. He is also survived BY two
brothers, Hon. Joseph +. Stearns OF
Lowell and Arthur I. Stearns Of Eli,
Nevada.
The funeral was held at the Congrega-
tional church Saturday afternoon, 10
charge Of Oxford Lodge, +. and A. N.
Between thirty and forty members Of
Lewiston Commandery, Knights Tenn
plar, In full uniform, came by special
train. The trustees Of the Norway Saw
ings Bank attended in body, as did
Norway Lodge, I. o. o. Il. The essket
and platform were covered and sur
rounded by flowers. The choir render
ed some appropriate selections, and Rev.
Mr.. Rideout conducted the service,
speaking In high terms Of the sterling
qualities Of the deceased, and extending
consolation TO those who were tereaved.
The Masonic funeral service was render
ed by Oxford Lodge, and the remains
were taken 70 Pine Grove Cemetery and
Inferred with Masonic honors. People
came from several Of the neighboring
towns to attend the funeral, and the
throng which filed The large church ses-
titled to the esteem In which Judge
Stearns was held, while there were at
least one hundred and fifty men In the
several bodies which escorted the re-
mains TO the grave.