New Britain herald., 1925-07-15
SEARLS, VETERAN
 PROSECUTOR, DIES
Also Was Former State SeCre-
 tdry and Party Leader

Thompson. Conn., July IS LPl -- Charles E, Searls, state attorney for Windham county, died at his home here yesterday afternoon at 3.30 standard time. He had been in fall ing health for two years, Ills last illness became pronounced three months ago and the past two days he has been unconscious.
 Mir, Searls was one Of the oldest members at the Connecticut bar in length of service. and the oldest practicing member of the Windham county bar having been admitted b5 years ago next month. He was dean Of states attorneys, having held of fee continuously since 1893.
 Active Republican
 Two generations ago Mfr, sarles vas one of the active men In repuh- lican politics in the state and 3 county leader known 10 electors Tn every town in eastern Connecticut. Political preferment did not appeal strongly 10 him and while many offices were open he accepted but few from time to time. Forty years ago he declined an appointment to the superior court bench, and also in those days he declined the oppor- tunities for nomination for congress and did not encourage his friends who sought to have him nominated a arS,ntrnI !, in the practice of his profession as wealth is noted in a community like his home town or the city in which he practiced throughout his life. He however, went 10 the general assem- ply from Thompson In 1871 and 1886. In 1881 he as secretary of state for one term during the ad- ninistration of Governor Hobart Biglow of New Haven. He went to the senate from the 2Sth district in l9n9-10 and was chairman of com mittee on the judiciary and party leader in the upper branch. He made the address to the senate on the death of Governor George L. Lilley prior to the memorial service. He was delegate 10 the national convention In 1893 in which nomi- mated William Mckinley.
 Mir. Searls was a native of Pom fret, being born March 25, 1846 He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Clark Searls. His father was stock broker and the son received his early schooling in that city. He came to Thompson at the age of II, attended Thompson Academy and was graduated from Yale in 1868. He studied law In the office of Gil- bert w. Phillips of Putnam and hung out his shinglc In 1870. Tn 1892 he formed partnership with Frank r. Russell and in 1910 How. ard C. Bradford was admitted 10 the firm.
 Mir. Searls served Thompson as town clerk, school visitor and us tee of the peace. He had been president Of the state bar association and was d member of the American Bar assoication. His fraternal con- Eections were with three Greek let. ter societies while at Yaie-Kappa Sigma, Psi Upsilon and Theta Psi, and the Senior society of Wolfs Head. He was not a church com municant
 Married in 1892
 Mir Searls married on October S, 1892, Miss Sarah Alice Fell Of Bos- ton, who survives. There were no children by the marriage. For many years Mir, and Mrs. Searls spent two months each winter at Camden, S. C., and two months each summer at a seashore resort In Massachusetts.
 Al the January session of the Windham county criminal court he personally conducted nearly all the cases. His eye sight was well pre- served and even then he read his briefs and law books without use of glass
 Mir. Searls served az personal counsel for Geo. M. Coffin, who was receiver Of the First National bank of Putnam in August, 1924. and he looked after the litigation which arose over intangllng of the affairs of that institution.