13th Battery, Indiana Light Artillery
Organized at Indianapolis, Ind., and mustered in February 22, 1862. Mustered out July 10 1865.
Source: Bloomington (Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana) Daily Telephone, August
11, 1917, p. 1.
STORY OF "UNCLE JEFF" DRAKE, OLD NEGRO BORN IN SLAVERY
No employe of Showers Brothers company needs an introduction to "Uncle
Jeff," says the Showers factory "Shop Notes" of this week. His figure is
familiar to us all, and is always present where lumber is being handled or
dry-kilns opened. We all associate the words "Uncle Jeff" with a small
figure stooped with age, kindly eyes set in a deeply wrinkled face and the
never failing smile and salute when addressed by his friends. Probably few
of us know the romantic story back of this quiet little man - a relic of the
days "befo' de wah."
"Uncle Jeff" was born in slavery. He says his birthday is May 15th and that
he was instructed to say that he was "21 in '61" He was born in Jefferson
County, Kentucky, and was named Thomas Jefferson Drake. His master's name
was Seeden and he was a kind master. A little son was born to the Seedens
about the time of Jeff's arrival on their plantation and the little colored
boy was given to the "young master" as a personal servant. The two boys grew
up together on the plantation and became bound by a tie of affection which
persists to this day. The "young master" is still living in the south and
never fails to hunt up Jeff when he is in this part of the country. Years
ago the old master died and Jeff, ever faithful to his first allegiance,
returned and helped dig his last resting place.
When the civil war broke out Jeff enlisted in the 23rd Kentucky infantry and
served through the war. He bears four wounds as mementos of his experiences
during these troubled years. After the war he returned to his former master
and worked for him about two years. He then came to Bloomington in the
company with Mr. Seeden and soon became an employe of the Showers Brothers
company in their first factory. He has been a trusted "Showers man" for 50
years.
"Uncle Jeff" is, therefore, the oldest living employe of this firm, in point
of service. His record is one of loyalty and courteous service to his master
of slave days, to his Country in its hour of need, and to his employers of
the past half century. He has served long and faithfully. His days of active
service are now nearing a close, but his sense of duty and his inborn
loyalty are as marked as ever. Tramping about in the lumber yard, always
"lookin' aftah the firm's interests," neither the winter cold nor the
burning heat of the summer sun has abated "Uncle Jeff's" faithfulness.
Organized at Indianapolis, Ind., and mustered in February 22, 1862. Mustered out July 10 1865.
Source: Bloomington (Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana) Daily Telephone, August
11, 1917, p. 1.
STORY OF "UNCLE JEFF" DRAKE, OLD NEGRO BORN IN SLAVERY
No employe of Showers Brothers company needs an introduction to "Uncle
Jeff," says the Showers factory "Shop Notes" of this week. His figure is
familiar to us all, and is always present where lumber is being handled or
dry-kilns opened. We all associate the words "Uncle Jeff" with a small
figure stooped with age, kindly eyes set in a deeply wrinkled face and the
never failing smile and salute when addressed by his friends. Probably few
of us know the romantic story back of this quiet little man - a relic of the
days "befo' de wah."
"Uncle Jeff" was born in slavery. He says his birthday is May 15th and that
he was instructed to say that he was "21 in '61" He was born in Jefferson
County, Kentucky, and was named Thomas Jefferson Drake. His master's name
was Seeden and he was a kind master. A little son was born to the Seedens
about the time of Jeff's arrival on their plantation and the little colored
boy was given to the "young master" as a personal servant. The two boys grew
up together on the plantation and became bound by a tie of affection which
persists to this day. The "young master" is still living in the south and
never fails to hunt up Jeff when he is in this part of the country. Years
ago the old master died and Jeff, ever faithful to his first allegiance,
returned and helped dig his last resting place.
When the civil war broke out Jeff enlisted in the 23rd Kentucky infantry and
served through the war. He bears four wounds as mementos of his experiences
during these troubled years. After the war he returned to his former master
and worked for him about two years. He then came to Bloomington in the
company with Mr. Seeden and soon became an employe of the Showers Brothers
company in their first factory. He has been a trusted "Showers man" for 50
years.
"Uncle Jeff" is, therefore, the oldest living employe of this firm, in point
of service. His record is one of loyalty and courteous service to his master
of slave days, to his Country in its hour of need, and to his employers of
the past half century. He has served long and faithfully. His days of active
service are now nearing a close, but his sense of duty and his inborn
loyalty are as marked as ever. Tramping about in the lumber yard, always
"lookin' aftah the firm's interests," neither the winter cold nor the
burning heat of the summer sun has abated "Uncle Jeff's" faithfulness.
13th Battery, Indiana Light Artillery
Organized at Indianapolis, Ind., and mustered in February 22, 1862. Mustered out July 10 1865.
Source: Bloomington (Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana) Daily Telephone, August
11, 1917, p. 1.
STORY OF "UNCLE JEFF" DRAKE, OLD NEGRO BORN IN SLAVERY
No employe of Showers Brothers company needs an introduction to "Uncle
Jeff," says the Showers factory "Shop Notes" of this week. His figure is
familiar to us all, and is always present where lumber is being handled or
dry-kilns opened. We all associate the words "Uncle Jeff" with a small
figure stooped with age, kindly eyes set in a deeply wrinkled face and the
never failing smile and salute when addressed by his friends. Probably few
of us know the romantic story back of this quiet little man - a relic of the
days "befo' de wah."
"Uncle Jeff" was born in slavery. He says his birthday is May 15th and that
he was instructed to say that he was "21 in '61" He was born in Jefferson
County, Kentucky, and was named Thomas Jefferson Drake. His master's name
was Seeden and he was a kind master. A little son was born to the Seedens
about the time of Jeff's arrival on their plantation and the little colored
boy was given to the "young master" as a personal servant. The two boys grew
up together on the plantation and became bound by a tie of affection which
persists to this day. The "young master" is still living in the south and
never fails to hunt up Jeff when he is in this part of the country. Years
ago the old master died and Jeff, ever faithful to his first allegiance,
returned and helped dig his last resting place.
When the civil war broke out Jeff enlisted in the 23rd Kentucky infantry and
served through the war. He bears four wounds as mementos of his experiences
during these troubled years. After the war he returned to his former master
and worked for him about two years. He then came to Bloomington in the
company with Mr. Seeden and soon became an employe of the Showers Brothers
company in their first factory. He has been a trusted "Showers man" for 50
years.
"Uncle Jeff" is, therefore, the oldest living employe of this firm, in point
of service. His record is one of loyalty and courteous service to his master
of slave days, to his Country in its hour of need, and to his employers of
the past half century. He has served long and faithfully. His days of active
service are now nearing a close, but his sense of duty and his inborn
loyalty are as marked as ever. Tramping about in the lumber yard, always
"lookin' aftah the firm's interests," neither the winter cold nor the
burning heat of the summer sun has abated "Uncle Jeff's" faithfulness.
Organized at Indianapolis, Ind., and mustered in February 22, 1862. Mustered out July 10 1865.
Source: Bloomington (Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana) Daily Telephone, August
11, 1917, p. 1.
STORY OF "UNCLE JEFF" DRAKE, OLD NEGRO BORN IN SLAVERY
No employe of Showers Brothers company needs an introduction to "Uncle
Jeff," says the Showers factory "Shop Notes" of this week. His figure is
familiar to us all, and is always present where lumber is being handled or
dry-kilns opened. We all associate the words "Uncle Jeff" with a small
figure stooped with age, kindly eyes set in a deeply wrinkled face and the
never failing smile and salute when addressed by his friends. Probably few
of us know the romantic story back of this quiet little man - a relic of the
days "befo' de wah."
"Uncle Jeff" was born in slavery. He says his birthday is May 15th and that
he was instructed to say that he was "21 in '61" He was born in Jefferson
County, Kentucky, and was named Thomas Jefferson Drake. His master's name
was Seeden and he was a kind master. A little son was born to the Seedens
about the time of Jeff's arrival on their plantation and the little colored
boy was given to the "young master" as a personal servant. The two boys grew
up together on the plantation and became bound by a tie of affection which
persists to this day. The "young master" is still living in the south and
never fails to hunt up Jeff when he is in this part of the country. Years
ago the old master died and Jeff, ever faithful to his first allegiance,
returned and helped dig his last resting place.
When the civil war broke out Jeff enlisted in the 23rd Kentucky infantry and
served through the war. He bears four wounds as mementos of his experiences
during these troubled years. After the war he returned to his former master
and worked for him about two years. He then came to Bloomington in the
company with Mr. Seeden and soon became an employe of the Showers Brothers
company in their first factory. He has been a trusted "Showers man" for 50
years.
"Uncle Jeff" is, therefore, the oldest living employe of this firm, in point
of service. His record is one of loyalty and courteous service to his master
of slave days, to his Country in its hour of need, and to his employers of
the past half century. He has served long and faithfully. His days of active
service are now nearing a close, but his sense of duty and his inborn
loyalty are as marked as ever. Tramping about in the lumber yard, always
"lookin' aftah the firm's interests," neither the winter cold nor the
burning heat of the summer sun has abated "Uncle Jeff's" faithfulness.
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