Putnam patriot., 1925-07-17
Charles Edwin Searls


 Charles Edwin Searls was born in Pomfret, March 25, 1s46. He was the only son of Edwin c. and Caroline (Mathewson) Searls. His father and grandfather kept a small, general, country store. Over the store Mir. Searls was born and lived until he was three years old. The family then re- moved to New York, where Mr. Searls' father became a stock broker.
 It was m New York that MT. Searls received his elementary schooling Be- fore he had reached his teens his fa- ther died, and at the age of eleven years the son came to Thompson with his mother. There both spent the rest Of their lives, Mrs. Searls having died some years ago. The boy entered Thompson Academy, and prepared for college In 1864 he entered Yale and graduated with the class of 1868.
 Returning home. he decided upon taking up the practice of law as his life's work, and he entered the law office of the late Gilbert W Phillips in Putnam. Two years later. 1870, he was admitted to the bar of the state of Connecticut.
 His First Clients
 Mir. Searls laughingly would tell of his first few days experience. "Peo- pie Hooked to see me, said Mir Searls. "l would greet them all pleasantly. They would present bills for me to eol- feet. In most cases l would look at them and find them ancient documents, saying to the client: These bills are little old. aren't they@ generally re- eeiving the reply: Yes, but you are a young lawyer and we thought you could collect them
 Close application Co business-Mr. Searls often told young lawyers that he made 1t point always to be in his office during office hours-soon brought success. Painstaking study and prep aration of his cases fortified him for the legal battle. A natural aptitude for court work, a pleasing appearance, coupled with a sincerity and clear log ic that impressed the court and jury, brought many a legal victory to the new member of the bar. Soon his clients grew in number and import ance and he was on that road that leads to success and later did carry him to an enviable position as prac- titioner.
 Mir. Searls practieed alone until 1892, when Frank F. Russell of Woodstock became associated with him under the firm name of Searls & Rus sell, and so the partnership was con- ducted until 1917, when Howard C. Bradford, who entered the office as clerk at the age of sixteen, studied law and was admitted to the bar, was talk en into the partnership, and the firm name was changed to Searls, Russell & Bradford
 States Attorney S2 Years . MT. Searls was appointed states at torney in 1893, and as each term of of- flee expired was unanimously reap pointed. His long term of service made him the dean of the states at torneys of Connecticut, as well as dean of the Windham County Bar Ass0cia- ton. He was admitted to practice be- fore the Supreme Court of the United States, was member of the State Bar Association and of the National Bar Association. He was elected president of the State Bar Association in IBIS. This is an enviable distinction and one of the highest hou0rs within the git of members of the profession ln the state.
 Mir. Searls could have gone far in public life had he so desired. Many years ago he refused appointment as 8 judge of the Superior Court, which would have eventually carried him to the Supreme Court Of Errors and the office of Chief Justice. He turned a deaf ear to suggestions that he get m line to become governor of the state or a United States Congressman. He aid not consider politics as vocation, but rather as an avocation. and refused to listen to the suggestions of party lead CTS that he run for office.
 Elected to Public Offices
 However. he did respond to the call of his fellow townsmen and to the ke- publican party of the district He was for years a justice of the peace of the town of Thompson and a member of the town school board. He represent ed the town in the lower house of the General Assembly in 1871 and again in 1886. In 1880 he was elected Sec retary of State, and in 1909 was elect ed senator from the 2sth District. During this session he was chairman of the committee on judiciary and par ty leader of the upper branch of the legislature. He made the address 10 the senate on the death of Governor George L. Lilly prior 10 the memorial service.
 In 1896 Mir. Searls was a delegate to the Republican national convention