William Wright 1826-1901

WRIGHT, GRANDY, SWARTZ

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 7/28/2018 at 07:50:44

13 June 1901 - West Branch Times

William Wright died at his residence on Poplar street about 11 a.m. last Saturday, after a very short illness, quietly sleeping away his last remaining moments on earth. Many people did not know of his illness; a severe chill had confined him to the house but a few hours.

He was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, January 14, 1826, having reached the green old age of 75 years, 4 months and 24 days. As a boy he learned the trade of a blacksmith, which occupation he engaged in at various places in Pennsylvania, Illinois and Iowa for thirty years. He wrought with skill and was a first-class workman in iron.

September 23, 1860, he was married at Muscatine to Mary J. Grandy, who survives him. To them six children have been born: Charles, Ella, Frank, Etta, Byron and Harry. Ella and Harry died in infancy. Charles is a railway agent at Fingal, North Dakota; Frank was in Minnesota when last heard from; Etta is the wife of A. L. Swartz of West Branch, and Byron is a young man yet at home.

Mr. Wright came to West Branch in 1866 and established a blacksmith shop on the lot now occupied by Bracken Negus' dwelling, corner of Main and Poplar streets. Here he pursued his calling until 1875, when he sold out to Enoch Langstaff and engaged in the boot and shoe business, harness business and other lines of trade with varying success. He spent several years in Plymouth county, returning to West Branch to end his days. For many years he has pursued a life of retirement from active business.

On the 9th day of April, 1847, he enlisted as a private in the 15th regiment of United States infantry to serve during the war with Mexico. He was honorably discharged from the same August 5, 1848, at Camp Butler, near Cincinnati, by reason of the expiration of his term of service. For some years he has drawn a pension as a veteran of the Mexican war.

"Uncle Billy" was one of those rugged human oaks whose worst side is out. Although gruff in demeanor and often thoughtless in speech, he had within his breast a great heart; through which coursed the warm, rich blood that is often denominated the milk of human kindness. There was no service too menial to perform for any representative of the human race. He wept with those who wept; rejoiced with those who rejoiced, and in every affair of life was either positive or negative--never indifferent. Though his hand might strike the blow that felled a brother to the earth, it was the first one extended to lift him up. Let us forget his frailties and foibles whatever they many have been and not withhold from his memory the praise that his virtues claim.

The funeral was held Monday afternoon from the Methodist Episcopal church, of which the deceased was a member, conducted by his pastor Rev. R. W. Coates. All that was mortal of the departed friend was tenderly borne to the tomb by a detachment of Noel Morrison Post, No. 219, G.A.R., acting as pallbearers. The interment was made in the West Branch cemetery.