In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1856, Clark County
From 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908)
WILLIAM M. DRAKE, whose valuable farm of 272 acres is situated in Mad River Township, belongs to a pioneer family of this section and was born on his present farm, in Clark County, Ohio, April 29, 1856. His parents were Cyrus and Martha (Miller) Drake.
The grandparents of Mr. Drake, William and Ruth (Welch) Drake, came from Pennsylvania to Ohio on horseback. Their log cabin was one of the first that was built in Mad River Township and the land that William M. Drake now owns was then but a great extent of swamp and uncleared forest. They reared a family of seven children, namely: Jacob, John, Thompson, Cyrus, William, Jane and Elizabeth. The youngest daughter married D. Shellabarger. All have passed out of life. Cyrus Drake, father of William M., was born near Enon, Clark County, and he was five years old when his parents settled on the present farm to Avhich he subsequently added until, at the time of his death, he owned 550 acres. He married Martha Miller, who was born in Greene County, Ohio, and died in 1892, aged sixty-five years. Their family consisted of six children, namely: Albert, who resides at Yellow Springs, Ohio; Emma, who died young; William M.; Margaret; Ida, who married Charles Weaver; and John W. Cyrus Drake died in 1901, aged seventy-eight years.
William M. Drake attended the district schools and later spent one year at college at Ada, Ohio, that being the only period which he has passed away from the farm on which he was born. The oi'igiual tract of 164 acres his grandfather purchased for $500. Both his father and Mr. Drake have made many improvements here, the former building the commodious brick residence in 1850. William M. Drake carries on general farming and stock-raising and is one of the township 's most substantial men.
On December 15, 1898, William M. Drake was married to Sarah A. Keifer, who is a daughter of Benjamin and Amelia F. (Hinkle) Keifer. They have had four children, namely: Marie lone, William Russell, Warren and an infant, who, with William Russell, are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Drake are members of the Presbyterian Church at Yellow Springs. He belongs to the organization known as the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. In politics he is a Republican.
As printed in 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1908. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.