Notes:
!1900 Fed Census for Lincoln Precinct Saline Co NE p 139 line 1; gives parents
birthplace as NJ
1910 Census gives same information as 1900.
Data source is Beth Arnold Taylor, E-mail ejat53@charter.net
Data source is Randy Campbell. E-mail rtcampbell87@hotmail.com
WILLIAM P. DRAKE PASSES TO HIS REWARD
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William Perry Drake was born in New Jersey, November 18, 1845, and died at his home in Friend, Nebraska, December 2nd, 1921 aged 76 years and 14 days.
His mother having died, he moved with his father and sister from New Jersey to Illinois, when he was eight years old. At the age of 18 he enlisted on May, 1864 as a private in Company D, 137th Illinois Volunteer Infantry and served his country faithfully until the day of his discharge.
Even at this early age the services of Brother Drake were marked by the same faithfulness, earnestness and devotion which always after marked his life. Loyal then to the services of his country as he always after was loyal in the services of his Master and in his service for his fellow men.
He was married to Miss Delaney J. Mumma at Malcomb, Illinois, on December 5, 1874 and from Seward county he came to Saline county settling about three and one half miles southeast of Friend. From this farm home he moved to Friend about twelve years ago.
Brother Drake was converted and joined the Methodist church soon after coming to Nebraska and was an honored and faithful member of the church until his work was finished and God called him home. Brother Drake made his religion a business. He was always faithful in his attendance upon the means of grace, his pew seldom being empty unless kept away by sickness. During the first weeks of the present pastor's work here he was always present both morning and evening, often coming when it was evident he was doing so at the sacrifice of his strength. This faithfulness marked the man in all the wor
And now, what shall I say of Brother Drake? What do I need to say? His life was an open book; wife and children and neighbor and friend could read it only to see in it the beauty of the character, the love of the father and husband, the helpfulness of the neighbor and the consecration and devotion of the truly noble Christian. There is nothing that human brain or human pen can add to a life like that. But we [word] that we must add he was a devoited follower of the Nazarine (sic), gladly rendering service and surrendering his life to Him whom he love to [word] as Master and Lord. Those who came into contact with this humble, sincere Godly man in the social and business life, were impressed with a feeling that he was living with Jesus. Though his course of conduct was directed [word] the golden rule, while his life and character wre fashioned after the image of Him "whom having not seen, he loved."
No greater tribute can be paid to any man than this: He was true to God, his loved ones and his fellowmen, for that is the fullness of the command of Jesus.
A. Allen Randall
The funeral which was held from the Methodist church, on Monday afternoon at two o'clock, was largely attended and the floral offering were many and beautiful. The sermon was preached by the pastor, the Rev. A. Allen Randall. The Rev. H. [?] Seidel of Omaha, a former pastor of the same church read the obituary and made a few remarks. The pallbearers were members of the American Legion. The music was furnished by the church choir. Burial was made in Andrew cemetery.