Los Angeles County
Biographies
CHARLES RIVERS DRAKE
DRAKE, CHARLES RIVERS, Capitalist, Los Angeles, California, was born at Walnut Prairie, Clark County, Illinois, July 26, 1843. His father was Charles Drake and his mother before her marriage was Mahala Jane Jeter. His paternal line traces back to the gallant commander, Sir Francis Drake. Mr. Drake’s wife was Mrs. Kate Astrea Seeley, whom he married in Tucson, Arizona, April 30, 1890; as issue of this marriage is Marguerite Rivers Drake. Mr. Drake has been twice married, his first wife having been Agripine Moreno, whom he married in Tucson, Arizona, in July of 1872. Of this union were born Jean G., William Lord, Albert Garfield, Elizabeth Jane and Pinita Rivers Drake.
Mr. Drake had a public school education and at an early age began his conquest of fortune, which he soon achieved. He is a man whose name is synonymous with the upbuilding of the West, particularly of Arizona.
Mr. Drake began his business life by qualifying as drug clerk, which occupation he filled until 1863, when he entered the United States Navy, volunteer service, beginning with the post of acting master’s mate in the War of the Rebellion, 1863 to 1865. During his enlistment he served in the Mississippi Squadron under Admiral D. D. Porter. At the end of the war he resigned and re-entered his former occupation in New York. Later he was made hospital steward in the United States Army service, and was assigned to duty under General Crook, then commanding the Department of Arizona, where in 1871 he was stationed at Fort Lowell, Tucson. In 1875 he retired to civil life and took up his residence at Tucson, where he was made Assistant Postmaster and Assistant United States Depositary until 1880. In 1881 he was elected County Recorder of Pima County, and was again chosen for the office in 1883. During those years he conducted a general insurance, brokerage and real estate business throughout Arizona.
While conducting his insurance and brokerage business, Colonel Drake was appointed by President Harrison to the office of Receiver of Public Moneys at the U. S. Land office in Tucson. During his residence of thirty years in Arizona he filled innumerable political positions, including two elections to the Territorial Senate and as president of that body.
In 1893 Colonel Drake organized the famous firm in the Southwest of Norton & Drake, associating himself with the late Major John H. Norton. This concern undertook labor contracts for the Southern Pacific Company, and through that business and numerous other investments Colonel Drake amassed a reasonable fortune and moved to Los Angeles in 1900 with the intention of living a retired life, but he saw so many opportunities for his talents that he found it hard to break away from his life training, and as a result has continued in active business life.
His principal efforts since moving to Los Angeles have been along lines of development in and about Long Beach, the popular and substantial beach city. Through his investments he has become one of the most vitally interested men in the upbuilding of that city.
Since locating in Los Angeles Colonel Drake has become president, general manager and director of the Seaside Water Company, and occupies the same positions with the San Pedro Water Company, the Long Beach Bath House and Amusement Company and the Seaside Investment Company, the corporation which owns and operates the great Virginia Hotel of Long Beach, which is undoubtedly the finest example of a beach hotel on the Pacific Coast.
He is a member of the California Club, Los Angeles Country Club, Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles, Chamber of Commerce of Long Beach, Hotel Virginia Country Club, Order of Elks, Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows and Ancient Order of United Workmen.
Transcribed 4-11-09
Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: Press
Reference Library, Western Edition Notables of the West, Vol. I, Page 229,
International News Service, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles,
Boston, Atlanta. 1913.
© 2009 Marilyn R. Pankey.
GOLDEN NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES BIOGRAPIES