Drake University - Quax Yearbook (Des Moines, IA)

Page 10 text:

GEN. FRANCIS M. DRAKE

Page 9 text:

'16 ra fy 'Zu' 14 THE EDITORIAL CABINET.

Page 11 text:

Jllremriz illllarinn Brakr. 1 RANCIS MARION DRAKE was born at Rushville, Illinois, December 50, 1850. Died at Centerville, Iowa. November 20, 1905. Some sixty years ago a travel-worn horseman, overtaken by night. rode up to a home at Fort Madison, Iowa, and asked the housewife whether she had a book that directed her to entertain strangers. She promptly replied, Yes sir. Our family Bible is always on the center table, The traveler was one of the first of the pioneer preachers of the Church of Christ to cross the Mississippi river into the Iowa Territory, and the home was that of John Adams Drake, father of the subject of this sketch. The elder Drake was a native of North Carolina, his family belonging to the southern aristocracy, and rich in lands and slaves. He was orphaned when but a lad, and, on coming into his estate, engaged in a mercantile business, in which his partner involved him in financial ruin. Without money or prospects he could not bear to stay in the old environments, and, coming north, he arrived at Rushville. Illinois. in 1850. Possessed of the energy which is so strongly characteristic of the family, he set about recouping his fortune in the new country. For two years he wrought with saw and hammer and plane. He then began the practice of law. He was chosen justice of the peace, and later. probate judge, being the Judge Drake mentioned in Winston Churchill's Crisis, In 1852 he removed to Fort Madison, where he practiced law till 184-6. He then went to Davis county and laid out the town of Drakeville. where he conducted a successful mercantile busi- ness until 1875, when he sold his interests and engaged in banking, In 1877 he removed to Centerville, where he followed the banking business till his death. May 15, 1880. He was raised a Baptist. His wife was a Methodist. While in Rushville, one of the pioneer preachers won their hearts to the new plea for the restoration of primitive Christianity, A daughter says of them: From that day their home was the preachers' home. Their time and money were devoted to the cause. Their good deeds have been many. This brief chapter of family history gives some index to the source of the matchless courage and indomitable will that carried General Drake through his remarkable career-qualities that served him well amid the stirring experiences of the pioneer days in which his early life was cast. When he had barely attained his majority, he led two expeditions across the plains with ox teams and droves of cattle to California, which was then in the midst of the gold excitement. The entire journey of 2,000 miles was imperiled by the Indians. who were incensed at the white man for encroaching upon their hunting grounds and killing or fright- ening away their game. The perils of hardship were scarcely less formidable. The next epoch in his life was his military career. in which he won marked distinction, as in every other sphere in which he was called to act. 9