The first to make a settlement within the territory now embraced in the township of Wrights, was William Waltrip, who came here in 1819, and located on the north of Apple Creek, on the southwest quarter of section 18. A sketch of this pioneer is appended.

WILLIAM WALTRIP was the first settler of what is now Wrights township, locating on the north side of Apple creek, on the southwest quarter of section 18, in Dec. 1819. In October of that year he left Kentucky, in company with his and several other families, with the intention of locating in Missouri, where one of his brother's had gone the previous year. But on crossing the river at Smeltzer's ferry, and going to St. Charles, they met his brother returning to Kentucky. They then returned to the neighborhood of Edwardsville, Ill., where the family were left until a location could be decided on. Mr. Waltrip and his brother, Luke, came up into Greene county, and selected the location previously described on section 18, in this township. They then returned to Edwardsville for their families, and arrived at the place selected, in Dec. 1819. There were about 20 of them, and they passed the winter in a camp, which the men had arranged, their food consisting principally of venison and corn bread. The following spring a clearing was made, and quite a crop of corn was raised that year. They remained here until the spring of 1823, when they removed to the northeast quarter of section 31, and made a settlement, where they remained many years. Mr. Waltrip was born in Halifax county, VA., Aug. 1, 1776, and was a son of Luke and Mary (Bunton) Waltrip, also natives of that state. He was married Dec. 27, 1802, to Elizabeth Thaxton, a daughter of William and Sarah (Gravitt) Thaxton, natives of Virginia. In 1803, they removed to Kentucky, where they remained until coming to this country. They were the parents of 10 children - Bird, Sarah, Michael, Mary, William G., Martha, Eliza, Luke, Lucretia and Wilson. Mr. Waltrip died Feb. 28, 1850, and Mrs. Waltrip, Aug. 23, 1855.

WILLIAM G. WALTRIP, son of William and Elizabeth (Thaxton) Waltrip, was born in Kentucky, Aug. 5, 1814. He came with his parents to this county in 1819, where he has since resided, being a resident of the town of Wrightsville. He was married July 20, 1841, to Mary Heater, a native of this county, born Dec. 24, 1824, and a daughter of David and Mary (Reeder) Heater, natives of Ohio. They resided near White Hall where her father died in May, 1827, her mother surviving him until July 23, 18934, when she too passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Waltrip are the parents of 10 children - William D., deceased; Emily J., Angeline, Elsa A., deceased; Leo, deceased; John L., deceased; Luke, deceased; Howard, deceased; and two who died in infancy. Mrs. Waltrip died Aug. 15, 1877. Mr. Waltrip was again married Nov. 7, 1878, to Susan Ogle, a daughter of Benjamin and Hannah (Hill) Ogle, natives of Tennessee. They came to this county in 1818, settling on the Macoupin creek, two miles southwest of Carrollton. Two years later they purchased a farm, three miles and half north of Carrollton, where they passed the remainder of their days, Mr. Ogle dying in 1864, and Mrs. Ogle in 1872. Mr. Waltrip has a farm of 64 acres. He was reared in this county and has spent nearly his entire life here, and is now spending his remaining days in contentment in the village of Wrightsville.