Biography of William A. Drake

	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1898. Page 322.

	Scan and OCR by Joy Fisher, 1997. This file may be copied for non-profit 
	purposes. All other rights reserved. 




HON. WILLIAM A. DRAKE, an ex-member of the legislature, and a prominent 
farmer of Lake county, resides on section 1, Badus township. Mr. Drake 
was born in St. Joseph county, Michigan, January 26, 1846. His father, 
Robert Drake, a native of Ohio, made his home for many years in St. 
Joseph county, and died there in 1872. Mrs. Drake, our subject's mother, 
was born in Pennsylvania. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Ennis. She now 
resides in Falls City, Nebraska, with one of her daughters. William 
attended the public schools of St. Joseph county and worked upon his 
father's farm until the 14th of January, 1863, when he enlisted in the 
Eleventh Michigan Volunteer Infantry and went to the war. Among the 
great battles in which he participated were those of Chattanooga and 
Atlanta. After the latter engagement his regiment went into quarters. 
The principal duties there were the guarding of prisoners and the 
supplying of commissary trains. Mr. Drake received his discharge from 
the army at Nashville on the 16th of September, 1 865. He then returned 
to St. Joseph county and settled in the town of Three Rivers, where he 
learned the carriage and wagon making trade. In 1 868 Mr. Drake removed 
to Mitchell county, Iowa, living for the first two years upon a rented 
farm. He then purchased eighty acres of land, which he cultivated about 
seven years. Decatur county, Kansas, subsequently became his home, and 
then, in 1882, Brookings county, Dakota. He took up a quarter section of 
land there under the preemption act, and remained, improving his 
property, until 1887, when he sold out and went to Lake county, settling 
immediately upon his present farm, which comprises one hundred and sixty 
acres. He has very successfully brought the entire quarter section under 
cultivation, and has from time to time put up good, substantial 
improvements, until his farm presents a very systematic and prosperous 
appearance. Mr. Drake is a Populist in politics, and in 1895 was elected 
to represent his district in the fifth assembly of the state 
legislature. He has been for years an enthusiastic worker in his party, 
and has held numerous local offices, such as that of township treasurer, 
clerk and school director.

	On the 29th of November, 1869,  Mr. Drake and Miss Josephine Lewis 
were married. Mrs. Drake is a daughter of Nelson and Elizabeth (Vance) 
Lewis, and was born in Mitchell county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Drake are the 
parents of two children, a daughter, Ina, who is now engaged in 
teaching, and a son Milo. Both reside at home.