James Lewis Rake was born on November 20, 1855 in Reading, Pennsylvania and was a lifelong resident of the city. Business kept him in Philadelphia for a lot of his time.

His father, Benjamin E., was a Sergeant in the U.S. Cavalry. He participated in Sherman's March to the Sea and was captured during a foraging expedition. He spent six months in an Atlanta prison.

James was a member Meade Camp 16, Reading. He was elected as the Colonel of the Pennsylvania Division in 1888. Three Brothers were nominated for Commander-in-Chief at the 1896 National Encampment. The voting results were: Rake received 89 votes, Lewis A. Dilley (IA) got 30, and Charles A. Bookwalter (ID) got 9.  Upon announcing the result there was “great applause and cries for 'Rake', 'Rake'”. After his term as Commander-in-Chief, he became a National Treasurer.

He was the Vice President and Director of the General Asphalt Company, retiring after 20 years, and a Director of the Keystone Slag Company

James was a 32nd degree Mason, a Knight Templar, Past Potentate of the Rajah Temple, and Past Secretary of the Reading Lodge B.P.O.E.

He married Katherine M. Boyer and they had five children; three died in infancy. Two daughters lived to adulthood.

Brother Rake died in Philadelphia on January 19, 1920 and is buried in the Charles Evans Cemetery in Reading.