Earle Benjamin Searcy
Earle Benjamin Searcy was an American politician who served as clerk of the Supreme Court of Illinois, Illinois state senator, and Illinois state representative.[1]
Earle Benjamin Searcy | |
---|---|
Clerk of the Supreme Court of Illinois | |
Assumed office January 1945–April 11, 1955 | |
Preceded by | Edward F. Cullinane |
Succeeded by | Lula Searcy |
Illinois State Senator from 25th district | |
In office 1923–1945 | |
Illinois State Representative from 45 district | |
In office 1921–1923 | |
Personal details | |
Born | May 4, 1887 |
Died | April 11, 1955 67) | (aged
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Lula Isenberg |
Children | 2 |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Army |
Battles/wars | World War I |
Early life
Searcy was born on May 4, 1887 in Palmyra, Illinois, the son of James Buchanan Searcy and Mary Elizabeth Searcy (née Fansler).[1]
He served in the United States Army during World War I.[1]
He then worked as a real estate broker.[1]
Political career
Searcy was a Republican.[1]
In 1920 he was elected a Illinois state representative. In 1923, he was elected Illinois State Senator.
In 1936, he ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primary for Illinois Auditor of Public Accounts.[2]
In 1940, he ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primary for lieutenant governor of Illinois.[3]
In 1944 he was elected clerk of the Supreme Court of Illinois.[4] He was reelected in 1950.[5]
Personal life
He was married to Lula Searcy (née Isenberg).[1] They were parents to Barbara Jane Searcy Damewood and Earle B. Searcy.[1]
He was a freemason (member of the Knights Templar), as well as a member of the Shriners, Elks, and Disabled American Veterans.[1] He was one of the American Legion's founding members.[1]
Death
Searcy died April 11, 1955 at the age of 67.[1] He died in office, and his wife was appointed clerk of the Supreme Court in a widow's succession.[1] She would go on to be elected in her own right at the next election in 1956.[6] She would be further reelected in 1962 [7]
He was interred at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois.[1]
References
- "Earle Benjamin Searcy (1887-1955) - Find A Grave..." www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
- "OFFICIAL VOTE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS CAST AT THE GENERAL ELECTION, NOV. 3, 1936 PRIMARY ELECTIONS GENERAL PRIMARY, APRIL 14, 1940 PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE, APRIL 14, 1936" (PDF). Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
- "OFFICIAL VOTE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS CAST AT THE GENERAL ELECTION, NOV. 5, 1940 JUDICIAL ELECTIONS, 1939–1940 PRIMARY ELECTION General Primary, APRIL 9, 1940" (PDF). Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
- "OFFICIAL VOTE of the STATE OF ILLINOIS Cast at the GENERAL ELECTION, November 7, 1944 PRIMARY ELECTION General Primary, April 11, 1944" (PDF). Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
- "OFFICIAL VOTE of the STATE OF ILLINOIS Cast at the GENERAL ELECTION, November 7, 1950 JUDICIAL ELECTION, 1950, • PRIMARY ELECTION General Primary, April 11, 1950" (PDF). Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
- "OFFICIAL VOTE of the STATE OF ILLINOIS Cast at the GENERAL ELECTION, NOVEMBER 6, 1956 JUDICIAL ELECTION, 1955, 1956 • PRIMARY ELECTION GENERAL PRIMARY, APRIL 10 1958" (PDF). Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
- "OFFICIAL VOTE of the STATE OF ILLINOIS Cast at the GENERAL ELECTION, NOVEMBER 6, 1960 JUDICIAL ELECTION, 1961–1962 • PRIMARY ELECTION GENERAL PRIMARY, APRIL, 10, 1962" (PDF). Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 1 July 2020.