From HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA (Bowen & Co., 1917), pages 955-957:

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FRANKLIN Z. LAKE

Franklin Z. Lake, a well-known and progressive young farmer of Jackson
township, was born on the farm on which he is still living, the old Lake
homestead of Bear creek, in the southwestern part of Jackson township,
and, with the exception of the period of his life spent away at school,
has lived there all his life. He was born on September 6, 1891, a son of
Zachariah and Susan Belle (Veatch) Lake, both members of pioneer families
in this county, who are now living retired at Everton.

Zachariah Lake was born on the old Lake homestead on Bear creek, March 28,
1859, a son of Willis and Elizabeth (Ray) Lake, who were among the early
settlers in that part of Fayette county. Willis Lake was born on a pioneer
farm in Dearborn county, this state, just across the river from Harrison,
about the year 1820, a son of William Lake and wife, who later came up the
river and settled in Jackson township, this county, where they established
their home and became prominently identified with the early interests
of that pioneer community. Elsewhere in this volume there is set out at
considerable length something of the history of the family of William Lake,
the pioneer, and there the reader will find much of interest that will fit
in well in connection with this present narrative. Willis Lake was little
more than a boy when he came to Fayette county with is parents and here he
spent the remainder of his life, prominently identified with the developing
interests of the Everton neighborhood. He was chiefly engaged in farming,
but for some time he and his brother, Phenas Lake, further reference to whom
is made elsewhere in this volume, operated a saw-mill at Everton. Willis
Lake established himself on a farm in the southern part of Jackson township
and there he spent his last days, his death occurring on November 10, 1903,
he then being at the age of eighty-three years. His widow survived him
something more than three years, her death occurring on April 14, 1907. She
was born, Elizabeth Ray, on a pioneer farm over the line in Franklin county,
a daughter of Lewis and Elizabeth Ray, further reference to whom is made
elsewhere in this volume. Willis Lake and his wife were earnest members of
the Methodist Episcopal church and their children were reared in that faith.
There were nine of these children, of whom four are still living, Mrs.
Louisa Adams, Lewis, Willis and Zachariah Lake.

Reared on the home farm, Zachariah Lake grew to the life of the farm and
after his marriage remained on the home farm for many years, farming there
until in March, 1914, when he retired from the active labors of the farm
and moved to Everton, where he and his wife are now living. He is the
owner of a fine farm of one hundred and ninety-five acres and in addition
to this general farming ever gave considerable attention to the raising of
high-grade live stock, being quite successful in his farming operations.

In 1882 Zachariah Lake was united in marriage to Susan Belle Veatch, who was
born in Jennings township, this county, a daughter of Clay and Charlotte
(Scott) Veatch, both natives of this county and members of old families
here. Clay Veatch was born in Jennings township, a son of James and Mary
Veatch, early settlers in that part of Fayette county. Clay Veatch farmed all
his life in this county, remaining in Jennings township until about 1883,
when he moved to Everton, where he spent the rest of his life, his death
occurring there in 1900. His wife, whose maiden name was Charlotte Scott,
had preceded him to the grave about nine years, her death having occurred
in February, 1891. She was born in Jackson township, a daughter of Winfield
and Susan Scott, who came from Kentucky and settled in the southern part
of Jackson township in pioneer days, as told in the biographical sketch of
J. W. Scott, presented elsewhere in this volume. Clay Veatch and wife were
the parents of nine children, of whom six are still living, those besides
Mrs. Lake being Winfield, James, Mrs. Mary Duckworth, Edward and Grundy.

To Zachariah and Susan Belle (Veatch) Lake five children have been born,
those besides the subject of this sketch, the fourth in order of birth,
being as follow: Leroy, now living in Franklin county, who married Edna
Wilson and has three children. Wilbur Clarence, Charlotte Josephine and
Frances Isabel; Willis Roland, living in Jackson township, east of Everton,
who married Mina Wilson; Melvin Ray, now living in East Connersville, who
married Inez Post and has two children, Maynard Ray and Ruth Elizabeth,
and Edith Veatch, who is at home with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Zachariah
Lake are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and their children were
reared in that faith. Mr. Lake is a member of the local lodge of the Knights
of Pythias and of the Improved Order of Red Men, in the affairs of these
organizations takes a warm interest.

Franklin Z. Lake was reared on the home farm, early being trained in the
ways of modern agriculture, and upon completing the course in the high
school at Everton took a supplementary course at the Central Normal School
at Danville, this state, after which he returned to the farm and has ever
since resided there having established his home there after his marriage in
1912, and since the retirement of his father from the farm in 1914 has been
practically in charge of the place. Mr. Lake is a progressive young farmer,
pursuing his vocation in accordance with up-to-date methods, and is doing
very well in his operations.

In 1912 Franklin Z. Lake was united in marriage to Cleo Grist, who also was
born in Jackson township, this county, daughter and only child of Samuel
Riley and Hattie (Hudson) Grist, both of whom were born in this part of
the state, members of pioneer families, and who are still living on the old
Grist homestead in the Bentley neighborhood. Samuel Riley Grist was born and
reared in the Bentley neighborhood, where he now lives a life-long farmer.
He is a son of Samuel and Matilda (Pritchard) Grist, the former of whom, a
son of James Grist, grew up in the Bentley neighborhood and spent his entire
life there on the old Grist homestead. His wife, Matilda Pritchard, was born
near Liberty, in Union county and lived there until her marriage. S. R.
Grist's wife, Hattie Hudson, was born at Fairfield, in the neighboring
county of Franklin, and was but a girl when her parents, James and Hannah
(Loper) Hudson, moved up into Fayette county and located at Connersville.
James Hudson was a carpenter and contractor and his last days were spent
in Connersville. His wife, Hannah Loper, was born and reared in Franklin
county, a member of one of the old families there. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Z.
Lake have two children, Virgil Theodore and James Grist. They have a very
pleasant home and take a proper part in the general social activities of
the community in which they live, helpful in promoting all agencies having
to do with the advancement of the common welfare thereabout.

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