My Genealogy Hound

Milton F. Lake was born in Davidson County, Tenn., September 4, 1819, and is of German descent. He is a son of Elijah and grandson of John Lake, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and an early settler of South Carolina. Elijah was born in the “Palmetto State” in 1796, but was reared in Davidson County, Tenn., where his father had located about 1800. He was married to Deborah Miller, of Davidson County, her father, William Miller, being born in Virginia, and of Scotch extraction. In 1830 Mr. and Mrs. Lake removed with their family to Ray County, Mo., but six years later returned to Tennessee, where the mother died in 1845. In 1850 Mr. Lake married Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson, and died in 1861, having been the owner of a large plantation and many slaves. Milton F. Lake was reared on his father’s plantation in Western Tennessee, and was educated in the common schools. In 1843 he was married to Margaret L. Braden, who was born in Wilson County, Tenn., and by her became the father of ten children, six of whom are now living: James E., William L., George T., Milton F., Jefferson T. and Ella. His wife died July 4, 1869. He was conscripted in the Confederate army, but was captured at the end of three months and was taken to Alton, Ill., where he was held a prisoner for eight months. He then returned to his home and resumed fanning, coming to Washington County, Ark., in 1869, where he has since made his home. He has a fine farm of 500 acres. In 1875 be married Mrs. Jennie Phillips of Washington County. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention for the State of Arkansas in 1874, and in his political views is a stanch Democrat.