Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General, Iowa Governor. When Confederates forces caused a threat to Iowa in the fall of 1861, Drake raised a company of volunteers to defend the border. In 1862, he was commissined a Major in the 2nd Iowa Infantry and commanded the garrison at St. Joseph, Missouri. Promoted Lieutenant Colonel of the 36th Iowa Infantry in August 1862, he served in the Army of the Tennessee and in Arkansas. At the Battle of Elkin's Ford in April 1864, he commanded his own regiment and three Indiana regiments to victory. In the conflict at Mark's Mills, he was severely wounded and left the field. He rejoined his regiment, was compelled to use crutches, but remained in command until the end of the war. For devotion to duty, he was brevetted Brigadier General of US Volunteers. After the war, he was admitted to the bar and opened a practice of law at Centerville, Iowa. He also engaged in railroads and built several branches of the Iowa Central and Indiana rail lines. In the fall of 1895, he was elected as a Republican, the 18th Governor of Iowa, serving until 1898.
Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General, Iowa Governor. When Confederates forces caused a threat to Iowa in the fall of 1861, Drake raised a company of volunteers to defend the border. In 1862, he was commissined a Major in the 2nd Iowa Infantry and commanded the garrison at St. Joseph, Missouri. Promoted Lieutenant Colonel of the 36th Iowa Infantry in August 1862, he served in the Army of the Tennessee and in Arkansas. At the Battle of Elkin's Ford in April 1864, he commanded his own regiment and three Indiana regiments to victory. In the conflict at Mark's Mills, he was severely wounded and left the field. He rejoined his regiment, was compelled to use crutches, but remained in command until the end of the war. For devotion to duty, he was brevetted Brigadier General of US Volunteers. After the war, he was admitted to the bar and opened a practice of law at Centerville, Iowa. He also engaged in railroads and built several branches of the Iowa Central and Indiana rail lines. In the fall of 1895, he was elected as a Republican, the 18th Governor of Iowa, serving until 1898.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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