He served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Harford County, from 1892 to 1896.
[2] Stearns was appointed as justice of the peace of the 5th district by Governor John Lee Carroll following the resignation of Cyrus H. Pusey in 1879.
[3][4] He served in that role until his death, when he was succeeded by Howard Proctor.
[7][8] Stearns served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Harford County, from 1892 to 1896.
[6] Stearns died on May 26, 1910, at the age of 72, at his home near Whiteford, Maryland.