LEE S. HAKE.

LEE S. HAKE.
Lee S. Hake, a dealer in ranch lands and also actively identified with oil development work at Worland, was born in St. Paul, Nebraska, January 28, 1882. His parents, Benjamin F. and Aura May (Smith) Hake, became pioneer settlers of Iowa and later the father was one of the first to engage extensively in the sheep and cattle industry in Nevada, in Idaho and in Wyoming, conducting most important interests in the three states as early as 1880. He shipped the first trainload of cattle ever sent out of Wyoming over the Oregon Short Line. He founded and owned a number of banks through eastern Nebraska and was widely known in financial circles as well as among the stockmen of the western country. For years he made Omaha his home but in his later life resided for a short time in Sheridan, Wyoming, and about 1907 removed to Los Angeles, California, where his last days were passed, although he died in Worland, Wyoming, May 27, 1913, while on a visit to his son. His widow survives and is now living in Worland. Mr. Hake was a man of marked business enterprise and notable sagacity. He saw opportunities that others passed heedlessly by and utilized these for the upbuilding of his own fortunes. Moreover, his path was never strewn with the wreck of other men's interests, for he always followed constructive measures and by diligence and industry won prosperity. Such a life record should serve as a source of encouragement and inspiration to others. Lee S. Hake, his son, was educated in the public schools of Omaha and from the age of eight years spent his summer months with the cowboys on one of his father's ranches and was identified with ranch life until his removal to Sheridan, Wyoming, in 1901. In 1903 he became a member of the hardware firm of Lord & Poll, purchasing a third interest in this business at Sheridan. He continued with the firm until 1910, when he sold his holdings and removed to Worland, where, in company with his brother, Ray S., he engaged in the hardware business under the firm style of Hake Brothers. In June, 1916, they sold their store in order to give their undivided attention to their land and oil business which had become one of great magnitude. They had some of the first oil locations in the Grass Creek oil field, the first well put down upon that section being sunk upon their land. Their oil- leases extend over several prospective fields at the present time and their interests are of a most extensive and profitable character, having won for them a position among the leading and prosperous business men of Washakie county and the northern part of the state. In 1905 Mr. Hake was married to Miss Bertha Cooper, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and they have become the parents of three children, Aura May, Frances Virginia and Lee S., Jr. Mr. Hake votes with the republican party and is a stalwart champion of its principles. Fraternally he is connected with the Indipendent Order of Odd Fellows. He has always been identified with the west and the spirit of enterprise which has ever been a dominant factor in the development and upbuilding of this great section of the country has found expression in his life.

Lee S. Hake, a dealer in ranch lands and also actively identified with oil development work at Worland, was born in St. Paul, Nebraska, January 28, 1882. His parents, Benjamin F. and Aura May (Smith) Hake, became pioneer settlers of Iowa and later the father was one of the first to engage extensively in the sheep and cattle industry in Nevada, in Idaho and in Wyoming, conducting most important interests in the three states as early as 1880. He shipped the first trainload of cattle ever sent out of Wyoming over the Oregon Short Line. He founded and owned a number of banks through eastern Nebraska and was widely known in financial circles as well as among the stockmen of the western country. For years he made Omaha his home but in his later life resided for a short time in Sheridan, Wyoming, and about 1907 removed to Los Angeles, California, where his last days were passed, although he died in Worland, Wyoming, May 27, 1913, while on a visit to his son. His widow survives and is now living in Worland. Mr. Hake was a man of marked business enterprise and notable sagacity. He saw opportunities that others passed heedlessly by and utilized these for the upbuilding of his own fortunes. Moreover, his path was never strewn with the wreck of other men's interests, for he always followed constructive measures and by diligence and industry won prosperity. Such a life record should serve as a source of encouragement and inspiration to others.
Lee S. Hake, his son, was educated in the public schools of Omaha and from the age of eight years spent his summer months with the cowboys on one of his father's ranches and was identified with ranch life until his removal to Sheridan, Wyoming, in 1901. In 1903 he became a member of the hardware firm of Lord & Poll, purchasing a third interest in this business at Sheridan. He continued with the firm until 1910, when he sold his holdings and removed to Worland, where, in company with his brother, Ray S., he engaged in the hardware business under the firm style of Hake Brothers. In June, 1916, they sold their store in order to give their undivided attention to their land and oil business which had become one of great magnitude. They had some of the first oil locations in the Grass Creek oil field, the first well put down upon that section being sunk upon their land. Their oil- leases extend over several prospective fields at the present time and their interests are of a most extensive and profitable character, having won for them a position among the leading and prosperous business men of Washakie county and the northern part of the state.
In 1905 Mr. Hake was married to Miss Bertha Cooper, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and they have become the parents of three children, Aura May, Frances Virginia and Lee S., Jr. Mr. Hake votes with the republican party and is a stalwart champion of its principles. Fraternally he is connected with the Indipendent Order of Odd Fellows. He has always been identified with the west and the spirit of enterprise which has ever been a dominant factor in the development and upbuilding of this great section of the country has found expression in his life.