Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1855-11-08
ADDRESS or DIR: - IT. Updegraf on the
death OF Dr. W. N. Drake.
Mr.. President and Fsllo.c-msmJsrs:

Mr.. President and Felloc-msmJsrs:
Your committee appointed at last meeting
to prepare ga short Biographical sketch Of the
life and character Of Dr.. WIN. N. Drake"
would respectfully report.
Dr.. VIM N. Drake was born in J,fFerson
Co. Ohio July l7th 1924, being at the time
OF his death, in his thirty first year. At the
ear age of seven, he was left an orphan
His widowed mother having no dependence
but her own cXertiors for the support o: a.
large family. he LETT his home at nine wears
of age, TO support hmsei BY his own industry.
From that till he was sixteen he worked at
farming, when he upprenticed himself TO a
tanner. Till the age of twenty two he con-
tinGed 20 work at his business In l847,
with but limited education und still more
limited means, he d9t.fmined to devote him
self to the proi5 ssion Of medicine. To this
he applied himself with untiring industry,
and stimulated alike by the thirst for know-
edge and an ambition for excellence, he ad-
vanced with almost incredible rapidity Hav-
lag had the pleasure o! directing his studies,
can bear witness to the eXlmpled progress
he made He seemed eager to grasp every
fact in he science and make it his owD.--
After having pursued the preparatory studies
Tor only year, he attended course Of lee.
. lures IN the Starting Medical College at Co.
iumbus. Here his advancement was equally
rapid. His means we're now exhausted and
he was compelled to commence practice As
soon as the means we're thus obtained, he at.
| tended second course in the same school
and graduated with distinguished honor in
| his class. He then returned 20 Martinsyilie
and practiced for tNsas years in partnership
with DR.. s. B. West, advancing in the know
edge OF his chosen sd!ehce and in.the favor of
the community. His health now began TO
fail, and in The hopeUf beReiitng it, he spent
year in the South. He then returned to
Mt. Pleasant where he spent The remainder
OF his life in the practice of his profession,
So far as his health would permit, nd en-
joying large share Of public confidence
For several years he sunk gradually under
The progress OF Consumption, that disease
which, more than am other, seems to seize
with malignant partialtY on the Temperament
of genius, and that two 10 the very pride of
its youth and promiss. He kept in check its
doses oi opum--rearhing 3S grains daily for
many months before his death. Till within
few days OF his death, thougi. feeble in
body he pursued the duties OF his profession
with that determined eaergy that marked his
whole life. He died JsHy 7th 1904 was fol.
lowed TO the grave gy.an immense concourse
OF his friends F6r'inore than six years he
was worthy and Industrious member ol ihi.
society, often attending when scarcely able
} to walk from one room to another; and long
J will his memory live in the hearts OF his as
F., soclates.
Such are the outlines of his brief bu
eventiu career, in which he rose rapidly irou
obscurity 10 high place IN his profession
despite the combined influence OF nurroN
: means and feeble health. Ii illustrates the
power of naI over his own destiny, ant
shows how brave soul, in the battle of lite
may triumph over difficulties and discourage
ments, making them but the stepping stone
of its progress. To those who knew him
his history has lesson both of hope and o
warning-of hope TO the aspirations of hon
orabie ambition, fer it illustrates the trump
OF tulenl,energy and resulute will in the fac
OF every obstacle--oi warning TO the sam
u ambition, for it points to the uncertainty q
l liie's honors and successes
At one time, his mpd had been clouded b
n scepticsm, but this had long since faded i
A the light of truth, and he died conssleu
!. member Of the Methodist Espicopal Church
f Amid the physical suffering and weakness {
q his last days, the strength of Faith was hi
support; the light of the future broke in ul
o on the gloom of the present, and in the no,
N OF trial he seemed to enter the dark vale
+ with unlrliering Transaction. Of BE
mont Med. Soc.