John Wright
“John Wright, Noble Township, was born in England Sept. 16,
1830. His parents were William
and Elizabeth Wright. His father
was born in Derbyshire, England, where or near where he has always lived, and
is now living at the advanced age of 86 years. He has long been a member of the Church of England, and in politics is a Whig. Mr. Wright’s mother died in 1842
… // Mr. Wright landed in New York City, and, after remaining there a few days,
came west to Shelby Co. and went to work for William Wright for $9 a month for
eight months, then worked about from place to place, until he bought 140 acres
of his own, and worked after that on it more or less until he married, which
event took place on the 10th of August, 1852, when he was united to
Miss Ann Ridlen, in Decatur Co., and they commenced life in
earnest. The tract of land, which he
owned, was new, but by constant effort they have made from it their present
handsome farm and home. Mr. and Mrs.
Wright have had eight children – William W., Mary E., Thomas G.,
Charles S., Sarah E. (deceased), Orpha, Flora (deceased)
and George C. Mrs. Wright is a
member of the United Brethren Church. She has a happy faculty of making her home pleasant, and is well-fitted
to the duties of a wife and mother. // Mr. Wright and his brother George are at
present the only members of their family living in this country, all the rest
being in England. They have both
prospered in this, the land of their adoption, and are ranked as among the best
and wealthiest farmers in Shelby Co. Politically the subject of this sketch is a Democrat.”
Submitted by Don T. Mitchell,
whose aunt-by-marriage, Charity Ann ‘Chat’ (Cuskaden) Mitchell, was a
granddaughter of John & Ann (Ridlen) Wright
Atlas of Shelby Co., published 1880, page 104
Biography Index
Main Page