John Drake

John Burroughs Drake (January 17, 1826 – November 12, 1895) was a hotelier who was part owner of the Tremont House hotel in Chicago, Illinois. He managed the Grand Pacific Hotel from 1874 to 1895. His sons, John B. Drake and Tracy C. Drake were the developers and proprietors of the Blackstone Hotel and Drake Hotel, which are both located along Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. The former is located in the Chicago Landmark Historic Michigan Boulevard District and the latter along the Magnificent Mile. The Blackstone Hotel and Blackstone Theatre (now known as the Merle Reskin Theatre were built by his sons on the former site of the mansion of his business partner, Timothy Blackstone.

Family and childhood Drake was born in Lebanon, Ohio, the son of John Burroughs Drake a harness-maker from Trenton, New Jersey, and Nancy (Harry) Drake from Pennsylvania. His father died when he was 11 causing him to have to work in a store, while obtaining a "Common school" education. These dinners continued for more than 50 years as a Chicago social institution.