The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-26
A RICH WOMAN DEAD.
Mrs. Searles, Widow of Railroad
Builder Mark Hopkins.
SHE LEAVES MANY MILLIONS.
Her Mania for Building Fine Houses
Married an Architect-A Pat
ron OF the Arts.

MErHUEN, Mass, July 25-tspecial Mrs
Hopkins Searles, wife OF f. T. Searles, the New
York architect, and the widow of Millionaire
Hopkins. of the Pacific slope. died here this
morning, as a result of attack OF the grip
Her first husband left an estate valued at $780,
100000 Searles' wealth IL estimated at $50, 000-
900. Mrs. Hopkins Searles was attacked with
the grip during last winter and never recoy-
cred. She was treated BY the best doctors in
the state, but all efforts to conquer the disease
were unavailing. Some time ago change
OF climate was ordered, and the invalid
went West. but returned unimproved
by the trip. After the death of her first hus-
band, Mark Hopkins, Mrs. Hopkins came East
and settled in Great Darlington. where she com.
menced to erect a stately mansion. Edward +.
Searles, New York architect, had charge of the
greater portion OF the work. About seven years
ago Mrs. Hopkins and Mr.. Searles were married,
and subsequently removed to Methuen. Since
then they have made that place their home.
When the funeral will be held is unknown.
Mrs. Searles maiden name was Mary Frances
Sherwood. She was born in New England about
1898, and was married at an early age. she came
to California with her husband, and was with
him and in sacramento during the long period
before the oyerlan railroad was an assured fact.
Her husband Mark Hopkins, was one OF the
strong figures among overland railroad men. He
WAS the first treasurer of the Central Pacific
company. Several years ago, Mrs. Hopkins
married Mr.. Searles, an architect, of New York.
She has resided since then in Great Darlington,
Mass, where she built palatfal residence
which eclipses even that owned by her on Cali
fornia street in San Francisco. Deceased was
possessed OF large property interests In San
Francisco and throughout California. Besides
the interests in the Southern Pacific Company
and the Huntington Hopkins Company, she
owned beautiful residence on Cali
fornia street, San Francisco, and
country home at Menlo Park, CAL, known
as Sherwood Hall, formerly the resid-
ence of Milton s. Latham. Timothy Hop
kins. the present treasurer of the Southern
Pacific, is the adopted son of the deceased. Mrs.
Timothy Hopkins is niece OF the deceased.
Another niece is the wife of Mark Sibley Sever
ance, OF Los Angeles. Mrs. Searles was well
known, not only in San Francisco, but through
out the United States, as one OF the richest
women in the world. As the widow of Mark
Hopkins she fell heir to immense fortune,
which was judiciously invested and made to re-
turn large profits. She had extensive railroad
interests and altogether it would be difficult to
accurately estimate the exact amount of the
Hopkins estate. In 1887 Mrs. Hopkins married
Edward +. Searles. AS is well known Mrs Hop
kins had perfect mania for building houses.
She owned several in different parts of the
United States and of the magnificent Won
ders of her home in Great Darlington,
Mass, only those who have seen 1t can
form any adequate conception of their
srsrles was a decorator and furnisher or, to be
more explicit, he became Mrs. Hopkins super
intendent of construction. Her consultations
with him were endless and at last they were
married: The ceremony was quietly performed
in Trinity chapel, New York, by Rev. DR.. Plat,
formerly of Grace church, San Francisco, and
former pastor of the bride. Not only was Mrs.
Hopkins Searles patron OF the arts and of mueic.
but she was lover and collector of rare old
lace. Her possessions in this line are declared
70 be very fine. About two years ago Mr.. and
Mr.. Searles revisited California, spending some
time in San Francisco.