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James K. Wright
(Reprinted from Willard Tucker's History of Gratiot County)
One of the ablest and most popular attorneys of Gratiot County since it
first became an organized municipality the name of James K. Wright. of
St. Louis, takes a position among the foremost. As a matter of fact he
is also the oldest of the legal fraternity now in active practice in the
County; oldest not necessarily in years, but oldest in the sense of having
been the earliest in establishing himself in the county as a practitioner
at the bar. He was born March 3, 1844, in Parma. Jackson County. Mich.
His father, Deotatus E. Wright was born in Williamston, Mass. April 27,
1812, just one hundred years, to a day, previous to the writing of this
sketch. While a youth he accompanied his parents to Wayne County, N. Y.
where he grew to manhood, and where. on the 26th day of October, 1836,
he was united in marriage to Miss Sarena Fox, a native of Wayne County
N. Y.
In 1837 Deotatus and Sarena Wright removed to, Parma, Jackson County.
Mich., where they settled upon a farm. and where they remained until their
deaths many years afterwards. They were the parents of nine children besides
the subject of this sketch — Nathan E.. Aciel F, Albert L., Smith W.,
Philo D., L. T., Charlotte E., Hanna and Ida.
The education of James K. Wright was begun in the common school of his
district, and was completed at Albion College. After finishing school
he taught two terms in what is known as the Wright district, in Pine River
Township, this County. After finishing his school work he commenced reading
law in the office of Thomas G. Pray, at Albion, and after four years of
this preparatory work he was admitted to the bar at Jackson, Mich, September
25, 1867.
December 29, 1867, Mr. Wright opened a law office at St. Louis, this county,
and has there been in the active practice of his profession until the
present time, with the exception of about ten years when he was connected
with the United States Land Office, at Grayling, Mich. In l888 he removed
to Grayling to take charge of the U: S. Land Office as register. Subsequently
he was appointed receiver of the said office. He continued in the active
practice of law in addition to his management of the land office. He returned
to St. Louis in 1898 and resumed his legal practice there.
Mr Wright was married February 1, 1869 to Miss Lorida Housman, of Parma,
Mich. She died at St. Louis March 10, 1883. Mr Wright was married again,
November 12, 1884, to Carrie E. Reed, of Chicago, Ill, whose birthplace
was Syracuse, N. Y. A daughter — Florence has been born to this union.
She is now a teacher in the High School of her home city, St. Louis.
Mr. Wright has been admitted to practice law in the Supreme Court of this
state as well as in all of the United States courts. In politics he is
a Democrat of the old school; has been a Democrat ever since he became
a voter. Unfortunately his party has been in the minority a great share
of his adult life. Yet he has been honored with official positions frequently,
a fact attesting his worth and ability, and his popularity even in the
Republican strongholds. He was the first clerk of the Village of St. Louis.
and was re-electecl in 1869 and '70. In 1869 he was elected supervisor
of Pine River Township. He was elected prosecuting attorney of the county
in 1870, '74 and '82, also was elected circuit court commissioner two
terms. In 1888 he was appointed register of the United States Land Office
at Grayling, and in 1893 he was appointed to the position of receiver
at that office, serving in that capacity until April, 1897. He was for
many years and is now a valued member of the St. Louis Board of Education.
Mr. Wright is still hale and hearty, and in his own language "is
doing his level best to promote the latest interests of the Democratic
party," of which he has so long been an active and loyal adherent.
He is a member of the Democratic State Central Committee. In these later
years he is taking a great deal of pleasure in superintending his well-cultivated
farm located near St. Louis. His success in life. politically and financially,
may properly be attributed to his dominant characteristic traits — perseverance,
energy and good business judgment. He and his estimable wife and daughter
are enjoying the best things in life in their comfortable home [ed note
- shown below ] on Washington Avenue, west, a home to which they are all
very much devoted, and where they take great pleasure in entertaining
their many friends.
The
Boyd House
Donald Boyd and his wife, Margaret "Peggy" Boyd presently reside
in this beautiful home. At one time the home was owned by the Methodist
Congregation, and many ministers used the manse as their home.
Last Updated July 1, 2008