Johnnie Rake

RAKE

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/12/2010 at 04:31:26

JOHNNIE RAKE

Johnnie Rake, a well known, highly respected and popular resident of Rake, is cashier of the State Savings Bank. He was born in Nordfjord, Norway, July 3, 1890, a son of Cornelius and Malina Rake. The father was a farmer of Norway, where he is still living, but the mother passed away there in 1890.

At the age of six years Johnnie Rake came to America with his uncle, A. A. Rake, who had resided for a time in Minnesota and who in 1882 came to Winnebago county, finally taking up his abode on land adjoining the present site of Rake, which town was named in his honor. He cultivated his farm in Lincoln township for many years and also turned his attention to general merchandising, opening a store in Rake which he owned and successfully managed for a number of years. At length his establishment was destroyed by fire. He then organized the Rake Banking Company and devoted his entire attention to the banking business until he retired from active life. While the establishment had been organized as a private bank, it was converted into a state savings bank in 1914 with a capital stock of fifteen thousand dollars. Today the bank has over one hundred and fifty thousand dollars on deposit and there is a surplus of two thousand dollars. The company erected one of the most modern bank buildings in the county in 1916. On retiring from business Arent A. Rake was succeeded as president of the bank, by A. Christopherson, with S. C. Jenswold as vice president and Johnnie Rake as cashier.

The last named was reared and educated in Lincoln township and made his initial step in the business world as assistant cashier in his uncle's bank. He thoroughly acquainted himself with the duties of the position and his developing ability secured for him the position of cashier in September, 1915. He is also a stockholder in the bank and his activity and efforts are contributing much to its continued success. In a word, he is actuated by a spirit of enterprise and progress and it is his habit to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. The State Savings Bank of Rake has one of the finest bank buildings in Iowa, thoroughly equipped in every way, and the policy of the bank is one which will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. In addition to his connection therewith Mr. Rake is treasurer of the Lincoln Cooperative Creamery Company.

In his political belief Mr. Rake is a republican and his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. For more than a year he has been city clerk of Rake and is also school treasurer. He takes a deep interest in all community affairs, giving his aid and influence on the side of progress and improvement, and is a most public-spirited citizen.

Source: History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II. Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago), 1917. pp. 375-376.