West Virginia daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1894-1902, 1898-10-28
HISTORY OF PETROLEUM.
Col. Edwin l.. Drake, Who sDrIlIed the
First We'll.

Born, March 20, 1919, at Green
vile, Green county, N. y. Edwin
L. Drake spent the first six years
Of his, destined TO be eventful life.
upon a farm, surrounded by the
picturesque beauty Of the Catskill
Mountains. His parantage was
poor IN purse, yet respectable in all
the relations towards society
as followers Of the pursuits
Of agricultural industry.
The family consisted of two
boys, Of whom Edwin was the old
est. The younger brother, after
reaching manhood, died il the
west.
When the subject of his memoir
was six years of age his father left
the farm in the Empire state and
removing his family to New Eng
land, settled near Cast1eton, Yer
mont. Here young Drake remained
until in his nineteenth year, Teceiv-
ing, it is presumed, what education
that could be acquired in a coun-
try school. At this period of earlv
lite he babe farewell TO the parental
root and went out into the world
to begin the conquest to gain for
tune.
Daring the first few years of his
struggle with the fates that guided
his destiny, he, at different times,
turned his ready genius in the di-
rection Of various pursuits. These
varied employments gave him ex.
perience, knowledge of human
nature and sChooled him in the
ways ct the world to meet adver-
sIty with calm tortitude when dis
appointment offered discourage
ment from every direction.
At the time he left home the
then great new west attracted the
hope or thousands Of the energetic
young men away from the east as
offering more favorable opportun,
tiles for achieving success than
could be expected from the rigid
economy amid the rock clad hills
of New England.
Thlther Edwin L. Drake turned
his foot steps, and at Buffalo, n.
Y, he found employment as night
clerk OH a lake steamer-the Wis
Consin-plying between that port
and Detroit, Michigan.
He remained on that boat until
the close Of the season and then
went to reside with an uncle near
that university town, Ann Arbor,
in the Wolverine State. There he
he spent year npon the farm, ant
there ended the avocation of follow
ing the plow, never again return
ing to the same as means of re-
munerative employment.
Departing from tiliing the soil at
Ann Arbor he took up his abode
at Tecumsch, not very far distant
in the same state, where, during
the next two years, he was clerk in
hotel. At the close Of this period
becoming anxious TO see his par
ents and younger brother, he re-
turned to his home amid the Green
Mountains.
Desiring that he should rot go
back TO the prairies of the west, his
parents and friends advised that he
seek place Of business trust in
some one Of the towns lying in the
pictures que Connecticut valley.
Complying with the request of
those near and dear to his nature,
the next three years of his life we're
given to clerking in a dry goods
store in New Haven, Connecticut.
Concluding to make an effort 10
seek an opportunity where he could
better his financial prospects, he
lett that place and secured similar
position in retail dry goods store
on Broadway, New York city.
Not long after his advent in the
metropolis he married wife, whose
paternal home was Springfield,
Massachusetts. In short time af.
ter their union Mrs. brakes health
failed and it was found advisable to
remove her where she could have
the benefit Of country air. They
chose her native home for their
residence, and after they were set
lied Mr.. Drake accepted an offer as
express az mt on the Boston & Al
bany railroad with salary stipulat-
ed at $50 month. Continuing in