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Part I - Marriage
Part II - History
Part III - Will
Part I - Received from Tammy Setterquist - 28 Apr 2005
Clement F. Heverlly, Pioneer and Patriot Families of Bradford County, 1770-1800, Vol 1,
Bradford Star Print, 1913, Volume 1 - Page 23 - Records from 1840 to 1850
MARRIAGES - 28 November 1821, in Wysox by Justice Harry Morgan,
Jesse R. Drake and Miss Jemima, daughter of William Ferguson, all of Wysox.
Part II - The following was reprinted from the book "Biographical and Genealogical
Record" of La Salle Co, ILL. (1886) - page 43
JAMES HENRY DRAKE
Among the early settlers in La Salle county, Illinois, was Jesse R. Drake, father of the
gentleman whose name initiates this review, who with his family came to Illinois in 1839 and
to La Salle county in 1844. Jesse R. Drake was a son of William Drake, and was born in New
York and reared and educated there. When he reached manhood he went to Bradford county,
Pennsylvania, where he married Miss Jemima Ferguson, daughter of William Ferguson, of English
descent, who came to America to fight for the colonists in the Revolutionary war. Some years
after their marriage they removed with their family to Coles county, Illinois, and five years
later to La Salle county, settling in South Ottawa.
Their family consisted of eight children, whose names in order of birth were as follows:
Ruthenne, Benjamin, William, Delia, Jesse W., all now deceased; Mary, wife of A.G.Bardwell,
of Erie, Neosho county, Kansas; J. H., the subject of this sketch; and Isaac, deceased.
Both parents lived to venerable age. The father died at seventy-three and the mother at
seventy-five. Jesse R. Drake was a prosperous farmer and stood high in the esteem of his
fellow-citizens. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Politically he was a Republican.
His good wife was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
James Henry Drake was born in Coles county, Illinois, October 26, 1840, and was four years
old when his parents came to Ottawa. His boyhood days were passed in work on his father's
farm and in attending the country schools. He remained at the home of his parents, except
one summer, when he was engaged in driving cattle from Illinois to Kansas until the civil war
broke out. When the civil war came on he was among the first to enter the Union ranks, and he
went out as a member of the Fifty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel William
Cushman and Captain J. Skinner. He enlisted in 1861 and his service covered a period of over
three years, at the end of which time he was honorably discharged. In 1886 Mr Drake located
on his present farm of one hundred and twelve acres in South Ottawa township. This farm,
known for years as the old Dewey farm, is well located, three miles southeast of town, and
is nicely improved with good buildings, including a comfortable residence surrounded with
lawn and shade trees.
July 5, 1868, Mr Drake married Miss Mercy J. Turner, a native of Wyoming county, Pennsylvania,
and a daughter of Erasmus T. and Fidelia (Ball) Turner, both natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs
Turner died in 1871, leaving two children, Mrs Drake and Mrs Louisa Clark. Mr Turner is now
a resident of Alta, Iowa. Mr and Mrs Drake have two children, namely: Charles H., who married
Miss Allie J. Scidmore, and has one child, Charles Henry, who lives at Wenona, Illinois; and
Linnie B., wife of Irving Scidmore and mother of one child, Ruth Belle Scidmore.
Mr Drake is a Republican. Although taking an active interest in politics, he has never
aspired to official honors. He is a member of the G.A.R. Post of Streator, and he and his
family are identified with the Methodist Episcopal church.
After the war he returned to his father's home and remained there until 1871, when he removed
to Chatsworth, where he remained for one year; next he returned to the old home and engaged in
the occupation of farming until 1879. Then he and his family removed to Streator, where he
turned his attention to the flour and feed business and buying cattle.
Part III
Will of Jesse R Drake
5 October 1871
In the name of God. Amen. I Jesse R. Drake of the town of South Ottawa in the county of
La Salle and the state of Illinois, of the age of Seventy One years. And being of Sound Mind
and Memory, do make, publish and declare this my last will and testament, in manner following,
That is to say.
First, I give and bequeath to my wife Jemima Drake the following described tract, piece, or
parcel of land situate in the county of La Salle and State of Illinois (to be accepted and
received by her in lieu of dower) Twenty five (25) acres on the east end of the North half of
the North East quarter of Section thirty Six (36) and town of South Ottawa Range three East,
to have and to hold the same during her natural life, and at her death, it is my will, that
if my son James H. Drake takes good care of, and supports in good manner while living, the
said Jemima Drake, that then I give and bequeath the above described lot, piece, or parcel
of land to my said son, James H. Drake. But should he refuse, or fail to give her good care
and support, then the said Jemima Drake may choose whomever she pleases to provide such support
for her and at her death, I will and bequeath the above described land to the person providing
the same.
Second, I give and devise to my son, James H. Drake, aforesaid, his heirs and feigns, Twenty
seven and a half (27 1/2) acres in the aforesaid county and State and described as the middle of
the North half of the North East quarter of section thirty six (36) in the town of South Ottawa,
and bounded on the east by the twenty five (25) acres willed to my wife Jemima in this will. And
I give and bequeath to the said James H. Drake all that tract or parcel of land, situate in La
Salle county, state of Illinois and described as follows. The South half of the South west
fractional quarter of section thirty in the township of Fall Rivers containing fifty two and
a half (52 1/2) acres. Also I will and bequeath to the said James H. Drake the west half of
the South half of the north east quarter of section thirty six in the township of South Ottawa
County of La Salle & State of Illinois.
Third, I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary, to be accepted of by her, and her husband
Aaron G. Bardwell, in full payment of all debts, dues, and demands which they or either of them
may have or claim to have, against me or my estate, all that tract, or parcel of land, situate
in the county of La Salle and State of Illinois and described as follows, The north half, of
the west half, of the southwest fractional quarter, of section thirty (30) and township of Fall
River. And also the tract or parcel of land, situate in said county of La Salle and State of
Illinois and described as the west part of the North half of the Northeast quarter of Section
thirty six in the township of South Ottawa containing all the balance of said North half of said
Northeast quarter of section thirty six (36) that had not been disposed of by this will.
Fourth, I give and bequeath to my Daughter in Law, Thankful Ann Drake, Widow of Jesse W.
Drake, The East half of the South half of the North East quarter of section thirty six (36)
in the town of South Ottawa La Salle County and State of Illinois to have and to hold the same
during her natural life, and at her death, I will and bequeath the same to Jesse Drake, Jemmima
Drake and Mary Drake and children of William A. Drake.
Fifth, I give and devise to my Son William A. Drake and his wife Elizabeth Drake to have and
to hold during their lifetime and while she remains the wife or widow of the said William A.
Drake all that tract, piece or parcel of land situate in the county of La Salle and State of
Illinois and described as the South half of the South East quarter of section thirty in township
of "Fall River" and at their death I will and bequeath the above described tract of land to the
children of the said William A. Drake.
Sixth, It is my will that at my death my personal property be sold either at public or
private sale, and that all my just debts be fully paid from the sale of the same and that
after the payment of all debts it is my will that Henry M. Wright, my Grand Son, be paid
the sum of Two Hundred dollars when the same shall be made from the sale of said personal
property sufficient to make the said Two Hundred dollars after the payment of all debts,
item, and in that case, it is my will that the aforesaid named James H. Drake, William A.
Drake, and Mary Bardwell Each pay the sum of Sixty seven dollars to the said Henry M. Wright
within one year after this will is filed in the office of the Probate court.
Seventh & Lastly, I hereby appoint Henry Mayo an attorney at Law in the city of Ottawa sole
executor of this will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made. In ? whereof
I have ? set my hand and Seal this fifth day of October in the year of our Lord One Thousand
Eight Hundred and Seventy One.
Jesse R. Drake (seal)
History of La Salle Co. (1886) - Sumitted by:
"Charles Wright" pontegwatrail@netzero.net
There are a number of errors in this presentation.
On the 6th of January, 1860, at Ottawa, Illinois, Mr. Bardwell wedded Mary Drake, a native
of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Jesse R. and Jemima (Ferguson) Drake, both natives of the
Keystone state. Her father, who was born in 1800 served his country in the war of 1812 and
died in July, 1869 [?]
Actually he died 1 Jul 1873.
Her maternal grandfather, William Ferguson, was a drummer of the Revolutionary war and
remained with the army for seven years undergoing all the hardships of the memorable winter
at Valley Forge. His wife, Patience (Franklin) Ferguson, was captured by the Indians and many
were massacred, including her two brothers but she was released, a girl of twelve years and
for two weeks she wandered through the woods, eating berries and whatever she could find, but
at length reached civilization and safety.
Unto the parents of Mrs. Bardwell were born eight children, but
she is the only one now living [?]. The others were Ruth M., the wife
of John Wright; William A.; Benjamin F.; Jesse Wells; Adelia, the wife of William Brooker;
Isaac 0., and James Henry
William A Drake died 18 Jul 1890
James Henry Drake died 16 Sep 1900
Adelia, listed here is also known as Eliza A, Delila, and Deliose
William Brooker was Elisabeth A Drake’s second husband.
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