Windham

LAKE, Henry E.

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, part III, 
pp 13-14 of 20 unnumbered leaves (portrait p 13)

Henry E. LAKE, of Keene [Cheshire County], New Hampshire, was born 11 December 1852 in 
Rockingham [Windham County, Vermont], on the old LAKE homestead farm two 
miles west of the village of Saxtons River, son of Clark S. and Mary 
(CAMPBELL) LAKE. He is descended from English and Scotch ancestors, Daniel 
LAKE, his paternal ancestor in this country, who settled in Saxtons River 
five generations ago, being an Englishman, while through his mother he traces 
relationship with the noted family of CAMPBELLs of Scotland. Henry E. LAKE 
was educated in the town schools, and at the Black River and Kimball Union 
Academies. After leaving school he taught day schools for several terms, and 
then went to Boston and studied vocal music at the New England Conservatory 
and with prominent private teachers. Returning to Vermont, he became a 
teacher of music and had classes in a large number of Vermont and New 
Hampshire towns and also gave instruction in several public schools and 
academies. His vocal attainments secured for him, in 1883, the position of 
tenor and chorister in the Second Congregational Church in Keene, and the 
following year he located permanently in that city, opening a musical store, 
which on account of increasing business, has several times been enlarged, and 
is now one of the most complete establishments of the kind in New Hampshire, 
with patrons scattered throughout New England.

Before Keene became a city, Mr. LAKE held the office of selectman for three 
years, while under a city government he has twice been elected a councilman, 
serving with honor in this capacity in 1893-1894. As a musician he has 
attained a conspicuous place and a noted musical critic has said of him that 
his singing is not excelled even in the larger cities. As a chorus drill 
master and conductor he has been very successful, and from Carl ZERRAHN, the 
eminent director and musician, has received several pleasant and deserved 
compliments, ZERRAHN once saying of an oratorio produced under Mr. LAKE's 
direction, that he should not be ashamed to give it in Boston Music Hall 
without further rehearsal. Since 1890 Mr. LAKE has been vice president for 
Cheshire County of the New Hampshire State Music Teachers' Association; is 
president and one of the musical directors of the Keen Choral Union; is 
chairman of the executive committee of the Cheshire County Musical 
Association; continues to be director of the Second Church choir in Keene; 
and is a member of the Masonic, Odd Fellows, Red Men, and Golden Cross orders 
and the Young Mens Christian Association, of which he was director at the time 
of the erection of the handsome new Y. M. C. A. building in Keene. On 14 
September 1876 Mr. [Henry E.] LAKE married [Miss?] Virginia I. WILKINS, of 
Londonderry [Windham County, Vermont]; of three children born to them, two 
boys are living: Henry C. and Clarence R.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly