My Genealogy Hound

SAMUEL H. WRIGHT. Although Samuel H. Wright was a resident of Kansas but a brief period, he was rich in the qualities which in every land and every clime command respect and confidence and was, therefore, not long in winning the high regard of his fellow townsmen, so that his death came as a loss to the entire community. He was earnest and zealous in his support of every measure which he believed would prove of public benefit, and his life, ever honorable and upright, was an incentive for good to the young, an inspiration to his associates and people of mature years.

Mr. Wright was a native of the state of New York, born in Ontario county on the 9th of December, 1817. His father, Samuel Wright, sr. was born 1794 in Columbia county, N. Y., and was a descendant of the colonial Wrights who came to America to establish homes prior to the war of the Revolution, and who, throughout the early history of our country took an active part in its development. In the county of his nativity the subject of this review was reared, there remaining until 1836, when he went to LaGrange county, Indiana, where he made his home until 1855. This latter year he removed to Jasper county, Iowa, where he maintained his residence till 1891, this year disposing of his property interests and coming to Kansas and settling in Woodson county.

Throughout his entire business career Mr. Wright was identified with agricultural pursuits and while in Iowa he was also connected with the Jasper County bank, at Colfax, and was interested in the creamery there. He was considered one of the best judges of horses and cattle in the state and did much to improve the grade of such stock in that state. For nineteen years he was a director and the president of the Jasper County Agricultural Society and made it a paying institution. On coming to Woodson county he purchased a farm of four hundred acres on the west line of Center township to the supervision of which he devoted his remaining years.

Mr. Wright was twice married. He first wedded Elizabeth Tone, who died in 1844, and in 1858 he married Sarah Newhouse, a daughter of Andrew Newhouse, a native Virginian. Mrs. Wright was born September 28, 1828, and of her parents’ children two survive — Mrs. Mary Coldren, of Topeka, Kansas, and Milton Newhouse, of Lake Charles, La. To Mr. and Mrs. Wright were born the following children, viz.: Mary, wife of S. W. Bayless, of Lake Charles, Louisiana; S. Edward, of Jasper county, Iowa; Ella, of Lake Charles, La., who married Harry Fullington, and Sedgwick M., born December 8, 1868. The last named was married August 25, 1890, to Elma B. Curl and lias two children — Gordon C. and Beatrice M.

It was on the 23d of July, 1899, that Samuel Wright was called to his final rest. He was then in his eighty second year. Death thus brought to a close a long, useful and honorable career. His character was above reproach and his word was as “good as his contract.” In early life he became a member of the Presbyterian church, and the principles of Christianity ever permeated his relations with his fellow men. He contributed liberally to religious work, nor did he neglect his duties of citizenship but loyally supported those public measures which he believed would best promote the welfare of the nation. He kept well informed on political issues and was at one time a candidate on the Greenback ticket for congress, but later became a Republican. He took a commendable pride in his home, desiring that everything around him should be in good order. He was an exemplary citizen, a reliable and progressive business man, a faithful friend and a loving and considerate husband and father. Such a record is better than countless wealth.