Mecosta County MI Archives Biographies.....Flake, John March 14, 1829 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 April 17, 2009, 5:42 pm

Author: Chapman Brothers

JOHN FLAKE, farmer, sec. 25, Fork Tp., was born near London, Ont., March 14, 
1829, and is the only son of 

James and Margaret Ann (Davis) Flake.  His father was a native of County 
Antrim, Ireland, and was a 

carpenter by trade, which calling he pursued all his life.  His mother was a 
native of New York and is 

still living, in the village of London, Can.  The circumstances of his father 
precluded Mr. Flake from the 

privileges of education, and thew upon him in early life the responsibility of 
making a fair start in the 

world.  He obtained a situation on a lake boat and followed the calling of 
sailor on the "unsalted seas" 

three years, earning $3 monthly as net profit.  He continued in the lake 
service until 1850, when he 

shipped as a seaman on a vessel going to the Isthmus of Darien (Panama), and 
on arrival there went to work 

on the Panama Railroad.  After three months he contracted the malarial fever, 
from which few escaped who 

labored in that enterprise in the pestilential climate of the isthmus, and was 
sent to New York for 

treatment.  On recovery he made another ocean trip, and on his return came to 
London, Monroe Co., Mich., 

and entered the sailing service on Lake Huron, Oct. 3, 1864, when he enlisted 
in the Union Army, enrolling 

in the 19th Mich. Vol. Inf., and remained until the war ended.  His regiment 
was assigned to the Army of 

the Cumberland, Middle Tenn., and he saw considerable active service in some 
of the most important 

engagements during the closing months of the contest, among them Stone River 
and Decatur.  He finally was 

appointed wagon master of his regiment, and continued to discharge the duties 
of the post until he was 

mustered out.

Mr. F. came to Saginaw and worked in the lumber mills about two years, and in 
the fall of 1867 came to the 

township of Fork and began lumbering for the firm of Camp & Whitney.  He 
worked in the woods during that 

winter and in the spring was employed on the drive.  In the spring of 1868 he 
bought his farm, built a 

house, and is now living in comfortable circumstances, with 60 acres of 
improved land.

Mr. Flake was married July 4, 1852, to Abigail, daughter of Silas and Mary 
(heron) Richmond, and they 

became the parents of 11 children, five only surviving:  Clara A., Christie 
Ann, Katie, John and Morris.  

Those deceased are Peter G., Thomas, Hugh, Maggie, James and an unnamed 
infant.  Mr. Flake is a Republican, 

and belongs to the G.A.R., Post No. 77, at Sherman City, Isabella Co., Mich.

Additional Comments:
1883 Portrait & Bio Album of Mecosta Co.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/mecosta/bios/flake565nbs.txt

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