My Genealogy Hound

AMOS WRIGHT. The name of Amos Wright is inseparably connected with the business history of Neosho Falls for he is a very prominent factor in the industrial and commercial activity of the city, and his life history cannot fail to prove of interest as he is numbered among the class of honored self-made men who owe their prosperity and advancement entirely to their own efforts. His record should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others showing, as it does, what may be accomplished through determined effort, resolute will and sound business judgment.

Mr. Wright was born on the 29th of March, 1852, in Illinois, and is a son of Amos and Sarah Wright. The father died during the early boyhood of our subject, who was the ninth in a family of eleven children. He remained at home with his mother and assisted in providing for her support as well as his own. They lived upon a farm, where the children were reared, and owing to the limited family finances which necessitated his remaining upon the farm, Amos Wright of this review had but limited school privileges. In 1869 he became a resident of Kansas, locating near Iola, in Allen County. His mother died December 26, 1899, at the age of eighty-eight years.

On the 1st of July, 1875, Mr. Wright was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Roush, a native of Indiana, and they began their domestic life upon a rented farm, our subject continuing to operate rented land until 1890, when with capital acquired through his industry and economy he purchased one hundred and twenty acres. In 1895, however, he sold that property and came to Neosho Falls, where he built a saw-mill and began the manufacture of lumber. Subsequently he established a cider mill and molasses factory, both of which he still operates, doing therein a business amounting to six thousand dollars annually. In July, 1900, he established his lumber yard with a stock worth eight thousand dollars, and now has one of the best equipped yards in Woodson County, having large sheds and a fine office and all modern accessories for carrying on the enterprise. During the first six months his sales amounted to eight thousand dollars and his patronage is constantly increasing. Mr. Wright is certainly a man of very resourceful business ability, for in addition to the concerns already mentioned he is conducting a large farm, raising, hogs, cattle, corn, wheat and oats on an extensive scale.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wright have been born three children, all residents of Neosho Falls: Robert A., Sarah E., wife of Frank L. Best, and William H. The sons are also married. The members of the family are well known, and highly esteemed. In his political affiliations Mr. Wright has always been a Republican and has served as township clerk, but the honors and emoluments of office have had little attraction for him. He is identified with a number of civic societies, including the Masonic, the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He certainly deserves great credit for what he has accomplished, and his worth as a man and citizen are widely acknowledged.