Wright, John A.

WRIGHT, CLOW, BLACK

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 4/26/2007 at 16:37:53

John A. Wright, Oldest Maquoketan, Pens Autobiography on Eighty-ninth birthday.
John A. Wright, believed to be Maquoketa's oldest resident, quietly observed his 89th birthday anniversary Thursday. Mr. Wright, who makes his home with Mr. and Mrs. Carlyle Bowman on South Niagara Street, enjoys a daily walk downtown.
Mr. Wright recently wrote an autobiography which follows:
"I was born on September 11, 1852, near Wisbeach, England, the son of Thomas Wright and Susanna Clow.
In the fall of 1853, we sailed for America but after being at sea for nine weeks the ship sprung a leak and we were obliged to return to Liverpool. The men passengers assembled themselves in groups and worked the pumps constantly to keep the ship from sinking.
We remained in England for two years after that and then in 1855 again set sail for America. We landed in New York six weeks after leaving and then took the train to Galena, Illinois, which was the end of the tracks. We then drove by team to the home of my uncle, William Clow, at Otter Creek where we stayed for some time.
Father worked at anything he could get to do, but the struggle to make a living for a rapidly growing family was a hard task. I can assure you that we did not have many luxuries as Father had money only as he earned it and was $40.00 in debt besides.
I, being the oldest boy, was put to work at a very early age. When 9 years old I plowed the field with an ox team. I was so small that I could not guide the plow by the handles but held it by the rung between the handles. While I was plowing, Father was working by the day to support the family.
About the close of the Civil War, brother William and I had become quite a help on the farm. We now had horse teams and were farming on quite a large farm.
In 1869, the family moved to Linn County, Iowa, where Father had bought 160 acres of prairie land. We all worked and in a few years were able to purchase another 160 acres that adjoined our first farm, thus giving us a 320 acre farm.
On April 2, 1874, I married Lola M. Black, daughter of John and Susan Black, of Jackson County, Iowa. Two children were born to us, namely, Lillian L., who was born January 29, 1875, and died September 1, 1875, and Howard H., born April 4, 1876.
After Howard finished his education he worked with me in the grocery store. He married Minnie Glaser on March 29, 1899, and two children were born to them, Johnny E. and Wilma E. (now Mrs. Carlyle Bowman). After his marriage he took over one of our stores for several years until his health failed and he was obliged to retire from the store work. In 1933, I closed out the grocery store and retired.
Howard died on June 28, 1934, and my wife on July 6, 1934. Besides the two grandchildren mentioned above, I have two great-grandchildren, Doris Jeanne and Charles Carlyle Bowman."
(Jackson Sentinel, September 12, 1941.)

Gravestone photograph
 

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