Married:
Mrs. Sarah Mariah Gill Caffee
November 1868
3 Sons:
William King Caffee (step-son)
Charles F. Drake
Sherwood Drake
Albert Monroe Drake, pioneer merchant of Carthage, was born September 5, 1841 at Mt. Vernon, Knox County, Ohio.
His parents were Charles A. and Mary (Boyle) Drake. His father, a native of New Jersey, was a blacksmith by trade and later in life managed a farm and hotel; he died in 1852, aged fifty-three years. His mother was born in Ohio; after the death of her husband, she made her home with her son Monroe, at Carthage, until 1872, when she took up her residence with her daughter, Mary Etta, at St. Paul, Kansas where she died in 11876, aged sixty-nine years.
Charles A. and Mary B. Drake were the parents of nine children, of whom five died in childhood,. Of those living, Sarah E. was the wife of John Martin; Charles Freeman became a resident of Fort Scott in 1858 and was among the most progressive citizens of that place, assisting liberally in all local enterprises, and being a leading banker there; Mary Etta was the wife of Captain I. S. Bahney of St. Paul, Kansas, formerly known as Osage Mission.
Albert Monroe, the seventh child, in his boyhood assisted his father in the hotel. His education was acquired in the high school of Mount Vernon, Ohio but he discontinued his studies in 1860 before graduation.
During the Civil War period, he was incapacitated for field duty, but performed service in the local militia. In 1862 he removed to the West, locating at Fort Scott, Kansas where he learned the tinner's trade with his brother Charles F. Drake. The following years he returned to Ohio, and later went again to Fort Scott, where he remained until October 1866, when he located permanently in Carthage, Missouri where he then had been continuously engaged in the hardware business. For some time after becoming a resident of Carthage, he transacted business almost in the open are air, there being few buildings and no brick nor lumber on the ground. Buildings were so difficult to get that he occupied a temporary structure in an alley, at that time running North from the center of that side of the square.
He soon purchased a lot on the east side of the square and erected thereon a frame building which he moved his hardware store to in April, 1867. His was the second building erected on the east side of the public square, and there were but four stores in all. From the time of his coming, he was an energetic and liberal in fostering all enterprises conducive to the growth and prosperity of the city, and he subscribed generously to the stock of numerous manufacturing companies which were entirely un-remunerative, being beneficial only in the way of providing employment for labor, and some of which involved entire loss of the investment.
He was a Democrat, earnest in interest for his party. He was frequently a delegate in State conventions, and made his influence felt in other bodies, aiding materially in the success of friends in whom he took interest, or whom he considered useful to party purposes.
He was never personally ambitious, and the only office which he ever held was that of city treasurer of Carthage in 1875, under the administration of Mayor Harding.
He was among the organizer of Grace Episcopal Church, in 1868 and was one of the first vestrymen; he was baptized into that church in 1874. In Masonry, he advanced to the Commandery degree, and had served as eminent commander, besides occupying most of the other positions in that body, and in the chapter and the lodge. He is a Noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine, and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
Mr. Drake was married November 17, 1868 to Mrs. Sarah Gill Caffee, widow of Warden J. Caffee, a druggist of Philadelphia, PA., who died in 1867. She was a native of New York, and was reared in Ohio. Two sons were born of that marriage. Charles Freeman Drake was born in Carthage May 6, 1870 and Sherwood Albert Drake, born in Carthage June 30, 1874.
In an article written during an interview, by the Carthage Press, 1922, Mr. Drake tells living above his hardware store in the early days of Carthage. "I have a severe sick spell in the fall of 1867, when I was taken down in my little attic room over my hardware store, with scarlet fever, which Dr. Carter, who was one of the physicians attending me, said was the first genuine case of scarlet fever which he had seen in Carthage. Dr. Amos H. Caffee was also waiting on me. I became so ill someone sent for my Mother, and I attribute my recovery to her good nursing, for I was near to death and got down to only 60 lbs in weight. In order to give me better quarters the Masons moved me from my attic room to a house and there I lay for many weeks."
In those early days, there were no railroads that operated in the town and goods for his store had to be freighted from Sedalia, Missouri by wagons and teams.
In 1920 - 1922 A hotel with modern conveniences was constructed in Carthage and named for one of it's most prominent citizens, Mr. Albert M. Drake.
A. M. Drake's brother Charles Freeman Drake resided in Ft. Scott, Kansas. He had operated a hardware business, a banking house, being president of the Ft. Scott Bank, mayor and civic leader. He passed away in 1903.
The first son of Albert and Sarah Mariah Drake was named after this brother; Charles Freeman Drake
Article below published in the March 31, 1903 Carthage Evening Press newspaper, Carthage, MO.
A. M. DRAKE SELLS HIS STORE
Charles F. Drake and Charles S. Bahney the Purchasers
A. M. Drake, one of the oldest merchants continuously in business in Jasper county, has sold his hardware stock to the Drake-Bahney Hardware Company and retires from the business.
Mr. Drake came to Carthage in 1866 and opened a tin shop on the second floor of an old story and a half frame building that stood where J. M. Whitsett's building now stands. Later he moved to the street floor and added a small hardware stock. In this business he prospered and a few years later removed to a frame building of his own on the east side of the square. In 1871 he erected the handsome brick building which he has occupied with his hardware stock ever since.
From a small beginning, representing but a few hundred dollars, Mr. Drake has gradually extended his holding until now he is one of the capitalists of the city. He will not engage actively in business in the future.
The Drake-Bahney Company is incorporated and capitalized at $10,000. Charles F. Drake is the oldest son of A. M. Drake and has grown up in the store. He is a thorough hardware man. He is considered one of the best buyers in the southwest, and has a good knowledge of wholesaling, as he traveled for a Kansas City hardware house for some time.
Mr. Bahney is a son of Major and Mrs. Bahney, who in the 70's lived south of Carthage on the farm now owned by W. H. Black, the young man later moved with his mother to Florida where he has since resided with his mother to Florida where he has since resided. He came direct from Eldred, FL., to Carthage. He is married and has had a careful business training.
The new firm is now in charge and with the business experience both of the new proprietors have had and the infusion of young and enterprising spirit into the business, their success is assured.
Information provided by Nancy Brewer
Joplin Globe
11 January 1923
"Central National bank of Carthage elected officers & directors: Samuel McReynolds was re-elected chairman of the board; J. E. Lang, president; John C. Guinn, vice president; H. M. Boggess, cashier and Charles A. Scott, assistant cashier; Mr. McReynolds, Mr. Guinn, Mr. Lang, Mr. Boggess, T. N. Davey, W. K. Caffee, W. J. Sewall, G. M. Calhoon, L. E. Koken, J. C. Squires, A. M. Drake and D. W. Replogle, directors."
Carthage Evening Press
Carthage, Missouri
May 25, 1926
DRAKE ESTATE, $237,122
INVENTORY FILED TODAY BY APPRAISERS
$40, 123 in Real Estate and $196,999
in Personal Property
The estate of the late A.M. Drake, prominent Carthage citizen, is valued at $237,122.04 according to the report of appraisers filed in probate court today. Of the total, $40,123 is real estate and $196,999.04 is personal property.
The buildings on the east side of the square occupied by the Galloway Drug Company and the Carmean-Reynolds Hardware company form the bulk of the real estate, these being appraised at $30,000.
The personal property is divided as follows: Bonds, $10,380.60; stocks, $140,708.90; notes, $41,233.57; cash, $3,053.41; other personal property, $1,056.50.
The appraisal was made by H. M. Boggess, executor of the estate, and Howard Gray, Westley Hallifurton and A. C. Stemmons.
Under Mr. Drake's will, beyond - - - comparatively minor bequests, two-fifths of the estate goes to Mrs. Lucy Drake, widow of C. F. Drake, for her lifetime or until she remarries, the remainder going to A. M. Drake's grandson, William Drake, who also will eventually receive that portion set aside in a life estate for Mrs. Lucy Drake.
Mrs. Sarah Mariah Gill Caffee
November 1868
3 Sons:
William King Caffee (step-son)
Charles F. Drake
Sherwood Drake
Albert Monroe Drake, pioneer merchant of Carthage, was born September 5, 1841 at Mt. Vernon, Knox County, Ohio.
His parents were Charles A. and Mary (Boyle) Drake. His father, a native of New Jersey, was a blacksmith by trade and later in life managed a farm and hotel; he died in 1852, aged fifty-three years. His mother was born in Ohio; after the death of her husband, she made her home with her son Monroe, at Carthage, until 1872, when she took up her residence with her daughter, Mary Etta, at St. Paul, Kansas where she died in 11876, aged sixty-nine years.
Charles A. and Mary B. Drake were the parents of nine children, of whom five died in childhood,. Of those living, Sarah E. was the wife of John Martin; Charles Freeman became a resident of Fort Scott in 1858 and was among the most progressive citizens of that place, assisting liberally in all local enterprises, and being a leading banker there; Mary Etta was the wife of Captain I. S. Bahney of St. Paul, Kansas, formerly known as Osage Mission.
Albert Monroe, the seventh child, in his boyhood assisted his father in the hotel. His education was acquired in the high school of Mount Vernon, Ohio but he discontinued his studies in 1860 before graduation.
During the Civil War period, he was incapacitated for field duty, but performed service in the local militia. In 1862 he removed to the West, locating at Fort Scott, Kansas where he learned the tinner's trade with his brother Charles F. Drake. The following years he returned to Ohio, and later went again to Fort Scott, where he remained until October 1866, when he located permanently in Carthage, Missouri where he then had been continuously engaged in the hardware business. For some time after becoming a resident of Carthage, he transacted business almost in the open are air, there being few buildings and no brick nor lumber on the ground. Buildings were so difficult to get that he occupied a temporary structure in an alley, at that time running North from the center of that side of the square.
He soon purchased a lot on the east side of the square and erected thereon a frame building which he moved his hardware store to in April, 1867. His was the second building erected on the east side of the public square, and there were but four stores in all. From the time of his coming, he was an energetic and liberal in fostering all enterprises conducive to the growth and prosperity of the city, and he subscribed generously to the stock of numerous manufacturing companies which were entirely un-remunerative, being beneficial only in the way of providing employment for labor, and some of which involved entire loss of the investment.
He was a Democrat, earnest in interest for his party. He was frequently a delegate in State conventions, and made his influence felt in other bodies, aiding materially in the success of friends in whom he took interest, or whom he considered useful to party purposes.
He was never personally ambitious, and the only office which he ever held was that of city treasurer of Carthage in 1875, under the administration of Mayor Harding.
He was among the organizer of Grace Episcopal Church, in 1868 and was one of the first vestrymen; he was baptized into that church in 1874. In Masonry, he advanced to the Commandery degree, and had served as eminent commander, besides occupying most of the other positions in that body, and in the chapter and the lodge. He is a Noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine, and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
Mr. Drake was married November 17, 1868 to Mrs. Sarah Gill Caffee, widow of Warden J. Caffee, a druggist of Philadelphia, PA., who died in 1867. She was a native of New York, and was reared in Ohio. Two sons were born of that marriage. Charles Freeman Drake was born in Carthage May 6, 1870 and Sherwood Albert Drake, born in Carthage June 30, 1874.
In an article written during an interview, by the Carthage Press, 1922, Mr. Drake tells living above his hardware store in the early days of Carthage. "I have a severe sick spell in the fall of 1867, when I was taken down in my little attic room over my hardware store, with scarlet fever, which Dr. Carter, who was one of the physicians attending me, said was the first genuine case of scarlet fever which he had seen in Carthage. Dr. Amos H. Caffee was also waiting on me. I became so ill someone sent for my Mother, and I attribute my recovery to her good nursing, for I was near to death and got down to only 60 lbs in weight. In order to give me better quarters the Masons moved me from my attic room to a house and there I lay for many weeks."
In those early days, there were no railroads that operated in the town and goods for his store had to be freighted from Sedalia, Missouri by wagons and teams.
In 1920 - 1922 A hotel with modern conveniences was constructed in Carthage and named for one of it's most prominent citizens, Mr. Albert M. Drake.
A. M. Drake's brother Charles Freeman Drake resided in Ft. Scott, Kansas. He had operated a hardware business, a banking house, being president of the Ft. Scott Bank, mayor and civic leader. He passed away in 1903.
The first son of Albert and Sarah Mariah Drake was named after this brother; Charles Freeman Drake
Article below published in the March 31, 1903 Carthage Evening Press newspaper, Carthage, MO.
A. M. DRAKE SELLS HIS STORE
Charles F. Drake and Charles S. Bahney the Purchasers
A. M. Drake, one of the oldest merchants continuously in business in Jasper county, has sold his hardware stock to the Drake-Bahney Hardware Company and retires from the business.
Mr. Drake came to Carthage in 1866 and opened a tin shop on the second floor of an old story and a half frame building that stood where J. M. Whitsett's building now stands. Later he moved to the street floor and added a small hardware stock. In this business he prospered and a few years later removed to a frame building of his own on the east side of the square. In 1871 he erected the handsome brick building which he has occupied with his hardware stock ever since.
From a small beginning, representing but a few hundred dollars, Mr. Drake has gradually extended his holding until now he is one of the capitalists of the city. He will not engage actively in business in the future.
The Drake-Bahney Company is incorporated and capitalized at $10,000. Charles F. Drake is the oldest son of A. M. Drake and has grown up in the store. He is a thorough hardware man. He is considered one of the best buyers in the southwest, and has a good knowledge of wholesaling, as he traveled for a Kansas City hardware house for some time.
Mr. Bahney is a son of Major and Mrs. Bahney, who in the 70's lived south of Carthage on the farm now owned by W. H. Black, the young man later moved with his mother to Florida where he has since resided with his mother to Florida where he has since resided. He came direct from Eldred, FL., to Carthage. He is married and has had a careful business training.
The new firm is now in charge and with the business experience both of the new proprietors have had and the infusion of young and enterprising spirit into the business, their success is assured.
Information provided by Nancy Brewer
Joplin Globe
11 January 1923
"Central National bank of Carthage elected officers & directors: Samuel McReynolds was re-elected chairman of the board; J. E. Lang, president; John C. Guinn, vice president; H. M. Boggess, cashier and Charles A. Scott, assistant cashier; Mr. McReynolds, Mr. Guinn, Mr. Lang, Mr. Boggess, T. N. Davey, W. K. Caffee, W. J. Sewall, G. M. Calhoon, L. E. Koken, J. C. Squires, A. M. Drake and D. W. Replogle, directors."
Carthage Evening Press
Carthage, Missouri
May 25, 1926
DRAKE ESTATE, $237,122
INVENTORY FILED TODAY BY APPRAISERS
$40, 123 in Real Estate and $196,999
in Personal Property
The estate of the late A.M. Drake, prominent Carthage citizen, is valued at $237,122.04 according to the report of appraisers filed in probate court today. Of the total, $40,123 is real estate and $196,999.04 is personal property.
The buildings on the east side of the square occupied by the Galloway Drug Company and the Carmean-Reynolds Hardware company form the bulk of the real estate, these being appraised at $30,000.
The personal property is divided as follows: Bonds, $10,380.60; stocks, $140,708.90; notes, $41,233.57; cash, $3,053.41; other personal property, $1,056.50.
The appraisal was made by H. M. Boggess, executor of the estate, and Howard Gray, Westley Hallifurton and A. C. Stemmons.
Under Mr. Drake's will, beyond - - - comparatively minor bequests, two-fifths of the estate goes to Mrs. Lucy Drake, widow of C. F. Drake, for her lifetime or until she remarries, the remainder going to A. M. Drake's grandson, William Drake, who also will eventually receive that portion set aside in a life estate for Mrs. Lucy Drake.
Married:
Mrs. Sarah Mariah Gill Caffee
November 1868
3 Sons:
William King Caffee (step-son)
Charles F. Drake
Sherwood Drake
Albert Monroe Drake, pioneer merchant of Carthage, was born September 5, 1841 at Mt. Vernon, Knox County, Ohio.
His parents were Charles A. and Mary (Boyle) Drake. His father, a native of New Jersey, was a blacksmith by trade and later in life managed a farm and hotel; he died in 1852, aged fifty-three years. His mother was born in Ohio; after the death of her husband, she made her home with her son Monroe, at Carthage, until 1872, when she took up her residence with her daughter, Mary Etta, at St. Paul, Kansas where she died in 11876, aged sixty-nine years.
Charles A. and Mary B. Drake were the parents of nine children, of whom five died in childhood,. Of those living, Sarah E. was the wife of John Martin; Charles Freeman became a resident of Fort Scott in 1858 and was among the most progressive citizens of that place, assisting liberally in all local enterprises, and being a leading banker there; Mary Etta was the wife of Captain I. S. Bahney of St. Paul, Kansas, formerly known as Osage Mission.
Albert Monroe, the seventh child, in his boyhood assisted his father in the hotel. His education was acquired in the high school of Mount Vernon, Ohio but he discontinued his studies in 1860 before graduation.
During the Civil War period, he was incapacitated for field duty, but performed service in the local militia. In 1862 he removed to the West, locating at Fort Scott, Kansas where he learned the tinner's trade with his brother Charles F. Drake. The following years he returned to Ohio, and later went again to Fort Scott, where he remained until October 1866, when he located permanently in Carthage, Missouri where he then had been continuously engaged in the hardware business. For some time after becoming a resident of Carthage, he transacted business almost in the open are air, there being few buildings and no brick nor lumber on the ground. Buildings were so difficult to get that he occupied a temporary structure in an alley, at that time running North from the center of that side of the square.
He soon purchased a lot on the east side of the square and erected thereon a frame building which he moved his hardware store to in April, 1867. His was the second building erected on the east side of the public square, and there were but four stores in all. From the time of his coming, he was an energetic and liberal in fostering all enterprises conducive to the growth and prosperity of the city, and he subscribed generously to the stock of numerous manufacturing companies which were entirely un-remunerative, being beneficial only in the way of providing employment for labor, and some of which involved entire loss of the investment.
He was a Democrat, earnest in interest for his party. He was frequently a delegate in State conventions, and made his influence felt in other bodies, aiding materially in the success of friends in whom he took interest, or whom he considered useful to party purposes.
He was never personally ambitious, and the only office which he ever held was that of city treasurer of Carthage in 1875, under the administration of Mayor Harding.
He was among the organizer of Grace Episcopal Church, in 1868 and was one of the first vestrymen; he was baptized into that church in 1874. In Masonry, he advanced to the Commandery degree, and had served as eminent commander, besides occupying most of the other positions in that body, and in the chapter and the lodge. He is a Noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine, and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
Mr. Drake was married November 17, 1868 to Mrs. Sarah Gill Caffee, widow of Warden J. Caffee, a druggist of Philadelphia, PA., who died in 1867. She was a native of New York, and was reared in Ohio. Two sons were born of that marriage. Charles Freeman Drake was born in Carthage May 6, 1870 and Sherwood Albert Drake, born in Carthage June 30, 1874.
In an article written during an interview, by the Carthage Press, 1922, Mr. Drake tells living above his hardware store in the early days of Carthage. "I have a severe sick spell in the fall of 1867, when I was taken down in my little attic room over my hardware store, with scarlet fever, which Dr. Carter, who was one of the physicians attending me, said was the first genuine case of scarlet fever which he had seen in Carthage. Dr. Amos H. Caffee was also waiting on me. I became so ill someone sent for my Mother, and I attribute my recovery to her good nursing, for I was near to death and got down to only 60 lbs in weight. In order to give me better quarters the Masons moved me from my attic room to a house and there I lay for many weeks."
In those early days, there were no railroads that operated in the town and goods for his store had to be freighted from Sedalia, Missouri by wagons and teams.
In 1920 - 1922 A hotel with modern conveniences was constructed in Carthage and named for one of it's most prominent citizens, Mr. Albert M. Drake.
A. M. Drake's brother Charles Freeman Drake resided in Ft. Scott, Kansas. He had operated a hardware business, a banking house, being president of the Ft. Scott Bank, mayor and civic leader. He passed away in 1903.
The first son of Albert and Sarah Mariah Drake was named after this brother; Charles Freeman Drake
Article below published in the March 31, 1903 Carthage Evening Press newspaper, Carthage, MO.
A. M. DRAKE SELLS HIS STORE
Charles F. Drake and Charles S. Bahney the Purchasers
A. M. Drake, one of the oldest merchants continuously in business in Jasper county, has sold his hardware stock to the Drake-Bahney Hardware Company and retires from the business.
Mr. Drake came to Carthage in 1866 and opened a tin shop on the second floor of an old story and a half frame building that stood where J. M. Whitsett's building now stands. Later he moved to the street floor and added a small hardware stock. In this business he prospered and a few years later removed to a frame building of his own on the east side of the square. In 1871 he erected the handsome brick building which he has occupied with his hardware stock ever since.
From a small beginning, representing but a few hundred dollars, Mr. Drake has gradually extended his holding until now he is one of the capitalists of the city. He will not engage actively in business in the future.
The Drake-Bahney Company is incorporated and capitalized at $10,000. Charles F. Drake is the oldest son of A. M. Drake and has grown up in the store. He is a thorough hardware man. He is considered one of the best buyers in the southwest, and has a good knowledge of wholesaling, as he traveled for a Kansas City hardware house for some time.
Mr. Bahney is a son of Major and Mrs. Bahney, who in the 70's lived south of Carthage on the farm now owned by W. H. Black, the young man later moved with his mother to Florida where he has since resided with his mother to Florida where he has since resided. He came direct from Eldred, FL., to Carthage. He is married and has had a careful business training.
The new firm is now in charge and with the business experience both of the new proprietors have had and the infusion of young and enterprising spirit into the business, their success is assured.
Information provided by Nancy Brewer
Joplin Globe
11 January 1923
"Central National bank of Carthage elected officers & directors: Samuel McReynolds was re-elected chairman of the board; J. E. Lang, president; John C. Guinn, vice president; H. M. Boggess, cashier and Charles A. Scott, assistant cashier; Mr. McReynolds, Mr. Guinn, Mr. Lang, Mr. Boggess, T. N. Davey, W. K. Caffee, W. J. Sewall, G. M. Calhoon, L. E. Koken, J. C. Squires, A. M. Drake and D. W. Replogle, directors."
Carthage Evening Press
Carthage, Missouri
May 25, 1926
DRAKE ESTATE, $237,122
INVENTORY FILED TODAY BY APPRAISERS
$40, 123 in Real Estate and $196,999
in Personal Property
The estate of the late A.M. Drake, prominent Carthage citizen, is valued at $237,122.04 according to the report of appraisers filed in probate court today. Of the total, $40,123 is real estate and $196,999.04 is personal property.
The buildings on the east side of the square occupied by the Galloway Drug Company and the Carmean-Reynolds Hardware company form the bulk of the real estate, these being appraised at $30,000.
The personal property is divided as follows: Bonds, $10,380.60; stocks, $140,708.90; notes, $41,233.57; cash, $3,053.41; other personal property, $1,056.50.
The appraisal was made by H. M. Boggess, executor of the estate, and Howard Gray, Westley Hallifurton and A. C. Stemmons.
Under Mr. Drake's will, beyond - - - comparatively minor bequests, two-fifths of the estate goes to Mrs. Lucy Drake, widow of C. F. Drake, for her lifetime or until she remarries, the remainder going to A. M. Drake's grandson, William Drake, who also will eventually receive that portion set aside in a life estate for Mrs. Lucy Drake.
Mrs. Sarah Mariah Gill Caffee
November 1868
3 Sons:
William King Caffee (step-son)
Charles F. Drake
Sherwood Drake
Albert Monroe Drake, pioneer merchant of Carthage, was born September 5, 1841 at Mt. Vernon, Knox County, Ohio.
His parents were Charles A. and Mary (Boyle) Drake. His father, a native of New Jersey, was a blacksmith by trade and later in life managed a farm and hotel; he died in 1852, aged fifty-three years. His mother was born in Ohio; after the death of her husband, she made her home with her son Monroe, at Carthage, until 1872, when she took up her residence with her daughter, Mary Etta, at St. Paul, Kansas where she died in 11876, aged sixty-nine years.
Charles A. and Mary B. Drake were the parents of nine children, of whom five died in childhood,. Of those living, Sarah E. was the wife of John Martin; Charles Freeman became a resident of Fort Scott in 1858 and was among the most progressive citizens of that place, assisting liberally in all local enterprises, and being a leading banker there; Mary Etta was the wife of Captain I. S. Bahney of St. Paul, Kansas, formerly known as Osage Mission.
Albert Monroe, the seventh child, in his boyhood assisted his father in the hotel. His education was acquired in the high school of Mount Vernon, Ohio but he discontinued his studies in 1860 before graduation.
During the Civil War period, he was incapacitated for field duty, but performed service in the local militia. In 1862 he removed to the West, locating at Fort Scott, Kansas where he learned the tinner's trade with his brother Charles F. Drake. The following years he returned to Ohio, and later went again to Fort Scott, where he remained until October 1866, when he located permanently in Carthage, Missouri where he then had been continuously engaged in the hardware business. For some time after becoming a resident of Carthage, he transacted business almost in the open are air, there being few buildings and no brick nor lumber on the ground. Buildings were so difficult to get that he occupied a temporary structure in an alley, at that time running North from the center of that side of the square.
He soon purchased a lot on the east side of the square and erected thereon a frame building which he moved his hardware store to in April, 1867. His was the second building erected on the east side of the public square, and there were but four stores in all. From the time of his coming, he was an energetic and liberal in fostering all enterprises conducive to the growth and prosperity of the city, and he subscribed generously to the stock of numerous manufacturing companies which were entirely un-remunerative, being beneficial only in the way of providing employment for labor, and some of which involved entire loss of the investment.
He was a Democrat, earnest in interest for his party. He was frequently a delegate in State conventions, and made his influence felt in other bodies, aiding materially in the success of friends in whom he took interest, or whom he considered useful to party purposes.
He was never personally ambitious, and the only office which he ever held was that of city treasurer of Carthage in 1875, under the administration of Mayor Harding.
He was among the organizer of Grace Episcopal Church, in 1868 and was one of the first vestrymen; he was baptized into that church in 1874. In Masonry, he advanced to the Commandery degree, and had served as eminent commander, besides occupying most of the other positions in that body, and in the chapter and the lodge. He is a Noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine, and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
Mr. Drake was married November 17, 1868 to Mrs. Sarah Gill Caffee, widow of Warden J. Caffee, a druggist of Philadelphia, PA., who died in 1867. She was a native of New York, and was reared in Ohio. Two sons were born of that marriage. Charles Freeman Drake was born in Carthage May 6, 1870 and Sherwood Albert Drake, born in Carthage June 30, 1874.
In an article written during an interview, by the Carthage Press, 1922, Mr. Drake tells living above his hardware store in the early days of Carthage. "I have a severe sick spell in the fall of 1867, when I was taken down in my little attic room over my hardware store, with scarlet fever, which Dr. Carter, who was one of the physicians attending me, said was the first genuine case of scarlet fever which he had seen in Carthage. Dr. Amos H. Caffee was also waiting on me. I became so ill someone sent for my Mother, and I attribute my recovery to her good nursing, for I was near to death and got down to only 60 lbs in weight. In order to give me better quarters the Masons moved me from my attic room to a house and there I lay for many weeks."
In those early days, there were no railroads that operated in the town and goods for his store had to be freighted from Sedalia, Missouri by wagons and teams.
In 1920 - 1922 A hotel with modern conveniences was constructed in Carthage and named for one of it's most prominent citizens, Mr. Albert M. Drake.
A. M. Drake's brother Charles Freeman Drake resided in Ft. Scott, Kansas. He had operated a hardware business, a banking house, being president of the Ft. Scott Bank, mayor and civic leader. He passed away in 1903.
The first son of Albert and Sarah Mariah Drake was named after this brother; Charles Freeman Drake
Article below published in the March 31, 1903 Carthage Evening Press newspaper, Carthage, MO.
A. M. DRAKE SELLS HIS STORE
Charles F. Drake and Charles S. Bahney the Purchasers
A. M. Drake, one of the oldest merchants continuously in business in Jasper county, has sold his hardware stock to the Drake-Bahney Hardware Company and retires from the business.
Mr. Drake came to Carthage in 1866 and opened a tin shop on the second floor of an old story and a half frame building that stood where J. M. Whitsett's building now stands. Later he moved to the street floor and added a small hardware stock. In this business he prospered and a few years later removed to a frame building of his own on the east side of the square. In 1871 he erected the handsome brick building which he has occupied with his hardware stock ever since.
From a small beginning, representing but a few hundred dollars, Mr. Drake has gradually extended his holding until now he is one of the capitalists of the city. He will not engage actively in business in the future.
The Drake-Bahney Company is incorporated and capitalized at $10,000. Charles F. Drake is the oldest son of A. M. Drake and has grown up in the store. He is a thorough hardware man. He is considered one of the best buyers in the southwest, and has a good knowledge of wholesaling, as he traveled for a Kansas City hardware house for some time.
Mr. Bahney is a son of Major and Mrs. Bahney, who in the 70's lived south of Carthage on the farm now owned by W. H. Black, the young man later moved with his mother to Florida where he has since resided with his mother to Florida where he has since resided. He came direct from Eldred, FL., to Carthage. He is married and has had a careful business training.
The new firm is now in charge and with the business experience both of the new proprietors have had and the infusion of young and enterprising spirit into the business, their success is assured.
Information provided by Nancy Brewer
Joplin Globe
11 January 1923
"Central National bank of Carthage elected officers & directors: Samuel McReynolds was re-elected chairman of the board; J. E. Lang, president; John C. Guinn, vice president; H. M. Boggess, cashier and Charles A. Scott, assistant cashier; Mr. McReynolds, Mr. Guinn, Mr. Lang, Mr. Boggess, T. N. Davey, W. K. Caffee, W. J. Sewall, G. M. Calhoon, L. E. Koken, J. C. Squires, A. M. Drake and D. W. Replogle, directors."
Carthage Evening Press
Carthage, Missouri
May 25, 1926
DRAKE ESTATE, $237,122
INVENTORY FILED TODAY BY APPRAISERS
$40, 123 in Real Estate and $196,999
in Personal Property
The estate of the late A.M. Drake, prominent Carthage citizen, is valued at $237,122.04 according to the report of appraisers filed in probate court today. Of the total, $40,123 is real estate and $196,999.04 is personal property.
The buildings on the east side of the square occupied by the Galloway Drug Company and the Carmean-Reynolds Hardware company form the bulk of the real estate, these being appraised at $30,000.
The personal property is divided as follows: Bonds, $10,380.60; stocks, $140,708.90; notes, $41,233.57; cash, $3,053.41; other personal property, $1,056.50.
The appraisal was made by H. M. Boggess, executor of the estate, and Howard Gray, Westley Hallifurton and A. C. Stemmons.
Under Mr. Drake's will, beyond - - - comparatively minor bequests, two-fifths of the estate goes to Mrs. Lucy Drake, widow of C. F. Drake, for her lifetime or until she remarries, the remainder going to A. M. Drake's grandson, William Drake, who also will eventually receive that portion set aside in a life estate for Mrs. Lucy Drake.
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