BROOKSHIRE, Drake - Putnam

Uncle Drake Brookshire quietly celebrated his 93rd birthday at his home in Clark Twp, two miles SE of Ladoga. He came to this county when he was 9 and the greater part of his long and useful life has been spent on the farm where he now lives with his son Lee Brookshire, his wife having been dead for sevearl years. The grandchild, Sarah Brookshire, sitting on his knee when the picture was taken is now a pretty young lady of the Ladoga HS. Uncle Drake was made the receipient of a post card shower by his scores of friends in Clark Twp, where for years he was the oracle. Without an implication of disrespect it may be said that "Uncle" Drake is a dimon in the rought and no better storey teller ever trod than he when in his prime. His health is failing him now. Today at his home, beautifully located two and a half miles SE of Ladoga, Uncle Drake Brookshire, who for years was the oracle of Clark Twp, is quietly celebrating his 93rd birthday. Since the death of Uncle John Hulet of Darlington a few months ago, Uncle Drake has the distinction of being the oldest resident of Montgomery Co. For some weeks Uncle Drake has not been taking much nourishment and as a result he has been indisposed. This morning h was up early and was quite cheerful. He was made the receipient of a large number of post cards during the day, birthday greetins for a grand old man from his scores of friends in the locality where he has spent so many useful years. While in his prime Uncle Drake had few equals as a story teller and when he visited Ladoga or attended function in Clark Twp, his presence could always be marked by the crowd of interested auditors who were eagerly gulping down every word that fell from his lips. He posessed a flow of language some of which would not look well in print, but what it lacked in elegance was mad eup in the forcefulness of expression. Uncle Drake's power of description has been rarely equalled and never surpassed. Years ago he made a trip to Washington, DC when his son, Vorhees Brookshire was a member of congress. He had been there but a short time until he could be located in the cloak rooms of the capitol surrounded by both senators and representatives, who were eager to hear him tell of his experiences in his quaint, and blunt, but impressive style. It is no wonder that a man possessing such a remarkable personality became a leader of men in the community where he resided. Add to his magnetism his unquestioned integiry and sterling honesty, and you have the man who celebrated his 93rd birthday today. Uncle Drake Brookshire is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joel Brookshire, who have long since passed away. They came to this county among the early pioneers and settled south of Ladoga. His parents were natives of Randolph Co NC. His mother's name prior to her marriage with Joel was Sarah Graves, and she was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Graves. Many of the descendants of this brach of the family reside in this county now. Uncle Drake came to this countyw ith his parents when he was but 9 years old. The trip was made in what was then very common, a "prarie schooner" wagon. It took 53 days to make the trip. They lcoated in Scott TWp and resided ther for somet ime. On Sept 24, 1841, Drake was married to Sarah Slack by Matthias Frantz at the home of the bride's parents wets of Ladoga. He and his bride moved to the farm where he now resides with his son, Lee Brookshire in 1847 and he has spent practically all of the 65 years since that time on this land. His wife died 16 years ago. Mrs. Jane Bell of Ladoga; Mrs. Sraah Graves of Wingate; Mrs. Millie Baldwin of Goergia and Mrs. Delana Smith of Agency, Iowa are sisters of Uncle Drake. Four brothers and one sister are dead. 10 children were born to Uncle Drake. Thos who are still ilving are Drake of Roachdale, former county commissioner of Putnam County; Voorhees of Washington City, formerly a congressman from the 8th Indiana district; Joel and Al at Greencastle; Alex of Crawfordsville; and Lee who resides on the old homestead.