John Howell Sears

John Howell Sears (1823–1907) was an early pioneer of Searsville and La Honda, two cities in San Mateo County, California. He directly influenced the development of these cities.

History Born February 3, 1823 in Sullivan County, New York. He was living in Wayne County, Pennsylvania before arriving in San Francisco on August 1, 1850 by ship as a gold prospector during the Gold Rush.

Once the lumber industry had slowed down in Searsville, in 1862 he bought 400 acres of land in La Honda area and built the Old Store at La Honda and a hotel nearby. He had bought the Sausman Store in Old La Honda which had been the former center of town and he was responsible for moving the center of the town center to its current location.

He was married to Nancy A. Mayhew (1829–1891) who preceded him in death and together they had three children; William, Ida and Anna.