John Drake was born in Virginia in 1807. He moved to Tennessee, and during the war was terribly maltreated by the rebels because of his Union sympathies. He was twice hanged by rebels but was cut down by Union friends before life was extinct. Of course, he left there as quietly as he could and arrived at Kappa in May, 1864, and has lived here ever since. He is a very quiet old gentleman and respected by all. His son, John B. Drake, is one of the firm of Lallmann & Drake, owners of the Kappa Elevator, the lumber yards, coal yards, etc.
Henry Porter, a son-in-law of John Drake Sr., was another refugee from Tennessee. He died in 1880. His large family live here and are well respected.
George Lallmann, the present postmaster and one of the merchants of this place, was born in Bavaria, Sept. 6, 1834. He came to the U.S. in 1858, and settled at Peoria and followed his trade of shoemaking until 1861, when he came to Kappa and opened a shoe shop, which he ran till '69, when he began his present business of merchandising. On Jan. 1, '76 he bought the large two-story brick store which he has since occupied. He was appointed Postmaster March 7, 1875, and is still Uncle Sam's representative at this place. During his many years of business he has made and saved money. He is doing a profitable business and in company with his estimable family enjoys life to the utmost.
From 1860 to 1865 a number of German families from Pennsylvania settled in the vicinity. They include the Dunmires, Pauls, Krings, Ackermans, Burgs, Osters, Lapes, Stahls, etc. They are all good citizens and neighbors.
Many other old settlers might be thought of and columns written about them. There were James Hindmarch, William Worden, Isaac Turnipseed, Emory Gray, Jessie McGee, Samuel Ogden, William Powell, R. G. Donica, Thomas Reeder, H. Ritter, David Glimpse, John Simpson,
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