Monterey-Napa County CA Archives Biographies.....Wright, Jonathan 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 27, 2007, 11:06 am

Author: Luther A. Ingersoll, Editor (1893)

CAPTAIN JONATHAN WRIGHT is one of the few early pioneers of California still
surviving, and is a man whom it is a pleasure to know. His experiences would
fill volumes, as his life has extended over many years of thrilling adventure.
It was he who with William Richardson drove the first wagon train that made its
way overland from the Missouri river via Salt Lake in 1846, proving that such a
thing was not only possible but was quite as easy a route as any. Captain Wright
and companion crossed over into California on Bear river in Yuba county. In
October of that year Captain Wright enlisted under General Fremont, and remained
with him six months and four days, making the trip to San Francisco, thence to
Monterey and on into southern California. He received his discharge at San
Gabriel Mission April 12, 1847. Returning north to the Napa valley he worked in
the redwood timber business until the excitement arose about the discovery of
gold, when he, like the rest of the world, hastened into the gold diggings. Not
making a success of gold mining our subject returned to the less exciting life
of civilization after a term of thirteen months. In 1859 he again came to
Monterey, becoming lighthouse keeper at Point Pinos, remaining in this position
for about eighteeen months. Then came an experience in whaling in Monterey bay
for about five years, since which time he has been engaged in the peaceful life
of agriculture.

  Captain Wright is the owner of a fine ranch in Monterey county, about twenty
miles from Monterey city, where he raises about five hundred Angora goats.

  Twice has the gallant Captain become a benedict. His first marriage was in
1849, to Miss Luly Brown, of Sacramento, but she died in 1854, leaving two
daughters, Mrs. E. H. Gates and Mrs. John Staples. The second marriage of our
subject was with Mrs. Lizzie Claudy, by whom he has three daughters. The
Captain, like all of his former profession, is bluff and pleasant, enjoying
tales of the adventures through which he has passed, although not more so than
do his hearers.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Memorial and Biographical History of the Coast Counties of Central California.

Illustrated.

Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast from the
Earliest Period of its Discovery to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of
its Auspicious Future; Illustrations and Full-Page Portraits of some of its
Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers, and Prominent
Citizens of To-day.



HENRY D. BARROWS,
Editor of the Historical Department.

LUTHER A. INGERSOLL,
Editor of the Biographical Department.

"A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendants."-Macaulay.


CHICAGO: THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY.
1893.

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