Questions have been raised about Gideon DRAKE, born 3 Oct. 1800 in Mason Co.,
KY.
I copied this information by hand in 1968 while I lived in Greensburg,
Decatur Co., IN. At that time there was no such thing as a copy machine, so
everything was hand copied. I was ignorant of the proper way to document so
I have no sources, but believe some of it came from Lewis Harding's "History
of Decatur County." Some came from actual walking in the Greensburg cemetery
and copying head stones. I don't know where the rest was published, perhaps
WPA indexes, I don't know.
To sum up the article on Gideon Drake, published in 1894, it gave his birth
place and date and then said he had left for Brown County when he was 9 years
old. This meant an adult must have taken him, but it doesn't say who the
adult was. However, Amos and Lewis Drake, known brothers, lived in Brown
County and Lewis has been ruled out as Gideon's father. Amos lived to be 105
and died in Brown Co. There is an obit, but I don't have a copy.
Gideon lived in Brown county until 1822. He married Susannah Mitchell. They
went to Johnson County, IN in 1822 and lived there for 40 years.
In 1861, he arrived in Greensburg, Decatur Co., IN with his family. The
following information was taken from the John Drake Bible in possession
(1968) of Mary L. Marsh, Sacramento, CA.
1. Josiah Drake, born 20 May, 1823, married Eva Jane Whiteneck. He died
in Franklin, Johnson Co, IN, 6 Feb., 1915.
2. Amos Drake, born 1 May, 1825 in Ninevah Twp., Johnson Co., IN,
married Martha Bryan. He died 25 Oct., 1914 in Morgan Co., IN.
3. Hiram Drake, born 28 Jan. 1828 in Unica (reading difficult here)
Twp., Johnson Co., IN (as did all the following children), married twice,
Indiana and Clara, both surnames unknown. He died 15 Apr. 1903.
4. Polly Drake, born 26 Jan. 1830, married Michael Flake.
5. John Drake, born 1 Jan. 1832, married Mary Jane Park, 29 Apr., 1858.
He died 3 June, 1896 and is buried in Greensburg Cemetery, Greensburg,
Decatur Co., IN.
6. Wesley Drake, born 20 Jan. 1836, married twice, Margaret Fitzpatrick
and Suisan C. McClain. He died 13 Sep. 1907 in Franklin, Johnson Co., IN.
7. Permelia Drake, born 22 Jan. 1836, married Columbus C. Burns. She is
buried in Greensburg Cemetery, but I did not find look for her tombstone,
restricting my search to the Drake name at the time.
8. Charlotte Drake was born 3 Jan. 1838. She married John Ballard. She
is buried in Franklin, Johnson Co., IN.
9. Joseph Drake was born 18 May, 1840. He married Melissa Doble, 27
Dec., 1860. He died 23 May, 1915 in Greensburg, Decatur Co., IN.
10. Gideon Drake was born 1 Feb., 1845. He married twice, Sarah M.
Ralston and Mary E. Moore. He died 7 July 1918 in Pawnee, Pawnee Co., OK.
Gideon Drake, Sr. died 15 Mar. 1896 and was buried in Greensburg, Decatur
Co., IN cemetery in March 1806.
Susannah Mitchell Drake died 5 Feb., 1895 at 72 years, 3 months and 6 days.
Joseph was named son, Frank H. was grandson, and Francis D. was great
grandson.
Joseph Drake was a watchmaker and jeweler. He was born in Johnson Co., IN
and lived there until he was 9 years old, then moved to Franklin Co., IN
until 1855.
In 1855 he moved to Wright County, Minn.
In 1856, he returned to Franklin Co., IN.
In 1860 he moved to Greensburg, Decatur Co., IN and remained there.
In 1864 he was named Captain of Co. A., 134th IN. He was a member of "Pap"
Thomas Post of the GAR.
In 1876-1877, he was Councilman from the Second Ward.
He held many high offices in the Freemasons of Greensburg.
Frank Drake was born 13 Oct. 1867 in Greensburg. He was a watchmaker and
jeweler, but graduated from Parson's Horological Institute of La Porte, IN in
1890 and from the Chicago Opthalmic College in 1892.
He held many posts in the Freemasons and was a Worthy Patron of the Eastern
Star in 1894.
He was a member of the SV, Sons of Veterans.
Mentioned in different places...lord, people...I don't know where.
Benjamin Drake, 1820 settled Greensburg, Washington Twp. IN with HENDRICKS.
Robert Drake was in Clinton Twp. in 1821.
Hon. Dillard Drake was a JP in 1824 and 1825. He was on the planning
commission for the Greensburg Courthouse--yes, the famouse one that has a
tree growing out of the tower, but I don't think he planned that. <g>
Several mentions of Freemason posts for Joseph, Frank, John W., and Frank H.
The women were charter members of organizations, as well.
Tombstone readings:
John W. Drake, 1832-1886,
Wife, Mary J. Drake, 1833 - 1915.
Son, William Edom Drake, 16 July, 1869, 15 Aug. 1872.
Gideon Drake
1800-1896
wife
Susannah Drake
1804-1895
Willie Drake
1870
Mellie D. Drake
1840-1909
Joseph Drake
1840-1915
Margaret Drake
1873 -1941
Dan Hazelrigg
1872 - 1933
wife
Nellie D.[rake] Hazelrigg
1876 - 1935
This isn't my family and I don't know why I held on to the information, but
here it is.
Shirley Drake Maynard
Hampton, VA