James Andrew DRAKE was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, on February 22, 1832, the son of James DRAKE (1787-1844) and Elizabeth (POSTLETHWAITE) DRAKE (1790-1854). James married Mary Ellen HINDS who was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, June 23, 1838, the daughter of Stephen Andrew HINDS (1812-1867) and Matilda E. HINDS (1815-1884).

James and Mary Ellen DRAKE arrived in what would become Monroe Township in July of 1855. He bought the farm which would later become Blackmore Corner. James sold the farm to Samuel "Sam" BLACKMORE in 1858.

James and Mary Ellen were the parents of four children:

1) John Postlethwaite DRAKE, b. 03 Dec 1856, Ringgold Co. IA; d. 07 Feb 1935, Mason City IA
    interment Johnston Cemetery, Ringgold Co. IA

2) Thomas Andrew DRAKE, b. 21 Aug 1858, Ringgold Co. IA; d. 14 Feb 1945, Mount Ayr IA
    married 14 Feb 1884 Dora Caroline LANDRETH (1865-1942)
    interment Johnston Cemetery, Ringgold Co. IA
    Children:
      1) Willis "Henry" DRAKE (1885-1964); married Gertrude M. BURNS (1887-1975)
          interment Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton IA
      2) Anna Belle (DRAKE) DUFTY (1886-1980); married Murland Arthur DUFTY (1887-1974)
          interment Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr IA
      3) Russell Eli DRAKE (1887-1977); married Nora Bell MOON (1893-1974)
          interment Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr IA
      4) Mary Bernice (DRAKE) GRAY (1892-1971); married Morris Oliver GRAY (1891-1952)
          interment Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr IA
      5) Nellie Naomi DRAKE (1899-1956); married Cyrus Carroll MILLER (1899-?)
          interment Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton IA

  3) Willis Edmond DRAKE, b. 10 Apr 1864, Ringgold Co. IA; d. 22 Nov 1955, Mount Ayr IA
    married Della Maude LONG (1871-1950)
    interment Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr IA
    Children:
      1) James Vernon DRAKE (1893-1978); married May E. WARRICK (1894-1982)
          interment Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr IA
      2) Cloyd Long DRAKE (1896-1979); married Amelia C. (?) (1896-1978)
          interment Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr IA
      3) Guy Raymond DRAKE Sr. (1901-1946); inter: Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr IA
      4) Warren Andrew DRAKE (1904-1985); married Mary M. (?) (1903-1994)
          interment Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr IA
      5) Florence Ruth DRAKE (1908-1908); inter: Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr IA
      6) Floy Willis DRAKE (1909-2006); married Maude McKEE (1911-1986)
          interment Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr IA

4) Minnie Montana DRAKE, b. 23 Apr 1866, Ringgold Co. IA; d. 10 Sep 1878, Ringgold Co. IA
    interment Johnston Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa

At the age of 32 years, James enlisted as a Private on August 6th, 1864, and was assigned to Company G of the 46th Iowa Infantry. He was mustered out of service at Davenport, Iowa, on September 23, 1864. James died on May 23, 1868, Ringgold County, Iowa. Mary Ellen (HINDS) DRAKE November 28, 1921, Ringgold County, Iowa. James and Mary were interred at Johnson Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Mary's father Stephen was also interred at Johnson Cemetery. Her mother, Matilda, was interred at Little Valley Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania.

SOURCES:
LESAN, Mrs. B. M. Early History of Ringgold County: 1844 - 1937 p. 21. Blair Pub. House. Lamoni IA. 1937.
U.S. Civil War Soldier Records & Profiles, ancestry.com
WPA Graves Survey

Transcriptions by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2010