Was born in Orleans county, New York, near the village of Hawley, February 9th, 1818. His father, Asa Lake, was
born in Albany county, New York, and was married to Miss Loes Myres, daughter of Ephraim Myres. They had a family
of four children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the oldest.
Mr. Lake came to Fairmount, Pike county, Illinois, in 1834. He was a farmer. Mrs. Lake died at their residence,
in 1853. Mr. Lake survived her until 1858.
The subject of this sketch removed to Illinois with his parents. When he settled here, the country was almost a
wilderness. Deer and other wild animals were in abundance. The country was but sparsely settled, and many were
the privations which the early settlers had to endure. Mr. Lake was married at the age of thirty-eight, to Elizabeth
Lee, daughter of Enoch Lee, Esq. They had born to them four boys. By good management Mr. Lake has succeeded in
accumulating a competence, and now has a large, fine farm, under a good state of cultivation. A view of the premises
will appear in this work. During the war he was a strong supporter of the Union's cause, and in politics is a republican.