Volusia County FlArchives Biographies.....Dreka, George A. November 18, 1857 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/fl/flfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Nancy Rayburn http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00025.html#0006128 February 28, 2015, 4:59 am Source: Vol. II pg.32 The Lewis Publishing Co. 1923 Author: History of Florida, Past and Present DREKA, GEORGE AUGUSTUS. Where the most notable careers in the business life of Florida has been that of GEORGE AUGUSTUS DREKA, the veteran merchant of De Land, the oldest man in active business in that city, he having opened a store there in 1878. He has always exemplified a high degree of progressive spirit, keeping his business in advance of the growth of the splendid city, and he now has one of the largest and most complete department stores in the state. Mr. Dreka was born at Sassafras in Kent County, Maryland, on the Eastern shore, November 18, 1857, son of AUGUSTUS and THERESA DREKA. His father was eighteen years of age when with two brothers he came from Germany to escape the Prussian military system. His wife, Theresa, came over from the old country when about the same age, and they were married in Maryland and lived in that state most of their years. After retiring from business AUGUST DREKA moved to Washington, D. C. He had learned the mill’s trade in Germany, and in Kent County, Maryland, he built a flour mill, which he operated for a long period of years. He was well educated, a constant reader, did much to shape public opinion in his locality and was an active democrat. He was a member of no church, while his wife was a Catholic. She died at the age of seventy. AUGUSTUS DREKA at the time of his death was the oldest member of the Odd Fellows in Eastern Maryland. Of the two brothers that accompanied him one went to the California goldfields, and the other established himself in Philadelphia, where his son is now head of the great engraving and stationary company that bears the family name. GEORGE A. DREKA is one of the three living children. His sister, EVA T., is living at Washington, widow of the late GODFREY KILKOFF, of De Land. L. H. DREKA is still operating the Dreka Mills in Kent County, Maryland. GEORGE AUGUSTUS DREKA acquired a technical training in manufacturing and mechanical lines in the Rock Hill College at Ellicott, Maryland, then Ellicott City. He left there at the age of twenty, and in 1878, when a young man of twenty-one, arrived in Florida. At that time less than half a dozen families had established their homes at De Land. The Jordans had previously opened a store, but had given up the business, and Mr. DREKA undertook took to supply the only mercantile facilities of the community. That pioneer store was located on what is now Indiana Avenue, on the present site of the Volusia County Bank. Four years later he moved to the present location of the business, Woodland Boulevard and New York Ave. In 1882 a two-story frame building was built here, and in 1885 it was enlarged to four stories, the upper part being occupied by the Carrollton Hotel. The building that now houses the G. A. Dreka and Company is of reinforced concrete and is a combination store and office building, erected in 1909. Mr. Dreka in 1921 erected the Dreka Theater. His active partner for a number of years in G. A. Dreka and Company was his brother- in-law, GODFREY KILKOFF, and the active partners are now his sons. The business is still continued as G. A. Dreka and Company. His successful record as a merchant has its counterpart in the enterprise and public spirit he has displayed in every matter affecting the community at large. He was a member of the City Council when the ordinance was passed to remit taxation on city property in proportion to the number of shade trees planted on the parkways. While the town treasury suffered from this ordinance, it resulted in stimulating tree planting until De Land is one of the most beautiful cities in the state. Mr. Dreka is chairman of the Bond Trustees of De Land and Lake Helen Special Road and Bridge District. He has been an earnest worker in behalf of a bond issue for paving, sanitary sewage and increased water facilities. At one time he was a member of the Board of Directors of the Volusia County Bank, and is one of the governors of the Commercial Club. For great many years he has been interested in orange culture, has owned a number of groves, and now has one in Huntoon Island in the St. Johns River. In 1884 Mr. Dreka married KATHERINE MALSBERGER, daughter of AUGUSTUS MALSBERGER, of Kent County, Maryland. She died in 1897, and is survived by three children. AUGUST F., the oldest son, is now a shoe merchant of Atlanta, Georgia. JEROME G. is manager of G. A. Dreka and Company. GEORGE RAYMOND is manager of the Piggly Wiggly Store at De Land. The son, RAYMOND, served with the Naval Reserves and was on duty a year and a half during the World war, first stationed at Charleston and then at Berkeley, near Norfolk, Virginia. In 1901 Mr. Dreka married Mrs. ANNA ELIZA HIXSON, daughter of PHILIP N. BRYAN of New Smyrna, Florida, where she was born. Mr. Dreka is a Catholic. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/fl/volusia/bios/dreka102bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/flfiles/ File size: 5.5 Kb