George T. Lake

George T. Lake, president of the school board of Fayetteville, belongs to

that pushing and energetic class of men who are doing so much to increase the

industrial interests of this city. He was born in Louderdale County, Tenn.,

September 6, 1849, and is a son of Milton F. and Margaret (Braden) Lake, natives

of Davidson and Maury Counties, Tenn., respectively. In 1860 Mr. Milton

Lake, with his family, left Tennessee and located upon a farm near Prairie

Grove, of this county, where he at present resides. Our subject was reared

upon the farm, and during his youth attended the public schools of that locality.

Possessing a desire to embark in mercantile life, when of age he started in life

for himself, and passed four years clerking in a store in this city. In 1875 he

established himself in business, and being ever ready to meet the wishes of his

customers he has steadily increased his business and patronage until he has

taken his rank among the prominent business men of this place. His success is

mainly attributed to strict attention to business, untiring energy and a high

standard of integrity. He was united in marriage at Fort Smith, Ark., to Miss

Mary H. Stratton, an estimable lady, daughter of the late D. H. P. Stratton and

Louisa (Kransser) Stratton. Mr. Stratton is a descendant from the Strattons

of New Jersey, which was his native State. Early in life he sought a home in

the West, and settling in Fort Smith, Ark., became one of its honored and

respected citizens. Mrs. Stratton was a native of Germany, who carefully

reared her children and lived to see them well established in life. Mr. and Mrs.

Lake have a family of two children: Horton and Louise. They are well-to-do

citizens, and regular communicants of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Lake has

served both in the town councils and on the school board. He is a Royal Arch

Mason, an I. 0. 0. F. and a K. of H.