NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

George A. Drake
Morris Co. Up

Energy and unusual determination to forge ahead have marked the career of George A. DRAKE, senior member of the firm of DRAKE Brothers, successful contractors and builders at Dover, New Jersey, where he has been prominent as a citizen since 1896. Mr. DRAKE was born at Budd Lake, Morris county, New Jersey, June 6, 1874, son of Aaron S. and Ellen A. (OGDEN) DRAKE. The father is likewise a native of Budd Lake, the year of his nativity being 1840. He is now seventy-three years of age and is still hale and hearty. He has been successfully engaged in work as a contractor and builder since 1883. His wife, whose maiden name was Ellen A. OGDEN, was born at Whippany, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. DRAKE have nine children:

  • Charles L., carpenter at East Orange, New Jersey;
  • Anna B., wife of Blaker HART, a carpenter at Bayonne, New Jersey;
  • Carrie N., wife of George S. HUMMER, of Dover, New Jersey;
  • George A., whose name forms the caption for this review;
  • Arthur O., a member of the contracting firm of DRAKE Brothers, mentioned elsewhere in this work;
  • Lizzie S., wife of Morris PALMER, of Dover;
  • Margaret, wife of Thomas Flynn, of Dover;
  • Amy, wife of Chester URBAN, of Bayonne, New Jersey;
  • Nellie, single, resides with her parents at Dover.

George A. DRAKE attended the public schools of Mount Olive township in his boyhood, and after leaving school entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the trade of carpenter under the instruction of his father. In 1896, at the age of twenty-two years, he located in Dover and here he has since been actively engaged in the work of his trade. In 1907 he entered into a partnership with his brother, Arthur O., to establish the contracting and building firm of DRAKE Brothers. The firm has several men in its employ and a flourishing business is controlled, at least fifty residences having been erected in recent years. George A. DRAKE owns considerable real estate in Dover and he has a beautiful home at No. 42 Baker avenue. While not an active participant in local politics, he supports the principles and policies promulgated by the Democratic party, and in fraternal circles is affiliated with the K. of P. and the R. A. As a business man he manifests good judgement in all his operations and he has a reputation for always giving a square deal.

In 1901 Mr. DRAKE married May YOUNG, born in Dover, daughter of Henry K. YOUNG, of this city. Mr. and Mrs. DRAKE are the parents of two children, namely:

  • Kenneth W. and
  • Hilliard Y.,

the eldest of whom is now a pupil in the local public schools. In religious matters the DRAKE family are members of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, in whose behalf they are most zealous workers.

This biography was transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003).

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