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 OSEPH S. WRIGHT, a farmer and one of the
leading citizens of Ashmore Township, was
born May 14, 1831, in Butler County, Ohio.
He is the son of Robert and Catherine
(Mell) Wright, the former a native of Kentucky,
and the latter of Virginia. Robert Wright was
born Feb. 2, 1798, in Bracken County, Ky., and
was a cooper by trade. He came to this State in
1851, settling in Coles County, where his death
occurred the following October. His wife, who was
born in 1806, died eight days previous to her husband. They were members of the Methodist
Church, and he was for many years a Class-Leader.
Eleven children were born to them, whose names
are as follows: John, Joseph S., Elizabeth M.,
Catherine J., Robert, Sarah H., Patience A., George
W., Wesley, Emma and William. Joseph Wright came to Illinois in 1851, where his marriage to Miss Diadamia P. Brooks took place Feb. 7, 1856. She is the daughter of Archibald and Nancy (Powell) Brooks, and was born in Illinois, Feb. 29, 1836. Her parents were natives of Ohio. On his arrival in this township Joseph was engaged for two years in farming by the month, and also found employment at the carpenter’s trade, in which he was very skillful. He succeeded so well in business, that in 1870 he was enabled to purchase a farm of forty acres, which he cultivated and improved, and subsequently added twenty more. He had received an excellent education, and taught school for two years. He is much interested in educational affairs, and was for many years School Trustee, and is now Treasurer, having served as Supervisor of the township two terms, and acted as Chairman of the Board for some time. Since 1864 he has held the office of Justice of the Peace, and his decisions have never been reversed when carried to the higher courts. He is a man possessing great executive ability, good judgment and tact, and has faithfully discharged all the duties committed to his trust. Our subject and wife became the parents of the following children: Charles A. married Miss Martha E. Wicker, who died leaving one child, Tenie O.; Mary H., deceased, formerly the wife of John A. Frazer; George A., deceased; Benjamin A. and Stephen A. His sons are all teachers. Mr. Wright has been for many years a member, and one of the Elders of the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is an ardent supporter of the Republican party. |
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