RUSSELL W. WAKE was born August 5, 1834, in Hopkins County, Ky. He is a son of Ambrose, who was a son of John Wake, of Fauqueir County, Va., who came to Kentucky in an early day; was appointed judge of Federal court of Purchase District by Thomas Jefferson, and was accidentally killed by his slave while en route to New Orleans. His son Ambrose studied medicine, graduating from Transylvania University, Lexington, Ky.; practiced in Clark, Christian, Hopkins and Trigg Counties, in which latter he died in 1839, from effects of a sting of a yellow jacket. His wife Alice (Colmus) Wake, was a member of Baptist Church and died in 1858. They had three children, Russell W. being the youngest. He was liberally educated, attending the Franklin, Cumberland and Center Colleges, paying his way by teaching during his vacations. At twenty years of age he began the study of law under G. B. Cook, of Princeton, and was admitted to practice April, 1855. He began the practice in Murray, Calloway County, but soon after came to Ohio County, where he has since remained. Mr. Wake was county attorney for six years, and has been strongly urged to accept other public positions, but declines, etc. He is one of the leading attorneys of Lyon County bar and enjoys a lucrative practice. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and K. of H.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Page 867.