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Arent A. Rake

RAKE, LEON, ELLINGSON

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 7/4/2006 at 10:28:29

The life record of Arent A. Rake constitutes an important chapter in the development and upbuilding of Winnebago county, especially that section which is comprised within Lincoln township. Moreover, his history should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what may be accomplished through persistent energy and indefatigable effort. He was born in Norway, November 3, 1858, and is a son of Arent and Malinda (Loen) Rake, who were also natives of the land of the midnight sun. The father was a farmer by occupation and died in Norway in 1897, having for more than a decade survived his wife, who passed away in 1885.

Arent A. Rake was reared and educated in Norway and remained under the parental roof until he reached the age of nineteen years, when he heard and heeded the call of the west. Bidding adieu to friends and native land, he sailed for the new world in 1878 and took up his abode at Wells, Minnesota. In that locality he worked by the month as a farm hand for two years, after which he felt that his experience and his age justified him in beginning business for himself. He then rented land, which he continued to cultivate for two years, and in 1882 he came to Winnebago county, Iowa, where he purchased land on section 16, Lincoln township. This he improved and operated until 1910, when he sold his farm, having in the meantime won a substantial measure of success by the use of practical and progressive methods in tilling his fields and caring for-his crops. In 1886 he had established a post office and around this clustered various homes and business interests leading to the gradual upbuilding of the town of Rake. Later he established a general merchandise store there and continued in the business for fifteen years. In 1907 he established a private bank under the name of the Rake Banking Company, of which he became president. He instituted a safe policy, tempering progressiveness by a wise conservatism, and his careful control of the interests of the bank led to its continuous growth. In 1914 it was reorganized into a state savings bank, of which he became the president and so served until 1915, when, desiring to retire from active business life, he sold his interest. He occupies an attractive residence in the west part of the town, surrounded by sixteen acres of land, which he cultivates, thus occupying his time, for indolence and idleness are utterly foreign to his nature and he would not be content without some occupation. He is also a stockholder in the Cooperative Creamery Company, of which he was one of the organizers. He likewise aided in organizing the Farmers Elevator Company of Rake, of which he was president, but is not interested financially therein at the present time. He is likewise a stockholder of the Bankers Trust Company of Des Moines, capitalized for one million dollars, and is a stockholder in the Twin City Insurance Company of Minneapolis.

In December, 1879, Mr. Rake was united in marriage to Miss Rande Ellingson and to them were born six children: Theodore, an automobile dealer of Rake; Mary; Laura; Minnie; Josie; and Abbie.

The parents are members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Rake's position concerning the temperance question has led him to ally himself with the prohibition party. He has served as township clerk and as trustee of Lincoln township. He has long been a member of the school board of his locality, was treasurer at the time that the three townships were consolidated and is now president of the board. He has taken an active and helpful interest in church work and upon his farm built the Lutheran church, which was later removed to the town. His aid and influence have always been on the side of .right and progress, reform, truth and improvement, and his honorable and upright career has established him very high in public regard. His life work has indeed been a valuable element in the upbuilding of the section in which he lives.

Source: Histoy of Winnebago and Hancock Counites, Iowa, 1917, Vol. II, page 408
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Photo added 11/16/09. Contributed by Ken Moan. Source of photo: the book 'Rake, Iowa 1900-1975'


 

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