Hon. George F. Wright

WRIGHT, BROOKS

Posted By: Fran Hunt, Volunteer
Date: 10/6/2001 at 10:05:36

From the Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties – 1890
HON. GEORGE F. WRIGHT
Hon. George F. Wright, one of the prominent men of Keosauqua, Van Buren County, Iowa, now a prominent attorney of Council Bluffs, Iowa, is a native of Warren Washington County Pennsylvania, born December 5, 1833. His father, Franklin A. Wright, of English descent was a farmer by occupation and a man of decided character, who exerted a great influence in his community.
George received a good academic education, and designed to pursue a collegiate course. At the age of seventeen he engaged in teaching, continuing that occupation four years; at the expiration of that time, in the spring of 1855, Mr. Wright settled in Keosauqua, Van Buren County, and began the study of law in the office of Messrs. Knapp & Wright; was admitted to the bar in 1856, becoming a partner in the firm with whom he studies; continuing in practice in Keosauqua until 1868 with good success. Mr. Wright then removed to Council Bluffs, his present home, and resumed the practice of his profession with Judge Caleb Baldwin. During the partnership they acted as attorneys for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, also for the Burlington and Missouri and the Union Pacific Railroad.
His fellow citizens seeing in Mr. Wright peculiar fitness for official position, have honored him with responsible trusts. While a resident of Keosauqua he was solicited to become a candidate for the Legislature, but declined on account of pressing engagements. In 1874 he was elected to represent in the State Senate the district comprising Mills and Pottawattamie Counties for four years. In public enterprises he has always been active, and while in the state Senate he acted a prominent part. During the Civil War he rendered very efficient service to the State in raising troops, and through his efforts the necessity of a draft in Van Buren County was avoided. Upon the first call for volunteers by President Lincoln, he was commissioned by Gov. Kirkwood, and raising a company, repaired to the rendezvous, but the call being filled the company disbanded.
Personally, Mr. Wright is a man of sterling qualities, and possesses a wide range of experience. He was married in 1865, to Miss Ellen E. Brooks, of Northfield Vermont, and by that union, was blessed, with two sons and two daughters.
I am not related, and am only copying this for the information of those who might find this person in their family.