Avis Stearns Van Wagenen
| Avis Stearns Van Wagenen | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
January 1, 1841 Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York, United States |
| Died | January 7, 1907 (aged 66) Syracuse, New York |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Occupation | Company founder |
| Known for | Partner in E. C. Stearns & Company with her brother, Edward C. Stearns Co-owner of E. C. Stearns Bicycle Agency (1893-1899) |
| Spouse(s) | Daniel Mead in 1861, Matthew V. V. Van Wagenen (born 1839) in 1886 |
| Children | Two adopted children |
| Parent(s) | George Noble Stearns (1812-1882) and Delilah Amanda Taylor (born 1816) |
Avis Stearns Van Wagenen (January 1, 1841 - January 3, 1907) was a partner in E. C. Stearns & Company, a hardware business, with her brother, Edward C. Stearns in the late 19th century in Syracuse, New York.
Avis Stearns Van Wagenen was the daughter of George N. Stearns (1812-1882), a wagon maker, who also invented several tools and patented many of his innovations including a boring and mortising machine and auger. She was born in Syracuse on January 1, 1841 and was the second eldest of seven children born to Delilah Amanda Taylor and the George N. Stearns.
About 1860, her father began manufacturing his patented devices under his own name and he established himself in a "small but complete works." During 1864, he incorporated as George N. Stearns & Company and relocated to a small building the firm erected at 116 Cedar Street in Syracuse. The company was principally involved in the production of hollow augers.
She graduated from Syracuse High School and taught in public schools in Syracuse but resigned that position to work for her father's hardware firm, finally taking charge of the business in 1877.
Avis Stearns Van Wagenen (then Mrs. Avis Mead), along with her brother, Edward C. Stearns, assumed the duties of the company in 1877 and a new co-partnership was formed after their father experienced health problems. The company name was changed to E. C. Stearns & Company not long after his death on May 19, 1882.
During 1893, the Stearns hardware enterprise ventured into the manufacture of bicycles and went into business as the E. C. Stearns Bicycle Agency. In 1899, the company was sold to American Bicycle Company of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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