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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Fulton County
Munsell Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908

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The Biography of Harriet Jane FLAKE 

[Surnames: FLAKE, JENKINS] 

FLAKE, HARRIET JANE 

    
The influx of pioneers into Fulton County in 1835 exceeded in number all who had previously cast their fortunes with the then unpromising locality. Among the arrivals of that year was John Flake, who was born in Indiana, April 8, 1811, and who availed himself of the cheapness of the land to take up eighty acres that stretched in wild, unbroken line across the prairies. He was possessed of grit and determination and prospered as the years passed by, in time owning a 100 acre tract. 
    
While still young and comparatively poor, he married Elizabeth Jenkins, who was born in Ireland and who survived for many years his death, which occurred October 21, 1889. Harriet Jane Flake was born on her father's farm in Fulton County January 25, 1857, and was educated in the country school near her home. 
    
Her life has been a quite, domestic one, devoted to the tasks around the house, and in later years to the grave responsibility of assisting in the management of the farm. Her friends are many in the township and her kindness of heart and loyalty to all interests whatsoever are everywhere acknowledged. Miss Flake has never married.