BIOGRAPHIES SURNAME "D"


THOMAS S. DONNEL

Thomas was born to John C. and Nancy McRoberts Donnel on 2 April 1839. Online records indicate he was born in Ohio but his obituary indicates Seneca County, Iowa.
He was a Civil War veteran having served in Company K, 3rd Iowa Cavalry as a Private. He enlisted at Monroe, Jasper County, Iowa on 2 September 1861 then mustered in 11 days later. He evidently originally enlisted for 3 years as he re-enlisted on 1 January 1864 for 3 years. The online records indicate on 11 June 1864 he was taken prisoner at Ripley, Mississippi; he was most likely involved in the battle of Brice's Crossroads at Guntown, Mississippi. This writer could find no record of where he was imprisoned or for how long; however, his obituary indicated he survived nine months in Andersonville. He was mustered out of service on 1 June 1865 at Camp Chase, Ohio at the end of the war. Thomas started drawing a pension for his service on 3 January 1880 and his widow started receiving on 7 April 1915.
Thomas married Margaret J. Berry on 2 April 1967 in Marion County, Iowa. Margaret was born in Indiana in 1848. Four children were of that marriage; Laura, Dorsha (1870), Dora, and Mamie.
In the early 1880's the family moved to McHenry County. In 1884 they were in a Pendroy home as their daughter, Laura, was teaching school in the home. Thomas is in Pendroy in the 1890 Veterans Census. In 1893 Thomas is recorded as landowner in Township 154, Range 78, Section 19 (Falsen). Thomas is appointed the Postmaster for Pendroy on 25 August 1899. In 1900 they are still in Falsen Township but in 1910 Thomas and Margaret have moved to Colville, Stevens County, Washington.
Thomas died in Colville on 18 February 1915 and is buried there in Highland Cemetery along with Margaret who died there in 1923.

HERMAN DRAKE

From Prairie Patchwork, A Collection of Anecdotes From Drake, North Dakota: Herman Drake, founder of Drake, was born March 8, 1860, in Maville, Wis. In 1865 he emigrated with his parents in a covered wagon to Buffalo Lake, Minn. He lived and farmed at Buffalo Lake and Hutchinson for 34 years. He also operated a drug store.
He was married to Theresa Hoehne on March 26,1883, at Buffalo Lake. They were the parents of nine children, Mrs. Alvina Werdin, Ellendale; Frank of Bonners Ferry, Ida; Mrs. Elsa Cabler, Oakland, Calif.; Mrs. Rose Refling, Drake; William of Bowden; Owen of Winnipeg, Manitoba; Charles and Daris of Drake; and Mrs. Fern Kittelson, Enderlin.
In 1899 he came to North Dakota and homesteaded a piece of land that later became the townsite of Drake. His family arrived the following year.
Although homestead locations were plentiful when he located, Mr. Drake had in mind the possibility of a townsite on his land, so he chose land crossed by the railroad. In 1902 he was discouraged that his plans would work out and he was ready to move west when he received word the town would be located there.
He engaged in farming and, for many years, was in the real estate business with his brother, Emil.
In 1933 he and his wife celebrated their 50th anniversary and when Drake celebrated its Pioneer Day, June 14,1946, he was able to take part in the ceremonies.
He also took part in politics and served on township, school and city boards. He was a member of the Evangelical Church of Rochester, Minn. His wife was a member of the Evangelical Church, the Missionary Society and a charter member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Mr. Drake died June 23,1947, and his wife on April 28, 1955.
Written by Mrs. Rose Refling