Oliver E. Stearns was a resident of East Hartford on December 28, 1863 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry; he died of consumption in Mansfield on September 22, 1864.

He was born on February 17, 1836 in Mansfield to Shepard and Lucy (Hyde) Stearns. In the 1860 U.S. census in Mansfield, he is a 24 year old farmer in the household of Shepard Stearns. His brother, Jared H. Stearns, 19, is also living in the household. Jared enlisted in Company D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry on August 7, 1862.

Oliver E. Stearns died in Mansfield and is buried in the Old Mansfield Center Cemetery in Mansfield.