William F. Dake Begins The Dake Story
On January 7, 1887 the Dake Engine Company was founded by a group of 10 local businessmen. A new invention, the double reciprocating, square piston steam engine recently patented by William F. Dake had caught the interest of the principals of the lumber firm of Wyman and Cairns. It was the lumbering industry that brought prosperity to the region and by 1887 the forests were largely depleted to rebuild Chicago after the fire of 1871.