Wilmington William Drake (1923)
DEVAULT, DRAKE
Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 11/23/2010 at 13:56:59
The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, June 7, 1923
Page 1JACKSON FARMER DIES BY SUICIDE
W. W. Drake Ends Life by Hanging While Mentally Deranged.
The community west of Winterset was shocked and saddened Saturday by the announcement that W. W. Drake, one of the prominent farmers of Jackson township had taken his life by hanging. Mr. Drake’s health became impaired about five years ago. While his mental derangement was pronounced, he gave no evidence of the rash deed committed and his family are prostrated with grief over the sad ending of his life.
The deceased, who was 55 years of age, was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred D. Drake, who were among the nicest families of the Webster community located midway between Winterset and Greenfield. He was a successful farmer enjoying a pleasant was highly respected in the community where his entire life had been spent.
Remaining member of the family are his wife, formerly Miss Effie DeVault and four children.
_________________________The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, June 14, 1923
Page 6W. W. Drake, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Drake, was born in Madison county, Iowa, Feb. 2, 1868 and departed this life at his home near Webster, June 2, 1923 at the age of 55 years, 4 months. On March 2-, 1894 he was united in marriage to Miss Effie Devault of Madison county. To this union were born five children, one preceding him in infancy. He leaves to mourn his departure the wife, four children, one brother, two sisters and a host of friends. He was converted when a young man and united with the M. E. church and has been a member of the same ever since.
Funeral services were conducted on June 4 by Rev. A. R. Weed at the Webster church with burial at the Roberts cemetery.
_________________________Earlham Echo
Earlham, Iowa
June 1923Pitzer Farmer Takes Life
W. W. Drake, residing two miles north and one mile west of Pitzer, took his own life by hanging early Saturday morning, June 2. The body was discovered at daybreak, hanging cold and lifeless in the barn. The deceased was a first cousin of John Drake, of this town. He inherited insane tendencies from his mother’s side of the family, but these did not become apparent until several years ago following an illness. At this time Mr. Drake, by nature a reserved man, became talkative and was suspected of being in part demented. His affairs were in good shape and no other cause other than derangement can account for his rash act. He was 55 years old.
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