From The Susquehanna County Independent, Montrose, Pennsylvania dated March 26, 1903: BEGIN South Montrose - Pupils of the Wells school receiving high marks in spelling and percentage in studies the past month are: In spelling, Lillian Martin, 90; Hannah Martin, 100; Hazel Lake, 100; Hugh Jones, 90; Prichard Jones, 100; In percentage: Hazel Lake, 97 4-9; Prichard Jones, 96 7-9; Hannah Martin, 94, 2-3; Hugh Jones, 93 2-3; Emma Vail, 93 2-3. END From the Montrose Democrat, Montrose, Pennsylvania dated September 3, 1925: BEGIN South Montrose Retired Farmer Ends His Life Hampton Lake, Long in Poor Health, Commits Suicide Monday Morning. Left Note to Wife Stating Could No Longer Endure the Severe Pain Which He Had Suffered for Weeks. Death Causes Great Sadness in the Community A shocking tragedy occurred at South Montrose early Monday morning, when Hampton T. Lake, suffering for many weeks following a severe operation, ended his life. Mr. Lake was one of the best known men of this section, retiring from farming some years ago. His age was 72 years. About three weeks previous to his death he had been to a hospital for treatment, but there seemed to be no relief from the constant pain he suffered. Sunday was a particularly painful day, and on Monday morning he told his wife that he did not believe he would be able to milk the family cow. She told him not to give the matter any concern, and between 5 and 6 o'clock went to barn nearby and did the milking. On her return to the house she went into the sleeping room, where she noticed he was lying still with arms thrown back of his head. The ashy pallor of his features caused her to fear he was dead, while another glance showed a shotgun lying on the floor beside the bed. Neighbors were called and Coroner Ray Lyons, of Susquehanna, empowered Justice W. G. Comstock, of Montrose, to conduct an inquest. A jury was empanelled by him which returned a verdict of death at his own hands. The desperate man had taken a single-barreled shotgun and pressed it to his heart, covering the firearm with a quilt which had muffled the report. His death must have occurred instantly. Before ending his life he had secured a piece of cardboard about six inches square on which he had penciled with a shaking hand a last message, stating that he could not longer stand the pain and bidding all a good-bye. Deceased was a son of William Lake, and he was born in Auburn township this county. The greater part of his life was spent at South Montrose, where he was most highly regarded, and friends are deeply saddened by his tragic death. Besides his wife he is survived by one daughter, Mrs. J. L. Houck, of Scranton, two brothers, Abram Lake, of South Montrose, and Enoch C. Lake, of Binghamton, and one sister, Mrs. John West, of Auburn Corners. The funeral was held from his late home yesterday afternoon at two o'clock. Rev. W. K. Foster, pastor of the Presbyterian church, Montrose, conducting the services. Interment was in South Montrose cemetery. END From the Montrose Independent, Montrose, Pennsylvania dated March 18, 1937: BEGIN South Montrose March 17 - The community was again saddened by the death of Mrs. H. T. Lake on Saturday, following a few days' illness. However, she had not enjoyed good health for some time. She had lived here for most of her life and had many friends. Miss Fannie Young cared for her during her illness. Mrs. Margaret Breig, of Olyphant, was also here during her illness and up until Tuesday, the day of the funeral services. Mrs. Ethel Brundage, of Clifford, a niece of Mrs. Lake, was here a few days the first of the week. END From the Montrose Independent, Montrose, Pennsylvania dated March 18, 1937: BEGIN Mrs. Sophia Lake Mrs. Sophia A. Lake, South Montrose, widow of Hampton Lake, died Saturday afternoon, March 13, 1937, at 1:30 o'clock at her home. She was born in Scranton and had resided in Montrose for 70 years. She was a member of the Montrose Presbyterian church. Her age was about eighty years. Surviving are two grandchildren, Albert and John Breig, Scranton. The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home of the Rev. Plummer Harvey, of the Presbyterian church, officiating. Interment was in Shady Lane Cemetery, Scranton. END The will of Sophia (Atherton) Lake: BEGIN In Matter of Probate | March 20, 1937, was presented for probate of will of | an instrument of writing, purporting to be the Sophia A. Lake | last Will and Testament of Sophia A. Lake late of Deceased | the Township of Bridgewater in said County, ----------------------| deceased, and at the same time came W. H. Allen and Emma H. Allen the subscribing witnesses to the said instrument of writing who, being duly sworn according to law, and the said instrument of writing exhibited to them, did say that they were present on the date, when said instrument of writing was executed, and saw and heard the said Sophia A. Lake sign seal, publish, pronounce, and declare the said instrument of writing as and for her last Will and Testament, and at the time of her so doing she was of sound and disposing mind and memory to the best of their knowledge and belief, and they at the request of the said testator, in her presence, and in the presence of each other, signed their names thereto as witnesses. REGISTER'S OFFICE, Montrose, Pa. AND NOW March 20, 1937 Proof having been made, as above, of the due execution of said instrument of writing by the said Sophia A. Lake, deceased, as and for her last Will and Testament, it is Adjudged and Decreed that the said Instrument of Writing is fully proven to be the Last Will and Testament of the said Sophia A. Lake deceased, and is hereby admitted to Probate as such, and only recorded according to law. Leon W. Potter, Register. SAID LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT IS AS FOLLOWS: I, Sophia A. Lake, of South Montrose, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, being of sound mind, memory, and understanding, do make, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made. First:- I direct my executors, hereinafter named, to pay all my just debts and funeral expenses as soon as conveniently may be after my decease. Second:- I give and bequeath to Margaret Breig of Scranton, Penna., the sum of Three Hundred Dollars to be hers absolutely and forever, this sum to be paid by my executors free and clear of any inheritance or transfer tax. Third:- All the rest, residue, and remainder of my property real, personal, and mixed, or whatsoever kind and wheresoever situate at the time of my decease, whether the same be now in my possession or acquired by me after the day of the date hereof, be divided into four equal parts, and in consideration of his living care and consideration to me and to my beloved daughter, I give, devise and bequeath unto my son-in-law, John W. Houck, of the City of Scranton, Lackawanna County, Penna., his heirs and assigns, two of the above described equal parts; and to my beloved grand sons, Albert Breig Jr. and John Breig, both of the City of Scranton, Penna., their heirs and assigns, I give, devise and bequeath each one of the above described parts and shares. Lastly:- I do hereby nominate, constitute, and appoint my said son-in-law, John W. Houck and my grand-son, Albert Breig, Jr. Executors of this my last will and testament; and I do hereby and empower and direct my said executors, it deemed for the best interest of my estate to make sale of any or all of the real estate I may own at the time of my decease and to execute a good and sufficient deed transfer with the same force, power and effect as I could do if living. It is my further desire that my executors shall allow Margaret Brieg to select some articles of Household furniture, which she may desire to have as keepsakes. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, Sophia A. Lake, have hereunto set my name and seal this 23rd day of March, A.D. 1935. SOPHIA A. LAKE (SEAL) Signed, sealed, published and declared by Sophia A. Lake, testator, as and for her last will and testament, in the presence of us, who at her request, in her presence, and in the presence of each other, have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses hereto. W. H. Allen Ada E. Jones Emma H. Allen END From the Montrose Democrat, Montrose, Pennsylvania dated May 2, 1890 (paraphrasing): BEGIN Lake - To Mr. and Mrs. H. T. Lake, South Montrose, a daughter. END From "Genealogical and Family History of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania" (2 volumes) by Horace Hayden in 1906 Volume II Page 145 BEGIN Sophia [daughter of Jonathan A. Atherton (born 19 Apr 1810) & Ellen S Bennett] (Mrs. H. T. Lake), of Binghamton, New York. END