Jonathan T. Clake, DeLand Builder.

1908 On July 18, Jonathan (John) T. Clake, a major DeLand builder responsible for constructing several early Stetson University buildings, died in DeLand. Clake was born in Yorkshire, England, Sept. 19, 1842. In 1866, he moved to America, first settling in Michigan, where he was active in construction in Detroit, Port Huron, and Alpena before bringing his family to DeLand in 1881, In addition to his work at Stetson University, he was the contractor for three churches and many principal business blocks of the city. Also credited to Clake: The conversion of the Parceland Hotel into John B. Stetson’s College Arms Hotel, the Court House, the Volusia County Abstract Building, and several homes in DeLand. He originally contracted to build the Stetson library, but was forced by illness to give up the project shortly before he died. He served on the Stetson Board of Trustees, as a trustee of the Baptist Church, and as a city commissioner for one term. Clake and his wife Kate are buried in Oakdale Cemetery. 

--Photo of DeLand First Baptist Church about 1900 from the WVHS Archives.