Onslow Stearns began his career with a solid educational foundation, culminating in an honorary Master of Arts degree from Dartmouth College. He established himself in business, notably as a construction contractor and executive in the railroad industry, managing significant projects across multiple states. Stearns transitioned into public service, where he gained experience in the New Hampshire State Senate and as President pro tempore. His tenure as Governor of New Hampshire saw him implement economic reforms and promote infrastructure development. After retiring from politics, Stearns returned to his business interests.

Onslow Stearns's political career reveals a strategic alignment between industrial development and fiscal conservatism, underscored by his promotion of railroad expansion while simultaneously reducing taxes and deficits. His legislative initiatives often displayed a calculated approach, balancing regional economic interests with broader fiscal responsibility. Stearns's rhetoric likely emphasized the symbiotic relationship between industrial growth and state prosperity, a framing that invites deeper inquiry into how he reconciled these potentially conflicting goals.