1. Abel Stearns was an American trader who came to the Pueblo de Los Angeles, Alta California in 1829 and became a major landowner and cattle rancher and one of the area's wealthiest citizens.
12 Facts About Abel Stearns
1. 2.
Abel Stearns's parents were both from families that came from England in the 1600s.
3.
In 1829, Abel Stearns emigrated to Monterey, California, and then settled in the Pueblo de los Angeles in present-day Los Angeles, California.
4.
Abel Stearns obtained a government concession to build a warehouse at San Pedro, the nearest seaport.
5.
Soon, Abel Stearns became one of the most prominent and influential citizens of the pueblo.
6.
In 1842 Abel Stearns bought his first rancho, the 28,000-acre Rancho Los Alamitos between Los Angeles and the harbor.
7.
Abel Stearns mortgaged the rancho to Michael Reese, who then purchased it at a sheriff's sale.
8.
In 1842 Abel Stearns made the first recorded shipment of California gold to the US Mint.
9.
Abel Stearns was a delegate to the 1849 California Constitutional Convention, representing the district of Los Angeles.
10.
Abel Stearns turned over 177,796 acres to the Trust, including all but one of his ranchos.
11.
Abel Stearns was nicknamed "Cara de Caballo", because of his long-jawed countenance.
12.
Abel Stearns died on August 23,1871, at age 72 in the Grand Hotel, San Francisco, California.