Biography - George Augustus Dreka

In the heart of Volusia county, Fla., on high rolling land, stands the city of De Land, nestling cozily among the tall sentinel pines. Florida can boast very many pretty places, but there is perhaps no other spot in the whole State that can surpass in beauty this "Athens of Florida" as De Land has been rightly named. It is the center of the orange industry, and is surrounded by lands on which not only the citrus fruit thrives, but every kind of vegetables and general farm crops may be raised. From its very inception it has been blessed with an industrious, public-spirited people whose watchword has ever been "Progress," and who spared no pains, even in face of adversity to place their town amongst the best in the State. As the result of united effort, De Land presents today the appearance of an up-to-date city. It offers every opportunity not only to permanent residents but also to winter tourists, who can pass months here without experiencing that longing for home which, as a rule, springs from the discomforts to be borne in many a tourist town.

De Land is the intellectual center of Florida. Stetson University with its magnificently equipped buildings, its unexcelled teaching staff, and its hundreds of students, reminds one of those grand old seats of learning to the halls of which thousands of eager students throng, there to move and have their being in an atmosphere of deepest erudition.

De Land is great because it had a great founder, and has a great people. After the name of its venerable founder, there is perhaps none more closely identified with its growth and remarkable prosperity than that of George Augustus Dreka.

Born in Sassafras, Kent County, Md., November 18, 1857, of Augustus and Teresa Dreka, the future leader in De Land's progress, received his early education in the public schools, and afterwards spent some years under the fostering care of those renowned educators, the Christian Brothers, in Rock Hill College near Baltimore. Soon after graduation, George Dreka came to Florida, and the keen business intuition of the young man, then in his twenty-first year, helped to raise the veil that hid De Land's future from the many. He at once determined to make his home in the then embryonic De Land, and in company with his brother-in-law, James G. Kilkoff, commenced business in the store occupied by Capt. J. B. Jordan. Young Dreka realized that he had his life before him, and moreover he saw very clearly that it largely depended on himself whether that life was going to be a success, or to fade away, wrapt in the cloud of failure. He brought to the surface all his latent German tact, perseverance and business ability, and directed every effort toward making his undertaking a success, and at the same time to accomplish his part as a loyal citizen, actuated by the belief that every individual American can and should participate in the making of our great Republic. By business methods above reproach, by the strictest attention to work, by that kindly disposition which led him to make himself all things to all men, the indefatigable young Dreka built up in a few years one of the finest places of business in Florida; in fact an establishment that would do credit to any of our largest cities' streets. With that determination so characteristic of the German people, G. A. Dreka set out to bring into the De Land market a stock of goods which for variety and completeness could not be surpassed. Even as far back as twenty years ago, Northern tourists were surprised to find that they could find in Dreka's Department Store "everything to wear, to eat, to use" with just as much facility, and at just as reasonable prices, as they could satisfy their wants in the world-famed marts of the Eastern cities. The best that New York could supply was to be found on the Dreka counters, and in order to convince the public that such was the case Mr. Dreka introduced in De Land the opening day method of advertising. From far and near crowds thronged to the Dreka Department Store, and there had proof given them that they might not go away from home to make their purchases. Year by year the business grew. The once infantile business grew into fullest proportions, but still retains the pleasant identity of many years ago owing to the fact of the continual presence of the gentle, kind, congenial proprietor, who is ready to give closest attention to even the smallest order, and who is never too busy to give words of advice and counsel to the many who come to him in matters of business.

For many years he has been sole proprietor, and it is no exaggeration to say that George Augustus Dreka stands forth today as a man who has erected a shining figure of brilliant success on a pedestal of true solid worth and hard honest work. Like most men who rise above the common level he is thoroughly unassuming, but although he yearns for no prominence, he is pointed out to the present generation of Volusia county, as a model man, whom it would be well for the young men of the day to imitate.

Whilst adhering closely to his business, Mr. Dreka has always taken the deepest interest in the general welfare of De Land, and during thirty years he has been identified with every movement to make De Land one of Florida's finest towns.

Thirty years ago, Young Dreka then fresh from a Maryland farm, was charmed with De Land's aromatic atmosphere redolent of orange blossom, and determined to own an orange grove. Backing up his determination with work, he is today one of the largest orange growers in Volusia county, and the brand "Grown by G. A. Dreka" is sufficient passport for his fruit to those tables in Boston and New York, on which only the very choicest are placed. In appearance G. A. Dreka is of medium height, with a splendidly developed physique. His face is invariably lighted up by that kindly, fatherly smile, that makes Mr. Dreka's altogether charming personality, simply irresistible.

Mr. Dreka was married in 1884 to Catherine Malsberger, daughter of Augustus H. and Emily W. Malsberger of Kent county, Maryland. The beloved wife and mother was called to her reward in 1897, survived by three children, Augustus Foley, Jerome Godfrey, and George Raymond Dreka. In 1901 Mr. Dreka was married to Mrs. Annie Eliza Bryan Hickson, daughter of the Hon. P. N. Bryan of Volusia county.

He is a devoted member of the Catholic Church, and takes the most lively interest in everything connected with his church.

As we go to press the subject of this sketch is erecting a magnificent reinforced concrete store building which for solidity of structure and general business purposes, will be second to none in the State of Florida, as it is planned to be absolutely fireproof and modern in every detail. The Carrollton Hotel occupies a new site and is being fitted up with all first-class hotel appointments.

A biographical sketch is supposed to be a pen picture of the individual. In the above through fear of being accused of anything bordering on flattery the writer's tendency has been to minimize rather than exaggerate. However let this be the closing remark, "Worth makes the Man," and judged by that solid criterion, George Augustus Dreka of DeLand Fla. must be numbered amongst the most valuable citizens of his section, and one whose labors have fairly entitled him to an honorable place among the "Makers of America."

Contributed 18 Aug 2020 by Norma Hass from 1909 Makers of America, An Historical and Biographical Work by an Able Corps of Writers, Volume 3, pages 441-444.