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Herbert
Jackson Drane came to Lakeland as a railroad construction
supervisor, 64 years ago. He established a real estate business and
served in both the Florida Legislature and Congress. Mr Drane died yesterday afternoon at 4:30 at his home, 400 Hillcrest Dr. Funeral services will be held tomorrow morning, Wednesday, August 13, 1947, at All Saints Episcopal Church with the Rev. William F. Moses, pastor officiating. Interment will be in Roselawn Cemetery, Lakeland, Futch-Steen were the morticians in charge. Mr. Drane died in the home in which he first brought his 18 year old Kentucky bride Mary S. Wright, 62 years ago, and spent all their years together until her death on Feb. 19, 1946. Mr. Herbert J. Drane, was born in Franklin, Simpson County, Kentucky, June 20, 1863. He attended country schools until he was 14 years old. Illness forced him to give up school. At age 18 he was employed by a large lumber organization to go from Nashville, Tenn. to Macon Georgia to buy yellow lumber. His health failed and he was unable to continue his work and he decided to move further south. Drane came to Jacksonville and then traveled by boat on the Saint John's River to Sanford, Fl. At Kissimmee, he met a cousin H. M. Drane, who was an official of the Plant Development Company. It was at this time Herbert became a railroad employee. Herbert Drane established the first drugstore to be operated in Lakeland, and he later bought an orangegrove, and for a while editor of a newspaper known as the Lakeland Cracker. The business which still bears his name was established in 1887. Two years later he bought the site for what is now known as the Drane Building on East Main Street. The purchase price was $500.00 payable at $100.00 a year. He served as mayor of Lakeland 1888-1892. County commissioner of Polk County 1896-1899. Chief engrossing clerk of the State house of representatives 1889-1901. He served as member of the State house of representatives 1903-1905. He served in the State senate 1913-1917, being its president from 1913 to 1915. Drane was elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-fifth and to the seven succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1917 -March 3, 1933). He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1932. He served as member of the Federal Power Commission 1933-1937. He resumed the real estate and insurance businesses, property management, and the growing of citrus fruits. Mr. Drane was a good authority on the history of Lakeland and of Florida, many a person consulted him for historical information. More than a year before his death, Mr. Drane had fallen and fractured his hip during the first day of a vacation visit in Waynesville, N.C. and was brought back to Lakeland as soon as he could be safely be moved. As a result of his fall he spent the remainder of his months of life in bed. He was a member of the Episcopal Church, a Rotarian, an Elk, a Mason and a Shriner, and was the recipient of the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws conferred upon him by Florida Southern College. Survivors include; two daughters, Mrs. W. S. Moore and Mrs. J. W. Passmore, three grandchildren and one great grandchild. His son Ossian died several years earlier. ( Lakeland Ledger and Star-Telegram, Tuesday Evening, August 12, 1947 ) ------------------------------------------- Construction began in 1942 on what was then known as Drane Field-named after city pioneer and political leader Herbert J. Drane. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Army Air Corps acquired the field and renamed it "Lakeland Army Air Field." Pilots who completed their initial training at MacDill Field in Tampa came to Lakeland for combat training in B-26 Marauders. Some 43 bomber groups and fighter squadrons were also stationed at the field during World War II. After the war, the federal government sold the airport to the City of Lakeland for literally one dollar upon stipulation that the military could reclaim the field should the need arise. Now known as Lakeland Linder . |