Searles, P. T. 1829 – 1891

SEARLES

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 12/23/2014 at 09:31:34

Iowa Plain Dealer July 23, 1891, P2 C6

Death of P. T. Searles

Sunday afternoon July 19, 1891, at his home in Lime Springs, P. T. Searles quietly past from earthly scenes to the great hereafter. For more than two years his health had been on the decline, but not so but he was able to be about the house most of the time until the past few months. His trouble seems to be a complication of diseases; asthma and heart failure being prominent features. For several weeks he was unable to lie down in bed, taking what rest he obtained sitting in an easy chair. On Sunday, complaining of a severe pain in his arm, he asked for a drink of water, which being brought he was unable to drink and almost instantly passed away.

He was among the first settlers of the county, locating near Lime Springs; the first acquaintance the writer had with him, being in August 1857, which was renewed the next spring when Mr. and Mrs. Searles with but one child, were in the little public house at the village as its host and hostess. In 1860 he was elected sheriff of Howard county and at the expiration of his term was reinstalled. Subsequently he was a member of the board of Supervisors, and for two terms was County Treasurer, completing the last term on the accession of Mr. Salisbury to the office.

He has been largely engaged in mercantile business at various times in the county, the firms with which he was connected being of the leading ones in the county.

As citizen, merchant, farmer, public officer, he has faithfully performed every duty sacredly discharging every trust.

A widow and five children, three sons and two daughters survive him.

For many years he had been a member of the Masonic fraternity, which honored body together with hundreds of his friends and neighbors followed his remains to Pleasant Hill cemetery, where his brethren tearfully dropped the spring of acassia upon his sacred remains.

He was born in New York state in 1829, and was past 62 years of age.

An honest man gone to his reward.