BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Francis Marion Drake was born at Rushville, Illinois, on December 30, 1830. At the age of seven he removed with his parents to Fort Madison, Iowa. Here he received a common school education. His second Iowa home was at Drakeville, a town in Davis County founded by his father, John Adam Drake.

In 1852 Mr. Drake led an expedition overland to California. A second trip to California was made in 1854. During the Civil War he served with distinction in the Union army. After the war Mr. Drake engaged extensively in railroad building and in banking.

In 1895 the Republican party elected Mr. Drake to the office of Governor. This position he held for one term, from 1896 to 1898. His home at the time of his election was Centerville; and to this place he retired at the close of his term of office. He died on November 20, 1903.

INAUGURAL ADDRESS

JANUARY 16, 1896

From the Iowa Legislative Documents, 1896, Vol. I

To the Senate and House of Representatives and to the People of the State of Iowa:

In entering upon the grave and responsible duties of the office of chief executive of Iowa, I beg to express my sincere thanks to the people of the state for the high honor that has been conferred upon me.

Recognizing, as I sincerely do, that the honor is not in the mere holding of the office, but in the faithful, unselfish, honest, and efficient discharge of its duties, and in the service of the whole people, I ask you, as members of the general assembly, and the people whom you represent, for your influence and co-operation to enable me to discharge these duties, and to meet these responsibilities, with wisdom, with love for humanity, and with reverence for Almighty God.

This representative body, selected by the people from their own number because of their fitness to legislate, I have no doubt will enact wise and wholesome laws for the protection, prosperity, and happiness of the people as a whole, and without partiality or favoritism to any classes.

From my knowledge of the distinguished gentlemen of which this intelligent body is composed, I am impressed with the belief that nothing will be omitted, in the way of

legislation, necessary to be enacted for the promotion of the best interests of this great commonwealth and for the development of all its material resources.

Be assured, therefore, that there will be no dictation attempted on the part of the executive or any disposition on his part to interfere with your deliberations.

The high respect for, and confidence entertained in, this general assembly by the executive, and its acquired knowledge and experience in the work of legislation, justify his belief that there exists no necessity for an elaborate message, or for entering into specific and extended recommendations.

THE SEMI-CENTENNIAL OF IOWA

The Civilization

We

This year marks an epoch in the history of Iowa. Fifty years ago this state was admitted into the Union. state as we now know it did not then exist. was confined largely to the eastern border. Where this magnificent capitol now stands was an almost unbroken wilderness; in the northwestern part of the state, which is now dotted with homes of happy and prosperous people, the Indians were still in possession of the virgin soil. who came to Iowa at that time, or before that time, have not only seen this wonderful transformation, but we are glad to feel that we have had our part in this state building. We rejoice with those who have come since, by either birth or adoption, into this great family. One is tempted to linger over the work which has been done in this state. There is so much which was endured, so much which was achieved, so much which was accomplished, so much to tell. Later in the year, when the admission of Iowa into the

union is celebrated, I hope that all these things may be appropriately told to the honor of the past and for the inspiration of the future.

I call attention to this matter now, because I want to urge upon the legislature the fact that the state cannot neglect her semi-centennial. We must wait fifty more years, when all of us who participated in the founding of the state will have passed away, before we are afforded another such opportunity. I do not know what form the celebration should take, but I do know this, that it ought to be on a scale corresponding to the greatness of Iowa. We have here a commonwealth of which we have no cause to be ashamed. Let us lift her up so that all the states may see how fair she is, how worthy to be beloved. The legislature can do nothing that will meet with the more hearty approval of the people of the whole state, for this event appeals to all the pride that is in men and women, and stirs up a thousand memories which are cherished by all the people.

SOLDIERS' MONUMENT

No state contributed more of loyalty, of patriotism, or of human sacrifice, during the sanguinary struggle for the maintenance of the union and the government of our fathers, than did our own beloved Iowa. In that terrible conflict from in 1861 to in 1865, she was always among the first to respond, and always ready to supply her quota. The courage and patriotism of her soldiers were exhibited on almost every battlefield of the war, where they heroically fought and bravely fell, always at the front. Of 75,000 men enrolled, over one-tenth of her population, more than 12,000