Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor
Page 364
JOHN S. LAKE, a native of this county and one of its brave citizens who entered the army during the Civil War and fought for the defense of our country, is now one of the successful farmers who are carrying on the agricultural interests of this section, his farming operations being centered in Fancy Creek Township. Here he has a good sized farm that is under fine cultivation and is substantially improved, and here also he has one of the most comfortable and commodious homes in the vicinity. A view of this pleasant homestead will be found on another page.
Our subject was born January 9, 1840, and is the son of Bayliss G. and Eliza (Glasscock) Lake, who were pioneers of this part of the State. His father was born in Virginia and when a young man went to Ohio; after remaining there two years he came to Illinois in the fall of 1830, and became one of the early settlers of Sangamon County, entering land here and improving a good farm. He was well known to the citizens of this county as a skillful and wide awake farmer. His death occurred November 1, 1881, at the age of eighty-six years, and thus was terminated the life of a useful citizen and an honorable pioneer. During the War of 1812, he watched its course with great interest, and although too young to enlist, was engaged in hauling ammunition for the soldiers. He owned and operated three water mills in this county during his lifetime and was quite well-to-do. He was a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was ever a consistent Christian. His wife died in 1864, and she too was a firm believer in the Methodist faith and was a church member. They had ten children of whom eight are living.
John S. Lake obtained his early education in the subscription schools of that day, but after he was twelve years old he only had two or three months schooling each year. He was twenty-two years old when the war broke out, and as soon as he could arrange to do so, he offered his services in the flush and vigor of a stalwart manhood to assist in quelling the Rebellion, and his name was enrolled as a member of the One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Infantry. He was present at the siege of Vicksburg and at Haines Bluff did guard duty. He belonged to the Fifteenth Army Corps under Gen. Sherman and helped drive Johnson out of Jackson, Miss. His regiment was then ordered as far as Brandon and then fell back to Bear Creek, where it was stationed some months.
The next important engagement in which Mr. Lake took part was at Guntown, where he was severely wounded in the right leg just above the ankle. As he was unable to get off the battlefield he fell into the hands of the rebels and was taken a prisoner to Mobile where he lay in a hospital two months. He was then removed to Chohofa, where he remained from August to October. Finally he was exchanged and sent to the convalescent camp at Memphis. He subsequently came home on a furlough and was discharged at Camp Butler in January, 1865, having served with fidelity and proving to be a good soldier whether in camp or on the battlefield.
After his return to this county, our subject turned his attention to farming and stock-raising and dealt quite extensively in stock for some time. He has one of the finest farms in Fancy Creek Township, comprising two hundred and twenty acres of choice land whereupon he has placed every desirable improvement. He has here a handsome house neatly and tastefully furnished, which is the abode of true hospitality, as both he and his amiable wife and their family are people of good social position and have many warm friends.
Mr. Lake's marriage with Miss Mary C. Brittin, occurred in 1868. She is a native of this township and was born in 1848 to Stephen and Jane (McClellan) Brittin, both natives of Illinois. Her father died in 1862, and her mother in 1865. Mr. And Mrs. Lake have had six children, three of whom are living - Dora E., James A. and Edith M. The others died in infancy. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lake are sincere members of the Christian Church, and he is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Lake is and ever has been a true Republican in his political sentiments.