My Genealogy Hound

LUTHER CLARK WRIGHT, who is well and favorably known in Northampton as the superintendent of the water works, was born in that place on April 21, 1844, son of Ozro C. and Emeline (Clark) Wright.

Following back the genealogy of the Wright family, the first progenitor in this country has been found in Samuel Wright, who came from England with the first settlers of Dorchester, Mass. He subsequently moved to Springfield, and later, about the year 1656, to Northampton, which has since then been the home of this branch of the family. Of his son, James Wright, and his grandson, Preserved Wright, who are the two next in line, but little is now known except that they followed the avocation of farmer. Ephraim Wright, the son of Preserved Wright, and the great-great-grandfather of Luther Clark Wright, was one of the leading and most influential men of the district in the latter half of the eighteenth century. He took an active part in public affairs, filled various town offices with honor, and was also sent several times to the General Assembly at Boston. He displayed equal zeal in matters pertaining to the church. The home occupied by him was the one established by Samuel Wright, situated just west of the railway crossing on Main Street, near the Sullivan Block. His son, Ephraim Wright, Jr., became the father of Zenas Wright, who was the grandfather of the subject of this biography. He married Miss Martha Clapp, of Westhampton, a daughter of Oliver Clapp. She bore her husband four sons and a daughter, all of whom reached adult life. Of these, Ephraim M., was a graduate of Williams College, became a teacher in Williston Seminary, entered the ministry, and for several years was pastor over the Congregational church of Dayton, Ohio, also preaching at different places in New England. On account of failing health and a bronchial affection he was obliged to leave the ministry, to the regret of his parishioners and friends. After this, for about seven years, he was employed in the custom-house, and for a year acceptably filled the office of Secretary of the State of Massachusetts. Martin went to Illinois when a young man, and there became a wealthy and most successful farmer. Charles C. resided at Agawam, Mass., where he was profitably engaged in agricultural pursuits; and in his official position of County Commissioner he has settled more estates than any other man in Hampden County. The other son was Ozro C., father of Luther Clark Wright. Mary A., the only daughter, is the wife of Charles F. Lyman, of Chicago, who formerly held the position of High Sheriff in Dixon, Ill., but has now retired from active business. She is a graduate of Mount Holyoke Seminary, and previous to her marriage was engaged in teaching. The mother died in 1848, fifty-eight years of age. The father married again and lived until 1861, attaining the age of seventy-six years. Their remains rest in the West Farms cemetery.

Ozro C. Wright settled in early manhood in West Farms, not far from the old homestead. He afterward went to Illinois, where he purchased lands, intending to settle there. His plans were changed, however; and after the death of his father he moved, in 1864, to Northampton Centre. In company with his sons, Silas M. and Luther C., he purchased near Mount Tom a large farm of two hundred acres, which is known as the Asahel Lyman farm. It is now owned by the sons and is managed by Silas M. The father was a man of industrious habits; and, though possessing little cash capital, he became a successful farmer. In 1849, being enthused with the California gold fever, he went thither by way of the Isthmus, and was away from home a year, during which time he met with a fair degree of success in his explorations. While there he was a member of the Holyoke Mining Camp, of whom but two now survive. His wife, Emeline Clark before marriage, was a daughter of Luther and Deborah (Robinson) Clark, of Easthampton; and their marriage occurred on November 1, 1841. She bore him the two sons previously mentioned, Silas M. and Luther Clark; also one daughter, Harriet E., now the wife of John E. Bates.

Luther Clark Wright received his early education in the public schools, supplemented by a course at Williston Seminary. He then engaged in farming until 1884, when he was elected the first Tax Collector of the city of Northampton. He came to the latter place to live in 1864, locating on Fruit Street. He was united in marriage on May 23, 1895, to Mrs. M. R. Kingsley, who was born in Montreal. She had lost her first husband three years after their marriage. At the time of her second union she was Assistant Librarian in the Northampton Public Library, a position she had filled for nine years with satisfaction to its patrons.

Mr. Wright votes in the ranks of the Republican party, of which he is a faithful supporter. He is prominent in city affairs, and was chosen to succeed Mr. Clark as superintendent of the water works, chiefly upon the recommendation of the latter at the time of his resignation. Since then he has amply demonstrated his ability to fulfil the duties of that office. He and his wife, who is a woman of rare intelligence, reside at their fine new residence at 32 Crescent Street.