Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 360

T. J. DRAKE, a representative and progressive farmer, residing on section 32, Fruitland Township, was born in Orange County,N. Y., in 1817, and is the son of Timothy and Deborah ( Helms ) Drake, who were also natives of New York, and pioneer settlers of Orange County. The father was a farmer by occupation, and resided in Orange County until his death, which occurred on the 2d day of November, 1838, when about fifty-eight years of age. His wife departed this life Oct. 26, 1833, in Sullivan County, N. Y., at the age of thirty-seven years. They were both active workers in the church, and had a family of three children : T. H., of this sketch ; Gesilah, widow of William Dusenberry, resides in Orange County, N.Y.; and Olive B., now Mrs. Helms, of Orange County, N. Y. The paternal grandfather, Richard Drake, was a blacksmith by trade, and did work in that line for Gen. Washington's guards.

Our subject was reared to farm life, receiving his education in the district schools of New York. After the death of his father he learned the trade of a carpenter, which he followed for some years, engaging in that occupation at Jacksonville, Fla., where some of the buildings which he erected are still standing. He also worked at his trade near Janesville Wis., from 1846 to 1850, when he purchased some raw prairie land and began its developement, but soon sold his farm and returned to his native State. In 1856, he once more returned to the West, this time taking up his residence on Muscatine Island. where he yet continues to reside. Purchasing eighty-five and three-fourth acres of raw prairie land, he immediately began the work of cultivation and improvement, transforming the crude soil into a fine farm.

Returning to New York in 1858, on the 13th day of January, in Sullivan County, the marriage of T. J. Drake and Miss Louisa Davis was celebrated. The lady was born in Orange County, and is a daughter of Philip and Keturah ( Mapes ) Davis, who were natives of New York. Her father engaged in farming in his younger days, and his death occurred in Sullivan County on the 7th day of September, 1865. Mrs. Davis departed this life in New York, in the month of June 1875.

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Davis three children have been born : Frederick, who is married and resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he is employed in a printing-office ; Louis P., husband of Hattie Shepherd, is a resident of Fruitland Township ; Theophilus, the youngest, is still at home.

After his marriage Mr. Drake returned with his young bride to Iowa, installing her as mistress of his home which he had prepared on Muscatine Island. He has since continued the cultivation and improvement of his land, has erected a comfortable residence, built a good barn, and planted a great many evergreen and other shade trees around his home. He has also set out a good orchard, but gived his attention especially to the raising of sweet potatoes and watermelons, which are especially adapted to that soil. He has also given considerable attention to the raising of stock in the past. In political affairs he takes an active interest, casting his ballot with the Republican party. In 1840 he voted for Gen. William Henry Harrison, and in 1888 cast his ballot for the grandson of the illustrious gentleman, the candidate at both times being elected to the Presidency of our Nation. He has held various local offices of public trust, has served as Township Trustee, holding that office when the division was made. He is also prominent in the promotion of educational interests, having served as School Director for about twenty years, and is the present Road Commissioner of the township. For about a third of a century he has been identified with the history of Muscatine County, during which time he has witrnessed and participated in the great changes which have transformed its uncultivated prairies into beautiful homes and farms, placing it on a par with the best counties in the State. He is numbered among the best citizens of the community, and receives the highest respect from all who know him.


Back to 1889 History of Muscatine Co. Index Page

Back to the Muscatine Co. IAGenWeb Index Page