According to Elsie Drake Goepfert in The Henderson County Heritage Book, Volume 1, “Jackson Cleophus and Mary Finlay Drake reared eight children and watched them grow, develop and take their place in the world. Jackson and Mary were married fifty five years and were in public and business life during that time.” She further says “Jackson Cleophus Drake was born 16 December 1867 the oldest child of John Bryson and Catherine Brigman Drake in Big Ivey, Madison County, North Carolina. During his early youth he learned to work with his father and grandfather Brigman who operated a grist mill and also owned the S. B. Brigman and Son Dry Goods and Family Groceries. They traveled by wagon from the store into upper South Carolina selling merchandise. At times they crossed the French Broad River at the Asheville crossing, when it was frozen hard enough for the team of horses and wagon to be driven across with breaking through. Jackson’s early days were in Madison County but when about twelve, his family, mother, father, brothers Thomas A., Solomon B., and sisters Maria Louise, Loretta M., Elizabeth R. moved to Henderson County near Drake Mountain, Willow Road, where he grew up. Two more sons of John and Catherine, James H. and Ernest G. were born in Henderson County. The family farmed, were active in church and community life and attended a private school taught by Mrs. Emily Foulds. They were Baptist by faith and Jackson joined Beulah Baptist Church 15 August 1883 on profession of faith and was baptized on 19 August 1883 by G. W. Mace. Later he became a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and served as church clerk, teacher of the Men’s Bible Class, and a member of the Board of Trustees for Pleasant Hill Cemetery. During the growing teenage years Jackson became interested in the care of domestic animals and was taught by a very capable community veterinarian to care for his own animals and those of his neighbors. He was interested in land development, forests and boundaries so he studied engineering. Jackson married Mary Finlay 14 December 1892. Mary Finlay was born in Glasgow, Scotland 12 January 1872 and came as an infant with her mother Jean Anderson Finlay and two half brothers, Henrie and James Leslie, to join her father John Finlay, and six brothers Alexander, James, Robert, John, marshall Harrower, and David, who had settled in a home in Henderson County. Andrew Francis, William and George, younger brothers, were born in this home. The Finlay family were Presbyterian in faith and the connecting link form their Scottish homeland to America was the christening of Mary Harrower Finlay in 1872 in the old original First Presbyterian Church of Hendersonville. Mary joined the church 26 November 1891 and was an ardent and devoted member of her church for over sixty years. Jackson became interested in serving his community and just prior to his marriage filed for County Surveyor and was sworn in 5 December 1892, serving in this capacity for several years. Jackson was sheriff of Henderson County 1914 – 1918. John and Jean Finlay deeded Mary Harrower Drake eighty three and half acres of land in 1894. This property is retained by the family. Three houses were built on the property, one log cabin is gone, but a part of the second cabin remains. It was built between 1896 and 1900. The homeplace was built in 1909 and is now owned by J. Archibald and wife Gertrude P. Drake. Jackson Cleophus and Mary were blessed with eight children, four girls and four boys…. They had the privilege of watching their children grow, develop and take their place in the world. He and Mary had fifty five years together while busy in public life and business. Mary was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker and stood by him in all situations. She shared her knowledge of sewing, food preparation, canning and drying foods and also her kindness and nursing care, with many families in the neighborhood. To know her was to love her. Many members of the Drake family are buried in Pleasant Hill cemetery including two sons-in-law, as well as Jackson C. and wife Mary Finlay Drake.”
