From a NJ book of which the title at the top of the pages is "Portrait
and Biographical Record".  I don't have an author or a year.

W Howard Lake, ex-member of the New Jersey state legislature and
ex-sheriff of Hunterdon County, is the genial and popular proprietor of
Lake's Hotel, in Flemington.  This well-equipped house was erected by him
in 1895, and though there were already two other large and flourishing
hostelries in the town, it came into prominence at once, partly owing
to the esteem in which the owner is held, and partly owing to the fact
that everything about the hotel is thoroughly modern and up-to-date and
conducted in a business-like manner.
  The Lake family is of English origin, and at a remote period in the
history of the United States, three brothers of the name came to seek
permanent homes for themselves and children in this, the land of promise.
One of the brothers settled in Long Island, another in Philadelphia, and
the third in Delaware Township, this county.  From the last-mentioned our
subject is descended.  Cornelius Lake, great-grandfather of W. H., was an
influential man in his day and community, and was constantly consulted by
his neighbors in regard to their property interests, deeds, wills, etc.
He was himself an extensive land-owner and farmer, and his son John, next
in the line of descent, followed closely in the senior man's footsteps
in all things.  John Lake married Ann Dilts, and their children were:
Ezuba Jane, who married John Fauss, of Delaware Township; Jacob; Nancy,
wife of John Sweazy, of Delaware Township; Susan, Mrs. John Clawson,
of Pennsylvania; and Mary.  They are all deceased.
  Jacob Lake married Sarah Ann, daughter of Abner Ross, a well-to-do
farmer of Bucks County, Pa., and they became the parents of the subject
of this article.  The father was a distiller of all kinds of grain and
fruit in his early manhood, and later devoted himself exclusively to
agricultural pursuits.  Favoring the Democratic party he was of great
assistance in local campaigns, but would never accept official positions
for himself.  His widow is still living and enjoys good health, though
she was born in October, 1817, and is consequently past fourscore years.
She has three sons living:  Martin Harris, a carriage-maker in Copper
Hill, N.J.; J. Ross, proprietor of the Windsor House in Washington,
N.J., and W. Howard, of this sketch.
  The birth of our subject occured in Delaware Township, Hunterdon County,
April 21, 1850.  Early in life he started out to make his own livelihood,
and it is a fact of unusual note that he has never yet worked for wages or
on a salary for another.  His first financial venture was to invest his
small savings in live stock, and before he was twenty he had accumulated
quite a sum of money.  At that time he started out as a miller, and,
having mastered the details of the business, worked at the calling
most industriously for about twenty years.  In the meantime he also
conducted a large farm and was engaged in raising and dealing in stock.
In 1882 he bought a homestead, which he still owns.  The hotel which
he has owned and carried on for the past three years is one of the most
pleasant that it is the lot of the traveling public to meet in many a day.
It is fitted up with steam heat, electric lights and all the appointments
of a first-class hotel of the period, and is largely patronized in the
summer season by wealthy New Yorkers, fleeing from the discomforts of
city life in hot weather, but desirous of a comfortable home.
  November 5, 1873, Mr. Lake married Addie S. Wilson, of Oak Grove,
Hunterdon County, daughter of Josiah and Mary A. Wilson, members of the
Society of Friends.  Mrs. Lake is also identified with the Friends, and
is much loved by all who know her.  The only son of Mr. and Mrs. Lake died
in 1880, aged four years.  Their only daughter, Blanche, is exceptionally
bright and business-like, and is of material help to her father, as she
purchases the necessary supplies for the hotel.  She is an active worker
in the Presbyterian Church.
  In politics Mr. Lake adheres to the creed of his father, and his work
for the success of the party has been frequently recognized in his being
elected to various important offices.  The first nomination which he was
prevailed upon to accept was that of candidate to the legislature in 1882.
He was duly elected and served most satisfactorily for three terms, and
in 1888 was nominated for sheriff.  There were eight candidates and he
received a majority-vote of forty-eight over all the others, but at the
ensuing election he was defeated by about one hundred votes.  In 1891
he was again nominated for the same position and received ninety-two of
the one hundred and five votes of delegates, thus making it practically
unanimous, as many of the other votes were complimentary to a favorite
aspirant for the office.  In former elections he had taken no active
part, but this time worked with his friends and was elected by a large
majority, and held the place for a term of three years.  Fraternally he
is a member of Lackatong Lodge No. 94, I. O. O. F.