My Genealogy Hound

Gabriel N. Wright, of the firm of W. A. Bright & Co., planters, ginners and millers, was born in Paudling County, Ga., in 1835, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Goddard) Wright, natives of South Carolina and Georgia, respectively. They were married in the latter State, and there passed the remainder of their lives, the father being drowned when our subject was an infant. He was a farmer by occupation. Gabriel Wright, the grandfather, was born in South Carolina, and was a soldier in the Revolution. He was a descendant of a prominent Quaker family, whose many offsprings are now living in various States. The great-grandfather of our subject came to America from England, in an early day, and settled at Charleston. Mrs. Wright was married to Howard Barbara after the death of her first husband. Gabriel N. lived with his mother and step-father until about six years old, and then with his grandmother and step-grandfather until sixteen, receiving but a limited education, and then passed four years learning the bricklayer’s and contractor’s trade. He followed the above business with remarkable success until a few years ago, having erected many prominent buildings in Arkansas, such as the university building at Fayetteville, store buildings in Fort Smith, and the Presbyterian Church at that place, which was his last work in that line. He has also built many public buildings in Georgia and Alabama, among which are the college building at Jacksonville, Ala., and court-house at Gadsden, Ala. He began life for himself a poor boy, and at three different times met with severe losses, but by perseverance and industry has now become a wealthy citizen. His cotton-gin has a capacity of sixteen bales per day, and he and W. A. Bright own 1,000 acres of bottom land, about 500 being under cultivation, making this place one of the best farms in the county. During the war he did not go upon the battle-field, but served his country by being engaged in nitre and mining works. He had a contract to furnish the Confederate army with nitre and potash, and his works were located in various parts of Georgia and Alabama. In 1865 he was captured in Alabama, but was paroled the next day. At the commencement of the war he assisted in raising two military companies for service, and was tendered the position of adjutant, but found his services would be more valuable at home. In 1860 he married Martha R. Woodruff, a native of Georgia, whose parents were from North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Wright have had seven children, five of whom are living, and have received a good education. From 1870 until 1877 Mr. Wright lived at Fort Smith, and then removed to a store of his in the country, thus laying the foundation for the town of Levaca. There he engaged in farming, merchandising and milling until 1885, when he established the above described business in River Township. He has taken all the degrees in the Masonic fraternity, having been a member since twenty-one years old, and is also a member of the K. of H. Himself and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He has always been a Democrat, and his first presidential vote was cast for Buchanan.