1902 obituary. (Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx - Apr. 2008)
The Bay City Tribune - Sunday, September 26, 1902 (Page 1)
PASSES TO ETERNITY
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John Drake, Pioneer Resident of
City, Answers Last Call
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Ending Came Peacefully at 10:40 O'clock Last Night
Final Illness the Result a Stroke of Apoplexy
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Had Resided in Bay City for Over Forty Years
Another pioneer resident of Bay City has answered the final summons; again has death closed the earthly labors of a man well-known in the community and highly respected by all who were acquainted with him in business or a social way. At 10:40 last night John Drake passed peacefully away at the home of W. O. Clift, 1409 Sixth street, after an illness of about ten days. For several days the relatives and friends of the sick man knew that his hours were numbered and the ending was not unexpected.
For about three years Mr. Drake had been in failing health, but it was only within the past ten days that he relinquished his business cares. About two months ago he suffered a very slight stroke of apoplexy, being confined to the house only two or three days. The morning of Wednesday September 17, he arose at the usual hour. While dressing he suffered a second stroke of apoplexy and from this time his friends realized that there was no hope for him. His rugged constitution withstood the attack for some time , but finally gave way under the strain. The end came peacefully . It was like the passing of a tired mortal into a refreshing slumber.
John Drake was a conspicuous figure in Bay City for nearly a century. He came here almost before there was a town and had watched with pride and interest the up building of a beautiful and progressive city. He became interested in lumber and then drifted into other channels of business. His record was most honorable. For over 40years he was the representative here of one insurance company - a fact that speaks volume of his sterling integrity.
John Drake was born in Patna, Ayrshire, Scotland, August 1, 1819 and came to this country with his parents in 1834, his father locating in Hamilton, Ont. There and in London he worked as a clerk and later went into business in Delaware, Ont., where he became county clerk and postmaster. In 1850 he came to Bay City and with his brothers James and Sewell erected the Drake steam saw mill and bought considerable pine land. He assisted materially in building up the town then known as Lower Saginaw, but in 1854 removed to Detroit. Two years later he returned and engaged in manufacturing lumber in the Zilwaukee mills, which he operated two years.
The panic of 1857 obliged Mr. Drake to close out his business and at the same time he became subject to rheumatism, which prevented him from doing business during the next three years. For four or five years later he was state land agent for this vicinity and in 1858 he took an agency for the Home Insurance Co. of New York and continued to represent that company until the time of his death. In 1862 he was appointed assistant assessor of internal revenue for the Fifth district, which office he filled for five years. In 1872 he was reappointed to that office and after serving the term was deputy revenue collector for four years. He retained his connection with various insurance companies until his death.
The deceased in 1844 married Miss Emma Dickson. She died in 1886 and was the mother of four children all of whom died. He is survived by two adopted daughters Ethel and Harriet Drake and a brother Samuel. He was a prominent member of the Masons, belonging to Joppa Lodge No. 315 and was the last living charter member of the vestry of Trinity Episcopal church, in the up building of which he was very active. He was for 20 years a vestryman and for several years secretary and treasurer of the church society. In politics he was always a staunch supporter of Republican principals.
Moulthrop-Clift