Stearns, Abel, 1798-1871

Pioneer California businessman; arriving in Monterey in 1829; Sterns held many public and private offices. At the time of these declarations, he was Alcalde (or Mayor) of Los Angeles.

From the description of Colorado River Ferry declarations, 1850 May 8-1850 June 8. (Arizona Historical Society, Southern Arizona Division). WorldCat record id: 39114744

Abel Stearns was a prominent trader and landowner in Southern California from 1829 until his death in 1871.

From the description of Abel Stearns papers, 1836-1865. (California Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 767839874

Abel Stearns was a pioneer ranch owner and businessman in Los Angeles, Calif. As a young man, he left his native Massachusetts to engage in South American and China shipping trade. He went to Mexico in 1826, became a naturalized citizen, and in 1829 moved to Monterey, Calif. By 1833, he settled in Los Angeles where he became a wealthy businessman and influential politician.

From the description of Papers of Abel Stearns: Addenda 1, 1821-1879 (bulk: 1821-1831). (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 122551997

Abel Stearns (1798-1871) was born in Lunenberg, Mass. As a young man he spent some years at sea, taking part in the trade with South America and China. About 1826 he reached Mexico and during his residence there became a naturalized citizen. In about 1833, Stearns settled in Los Angeles, joined Juan Bandini in the trading business and married Bandini's daughter Arcadia. He became involved in almost every type of business and held minor political officers. In 1849 he represented Los Angeles district at the constitutional convention in Monterey, and later was a member of the state assembly. By 1858, he had become the wealthiest man in Los Angeles County. After the drought of 1863-1864, he became bankrupt and had to sell a great deal of his property. He died in San Francisco in 1871.

From the description of Papers of Abel Stearns, 1821-1935. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 122639399

Abel Stearns was a businessman and politician in early California. He arrived in California in 1829 and helped promote the development of Los Angeles and San Pedro.

From the description of Papers of Abel Stearns : Addenda 2, 1817-1878. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 228737917

Biography

Abel Stearns (1798-1871) was born in Lunenberg, Massachusetts. As a young man he spent some years at sea, taking part in the trade with South America and China. About 1826 he reached Mexico and during his residence there became a naturalized citizen. He arrived in California in 1829 and soon settled in Los Angeles, where he made his home for the rest of his life. From a small beginning as a trader and merchant Stearns expanded his activities into the fields of landholding, cattle ranching, mining, politics, education and so forth, gradually becoming a wealthy and influential figure. Because he was a participant in so many important phases of the development of California, his papers constitute a valuable source of historical information.

From the guide to the Abel Stearns Papers, Collection I, 1804-1935, (The Huntington Library)

Biography

Abel Stearns was a pioneer ranch owner and businessman of Los Angeles. Orphaned in 1810, he left his native Massachusetts and went to sea, making trips to China, the East Indies, and Latin America. By the early 1820s he was back in the United States trying to establish himself as a businessman, dealing mainly in shoes. In 1826 he left for Mexico, settling in Mexico City. As partner in a colonization enterprise for Upper California, he became a naturalized citizen and moved to Monterey in 1829. While awaiting approval of a land grant, he turned to merchandising. In about 1833 Stearns settled in Los Angeles, joined Juan Bandini in the trading business, and married Bandini's daughter Arcadia. Stearns became involved in almost every type of business, held minor political offices, and was sent as a representative of the Los Angeles district to the state constitutional convention in Monterey in 1849. He began acquiring rancho property and by 1858 was the owner of vast landholdings and cattle herds and the wealthiest man in Los Angeles county. As a member of the state assembly in 1861, he took an active part in promoting the Los Angeles and San Pedro Railroad. Stearns was forced to sell a great deal of his property when he became bankrupt after the drought of 1863-1864, which caused the decline of the cattle industry in California. He died in San Francisco in 1871.

From the guide to the Abel Stearns Papers, Collection II, 1821-1831; 1879, (The Huntington Library)

Biographical Note

Abel Stearns (1798-1871) was a pioneer ranch owner and businessman of early California. Orphaned in 1810, he left Massachusetts and went to sea, making trips to China, the East Indies and Latin America. In the 1820s he began his career as a businessman dealing in shoes in Philadelphia. He left for Mexico in 1826 and eventually arrived in Monterey in 1829. In Monterey, while waiting for a land grant approval, he began his career in merchandising. He moved to Los Angeles in 1833 and joined the trading business with Juan Bandini, eventually marrying Bandini's daughter Arcadia. As well as being a businessman in Los Angeles, he held minor political offices and was a representative for the Los Angeles district at the state constitutional convention in 1849. In 1858 he was the wealthiest man in Los Angeles, owning several businesses and a large amount of land. Stearns took an active role in promoting the development of Los Angeles and San Pedro. He died in San Francisco in 1871.

From the guide to the Abel Stearns Papers, Collection III, 1817-1878, (bulk 1825-1831), (The Huntington Library)

Biography

Abel Stearns (1798-1871) was born in Lunenberg, Massachusetts. As a young man he spent some years at sea, taking part in the trade with South America and China. About 1826 he arrived in Mexico, and during his residence there, he became a naturalized citizen. Stearns moved to Los Angeles in 1829, and became a central figure in commerce and the political life of the pueblo. Stearns expanded his trading and merchandizing activities into cattle ranching, mining, and politics, and became a wealthy and influential landholder. Stearns became known for his efforts to annex San Pedro to Los Angeles, and connecting a stage route between the two areas. Highlights of his political career include his service as the first alcalde, or mayor, of Los Angeles during the Mexican period, and President of Los Angeles under American rule. Stearns's commercial and social interests were enhanced by his marriage to Arcadia Bandini, a member of the land-rich Bandini family of California. However, the severe drought of 1862-1864 dehabilited his ranching enterprises. By 1868, Stearns had suffered such financial losses that he was forced to sell most of his land holdings to the trust controlling the Stearns Ranchos Company. Stearns died in 1871.

From the guide to the Abel Stearns [Letters], 1861-1865, (University of California, Los Angeles. Library. Department of Special Collections.)