William T. Searles, County judge, was born in Jefferson County, N. Y.; there he took up the study of law; he took a classical course at the Union Academy, Belleville, Jefferson Co., N. Y.; in 1872, he came to Madison County, took a homestead of 160 acres, which he has improved; he was admitted to the bar in 1876; the following year he came to Madison, and has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession; in the fall of 1877, he was elected County Judge; now serving on his third term. May, 1881, he formed a partnership with Mr. Kelly, firm of Searles & Kelly.