MAJ. DAVID DROKE was born in East Tennessee March 31, 1800, and was the second of the twelve children born to Jacob and Catherine Droke. He was reared a farmer, and was married May 5, 1825, to Rebecca Shaver, of East Tennessee, daughter of David and Catherine (Barnger) Shaver, and born September 8, 1804. By this union he became the father of ten children, of whom four are still living-David, James, Martha and Eliza. In the fall of 1849, he brought his family to this county, and bought 240 acres at $6 per acre. A few years later, he purchased a saw mill, which he ran for two or three years. Mr. and Mrs. Droke are members of the United Presbyterian Church, and they and family, in 1852, founded the first Sabbath school in this township, and it has proved to be a permanent institution. While living in Tennessee, Mr. Droke was commissioned Major of the home militia or minuteman, of whom he had previously been Captain. He is recognized as a public spirited citizen, and the family are held in high respect by the community.

Back to the White County Biographies Main Page