Mrs. Anna (Brake) Frieden. The lady whose honored name introduces this sketch is one of whom the biographer esteems it a privilege to write, and deserves more extended praise than the feeble pen of the writer can indite. She is one of the most wealthy residents of Clayton County, owning at the present time over one thousand acres of valuable farming land, which is under the management of her intelligent and capable step-son.

The subject of this sketch is a native of Switzerland, and was born across the water November 5, 1835. She is the daughter of Joshua and Catherine (Shirard) Brake, also natives of Switzerland, where they were well-to-do people. Mrs. Frieden was the youngest but one in her parents' family of eight children, her brothers and sisters bearing the respective names of Jacob, John Ulrich, Peter, Andrew, Samuel, Joshua and Katie. They were members of the Apostles' Church, and in his political relations Mr. Brake was a Democrat after coming to the United States.

Benedict Frieden, the deceased husband of our subject, was born in Switzerland June 6, 1827, and emigrated to the United States in 1848. He landed in New York City, where he remained for a short time, and then made his way to Monroe County, Ohio, where he followed farm pursuits for two years. At the expiration of that time Mr. Frieden came to Marion Township, Clayton County, purchasing within its bounds one hundred acres of land, which he cultivated in such a profitable manner that he soon increased his acreage to nearly one thousand acres. He was a man of prominence in his neighborhood. After a useful life he died, lamented by his family and a host of warm friends, December 3, 1893, in the sixty-sixth year of his age.

Benedict Frieden was married in 1849 to Miss Annie Baumgardner, and by her became the father of the following named nine children: Fred, John, Samuel, Eliza, Mary Ann, Frank, Joseph, Benjamin and Annie. The wife and mother departed this life in 1870, and the lady to whom Mr. Frieden was married two years later bore the maiden name of Magdalene Garber. They were blessed by the birth of one daughter, born February 16, 1875, who bore the name of Salome. Mrs. Magdalene Frieden died in 1886, and in 1891 Mr. Frieden married our subject. So universally esteemed is she, and so well known, that these few lines will find many interested readers.