John K. Searle Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1265-1266 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	JOHN K. SEARLE, deceased, late of Lead, was born in Devonshire, 
England, on June 1, 1851, and was reared and educated in his native 
land. In 1870, when he was nineteen years old, he came to the United 
States and located at Dixon, Illinois, where he remained five years. 
Being without a trade or any special business, he wrought at various 
occupations, saving his money and-making his way slowly but surely to 
independence and comfort. In 1875 he went to Harlan, Iowa, and spent a 
portion of the year. The gold excitement over the Black Hills then 
breaking out, he came to that region, arriving at Deadwood on January 7, 
1877, having been delayed some time at the Red Cloud Indian agency 
because of the hostility of the savages. After reaching the Hills he 
went to work at placer mining, carrying on his operations all over the 
Hills, and also working at a number of mines and mills, being one of the 
first men employed by the Homestake Company, when it started business. 
In 1883 he severed his active connection with the mining industry and 
opened a meat market and butcher shop at Lead, an enterprise which he 
conducted till his death, November 27, 1903, while recuperating at his 
old home in England. Beginning with a small outfit and on a very limited 
scale, he steadily enlarged his business until he had the most extensive 
and important of its kind in this part of the state, conducting both 
wholesale and retail trade of considerable magnitude over a wide extent 
of country. He was also interested in mining to some extent, and had a 
voice of force and influence in all the commercial and political 
operations of the community, being accounted one of the leading business 
men and public spirits of his locality. He was a Republican in politics, 
close and loyal in allegiance to his party, and ever earnest and 
effective in its service. He served as a member of the city council of 
Lead and during the last eleven years of his life had been school 
director. In fraternal relations he was connected with the Odd Fellows 
and the Elks, in both being highly esteemed for the activity and 
usefulness of his membership. He was also a member of the Order of the 
Sons of St. George. 

	In September, 1880, at Lead, Mr. Searle was married to Miss Julia 
Lee, a native of Norway. They have one son, Charles, who was born and 
reared at Lead and received his education in the schools of the town, 
being graduated from the high school in 1900. He was associated with his 
father in business, and is widely known as one of the rising, 
progressive and capable young business men of the town, and since the 
death of his father has taken entire charge and management of the 
business. It is high praise, but a just meed to merit, to say that he is 
a worthy follower of his father's excellent example, and has exhibited 
qualities of manhood which will enable him to take up the work of that 
estimable man and carry it forward to its destined success and power. He 
also belongs to the Elks lodge at Lead and takes an active part in its 
fraternal and social life.