My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM WARREN WRIGHT, the station agent at Preble of the Syracuse, Binghamton & New York R. R., and also the leading dealer in flour, feed, coal and cement, is a son of Joshua and Rebecca A. (West) Wright, and was born in Preble March 31, 1845. His great-grandfather, with two of his brothers, came from Great Britain to America, and settled in the valley of the Hudson prior to the Revolutionary War.

Jacob Henry Wright, our subject’s grandfather, was born near the Hudson; from there removed to Cayuga County near the village of Moravia, and later in life went to Preble, where he died in 1849. He was engaged all his life in the tillage of the soil. His wife’s maiden name was Armstrong, and they had four sons: Smith, Henry, Thomas and Joshua; and two daughters.

Joshua Wright, the father, was born in the town of Windham, near Catskill on the Hudson, August 13, 1813, and came with the family first to Moravia, then to Preble, where he passed to his eternal rest May 20, 1892. He was an agriculturist until 1854, when he engaged in railroading, being a foreman in charge of a number of men employed in grading the road, and later was track foreman; he graded the Central R. R. and helped widen the Erie Canal. Fifteen years previous to his death he was compelled to retire from active work on account of failing health. He was a warm Democrat, but never allowed his name to be used for office. He was a zealous and consistent member of the Christian Church. He was married to Rebecca A. West, who was born in June, 1813, and who is still living, at the age of eighty-five years, a remarkably active woman. Five children were born to them and grew to adult age: Smith S., a farmer of Preble; Eleanor, deceased, was the wife of Joseph E. Thorn; William Warren, our subject; Mary E. of Preble; and Austin L. of Little York, town of Homer.

William Warren Wright was educated in the district schools. After attaining his majority he embarked in the railroad business, spending one year in charge of the station at Preble; he then went to Albany, where he was employed as clerk in the Dunlap House for six months; was employed by the Union Bridge Co. at Union Depot, Albany, for one year and one-half; and was then offered the position of station agent at Preble by the Syracuse, Binghamton & New York R. R., taking charge there November 15, 1869, everything being under his control. In spite of the fact that his time is well employed in such duties as fall to the lot of a station agent, he still operates a feed store, where he handles flour, feed, coal and cement, and enjoys a large and growing patronage.

Mr. Wright has always been a strong Democrat and a Free-Silver man. He has filled nearly all the town offices within the gift of the people. He was supervisor for three years, and overseer of poor, auditor and justice of the peace for seven years. He was a candidate for Assemblyman, but was defeated, owing to the district being so strongly Republican; he made a splendid fight, and ran away ahead of his ticket. He is a member of Homer Lodge, No. 352, F. & A. M.; Washington Chapter No. 49, R. A. M., of Homer; and Cortland Commandery No. 50, K. T.

Our subject was married to Lucinda Lampman, daughter of Benjamin Lampman, of Saint Johnsville, Montgomery County, N. Y., and their union has been blessed with five children: Rebecca, who died in infancy; George W., a farmer of Preble, who married Mary L. Williams; Charles S., a graduate of Cortland State Normal School, now teaching at Mecklenburg, Schuyler County, N. Y.; Lena R., who is teaching in the village school of Preble; and William Warren, Jr., a teacher in District No. 3, Preble township.