FRANK STACEY SEARL.

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         Frank Stacey Searl is the well known and popular proprietor of the Central Hotel at Oakville. His birth occurred at Toolsboro, Louisa county, Iowa, on the 26th of November, 1862, his parents being Robert and Eliza Searl, who were natives of Ohio and Iowa respectively. The father was a horse dealer. When our subject was five years of age the family removed to Ohio because of the ill health of the mother, who was suffering from consumption. She lived only a few years after locating in that state and the father survived her for but one year. Unto them were born eight children, two of whom died in infancy, while the parents were residents of Toolsboro, this county. The others were as follows: William, living in Dayton, Ohio; Frank S., of this review; Charles, who is the proprietor of a button factory at Keithsburg, Illinois; Lydia, who died as a young girl in 1880; Fannie E. who is the wife of H. L. Hoffmeier, of Chicago; and George, who when last heard from four years ago, was a chef in Kansas City, Missouri.

         Frank S. Searl attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education, and, being left an orphan at a tender age, was early thrown upon his own resources for a livehood. He was employed in various positions but has spent the greater part of his life in hotel and restaurant work. For a time he worked as a button cutter in the button factory at Keithsburg, Illinois, and for fifteen years he was a resident of New Boston, that state. Two years ago he came to Oakville, Iowa, and took charge of the Central Hotel, which he has conducted in a highly capable manner. Oakville is an enterprising, growing little town which is made the point of many business transactions through . . .

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. . . commercial travelers, hence the hotel enjoys a first-class patronage and, being located in the heart of a rich farming district, Mr. Searl is able to secure fresh table supplies at a reasonable rate, so that the place is noted for the excellency of its cuisine.

         Mr. Searl has been twice married. His first wife bore the maiden name of Minerva Livingston and was a daughter of Robert and Minerva Livingston of Illinois. Mr. Livingston still survives but has lost his wife. By his first wife Mr. Searl had one daughter, Irma Elaine, whose birth occurred on the 30th of April, 1894. Nine months later the mother passed away. For his second wife Mr. Searl chose Miss Sophia Herr, a daughter of Gregor Herr, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work. Unto them have been born four children, as follows: a son who was born November 4, 1902, and died the following day, being buried in the family lot in the cemetery at New Boston, Illinois; Friend Stacey, whose birth occurred on the 31st of October, 1903; Feh Maxine, whose natal day was March 7, 1905; and Robert Herr Lloyd, who was born October 7, 1910.

         In politics Mr. Searl is a republican, loyally supporting the men and measures of that party. His wife attends the services of the Methodist Episcopal church. His fellow townsmen have ever found in him a representative and progressive citizen who has made good use of his opportunities and as the years have gone by has prospered as the result of his unfaltering industry. In business relations he is found to be reliable and straightforward, while those who meet him socially entertain for him warm regard as the result of his appreciation for true friendship and all that the term implies.