R. H. Stearns
Encyclopedia
Richard Hall Stearns (1824–1909) was a wealthy tradesman, philanthropist, and politician from Massachusetts
whose self-titled department store became one of the largest department chains in Boston
and the surrounding area.
The headquarters and main store was in the R. H. Stearns Building on Tremont Street
near Park Street
in Boston.
on December 25, 1824. Soon after birth his family moved to New Ipswich, New Hampshire
. At the age of seven, he was left an orphan and taken in and raised by his uncle in Lincoln, Massachusetts
.
He was educated in district schools and attended Phillips Academy
in Andover, Massachusetts
. After his studies, he taught school.
He served in the Massachusetts Legislature
for two years and also on the Boston Educational Board
.
The store eventually failed to compete with comparable chains such as Filene's
.
The exclusive trucking company for R.H.Stearns was A.J.Connelly, Inc. based in Hyde Park, Massachusetts.
at the age of 85 from natural causes and old age.
His son, Frank W. Stearns
, married Emily Williston Clark, eldest daughter of Massachusetts academician and public figure William Smith Clark. F.W. Stearns was a close friend of Calvin Coolidge
, joining him as an honored guest at the Republican National Convention
in California
when Coolidge was Vice President
.
Richard H. Stearns had other sons, Richard H. Stearns, Jr. (b. April 25, 1862) who worked in his father's dry goods firm, Frederick R. Stearns, and the Reverend William Foster Stearns (b. April 18, 1859) who was a clergyman and graduate of Amherst College
class of 1882.
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
whose self-titled department store became one of the largest department chains in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
and the surrounding area.
The headquarters and main store was in the R. H. Stearns Building on Tremont Street
Tremont Street
Tremont Street is a major thoroughfare in Boston, Massachusetts.-Etymology:The name is a variation of one of the original appellations of the city, "Trimountaine," a reference to a hill that formerly had three peaks. Beacon Hill, with its single peak, is all that remains of the Trimountain...
near Park Street
Park Street, Boston
This article refers to Park Street in Boston. For other Park Streets, please see the Park Street disambiguation page.Park Street is a small but notable road in the center of Boston, Massachusetts. It begins at the top of Beacon Hill, at the intersection of Beacon Street, where it is lined up with...
in Boston.
Early life
He was born in Ashburnham, MassachusettsAshburnham, Massachusetts
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,546 people, 1,929 households, and 1,541 families residing in the town. The population density was 143.4 people per square mile . There were 2,204 housing units at an average density of 57.0 per square mile...
on December 25, 1824. Soon after birth his family moved to New Ipswich, New Hampshire
New Ipswich, New Hampshire
New Ipswich is a town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 5,099 at the 2010 census. New Ipswich, situated on the Massachusetts border, includes the villages of Bank, Davis, Gibson Four Corners, Highbridge, New Ipswich Center, Smithville, and Wilder, though these...
. At the age of seven, he was left an orphan and taken in and raised by his uncle in Lincoln, Massachusetts
Lincoln, Massachusetts
Lincoln is a town in the historic area of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 6,362 at the 2010 census, including residents of Hanscom Air Force Base that live within town limits...
.
He was educated in district schools and attended Phillips Academy
Phillips Academy
Phillips Academy is a selective, co-educational independent boarding high school for boarding and day students in grades 9–12, along with a post-graduate year...
in Andover, Massachusetts
Andover, Massachusetts
Andover is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. It was incorporated in 1646 and as of the 2010 census, the population was 33,201...
. After his studies, he taught school.
Career
In 1846 he moved to Boston and worked in the store of C.C. Burr. A year later, Stearns opened up his own business in a small shop which later grew into a large store and company.He served in the Massachusetts Legislature
Massachusetts General Court
The Massachusetts General Court is the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The name "General Court" is a hold-over from the Colonial Era, when this body also sat in judgment of judicial appeals cases...
for two years and also on the Boston Educational Board
Boston Public Schools
Boston Public Schools is a school district serving the city of Boston, Massachusetts, United States.-Leadership:The district is led by a Superintendent, hired by the Boston School Committee, a seven-member school board appointed by the Mayor after approval by a nominating committee of specified...
.
The store eventually failed to compete with comparable chains such as Filene's
Filene's
Filene's was a Boston-based department store owned by Federated Department Stores , and May Department Stores . It operated throughout New England and in New York.-Early years:...
.
The exclusive trucking company for R.H.Stearns was A.J.Connelly, Inc. based in Hyde Park, Massachusetts.
Later years
He died in August 1909 in Poland Springs, MainePoland, Maine
Poland is a town in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 4,866 at the 2000 census. Home to Range Ponds State Park, Poland is a historic resort area...
at the age of 85 from natural causes and old age.
Family
He married Louise M. Waterman.His son, Frank W. Stearns
Frank Stearns
Frank Waterman Stearns was an American businessman whose father, Richard H. Stearns had founded the R. H. Stearns department store and company in Boston. His mother was Louise M. Waterman....
, married Emily Williston Clark, eldest daughter of Massachusetts academician and public figure William Smith Clark. F.W. Stearns was a close friend of Calvin Coolidge
Calvin Coolidge
John Calvin Coolidge, Jr. was the 30th President of the United States . A Republican lawyer from Vermont, Coolidge worked his way up the ladder of Massachusetts state politics, eventually becoming governor of that state...
, joining him as an honored guest at the Republican National Convention
Republican National Convention
The Republican National Convention is the presidential nominating convention of the Republican Party of the United States. Convened by the Republican National Committee, the stated purpose of the convocation is to nominate an official candidate in an upcoming U.S...
in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
when Coolidge was Vice President
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
.
Richard H. Stearns had other sons, Richard H. Stearns, Jr. (b. April 25, 1862) who worked in his father's dry goods firm, Frederick R. Stearns, and the Reverend William Foster Stearns (b. April 18, 1859) who was a clergyman and graduate of Amherst College
Amherst College
Amherst College is a private liberal arts college located in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States. Amherst is an exclusively undergraduate four-year institution and enrolled 1,744 students in the fall of 2009...
class of 1882.