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
In office
January 1945 – April 11, 1955
Preceded byEdward F. Cullinane
Succeeded byFae Searcy
Illinois State Senator from 25th district
In office
1923–1945
Illinois State Representative from 45 district
In office
1921–1923
Personal details
Born(1887-05-04)May 4, 1887
DiedApril 11, 1955(1955-04-11) (aged 67)
Political partyRepublican
SpouseFae Isenberg
Children2
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Battles/warsWorld 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]

Searcy worked as a reporter for a newspaper in Springfield, Illinois.[2] He also worked as a department editor for the Illinois State Highway Department.[2]

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.[3]

In 1940, he ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primary for lieutenant governor of Illinois.[4]

In 1944 he was elected clerk of the Supreme Court of Illinois.[5] He was reelected in 1950.[6]

Personal life

He married Fae Searcy (née Isenberg) in 1917.[7][2] They were parents to Barbara Jane Searcy Damewood and Earle B. Searcy.[7]

He was a Christian.[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 of a heart attack on April 11, 1955, at the age of 67.[1][8] He died in office, and his wife was appointed clerk of the Supreme Court in a widow's succession.[8] She would go on to be elected in her own right at the next election in 1956.[9] She would be further reelected in 1962.[10]

He was interred at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois.[1]

References
  1. "Earle Benjamin Searcy (1887-1955) - Find A Grave..." Find A Grave. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  2. "MISS ISENBERG TO WED IN SHELBYVILLE". Newspapers.com. The Daily Review (Decatur, Illinois). 11 Jan 1917. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  3. "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.
  4. "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.
  5. "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.
  6. "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.
  7. "Mrs. Fae Searcy Dies; Clerk of Supreme Court". The Dispatch (Moline Illinois). The Associated Press. 25 March 1968. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  8. "Mrs. Fae Searcy Named to Post Of Late Husband". Newspapers.com. Dixon Evening Telegraph (Dixon, Illinois). The Associated Press. 14 Apr 1955. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  9. "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.
  10. "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.
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