Ernest Blaine Drake

According to Wilsie Drake Staton in The Heritage of Henderson County, Volume II, “Ernest Blaine Drake (14 April 1884 – 15 April 1948) was one of seven sons born to Ebe Albert (1847-1909) and Eugenia Foulds Drake (1856-1922). He married Eva Malissa K. Flynn (9 June 1888 – 26 October 1974). They were married for almost forty years and were the parents of four sons and two daughters.

Eva Flynn Drake was the daughter of Columbus and Nancy Elizabeth Shytle Flynn. She came with her family from Rutherford County, North Carolina, in the early 1900’s and settled on a large farm on what is now Howard Gap Road in the eastern part of Henderson County, North Carolina.

After Blaine and Eva were married, they built a home on Lennox Park Road which is now Lakeside Drive. His brother Harvey and Sinia Osteen Drake built a home next door. On a hill above them, W. T. Drake, a first cousin, and Etta Middleton Drake built their home. The three families put in the city water lines and developed the road. The families were very close. Their children grew up together and all the children went to Valley Hill School. That bond between them is still unbroken, even through their lives went in different directions. Blaine and Eva’s daughter, Lillian D. Stepp, lives in a home located on the exact spot where Harvey and Sinia built their home. W. T. and Etta’s home was torn down, and a housing development built there. Blaine and Eva’s home is still standing land is owned by their youngest daughter, Wilsie D. Staton, and her husband, Burgin Rudolph Staton.

Blaine was a stabilizing influence, not only to his family, but to his friends as well. He and three of his brothers, H. E., Robert, and Harvey F. were well known merchants in the city and county. H.E. Drake’s Grocery on Main Street of Hendersonville, North Carolina was a landmark for many years until it was torn down in 1962. H. F. Drake’s Grocery was on Kanuga Road at the railroad. E. B. Drake’s Grocery was at the corner of Willow Road and Lakeside Drive. He operated this store for twenty years until his death in 1948. This store is still in the family. Blaine was always interested in political affairs and served as Henderson County Tax collector for one term from 1929-1932.”