Ozora P. Stearns

Ozora Pierson Stearns (January 15, 1831 – June 2, 1896) was an American politician.

Early years
He moved to Ohio in 1833 with his parents, who settled in Lake County, Ohio.

Education
He attended Oberlin College, later graduating from the University of Michigan in 1858 and from the law department of that university in 1860. He was admitted to the bar in 1860 and commenced practice in Rochester, Minnesota.

Career
He was elected prosecuting attorney of Olmsted County, Minnesota in 1861 and served as mayor of Rochester from 1866-1868. He served in the Union Army during the Civil War as a first lieutenant in the Ninth Minnesota Infantry and later as colonel and commander of the Thirty-ninth U.S. Colored Infantry. He led the latter regiment at the Battle of the Crater on July 30, 1864. He was elected as a Republican to the United States Senate from Minnesota on January 18, 1871, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Daniel S. Norton, temporarily occupied by William Windom. He served until March 4, 1871 in the 41st Congress. Later he was a judge of the eleventh judicial district of Minnesota 1874 – 1895 and a regent of the University of Minnesota 1890 – 1895.

Death
He died in Pacific Beach, California. His remains were cremated in Los Angeles, California, and the ashes interred in Forest Hill Cemetery, Duluth, Minnesota.