from "The Lundy Family and Their Descendants", William Clinton Armstrong, A.M., 1902 BEGIN Samuel and Hannah (Mason) Willson had six children: I. Ury, m. Henry S. Trimmer. II. James, b. 2 of 11, 1811, d. 21 of 4, 1884; m. Mary Allen Laing. III. John, m. Amy Bray and had a daughter Isabella, who m. Rev. Frank Tomlinson, and had John W. IV. Samuel, m. Amanda Swallow. V. Edward, m. Lucy Case and had Mary Hannah, who m. a Lanning. VI. Josiah, m. Mary Ann Bray and had two daughters - Adelaide, who m. W. Howard Lake and had Annie Blanche, and Laura B., who m. William Marshall. END transcription of Biographies->9.882.jpg "Portrait and Biographical Record of Hunterdon and Warren Counties New Jersey", Chapman Publishing Company, 1898 BEGIN W Howard Lake, ex-member of the New Jersey state legislature and ex-sheriff of Hunterdon County, is the genial and popular proprietor of Lake's Hotel, in Flemington. This well-equipped house was erected by him in 1895, and though there were already two other large and flourishing hostelries in the town, it came into prominence at once, partly owing to the esteem in which the owner is held, and partly owing to the fact that everything about the hotel is thoroughly modern and up-to-date and conducted in a business-like manner. The Lake family is of English origin, and at a remote period in the history of the United States, three brothers of the name came to seek permanent homes for themselves and children in this, the land of promise. One of the brothers settled in Long Island, another in Philadelphia, and the third in Delaware Township, this county. From the last-mentioned our subject is descended. Cornelius Lake, great-grandfather of W. H., was an influential man in his day and community, and was constantly consulted by his neighbors in regard to their property interests, deeds, wills, etc. He was himself an extensive land-owner and farmer, and his son John, next in the line of descent, followed closely in the senior man's footsteps in all things. John Lake married Ann Dilts, and their children were: Ezuba Jane, who married John Fauss, of Delaware Township; Jacob; Nancy, wife of John Sweazy, of Delaware Township; Susan, Mrs. John Clawson, of Pennsylvania; and Mary. They are all deceased. Jacob Lake married Sarah Ann, daughter of Abner Ross, a well-to-do farmer of Bucks County, Pa., and they became the parents of the subject of this article. The father was a distiller of all kinds of grain and fruit in his early manhood, and later devoted himself exclusively to agricultural pursuits. Favoring the Democratic party he was of great assistance in local campaigns, but would never accept official positions for himself. His widow is still living and enjoys good health, though she was born in October, 1817, and is consequently past fourscore years. She has three sons living: Martin Harris, a carriage-maker in Copper Hill, N.J.; J. Ross, proprietor of the Windsor House in Washington, N.J., and W. Howard, of this sketch. The birth of our subject occured in Delaware Township, Hunterdon County, April 21, 1850. Early in life he started out to make his own livelihood, and it is a fact of unusual note that he has never yet worked for wages or on a salary for another. His first financial venture was to invest his small savings in live stock, and before he was twenty he had accumulated quite a sum of money. At that time he started out as a miller, and, having mastered the details of the business, worked at the calling most industriously for about twenty years. In the meantime he also conducted a large farm and was engaged in raising and dealing in stock. In 1882 he bought a homestead, which he still owns. The hotel which he has owned and carried on for the past three years is one of the most pleasant that it is the lot of the traveling public to meet in many a day. It is fitted up with steam heat, electric lights and all the appointments of a first-class hotel of the period, and is largely patronized in the summer season by wealthy New Yorkers, fleeing from the discomforts of city life in hot weather, but desirous of a comfortable home. November 5, 1873, Mr. Lake married Addie S. Wilson, of Oak Grove, Hunterdon County, daughter of Josiah and Mary A. Wilson, members of the Society of Friends. Mrs. Lake is also identified with the Friends, and is much loved by all who know her. The only son of Mr. and Mrs. Lake died in 1880, aged four years. Their only daughter, Blanche, is exceptionally bright and business-like, and is of material help to her father, as she purchases the necessary supplies for the hotel. She is an active worker in the Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Lake adheres to the creed of his father, and his work for the success of the party has been frequently recognized in his being elected to various important offices. The first nomination which he was prevailed upon to accept was that of candidate to the legislature in 1882. He was duly elected and served most satisfactorily for three terms, and in 1888 was nominated for sheriff. There were eight candidates and he received a majority-vote of forty-eight over all the others, but at the ensuing election he was defeated by about one hundred votes. In 1891 he was again nominated for the same position and received ninety-two of the one hundred and five votes of delegates, thus making it practically unanimous, as many of the other votes were complimentary to a favorite aspirant for the office. In former elections he had taken no active part, but this time worked with his friends and was elected by a large majority, and held the place for a term of three years. Fraternally he is a member of Lackatong Lodge No. 94, I. O. O. F. END from http://www.njsuttonfamily.org BEGIN Hunterdon County Democrat Flemington, NJ 1838-1888 Nov. 18, 1873, Vol. XXXVI, No. 13, Whole No. 1884 Marriages: On November 5th, 1873, by Rev. I. Poulson, William H. Lake, of Locktown, to Addie S. Wilson, of Oak Grove. August 28, 1888, Fifty-First Volume, No. 3 Local Department A Sad and Sudden Death Miss Alice Ross, of Camden, this State, a cousin to W. Howard Lake, of Oak Grove, had been visiting at the latter’s home for two or three weeks past. Her age was 14 years. Last Thursday morning she arose and ate a hearty breakfast as usual, and appeared to be enjoying the same good, robust health that she had experienced since her arrival. Soon after breakfast Miss Alice complained of feeling unwell, and five hours later she was a corpse. It is thought that a sudden attack of cerebro-spinal-meningitis caused her untimely death. END Whitehouse Weekly Review (NJ), February 12, 1914, p. 1. BEGIN Word has been received here that W. Howard Lake, aged 63 years, had died at his home at Keyport, after a long illness. Besides a daughter, Miss Blanche Lake, he leaves two brothers, Harris Lake, of Copper Hill, and J. Ross Lake, of Somerville. Mr. Lake was formerly sheriff of Hunterdon county, and had a host of friends. END Hunterdon Republican Flemington, NJ Nov. 12, 1890 BEGIN W. Howard Lake, of Oak Grove, the newly elected Sheriff, was sworn in yesterday and commences his official duties today. It is reported that William J. Poulson will be appointed Deputy Sheriff, in accordance with a bargain made previous to the nominating convention. END From "History of Land Titles in the Vicinity of Quakertown, NJ" by H E Deats in 1915. BEGIN The southern part of the homestead tract was allotted to Josiah Willson, who built and operated in connection with the saw, a steam flouring mill until 1885, when he sold the property to his son-in-law, W. Howard Lake. END My notes - The original homestead seems to be 220 acres. The southern part of the homestead seems to be 19 acres. The saw mill was built by Samuel Willson in 1805. - MEL From "Hunterdon's Role in the Revolution" by the Hunterdon County Democrat in 1876 Page 81 BEGIN But Flemington was still pretty rural, for in that same year [1893] Howard Lake rented the pasture lot back of the courthouse for $25 per year. END From: "Donna Doklan" Date: Sun, 28 Jul 2002 18:09:47 -0400 BEGIN Locust Grove Cemetery Hunterdon, NJ Headtsone inscriptions ... Addie S. Willson Wife of W. Howard Lake Died July 1, 1900 Aged 48 yrs 5 mos & 23 days Leon Died March 5, 1880 Aged 3 yrs 8 mos & 9 days W. Howard Lake April 21, 1850 Feb. 4, 1914 END By genealogy.com user (Jim LaRue) November 06, 1998 at 11:04:05 BEGIN Some N.J. LAKE death information:M - W Lake, Wm. Howard 21 Apr 1850 - 4 Feb 1914 Keyport, Monmouth Co Hotel Keeper, widowed Father: Jacob Lake Mother:Sarah Ann Ross Informant:Miss Blanche Lake END