Ralph Rafe Drake was born on 12. Mar. 1830 at Pennsylvania; 1850, 1860 & 1870 census b. Pennsylvania; 1900 & 1910 census b. New Jersey. He was the son of
Ralph Drake and
Catherine Husselton.
Ralph Rafe Drake appeared on the census of 15. Oct. 1850 at with Abner and Elizabeth Osborn, Monroe Twp., Perry County, Ohio.
He married
Aurilla McDonald, daughter of
John McDonald and
Sarah Dew, on 17. Oct. 1852 at Perry County, Ohio.
Ralph Rafe Drake was shown in the census on 11. Aug. 1860 as a farmer.
Ralph Rafe Drake and
Aurilla McDonald appeared on the census of 11. Aug. 1860 at Monroe Twp., Perry County, Ohio,
; real estate value 4,600.00, personal property 1,100.00.
Ralph Rafe Drake was shown in the census on 14. Jun. 1870 as a farmer.
Ralph Rafe Drake and
Aurilla McDonald appeared on the census of 14. Jun. 1870 at Monroe Twp., Perry County, Ohio,
; real estate value 9,800.00, personal property 3,400.00. Ralph Rafe Drake married
Mary J. Osburn, daughter of
Abner Osburn and
Elizabeth (Unknown), a 1882 at Possibly, Perry County, Ohio.
Ralph Rafe Drake was shown in the census on 8. Jun. 1900 as a farmer.
Ralph Rafe Drake and
Mary J. Osburn appeared on the census of 8. Jun. 1900 at Monroe Twp., Perry County, Ohio,
; she has no children.
Ralph Rafe Drake was shown in the census on 15. Apr. 1910 as a farmer.
Ralph Rafe Drake and
Mary J. Osburn appeared on the census of 15. Apr. 1910 at Buckingham Precinct, Monroe Twp., Perry County, Ohio,
; she has no children. Ralph Rafe Drake died on 24. Jun. 1913 at Monroe, Perry County, Ohio, at age 83; Obstructive Jaundice. He was buried at Maplewood Cemetery, Perry County, Ohio.
Ralph inherited a large property from Aurilla's father, Squire John McDonald. Mr. McDonald settled the homestead in 1814 and it became a part of Perry County, Ohio in 1823. The first house was demolished, and Ralph inherited the second house. Ralph, in turn passed this home on to his son, Miles Theodore Drake and subsequent heirs. The history of the original homestead chronicles a period of about 165 years in what is now known as Southern Perry County.
The homestead was active before the Civil War. It was pillaged by Morgan's Raiders at the close of that conflict (when the population of Perry County was a scant 20,00 people).
The homestead was in an opportune spot to play a part in the expansionism of the Reconstruction Period after the war, When the railroad came through a station was built on or near the property, and the name of the community surrounding the land was changed from "Snowden" to "Drakes Station", later shortened to "Drakes". Because of its proximity to coal, iron and oil deposits, the area also prospered at the advent of the industrial revolution in the late 1800's.
The house thrived under Ralph's son, Miles and his wife, Belle. After the "Great War" (WW1) the house and farm served as a prosperous self contained unit. The sixty adjoining acres supported livestock, a splendid orchard with its beehive center, and a lush garden.
By then the house was a mixture of styles: bold, white-fram, Federal windows, elegant center hall and a spacious stairwell. Its landscaping of catalpa and pine trees with a huge black walnut tree in the background provided immediate recognition. The periphery was surrounded with and iron fence and dahlias. The long L-shaped verandah was the site of many family activities.
The homestead was the site of many happy summer family reunions, a much celebrated 50th wedding anniversary, private fireworks for Independence Day and a host of other communal activities.
During the period of 1934-1944 it was also the home of the Jesse Drake family, and, later for the George Drake family--sons of Miles and Belle Drake.
As the years passed, it became too difficult to bring the house up to modern standards, and it was torn down a few years ago.(?in the 80's?)
Source not given, but it appears to be from a fairly modern History of Perry County, Ohio.