ALFRED WRIGHT, b 7 Jul 1805

WRIGHT, SMEAD, BENTLY, VAUGHAN, CURRIER, PIKE

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 2/28/2005 at 18:22:39

Alfred Wright, an honored pioneer of Jackson County, was for many years extensively identified with its agricultural interests, and subsequently with its manufacturing industries, as proprietor and manager of the Eagle woolen mills in Maquoketa, and he has been a prominent factor in bringing about the present prosperous condition of the city and county. He retired from active business ten years ago; having accumulated a competency, and desiring to have more leisure and freedom from care, in order to enjoy more fully the attractions of his pleasant fireside in his cosy home in Maquoketa.

He is a native of Bolton, Warren Co., N.Y., and was born July 7, 1805. His parents were Thomas Miles and Eliza (Smead) Wright; for whose history see sketch of S.S. Wright. He was reared in his native town, and as soon as large enough to make himself useful assisted his father in the lumber regions, his father being an extensive manufacturer and dealer in lumber, buying the timber standing in the primeval forests of New York State, and, after sawing it, shipping the greater part of it to Albany, by the way of Lake Champlain, Champlain Canal, and the Hudson River. When our subject was twenty-two years old he rented land and established himself as a farmer. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits the ensuing four years, and then he and his brother Thomas went into the lumber business together, and he also branched out into other enterprises, buying an interest in a woolen-mill and building a forge and foundry. He carried on these various enterprises very successfully, and became one of the leading business men of the place, residing there until 1841. In that year he closed up his affairs in the East, having resolved to try life in the territory of Iowa, which but a few years before had begun to attract attention of all classes of people as a country that, from its situation, climate, and various other advantages, was bound some day to become one of the greatest States of the Union; and, therefore, a desirable place for young men of energy and enterprise to locate in. Accompanied by his wife and children, he made the entire journey with a team, and was forty-four days on the road. After his arrival in Maquoketa he entered a tract of Government land, built a log house for the shelter of his family, and at once commenced to improve a farm from the wild prairies. The country round about was still in a primitive condition - Indians still making it their home; and deer, wolves, wild turkey, and other game in abundance. The nearest market for a time was Bellevue, and the nearest flour-mill was at Dubuque. Mr. Wright continued to busy himself in reclaiming his land and cultivating it until 1862, when he left his son in charge and came to Maquoketa to manage the Eagle woolen-mills, which he had previously purchased. He operated the mills seventeen years with great financial success, and at the expiration of that time was enabled to sell out his business and retire to private life, as before mentioned.

Mr. Wright has been twice married. He was first wedded in March, 1826, to Miss Polly Bently, a native of Queensbury, Warren Co., N.Y., and a daughter of Richard and Dinah (Vaughan) Bently. In the month of February, 1878, she passed to eternal rest, after a happy wedded life of unusual duration, extending over a period of fifty-two years. Four children had been born to her and her husband, three of whom are living, as follows: Richard M. lives in Clinton County, near his father's old homestead; John R. lives on his father's farm, in Jackson County; Emily J. is the wife of Jehiel Currier, of Maquoketa. Our subject was a second time married, taking for his wife Mrs. Jane (Bently) Pike, sister of his first wife. She is a most estimable woman, and is devoted to her husband's comfort. She is also a native of New York State. Her father, Richard Bently, was born in Rhode Island, and in early manhood became a pioneer of Warren County, N.Y., buying a tract of timbered land, clearing a farm from the wilderness, and residing on it until his death. His wife was likewise a native of Rhode Island, and was a daughter of David and Hannah Vaughan, natives of that State.

After coming to Maquoketa, Mr. Wright identified himself completely with its interests, and, by the excellent judgment and push that he displayed in the management of his business, gave its manufacturing industries an impetus that had a lasting effect, and has been a benefit to the city. His business career marked him as a man of sound sense, tact, and good executive ability, and placed him among the solid, reliable, citizens of this municipality. In politics, he has always been faithful to the Republican party.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)