Frederick Stearns Information

A historic Mansion that showcase masterful design and furnishings. A place that tells the story of Detroit and A legacy that touches many aspect of Detroit's past and present. Frederick K. Stearns Born December 6, 1854 Buffalo, New York Died June 7, 1924 Beverly Hills, California Alma mater University of Michigan Occupation(s) Owner of Detroit Wolverines (MLB), businessman Political party Republican Spouse Helen E. Sweet Children Edward Sweet Stearns Parent(s) Frederick and Eliza (Kimball) Stearns Frederick Kimball Stearns (December 6, 1854 – June 7, 1924) was an American businessman who was the president of Frederick Stearns & Company, a pharmaceutical manufacturing business, from 1887 to 1921. He was also the organizer of the Detroit Orchestral Association, which later became the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, a trustee of the Detroit Museum of Art, and the owner of the Detroit Wolverines baseball team in the National League from 1885 to 1888. Biography Stearns was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1854, the son of Frederick and Eliza (Kimball) Stearns. He moved to Detroit with his parents as a child and was educated at the Philo M. Patterson Classical School. He enrolled in the University of Michigan in 1873 where he was the captain and second baseman for the Michigan Wolverines baseball team.[1] He left the university as a junior to join his father's pharmaceutical manufacturing business, Frederick Stearns & Company. He became president of the company in 1887.[2][3] Stearns resigned as president of the family business in 1921 to become chairman of the board. In 1885, Stearns acquired the Detroit Wolverines baseball club and became its president.[2] During his ownership, the team acquired a number of star players, including future Baseball Hall of Fame inductees Sam Thompson and Dan Brouthers. Stearns spent $25,000 (equal to $814,259 today) between 1885 and 1887 to turn Detroit into a powerhouse team. His 1887 team won the National League pennant and went on to defe