JOHN C. DRAKE, whose well cultivated farm of eighty-five acres lies in section 30, Washington Township, a little over two miles southwest of Piqua, was born on the old Drake homestead, which is situated almost directly across the road from his own land, February 17, 1838, and is a son of Daniel and Margaret (Curry) Drake.

Both parents of Mr. Drake were born, reared and married in New Jersey. About 1833 Daniel Drake and his brother Jonathan, with their wives, who were sisters, left New Jersey and made the trip to Miami County, Ohio, in farm wagons, and the brothers bought adjoining farms in Washington Township. They had been preceded by an older brother, Jacob Drake, who had purchased land in the southwestern part of this township, which he later sold and invested east of Casstown, where he subsequently died. The parents of John C. Drake died on their farm in Washington Township.

John C. Drake grew to manhood on the home farm and has always devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, formerly carrying on general farming but latterly has given more attention to truck gardening, and as a specialty grows strawberries in great abundance. His present farm is one formerly owned by his father, but be has made the improvements here, building two substantial houses. One of these is a fine brick residence and the other a commodious frame one and he resides in the latter.

Mr. Drake was married (first), to Miss Annie Ledman, who died without issue. His second marriage was to Miss Phebe E. Stewart, who left four children: Hannah, who married David Elliott, died December 28, 1901, survived by four children-Mary, Susie Charles and Perry; William, who resides in Michigan, married Jennie Marsh and they have two children-Elfleda and Corwin; Daniel, who resides at Ellwood, Indiana, married Lena Behymer and they have one son, Oraville; and Ora Pearl, who married Frank Garbry, has two children Ralph and Scott. Mr. and Mrs. Garbry live on a farm one mile east of Piqua. Mr. Drake was married (third) to Miss Ada Young, a daughter of David D. Young, and they have one son, John C., born January 20, 1908. Mr. Drake is a member of the official board of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church at Piqua. He is one of the township's representative citizens. In his political views he is a Prohibitionist.