Gaston, Joseph. "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912." Vol. 4. Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 518. PHILLIP E. DRANE has been engaged in the general merchandise business in Coquille for eleven years and during that time has built up a prosperous and rapidly increasing trade which is evidence of his ability and of the straightforward and honorable methods by which his enterprise is conducted. He has been a resident of Oregon since 1873 and has been engaged in various business enterprises in Coos county since that time. He was born in Kentucky in 1854 and is a son of Thomas and Mary Drane, natives of Virginia. His father died when our subject was eleven years of age and his mother made her home with her children for a number of years. She moved from Kentucky to Kansas and then to Texas and finally to Oklahoma where she died at the age of ninety years. Later he was adopted by Mordica Day with whom he lived until he was sixteen. In that year he went to Kansas and after three years in that state came to Coos county, settling on the Coquille river where he took up a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres near Arago. Upon this he carried on general farming, operating and improving his property for seven years, abandoning agricultural pursuits at the end of that time in order to engage in business. He went to Coquille and operated a hotel, working in a sawmill during the same period. For ten years he conducted a butcher shop in the city and in 1901 erected his present building and established himself in the general merchandise business which he has followed since that time. He has sought success by straightforward and worthy means and has proven capable and reliable, his industry and well directed activity bringing him a gratifying measure of prosperity. He has invested his money judiciously, in local enterprises being a stock-holder in two sawmills near Coquille and also in a creamery. He owns his store building and other town property and resides in an attractive and pleasant home. In 1877 Mr. Drane was united in marriage in Coos county to Mrs. Belle Pike the widow of Russell Pike of New Hampshire and a daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Shambrook) Smith, natives of England. Her parents died in Douglas county. Mr. and Mrs. Drane became the parents of two children. Mary, who was born in February, 1878, is the wife of B. F. Lawrence, of Indianapolis, Indiana. He is editor of the Indianapolis Star, the Terre Haute Star, and also of the Muncie Star papers. Julia, whose birth occurred in October, 1880, became the wife of E. E. Johnson of Coquille. He is manager of the Randolph Lumber Company on the Coquille river, and is also interested in the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Coquille and is president of the Bandon Water Company. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, South. Mr. Drane gives his allegiance generally to the democratic party but often reserves independence of judgment in regard to political issues. He has never sought public office, being a practical business man interested in the growth of his enterprise and capable of promoting it. He has been quick to perceive opportunities for advancement and in this way has made his business prosperous. The straightforward and upright qualities which are the foundation of his commercial prosperity are elements in his character and have made him successful in business and important in citizenship. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in March 2008 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.