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JOHN P. SEARLE, blacksmith, London, and a well-known and esteemed citizen of London, was born in Cornwall, England, July 16, 1833. He is a son of William Searle, also a native of Cornwall, and a farmer by occupation. Our subject was apprenticed for six years to a blacksmith in his native country, remaining with him till his trade was fully learned, besides buying his clothes, and paying his "master," $5 per annum. In December, 1857, he came to America on board the James Morton, forty-two day's passage. He came direct to Ohio and first worked six miles east of Newark. He remained there nine months, and then went to work near Jacksontown, Licking County, on the National pike. He was employed on a threshing machine during the grain season, and in September following went to Thornville, Perry County, and worked five months for David Rank. He then rented a shop, and carried on his trade in that county for five years. He came to London, April 1, 1864, and went to work at his trade. This increased rapidly, and in the summer of 1867, he purchased thirty-four feet front on Main street, from William Farrar, paying therefor $3,100, and assuming an indebtedness on it of $1,600, with three years in which to pay it. When this purchase was made, after making the $1,500 cash payment, Mr. Searle had but $35 left in his pocket, but in two years he had paid for the property. He remained there eight years; sore eyes caused him to quit work four months. He then purchased his present property for $2,500, and erected his shop. He came to London with $400 in ready cash, and by energy and perseverance, coupled with a thorough knowledge of his trade, has succeeded in gaining a comfortable competence, and is the owner of a nice brick cottage on South Main street; besides this he owns a large tenement property on Oak street, estimated at $3,500. When Mr. Searle landed at New York he had only $4.84, but his property in London to-day is valued at over $10,000, and this in spite of many obstacles which he has had to encounter. Mr. Searle is a member of the Madison Lodge, No. 70, and London Encampment, No. 126 (I O. O. F.). He is Republican in National and State politics, but in local matters gives his support to the "right man in the right place." He was married April 27, 1857, to Elizabeth R. Coplin, a native of St. Austle, Cornwall, England. Ten children have been sent to bless this union, only two living -- Kate A. and Spartan C. Mr. Searle, wife and daughter, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Searle sees in his life the guiding hand of an over-ruling Providence. which has more than once led him into paths that opened to success. It was only three days after his marriage that he bade his wife farewell in his native land, and started on his long journey to America. The future seemed uncertain to him, and though he possessed a brave heart and a ready hand, he was unwilling to take her from her home to an unknown land. He went from St. Austle to Liverpool by steamer, and, on arriving, a tug approached to convey the passengers ashore; all except him boarded the tug, but an indescribable hesitancy held him back. As he stood there alone. a stranger on the quay inquired if he did not wish to land. His reluctance disappeared and he landed at once. This stranger, whom he only met by obeying his impulse to remain aboard the steamer, while the others landed, proved a friend indeed. He invited him to his house, treated him as a son, and in various ways assisted and befriended him. When in mid-ocean there appeared to Mr. Searle a distinct picture or vision of a blacksmith shop, which he afterward recognized as Mr. Lippencott's in Licking County. The vision and reality corresponded and agreed in every particular. After his arrival in Ohio. while walking along the railroad between Newark and Louisville to his work in the harvest field, the thought flashed into his mind to inquire for a letter at the latter post office. He did so and received one, directed to himself and written by John Lippencott. an entire stranger to him, asking him to work in his shop. He accepted the offer, and on approaching the shop recognized it at once as the shop he had beheld on the ocean. From that day to the present, he has never lacked work. His wife joined him in America after sixteen months' separation.
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