Wright, General Ed (1827-1895)

WRIGHT, THOMPSON

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/26/2009 at 23:27:47

Des Moines Register, December 6, 1895

DEATH OF GEN. ED WRIGHT

After Four Months of Suffering the Grand Old Man Passed Away at 2:25 This Morning.

A Blow to Des Moines and the State in Which He Was Loved and Honored by All Who Knew Him.

Soldier and Statesman-His Life Given to the Public-A Long Life of Good Deeds Brought to a Sad End.

After an illness of over four months General Ed Wright, for many years a prominent citizen of Des Moines and of the state of Iowa, died this morning at 2:25. He has suffered a great deal but bore it all with the fortitude that was only one of the many strong traits in his extraordinary make up. About a month ago he recovered sufficiently to be able to be out of doors in his carriage, but a short time later he lost what little he had gained and from then on until death relieved him this morning he was confined to his home. He has been on the point of death for some time past and his children, relatives and friends have feared each day that it would be his last. Last evening he had a sinking spell shortly after sundown and from then on he gradually lost his strength until finally all that was mortal of the grand old man gave up the fight against the greatest of unrelenting enemies and succumbed to death.

Gen. Ed Wright was born near Salem, Ohio, June 27, 1827. His ancestors were English Quakers, who settled in the Shenandoah Valley before the Revolution, and in 1820 removed to Ohio. He was educated in the common schools and in the academy at Atwater, Portage County, Ohio. On the 23rd of March, 1848, he was married to Miss Martha Thompson of Ohio. In 1852 he removed to Cedar County, Iowa. He helped to organize the Republican Party, and in 1856 was elected to the General Assembly and twice re-elected. He entered the war as a major of the Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry, received his commission September 18, 1862. He served in the Mississippi Valley at Vicksburg and the Red River Expedition. He was mustered out at Savannah, July, 1865. He was twice wounded at Champion Hills and at Cedar Creek. On the 13th day of March he was brevetted brigadier general in recognition of his valiant services. After the war he returned to his farm, but was elected to the legislature and made speaker of the Eleventh General Assembly. In 1866 he was elected Secretary of State, serving in all six years, or three terms, in that capacity. In 1873, when the new state house was commenced, he was elected Secretary of the Capitol Commission and also Assistant Superintendent of Construction. He served throughout the era of construction with fidelity and ability and much of the credit for that structure is due to him. When the Capitol Commission was abolished he was made custodian of public buildings and property of the state, which he held until Horace Boies was elected governor, who appointed a democrat in his stead. His services have been appreciated and he has had the good will of all classes of people. Two years ago he was made a member of the Des Moines city board of public works, an office he held until his sickness. Before that he had superintended the improvement of the State House grounds, having practical charge of the expenditure of $125,000. He was a charter member of the Kinsman Post, Grand Army of the Republic, in East Des Moines.

General Wright leaves two daughters, Miss Flora, who has been with him all her life, and Mrs. Cleveland, who has been with him the past year, a brother in Ohio, two brothers in Colorado, and a sister in Colorado. His good wife died many years ago.

The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon.

Ed Wright Grave
 

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