Arther Payne Drake was born on January 1, 1914 in Esbon, Kansas. He was the son of John William and Almira Mae(Payne) Drake. His parents were born and raised in Gage County, Nebraska. After their marriage in 1901, they moved near Esbon, Kansas by 1908 where they ran a rach. They later moved to ONeill, Nebraska and finally to Western, Nebraska where his father ran a meat market. Arther was baptized in the Methodist Church and attended high school in Western.
On June 7, 1933, Arthur married Gwenith Geraldine TenBroeck in Marysville, Kansas. Gwineth was born July 27, 1916 near Chester, Nebraska. She was the daughter of William George and Hazel Elizabeth (Orendorff) TenBroeck. Her parents were born and raised in Thayer County, Nebraska. They lived in Kansas and Nebraska. Gwineth was baptized in the Presbyterian Church and graduated from Western High School in 1933.
Arthur and Gwineth DDrake spent their early married years in Wester. They moved to Elmwood in 1948. They raised 13 children and later two foster sons to adulthood in Elmwood. They all graduated from Elmwood High School.
Arthur worked in various occupations during these years, but his most enjoyable was being a walnut log buyer. He passed away on March 27, 1982, in their home in Elmwood. He is buried in the Elmwood Cemetery. While raising her family, Gwineth worked in Elmwood, Lincoln, and finally at the Elmwood Farmers Union Co-op where she retired. As of January 1, 2003, Gwineth has 31 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.