George N. Stearns
| George Noble Stearns | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
September 29, 1812 Lanesboro, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States |
| Died | July 19, 1882 (aged 69) Syracuse, New York |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Occupation | Tool designer, Company founder, Hardware |
| Known for | Founder of George N. Stearns Company which was later renamed E. C. Stearns & Company |
| Spouse(s) | Delilah Amanda Taylor (born 1816) |
| Children |
Edward C. Stearns (1856-1929) Avis Stearns Van Wagenen (1841-1907) |
| Parent(s) | Samuel Stearns and Elizabeth Smith Grandson of Ebenezer Stearns |
George Noble Stearns (September 29, 1812 – July 19, 1882) was a tool designer and founded the George N. Stearns Company, a hardware business, in 1860 in Syracuse, New York.
After he became seriously ill in 1877, his son, Edward C. Stearns and daughter, Avis Stearns Van Wagenen took control of the firm and renamed it to E. C. Stearns & Company.
George N. Stearns, a wagon maker, invented several tools and patented many of his innovations including a boring and mortising machine and auger.
He was "one of the most skillful and ingenious of mechanics" and invented the first boring and mortising machine ever used in the manufacture of wagon wheels. Additionally, he invented a number of smaller labor saving devices and was the first to invent adjustable hollow augers and saw vises.
About 1860, he 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.
Two of his children, 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 George N. Stearns experienced health problems. In 1877, the company name was changed to E. C. Stearns & Company.
He was born on September 29, 1812 in Lanesboro, Massachusetts and was the son of Samuel Stearns and Elizabeth Smith. He was the grandson of Lieutenant Ebenezer Stearns who served in the Revolutionary War with the Green Mountain Boys of Vermont and received his commission in recognition of his bravery in the Battle of Bennington.
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