The Drake Family

Hiram D. Drake in Biographical Record of Huron County, Ohio

The full biographical sketch as printed, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.

HIRAM D. DRAKE.

Hiram D. Drake, who is successfully operating seventy acres of land in Ridge- field township, Huron county, is a native of this county, his birth having occurred on the farm upon which he now resides July 7, 1854. He is a son of Salmon and Cynthia (Dickey) Drake, the former a native of Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, born in 1827. In 1846. he came to Ohio, settling at Monroeville, where he en- gaged in carpentering for some time. In 1849 he removed to the farm which is now in the possession of the subject of this review, and continued to engage in agricultural pursuits until his demise, the only interruption in his business career occurring in 1864, when, as a member of a one hundred day company, he was called oul to serve in the Civil war. In 1849 he married Miss Cynthia Dickey, whose entire life, from the age of two years, was passed on the farm upon which our subiect was born. Her father. Thomas Dickey, was one of the early settlers of this county, coming to Ohio in 1819. shortly after which he was married and removed to Readtown. In 1823 he returned to this county and located upon the present Drake homestead. He was a soldier of the war of 1812 and for a number of years served as justice of the peace of Ridgefield township. He held membership in the Methodist church, in the faith of which he passed away in 1882 at the ripe old age of eighty-eight years. Salmon Drake, who belonged to the Disciple church, was called to his final rest on the 3d of April. 1877. while his wife survived until 1900. In their family were eight children, namely: Eliza J., the wife of George Klopfen>tein ; Hiram D.. of this review: Charles W. ; Emmagene, the wife of

George J. Roc; J. A.; Georgia, who wedded H. C. Roadarmel ; Sterry A.; and Ira, deceased.

Hiram D. Drake, whose entire life, with the exception of a few years, has been spent on his present farm, was reared to farm lite and acquired his early education in the district schools of the neighborhood. He later supplemented this training by a course at the normal school at Milan and after leaving school was engaged in teaching for two seasons. Putting aside professional life, however, he took up agricultural pursuits, in which he has since been continually engaged. He pur- chased the home farm from the other heirs and has since directed his efforts to- ward its further cultivation and improvement. It is an excellent property in the midst of which, in 1886. he erected a fine large home, while in 1885 he built a substantial barn and has equipped the place with other outbuildings and with all of the modern devices and accessories intended to facilitate the work of the farm. It is a model farm of the nineteenth century and Mr. Drake, who is giv- ing his time and attention to general agriculture, is meeting with most gratifying prosperity.

On the 23d of March, 1887. Mr. Drake was united in marriage to Miss Blanch Killey, a daughter of Rol>ert and Mary Killey. of Ottawa counts . Ohio, and this union has been blessed with two children: Louis Karl, born December 29, 1888; and Eric R.. born November 27, 1892, both of whom are still at home Mr. Drake is a member of the Grangers and is widely recognized as a loyal and public-spirited citizen. In this community, where his entire life has been spent, he has gained a wide acquaintance and the fact that his list of friends is almost coextensive with his list of acquaintances is an indication that his salient characteristics are such as command the respect, confidence and good will of all with whom he is associated.

LLSTON GR F.F.N.

The farming interests of Peru township find a worthy representative in Lis- ton Green, who derives a substantial income from a farm of eighty-three acres on which he lives. He was born in a log house in Richland county, Ohio, Octo- ber 8. 1849. «™d a son of Andrew and Maria (Taylor) Green. His father was born in the state of New York and soon after his marriage removed to Richland county, where they lived for about six years. On the expiration of that period they came to Huron county and settled near New Haven, where Andrew ( ireen pur- chased one hundred and seventy acres of land. He operated that farm for a time but afterward removed to Huron township and took up bis abode near the farm upon which bis son Liston now resides, farming a tract of one hundred and eight) acres of rich and productive land, which he transformed into a valuable and highly cultivated farm. He continued to reside upon that place until his death, which occurred in 1892. when he had reached the age of seventy-eight years. His wife survived him for about sixteen years and died April 11. 1908. They were the parents of five children, as follows: Caroline, the wife of David Sissinger, of Richland county, by whom she has two children. Mrs. William White and Alvin ; Frank, who died in the army at the age of twenty years: Fmmn. who married

George Lawrence of Michigan, by whom she has three children, Clara, Martin ami one who died in infancy ; Liston, of this review ; and Charles who resides in Fair- field township.

In taking up the personal history of Liston Green, we present to our readers the life record of one who is well and favorably known in Huron county where he has lived from the age of one year, his parents removing to this county during his infancy. At the usual age he began his education as a pupil of the district schools and as the years have gone by he has continued in active identification with agricultural interests. He was early trained to the work of the fields, learned the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops and in his farm work has met with substantial and well merited success. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Maggie Baxter, a daughter of Thomas and Mary Baxter, the wedding being celebrated on the 15th of April, 1886. They became the parents of three children, but the eldest died in infancy, the others being Bertha and Clarence, who are yet under the parental roof.

Mr. Green has resided upon hi? present farm for about twenty-eight years, having purchased the property from John Trott. In the interim, he has made a number of improvements of a substantial character. He has torn down four old log houses on the place and built two new farm dwellings, and his other im- provements are of a modern kind. His first house was set fire by an enemy, soon after he took possession of the place, and was burned to the ground together with all of the household effects, while the family was absent. Not allowing this to discourage him he rebuilt and as the years have gone by has prospered in his undertakings. He now carries on general farming with good success and his place presents a most neat and attractive appearance. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and he has served as a school director for many years, but otherwise has never sought nor desired office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his farming interests, which are capably managed and are now bringing him in good returns.

Source: Biographical Record of Huron County, Ohio. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.