A farmer by talent and inclination and a man of unusually clear
business judgment, George Washington Drake, now deceased, of Brushy
Mound township, gained recognition as one of the thoroughly successful
men of Macoupin county. Through unremitting industry he won a competence
and by his fair dealing and interest in the welfare of others gained
many friends, who will ever cherish his memory as of one deserving of
profound respect and veneration. Born in Plainfield, New Jersey,
February 22, 1850, he was a son of Edward and Mary C. (Walden) Drake,
both of whom were born and reared in New Jersey. The father came west
with his family in 1856 and located on a farm in Tazewell county,
Illinois, where he died nineteen years ago. The mother continued living
in the same county with her sons, David and Collins, until her death at
an advanced age in 1908. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Drake were twelve
children, four of whom are now living: Thomas, who was wounded while
serving valiantly for the Union in the Civil war and now makes his home
at St. Louis, Missouri; Judson and David, both of whom reside at
Delavan, Illinois; and Emma, who married Percival Place, of California.
The deceased children of Mr. and Mrs. Drake are: Hannah Allen, George
Washington, Jonathan, Daniel and Collins; and three who died in infancy.
Daniel was a missionary of the Baptist church and made three trips to'
India.
Mr. Drake, whose name stands at the head of this sketch,
came to Illinois with his parents when he was six years old and in the
common schools received his early education. He continued on the home
farm until thirty-eight years of age, working for his parents and also
at various times for neighboring farmers. He bought forty acres of land
adjoining his father’s farm, which he cultivated until after his
marriage, but he then disposed of this place and came to Macoupin county
and acquired forty acres, which he purchased near Barnett, forty acres
more being added by his father-in-law. In November, 1889, he moved to
the eighty acres on section 12, Brushy Mound township, and lived there
for six years. He then took up his residence with his family on the
Brown farm in Shaws Point township, but six years later returned to
Brushy Mound township and purchased two hundred and forty acres on
section 36, which became the family homestead. After the death of Mr.
Drake his widow rented out a portion of the farm but since 1905 her sons
have had charge and have been very successful in their work. They carry
on general farming and stockraising, feeding the grain which they raise
to a good grade of stock. They have used sound judgment and are highly
competent as agriculturists and stockraisers.
On the 21st of
March, 1888, Mr. Drake was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Carrico, the
eldest daughter of Nathaniel and Milbury J. (Mitchell) Carrico, a record
of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Four children were born to Mr.
and Mrs. Drake: Nathaniel Edward, who attended the Gillespie high school
two years and is now at home; George Carrico, also at home, who was
graduated from the Gillespie high school in 1911 and is now teaching at
the Hart school of Honey Point township; Leslie Virgil, who attended the
high school at Gillespie one year and is now at home; and Foster Brown,
who is attending district school No. 106 of Gillespie township and is
also at home.
Mr. Drake died in the prime of his life and
activity March 6, 1904, having attained the age of fifty-four years. In
his death the community realized that it had lost one of its most valued
citizens. He was an advocate of the principles of the republican party
and served as member of the school boards of districts 100 and 106,
Brushy Mound township, being in the fifth year of his service at the
time of his demise. For thirty-eight years he was a member of the
Baptist church of Delavan, Illinois, his widow being a member of Honey
Creek Baptist church of Gillespie township. The three elder sons are
also identified with this organization. Mr. Drake was connected with the
Mutual Protective League of Litchfield, Illinois. As the head of a
promising family he was proud of his wife and children and willing at
all times to make personal sacrifices for their comfort or happiness.
Mrs. Drake is still living on the old homestead and can claim many
friends in a county where she and her family have been long and
favorably known.
Extracted 14 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 258-259.
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