Charles Thomas Stearns was an American politician, member of the Minnesota Territorial Council (1849–1858) representing the 3rd District from 1854–55, and had taken an active part in securing the passage of the bill establishing the county. He moved to St. Cloud, Minnesota the following year and became a prominent member of the developing city. His "Stearns Hotel" became the original building of the Third State Normal School campus in 1869, predecessor of St. Cloud State Teachers College, now St. Cloud State University.