OBITUARIES: Harris SEARL, Augusta, Eau Claire Co., WI ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Submitted by Ron A. Rosenberg 23 January 2005 ************************************************************************ THE DEATH OF HARRIS SEARL Harris Searl is dead. It is hardly necessary to state this, even so briefly, as the large concourse in attendance on his funeral showed that the sad news had spread everywhere almost in a day. The following short record of his life has been handed in. The Odd Fellows¹ memorial Resolutions will be published next week. HARRIS SEARL was born at Martinsburgh, N. Y., July 4, 1818. He lived there until he was about 14 years of age,--where, with his father, Stephen Searl, he moved to Hampden, Grange Co., Ohio. In 1841 he came to this State and located in Sauk County. He was, at the time, a mill wright by trade, and we have record of him, in that capacity, at Lyons, Lemonweir, Yellow River, Necedah, Weston¹s Rapids, etc. In the spring of 1849 he came to Augusta, and in connection with Mr. John F. Stone, built the first flouring mill in the Valley. Since that time Augusta has been his home. He has been engaged in various occupations while here:--merchant, lumberman, post master, and holding public offices in the Village, the Town and the County. He held, for his second term, the office of Clerk of the Court, until compelled to resign, two or three weeks ago, on account of his illness. He was a staunch Republican through his life,--ever ready to support Freedom, Right and Truth, while on the other hand he would always use his influence, firmly, to bring all crime and wrong to justice. As a citizen, he has done much towards building up our Village and Township. His death will be much regretted by all. AS AN ODD FELLOW: He became connected with Augusta Lodge No. 142, I. O. of O. F., February 18, 1868, since which time he has been a firm supporter of the cause. He filled the various positions he occupied, from initiate to Past Grand with honor, and the high place he occupied in the hearts and esteem of his brethren, was amply shown in their conduct, from the commencement of his sickness till the last sad act of depositing his remains in the tomb was accomplished. He died Monday, March 13, 1876, and was buried with the usual ceremonies of the I. O. O. F., by his beloved brethren, assisted by Humbird Lodge, No. 252, on Wednesday, Mar., 15, 1876. The large attendance at the funeral and the many tearful eyes, told plainly that one long respected and dearly loved had left from our midst and gone where the weary finds rest--but where we shall all meet again. Augusta Eagle (Augusta, WI), 18 Mar 1876 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm