Stearns, I. K

Description

This 1941 image of Irene Simpson (1925-1969), daughter of Lake and Marie Pollard Simpson and who married Leroy Simpkins and lived in the Bryson Branch section of Bryson City, is part of the Stearns-Grueninger Collection. Irving Kip Stearns (1895-1942) was president of Carolina Wood Turning Company from 1928 until his death in 1942. Stearns’ grandfather, Jeremiah Shank, started the company in 1903 as Bryson City Pump Works and it grew to be a thriving industry for the community. In 1911, Stearns was in the first graduating class of Bryson City High School. He had one son, Joseph Pease Stearns (1917-1948). In 1935, I. K. married Betty Grueninger (1896-1971).

Record Contributed By

Western Carolina University

Record Harvested From

North Carolina Digital Heritage Center