Searls, Gilbert I. "G. I." 1867-1938

SEARLS, COMLY, SNYDER

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/13/2024 at 20:49:11

Note: His mother's maiden name was Comly.

DEATH SUMMONS GILBERT I. SEARLS SUNDAY EVENING

Last Rites for Esteemed Akron Man Held in Baptist Church Yesterday

Gilbert I. Searls one of the well-known early settlers of this section, passed away at 6:15 o’clock Sunday evening, January 23, 1938, at his home two miles northeast of town, from a sudden heart attack, aged 71 years and 16 days. So far as known, Mr. Searls had not been ailing until Sunday, when he was advised by a physician to take things easy; but he felt well enough to do some light chores about the place that day. Shortly before supper time his brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. B. A. Adams, stopped at his home, bringing some ice cream for a lunch, and Mr. Searls was just about to partake of a dish of the cream when he was suddenly stricken. A doctor was hastily summoned, but he had passed beyond earthly aid before the physician’s arrival.

Gilbert I. Searls, son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Searls, was born at Seward, Illinois, January 7, 1867. He came to Plymouth county, Iowa, with his parents in 1882 and assisted thm in farming in Portland township for a number of years. Later he operated a threshing machine and cornsheller with Charles Wise. For several years he operated a farm he owned near DeSmet, S. D., but came back when his parents needed him to assist them on the home place, and he remained with them until their decease except for two years that he spent in Montana. During the past twenty-two years Mr. Searls was a farming partner and close friend of William Hamm.

On April 6, 1890, Mr. Searls united with the First Baptist church, of Akron, and was one of the early members of this church. In the same year he was united in marriage with Emma Snyder, and one daughter, Flora, now Mrs. A. L. Bernard, of Elk Point, S. D., was born to this union.

Mr. Searls leaves to mourn his departure, on daughter, Mrs. AL L. Bernard of Elk Point, S. D.; two brothers , Frederick of San Jose, Calif., and Howard, of Akron; three sisters, Mrs. Lillian E. Hollister, of San Jose, Calif., Mrs. Belle Eaton, of Pecatomica, Ill., and Mrs. Elizabeth Adams, of Akron; three grandchildren, Charles, Barba and Larry Bernard.

His parents and four brothers preceded him in death.

The community extends its sincere sympathy to the near and dear ones so suddenly bereaved. “Bert” Searls as he was commonly known was a man of sterling character, honorable in all dealings, industrious and thrifty. A jovial, kindly and sympathetic nature gained for him many warm and lsting friendships, and he was a great favorite among his grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He will be genuinely missed and mourned in the community in which he lived for so many years.

After a brief service at the Rossow funeral home, funeral services were held at 2:30 o’clock yesterday afternoon in the First Baptist church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. L. g. Williams. Miss Enida Snyder sang a solo and mixed quartet sang two selections. The pallbearers were nephews of the deceased—Harry, Burdette and Roscoe Searls, of Brookings, S. D., and Walter and Lloyd Searls and Wayne Snyder, of Akron. Interment was in Riverside cemetery.

Relatives who came from a distance were: Mrs. Belle Eaton, of Pecatonica, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Searls, of Sioux City; Harry, Burdette and Roscoe Searls of Brookings, S. D.; Miss Simonne Bernard, of Sioux City.

Akron Register Tribune
Thursday, January 27, 1938
Akron, Iowa