WRIGHT, ANDREW. - To successfully carry on any line of business requires natural ability and persistent effort and perhaps the reason so many of the Cass County farmers are prosperous is because they possess just these qualities. One of them, who, in the days when he was an active farmer, made his name known among the progressive agriculturalists of this region, is Andrew Wright of township 17, range 9. He was born near Belfast, Ireland, August 21, 1843, a son of James and Bertha Ann (McConkey) Wright, both of whom died in Ireland.

Andrew Wright attended the common schools of his native place. In 1865 he came to the United States landing at Philadelphia, where he remained for four years, during that time being engaged as a teamster. He then came to Morgan County, Ill., and lived at Alexander for nine years, carrying on agricultural operations, and following this came to Cass County, renting the farm he now owns. After seven years he bought it, the property comprising 205 acres, all of which he has improved. On this he carried on stock raising and general farming until his retirement in 1910. Since then his son, Joseph A. Wright, has conducted the homestead.

While living at Alexander, Ill., Mr. Wright married Sarah Baxter, born near Belfast, Ireland, where her parents died. She came to Morgan County in 1868, accompanying her brother Henry Baxter. Mr. and Mrs. Wright have had the following children: James W., who is of Vincennes, Ind.; Leonard, who is of Philadelphia, Ill.; Thomas H. and Joseph A., both of whom are at home; Nathaniel, who is of Cass County; and Mamie, who is Mrs. Jesse McNiel of Philadelphia, Ill. Mr. Wright is a Presbyterian. In politics he is a Republican, and served many years as a district road commissioner and as school director, discharging the duties of these offices competently and conscientiously.