WRIGHT, Wray

WRIGHT, SHIPMAN, WILDY, ZONES, CANTON

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/9/2009 at 17:08:47

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

WRAY WRIGHT.

Throughout the greater part of the period of his majority Wray Wright has been a resident of Cherokee county, his home now being on section 9, Willow township, where he is engaged in general agricultural pursuits. He was born in Dublin, near Columbus, Ohio, June 15, 1859, and is a son of Ellis and Savila (Shipman) Wright, both of whom were natives of Ohio, in which state they lived until 1869. In that year the father took his family to Benton county, Iowa, and purchased land which he cultivated and improved until 1883. He then came to Cherokee county and purchased land in Rock township. This he at once began to develop and cultivate, continuing active in the work of the farm until 1894, when he sold that property and retired from business life. He took up his abode in Quimby, where he still makes his home at the age of eightysix years, but in 1909 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away at the age of seventyeight years.

At the usual age Wray Wright became a pupil in the public schools of Ohio and after coming to Iowa continued his studies in Benton county and completed his course at Vinton, Iowa. When not busy with his textbooks his time and attention were given to the work of the farm, and he remained upon the old homestead until he attained his majority. He subsequently came to Cherokee county and assisted his father in improving his place. Later Wray Wright started out in life independently, renting a farm in Rock township which he operated for eighteen years. During that period he carefully saved his earnings and at length was able to purchase land. He has since owned several farms and in 1901 purchased the place of two hundred and forty acres on section 9, Willow township, which he has recently sold. He has added many improvements to the farm, which is most carefully and systematically cultivated. He practices the rotation of crops and other modern methods which add to the productiveness of the soil so that he annually gathers good harvests. He raises fullblooded Duroc Jersey hogs and is an extensive stockfeeder, feeding from three to ten carloads of cattle each year. Thus dealing extensively in hogs and cattle, he derives therefrom a substantial annual income.

On the 14th of November, 1882, Mr. Wright was united in marriage to Miss Lena Wildy, a daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Wildy. Unto them have been born seven children: Ethel, who became the wife of Abe Gladwell and died in March, 1911; Lizzie, who died in 1884; Clifford, twentyseven years of age who follows farming in Willow township; Cora, the wife of W. S. Zones, a farmer in Silver township; Vernie, the wife of John Canton, a farmer in Silver township; and Irwin and Dale, both at home. Mr. Wright holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias. He is serving as treasurer of this school district but has never had an ambition for political office. His religious faith is evidenced in his membership in the Methodist church, to the teachings of which he is most loyal. Much of his life has been spent in this county and the fact that many of his warmest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood indicates that his record is an honorable one.