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Edward Francis Searles
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Edward Francis Searles
Edward Francis Searles (July 4, 1841 – August 6, 1920) was an interior and architectural designer.
Searles was born on July 4, 1841, in Methuen, Massachusetts, US to Jesse Gould Searles (1805–1844) and Sarah (Littlefield) Searles. His father worked in a local cotton mill and operated a small farm.
On November 7, 1887, Searles married Mary Frances Hopkins (née Sherwood), a wealthy widow 22 years his senior. The widow of Mark Hopkins, her assets included 25% ownership of the Central Pacific Railroad. Searles was the designer of Mary's new home in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, which is now referred to as the Searles Castle, from the 1885 groundbreaking, to its completion in 1888.
After Mary's death in 1891, Searles was left with his wife's vast real estate holdings in San Francisco, New York, Great Barrington, and Methuen, and $21 million.
During the remainder of his life, he satisfied his love of architecture by building a number of grand structures, frequently in collaboration with architect Henry Vaughan.
Collaborations with Vaughan include:
He was also an environmentalist and would alter the construction course of a major stone wall so as to preserve a tree that he deemed important.
Searles spent his final years as a recluse. He died on August 6, 1920. He left the bulk of his estate to his business manager, Arthur T. Walker. He left his estate in Methuen to his cousin Mary Allen Rowland and her two sons on the condition that they change their last name to Searles. The will was contested by Searles' nephew closest living relative, Albert Victor Searles. The parties reached an agreement and the Searles dropped his contest of the will. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but Searles was believed to have received a substantial part of the estate.
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Edward Francis Searles
Edward Francis Searles (July 4, 1841 – August 6, 1920) was an interior and architectural designer.
Searles was born on July 4, 1841, in Methuen, Massachusetts, US to Jesse Gould Searles (1805–1844) and Sarah (Littlefield) Searles. His father worked in a local cotton mill and operated a small farm.
On November 7, 1887, Searles married Mary Frances Hopkins (née Sherwood), a wealthy widow 22 years his senior. The widow of Mark Hopkins, her assets included 25% ownership of the Central Pacific Railroad. Searles was the designer of Mary's new home in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, which is now referred to as the Searles Castle, from the 1885 groundbreaking, to its completion in 1888.
After Mary's death in 1891, Searles was left with his wife's vast real estate holdings in San Francisco, New York, Great Barrington, and Methuen, and $21 million.
During the remainder of his life, he satisfied his love of architecture by building a number of grand structures, frequently in collaboration with architect Henry Vaughan.
Collaborations with Vaughan include:
He was also an environmentalist and would alter the construction course of a major stone wall so as to preserve a tree that he deemed important.
Searles spent his final years as a recluse. He died on August 6, 1920. He left the bulk of his estate to his business manager, Arthur T. Walker. He left his estate in Methuen to his cousin Mary Allen Rowland and her two sons on the condition that they change their last name to Searles. The will was contested by Searles' nephew closest living relative, Albert Victor Searles. The parties reached an agreement and the Searles dropped his contest of the will. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but Searles was believed to have received a substantial part of the estate.
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