Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-02-18
For the Standard
DEATH OF MAI. JOHN II. DRAKE.

1899, in the 93d year of his age
The deceased retained his health and physical
powers IN an uncommon degree till December, 1858,
when, by fall, ne suffered great bodily injury,
Whlch Tor considerable time powerfully afflicted
INN, and rendered him helpless for the residue of
MS life In the long confinement which succeeded
ths accident, he was, however, occasionally blessed
with prospect of recovery which inspired his
friends with hope that he would live to count his
century of years; and it was not until few weeks
before his end that nature began to Weld the strug
gle, and then soon the sinewey power which had
STOOD up against the shocks and wastes of so many
years, lay vanquished on the couch of DEATH
1t will be gratifying to the numerous friends of
this venerable man to know that, in his long and
proracted illness, he received every comfort and at
tentlon which the kindness of warm friends and the
affection OF near relatives could administer To be
assured of this it is only necessary to know the
amlable and gentle daughter at whose house in Au-
burn he spent the year of his affiicton Never was
there displayed, during every moment of that time
brighter instance of the untiring devotion of in
tense affection and OF service ever watchfu to an
tIcipate, and eager to perform
Sensible in the highest degree to the kindness
lavished on him, his heart full of gratitude and
love to all around him, and he approached the hour
OF dissolution in charity with all mankind While
his bodily strength was waning his faith as a Chris
tan was frightening and in the strength of an I'M
dlsmayed hope he came down to the chamber of
death, composing his person for its habitation
as he entered he placed his hands across his breast
and closed his eyes as the last sand fell from
the measure of his time.
Thus passed away this estimable and venerable
patrlarch-a man whose life and character if faith
fully written, would furnish much matter of pride
to his descendants and much of interest to illustrate
the customs and manners of an age long gone by,
and now essentially changed in many of its most
striking habits
Maj Drake was born in Edgecombe NOW Nash
county, \. c., January % 1867 Although too
young to take part in the war for Independence he
was reared in 1.-The day that tried mems souls"
and with the example before him of a father and of
brothers who pered their lives in the cause he i'm
bbed as he grew that ardor of patriotism and love
of justice which characterized the sentiments and
conduct of his life His memory constantly revert
ed to those times. The writer has often heard him
recount many stirring incidents of revolutionary
times which, though local. were full of peril and
interest. The recital of them would animate every
feature; and 1t was pleasure to look on his noble
countenance lighted up with the patriotic fires of
his youthful days as his young friends would gather
around him to hear the story. One incident espe-
cia'ly, of which he was an eye witness, seemed to
warm his whole soul with fire. 1t was the attack
on his fathers house in 1871 by Captain Beard
and his band of tories briefly alluded to in Wheelers
History of North Carolina. The defence was made
by his father, brother and two neighbors, against
force more than treble their number The assail-
ants, after fierce struggle were routed and over
whelmed.
Maj Drake resided in his native county upwards
of seventy-ive years. and for more than fifty years
was in the discharge of some honorable public trust
He was member of the House of Commons from
1892 to 1896, inclusive and in the Senate in the
years 1900 and 1905. For more than thirty years
he Clerk of the Superior Court, and performed
also the duties of Clerk and Master of the Court of
Equity. He Justice of the Peace from an
early age, and in every employment he discharged
its duties with integrity, tirmness and capacity.
Beginning his political career a representative
of the people so carly 1892, and ending it in 1906
he was of course coeval with the stormy exctements
of that interesting period of history and neces-
sarily partook Of the feelings of the times: bat on
whatever side ranged in the mutations of party tri-
umph, he bore always an honest and patriotic heart,
and hand ready to defend the flag of his coun-
try. Like many of the old school gentlemen, of
whom he was one in the full sense he regarded the
suffrage of the citizen duty never to be neglect
ed, and not privilege to be sighted or bartered
Among his neighborS he was beloved and trusted.
He decided their disputes umpire; and by the
equity OF his awards he QUOTED the rising wrang
lings Of neighbOrs, and preserved the order and
peace Of the citizens around him. Settled OF the
great horoughfare leading from the southwest por-
tons of the State towards Petersburg and Norfolk,
then the great routes of trade he loved to greet the
wayworn traveller with the Inequalities of good
he'd and table spread with the luxuries of deli
cious game, which then abOunded in his woods and
invited him to the chase For many years he kept
on the road side magnificent park of the nObleSt
deer-a sight now worth seeing indeed
In social intercourse and the amenities Of life,
Major Drake was a most agreeable man. Possessed
of much general information and rich fund of an
ecdote, which for the most part was connected with
the revolution or revolutionary men, he made every
i
every body at ease by the natural simplicity of his
narrative. No man was fonder of good society,
seemed easier in its enjoyment. His gracious bear
ing won the hearts of the young, and he was proud
of being their idol. Never seemed he so happy as
when surrounded with children attentive to his tales
or when surveying group OF young persons engag-
ed in innocent amusements proper to their age and
SEX The kind face that beamed over the scene was
contagious and at converted every listener and
observer into happy being.
For his vigorous health and extended age he
indebted no less to the temperance of his habits
than to Il robust constitution. But the beauty of
the moral man was seen by those who knew him, in
his quiet and cheerful demeanor, in the heart that
loved and reoiced with all around him, in the spirit
that forgave all present INJURIES and remembered
none that were past.
Major Drake was initiated into the order of Ma
sonry in the town of Halifax. y. C., near seventy
years ago. lie loved the tenets of the Order, and
on every convenient occasion 1t was his pleasure to
mingle with the craft.
The writer can never forget the profound impress
sion made on his feeling on seeing this venerable
man, then near ninety Yeas old, as the oldest Ma
son present, carrying "The Sacred Writings" in
public Masonic procession. Though always unob-
trusve he seemed to fill this office with peculiar
pleasure.
In all the relations of life he equal to his as
signed position As master he was humane and
indulpent His servants loved and reverenced him
truly. His friendships disInterested and true
and nothing seemed to give him more PAIN than to
find them misplaced. lie was generous and brave
As husband and father he was gentle, patient and
kind. He cherished in sacred remembrance the
wife of his youth, the friend and companion OF his
ripper years. Together they Journeyed, hand IN
hand for many years down lfe's pathway. large
familv had been reared up to bless them. and then