Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 468
J. H. WRIGHT, pastor of the Christian Church of West Liberty, Iowa, is a native of Morgan County, Ill., born June 1, 1853. He is a son of Andrew and Margaret O. ( Clark ) Wright, the former a native of Sagamon County, Ill., the latter of Christian County, Ky., and a descendant of good old Virginia stock. The paternal grandfather, Isom Wright, who was born in North Carolina, was one of the earliest settlers of Sagamon County, Ill., and during the greater part of his life followed the occupation of farming.

Andrew Wright at an early age of eight years was left an orphan. Thus bereft of the care and protection of kind parents, he was early compelled to begin life's battles for himself. Going to Cass County, Ill., he there served an apprenticeship to the carriage-maker's trade, at which he engaged during the greater part of his active life. He and his wife were the parents of four children : J. H. , the subject of this sketch ; F. M., who is employed as a book-keeper in St. Louis ; Eva M., who is yet at home ; and W. I., a telegraph operator in the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are still living, being residents of Atlanta, Ill.

The primary education of our subject was received in the public schools of Atlanta, Ill. By working for his father, and also by teaching school, he earned the money which would carry him through college, and entered the College of the Bible of the State University of Kentucky, from which institution he was graduated on the 8th of June, 1876, with first honors, no other graduate in all its history being able to show a better record. After the completion of his studies Mr. Wright returned to his native State, locating at Sterling, and on the 1st of October following upon the discharge of his duties as pastor of the Christian Church in that place. For three years he there continued his ministerial duties, after which he resigned in order to become State Evangelist of the State of Illinois. The call to this work was very unexpected, but Mr. Wright was nevertheless very successful in his line of Christian work. His arduous duties not permitting him to study as much as he wished, he resigned during the winter of 1880, and accepted a call as pastor of the Western Avenue Church, now known as the West Side Church of Chicago, Ill. He entered upon his duties in the month of May, 1880, and continued in that city until August, 1881, when his many friends of Sterling, Ill., again called him to his old charge. After one year had passed he again resigned, and after a few week's rest went to South Bend, Ind., taking charge of the Christian Church of that city. Remaining there one year, he then accepted the pastorate of the church at Rock Island, Ill., to which he had been previously called twice, and remained in that city for four years. At the expiration of that time the church at Englewood wished him to become their pastor, but on account of ill-health he did not wish to go to that city, and accepted a call from the church at West Liberty, Iowa. On the 1st of October, 1887, he became their pastor, and has now entered upon his second year's work in this place.

At Chicago, on the 14th of June, 1881, Mr. Wright was united in marriage with Miss Alma Roe, a native of Michigan, and a daughter of Charles and Mary ( Martindale ) Roe, who were born in Indiana. Their union has been blessed with one child, Charles Henry. An earnest worker in the service of his Master, Mr. Wright has been quite successful in his labors, and succeeded in bringing many souls to a knowledge of the only true life. In addition to his ministerial duties he has contributed largely to the religious journals of the church, and has greatly advanced the work by his eloquence and logic in the lecture field. Since coming to West Liberty he has made many warm friends, and is highly respected by all who know him.

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