Richard C. Searing, the subject of this brief biography, spent the first years of his life in the village of Saratoga Springs, acquiring his elementary education in its district schools, which was further advanced by attendance at the graded school. He went thence to St. Stephen’s College at Annandale, N.Y., and was graduated from the General Theological Seminary in New York City in 1877. His first pastoral work after graduation was at Walton, in the church where he is now officiating, of which he had charge until 1879, when he accepted a call to Columbia, Pa. After remaining there three years and eight months, Mr. Searing spent a short time at Middle Haddam Conn., and subsequently two years in Willimantic and two years at Unionville, in the same State. He next had charge of a church at Arlington, Vt., for nearly five years, and from that place returned to his first pastorate in July 1893. Through his untiring efforts when at Arlington, the church at Sunderland was established. He is a man of great perseverance. and in his present responsible position in the Master’s vineyard is acquitting himself with the same fidelity to duty, and with the same lofty purpose, clear judgment, and tempered zeal which have ever been among his distinguishing characteristics. Under his faithful ministrations many persons have been added to the different congregations under his charge, and he has made his influence felt for good in the community wherever he has resided.

The marriage of Mr. Searing with Lizzie Chrisman Seeley, the daughter of Aaron C. and Caroline (Jennings) Seeley, of New Canaan, Conn., was solemnized on January 15, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Seeley removed from their New England home to the town of Walton, and were numbered among its most valued citizens. They had four children – George C., Erastus C., Carrie C., and Lizzie C. Mr. Seeley died while yet a young man, at the age of twenty-nine years. Mrs. Seeley survived her husband until 1882, when she passed to a higher life at the age of fifty-three years. Both were sincere communicants of the Episcopal church. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Seeley, who was a woman of fine character and rare mental endowments, devoted herself with faithful solicitude to rearing her little family, who all continue to reside in Walton, and have become useful members of society, George being junior member of the firm of Fitch Brothers & Seeley, and Erastus member of the firm of Tobey & Seeley.

Politically, the Rev. Mr. Searing is a Republican; and, socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having joined Walton Lodge, No. 559, in 1878. He is also a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to Adoniram Lodge, Royal Arch Masons, of Manchester, Vt.

“The Leading Citizens of Delaware County, New York,” published by the Biographical Review Publishing Company, Boston, 1895.