My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Polk County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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William G. Drake, M. D., was born in Greene County, Tenn., March 5, 1845, his parents being Joseph and Blanche (McPherson) Drake, both natives of Tennessee, the former of English, and the latter of Irish descent. In 1845 the family started for Texas, and in passing down the Chuffey River the boat struck a bridge, which fell, killing the father; the mother turned back, and still lives in Tennessee, at an advanced age. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church. He was a farmer, and in politics a Whig. The family consisted of three children, two sons and one daughter. One son died from wounds received in battle while in the Federal army. The subject of this sketch was raised on the farm, but was attending Greenville College when the war broke out, and, though but seventeen years of age, he enlisted in Company I, First East Tennessee Cavalry, U. S. A., in July, 1862, and served till the close of the war. Starting out as a private, he arose, step by step, till he held the office of second lieutenant, being the youngest officer of his regiment. He was in the battles of Chickamauga, Nashville, Franklin, and the Atlanta campaign. Having been taken prisoner at Atlanta, and while being marched to prison, he stepped behind a tree, allowing the others to pass, and thus escaped. After returning home he attended Tusculum College for two years, and in 1867 married Virginia Robinson, a native of Tennessee, who died in 1870. In 1869 Mr. Drake moved to this county, and, having studied medicine, he took a course of lectures in the medical department of the University of Louisville, Ky., then practiced till 1875, when he again took a course of lectures at the St. Louis Medical College, graduating in 1876. In 1882 he removed to Bolivar from his former location at Fair Play, and has since enjoyed a lucrative practice. In 1875 he married Amanda L. Hendricks, by whom he has had five children: William T., Mamie R., Joseph A., Carl J. and Charles E. He has a farm of 780 acres. He is a Republican, a member of the G. A. R. and of the A. O. U. W. Both he and his wife are Presbyterians.

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This family biography is one of 132 biographies included in The History of Polk County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Polk County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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