Reuben Drake (a Baptist minister from a line of wealthy landowners) and Phoebe Sherwood.
Drake completed preparatory studies and engaged in mercantile and agricultural pursuits, such as projecting the New York & Erie Railroad.
He was Supervisor of the Town of Owego in 1813 and First Judge of the Broome County Court from 1815 to 1823.
In 1823, he was one of three commissioners overseeing construction of the historic Tioga County Courthouse.
He was First Judge of the Tioga County Court from 1833 to 1838, a member of the New York State Assembly in 1834, and President of the Village of Owego from 1841 to 1845.