He served as justice of Utah Territorial Supreme Court and as the third lieutenant governor of Michigan.
While serving as president pro tempore of the Michigan Senate, Drake served as the third Lieutenant Governor of Michigan from February 23, 1841, to January 3, 1842, under James Wright Gordon after the resignation of Governor William Woodbridge.
He was also a Whig candidate for U.S. Representative from Michigan’s 3rd congressional district in 1843, losing to Democrat James B.
Drake was later a delegate to Republican National Convention from Michigan in 1856, and Presidential Elector to elect John C. Fremont, who lost to James Buchanan.
Drake married his first wife, Martha Minot Baldwin, on December 17, 1826.