THOMAS L. DRAKE was a prominent farmer and respected citizen of Washington Township, Miami County, Ohio, and his death, which occurred November 7, l897, was mourned as a loss to the community. He was born on the farm of 220 acres on which his widow now lives, August 23, 1847, and was a son of Daniel Drake, who was prominent among the early citizens of Washington Township.

Thomas L. Drake was reared and educated in Washington Township, and spent his entire life on the home farm. He attended the district schools and Piqua High School, leaving the latter institution six weeks before the time for him to graduate. He then taught school for two terms, after which he farmed the remainder of his life meeting with a high degree of success. The farm consists of 220 acres and is located about two and one-half miles south of the Piqua post office. In 1893 he erected one of the finest brick houses in the township and the farm was maintained on the same high plane as to its other improvements.

April 4, 1878, Mr. Drake was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Knouff, a daughter of George and Lettie A. (McKlveen) Knouff. George Knouff was born in Pennsylvania and was a son of John Knouff, who died in the eastern part of Ohio. The father of Mrs. Drake was a young man when the faniily moved to Harrison County, Ohio, and after his marriage he came west to Miami County, Ohio, settling on a farm in Washington Township. Here he lived until his death on February 10, 1885, being survived by his widow, who passed away on October 3, 1893. Mrs. Knouff was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of Thomas McKIveen, who came to this country from Ireland. Mrs. Drake was born in Harrison County, Ohio, and was ten years of age when her parents came to Miami County.

Mr. and Mrs. Drake had a son born to them, Forest, who died at the early age of nine months and seven days. Religiously he was a member of the Presbyterian CIiurch, to which Mrs. Drake also belongs. She is a lady of refinement and excellent business qualifications, and has many friends in this community, in which she has lived since the early days of her life.