The US GenWeb Archives provide genealogical and historical data to the 
general public without fee or charge of any kind. It is intended that 
this material not be used in a commercial manner. 

From History of North Washington, published 1903, now in public domain. 
Submitted by Candy L. Grubb March 15, 1997. Both above notices must remain 
when copied or downloaded.

candyg@ieway.com

_____________________________________________________________________________



WILLIAM W. STEARNS

	William W. Stearns, successfully prosecuting the mining industry,
resides at Bossburg, Stevens county.  He was born at Compton, New Hampshire,
August 7, 1836, the son of Gilbert and Sophronia (Finch) Stearns.  The
father was a native of New Hampshire, the mother of New York.  The father of 
the mother was killed in the war of 1812.  One of her brothers was a prof-
essor in the Mishawaka, Indiana, high school.  Her brother, John, associated
with a man named Fisk, owned all the stage routes in New York and several in
other states.  Her paternal grandfather was a sea captain, and was lost at
sea. Our subject had three brothers in the Union army, during the Civil war,
Henry, Zimri, and P.L., the former participating in the battle of Bull Run.
	William W. Stearns, our subject, remained in New Hampshire until the
age of nineteen years, when he began work as keeper in an insane asylum, and 
in 1860 went to California by way of the isthmus.  After a period passed in
mining he went to Los Angeles, where he purchased eight yoke of cattle,
loading them with provisions for the mines.  Two years subsequently he went
to Kern county, and engaged in mercantile business, remaining fifteen years.
Going thence to Arizona he prosecuted mining, in the course of which he lost
considerable money.  He then went to New Mexico, in the general merchandise
business, and erected a quartz mill, which he conducted for eight or ten
years, and quite successfully.
	Mr. Stearns located the "Little Giant" mine, near Bossburg, also a
number of others, which are considered promising.  While in California he
owned a half interest in two gold mines.  At present he owns several 
buildings in New Mexico, aside from other valuable properties.  While in
California he was a member of the Home Guards, under Captain Swanson. He is
a Republican, and manifests a lively interest in the successive campaigns.
	Fraternally, he is a member of the I.O.O.F.  Once while traveling in
California the party to which our subject belonged held a band of hostile
Indians at bay until the arrival of a company of United States soldiers.