My Genealogy Hound

FRANK H. WRIGHT. One of the enterprising, practical and intelligent young farmers of Woodson County is the gentleman whose name begins this review. He was born in Blanchester, Clinton County, O., on the 31st of May, 1866, a son of John M. and Elizabeth (McAdams) Wright, the former a native of the Buckeye state, while the latter was born in Indiana, the father’s death occurred in Ohio, in 1876, when he had attained the age of sixty-three years, nine months and twenty-seven days, but the mother is still living at the age of seventy-seven years, her home being in Morrowtown, O.

Their only child is Frank H. Wright. As his parents were in limited financial resources, he had to begin to earn his own livelihood when ten years of age and has since been dependent entirely upon his own efforts. He worked at whatever he could get to do until fifteen years of age when he entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the millwright’s trade. He had to furnish his own tools and carried the hod for a time in order to get the money with which to make the purchase. Possessing considerable natural mechanical ingenuity and applying himself, closely to his work, he soon mastered the business, became an expert in that line and after two years was made foreman. Since that time he has had no difficulty in commanding good positions and high wages in that line. He has constructed mills in about twenty different states of the Union, including Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Kansas. The last work of the kind which he did was in putting in the machinery of the Iola Brick Plant, No. 2.

Mr. Wright also learned the miller’s trade and at one time was half owner in a large flouring mill in Indiana. In 1890 he came to Kansas and purchased an interest in a mill owned by D. W. Finney, at Neosho Falls, but after a year he sold out and returned to Warsaw, Indiana, where he entered a drafting office. Again in 1893, however, he came to Neosho Falls and operated Colonel Parsons’ mill. He became one of the best draughtsman in that service and commanded large wages, but becoming tired of that life he concluded to try farming, and in 1895 purchased one hundred and thirty-five acres of heavy timber land, three miles above the Falls on the river bank. Not a tree had been cut or a furrow turned at the time he came into possession of the place, but by indefatigable energy and close attention to business, he has transformed the place into one of the best farms in the valley. Already he has cleared one hundred and ten acres which he has under cultivation. He has previously raised corn and potatoes, but now as the stumps have been cleared from many of the fields he will utilize the land for wheat raising. He has employed as many as seventy-five men in a single day in cutting timber and preparing the land for the plow, giving careful direction and supervision to their labors. Many good portions have been offered him in the line of architect work and .setting up machinery, but all of these he has declined, having resolved to give his undivided attention to the work of the farm.

Mr. Wright was married in Marion County, Indiana in 1888, to Miss Eliza Winslow, a native of Grant County, Indiana, and a most estimable lady. Their union has been blessed with one child, Hugh M., born December 23, 1890. In his political views Mr. Wright is a Republican, and while he keeps well informed on the issues of the day he has never been an aspirant for office. His business claims his undivided attention, and his fine farm is a substantial monument of his enterprise and thrift. Few men starting in life at the tender age of ten years and receiving no assistance whatever as the decades have passed have achieved as creditable success as Mr. Wright has done.