Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Wright, Allen S. 1909
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Ionia Daily Standard, 8 & 11 Feb 1909

One of Ionia’s Best Known and Most Useful Citizens

Passes Away - End of a Successful Business Career of Nearly Forty Years - A Man
Who Will be Greatly Missed and Deeply Mourned.

Allen S. Wright, whose name has long stood for the highest integrity in
business, for active promotion of public interests, and for personal activity in
fraternal and social circles, is no more.  He passed away at 10:48 this morning,
after a period of six or eight months, the great pain of which he bore with
extreme fortitude.  It was not until quite recently that the fatal character of
the illness was generally understood, and the wide testimonials of sympathy and
sorrow in these last days testified to the appreciation of his many noble and
lovable qualities of character.

Allen S. Wright was born May 1, 1845, in Springford, Oxford county, Canada West.
 His parents came to Ionia when Allen was a mere lad, and his home has always
been here since.  He went to work for H.A. Rich & Co. before he had hardly
entered his teens, and continued with that firm many years, until he finally
entered business for himself in a small way in 1874.  He was successful from the
start, his close application, good judgment and sound management, soon enabling
him to largely increase his stock and in a few years build the two story brick
store where he continued the business to the last.

He was married to Miss Letitia Grosvenor at Calumet, Ill., Aug. 20, 1867, who
was a capable and faithful helpmeet in the early struggles, and who survives. 
To them one son was born, Grosvenor A., who has been in business in Detroit for
two or three years, on whom will now fall the duty of closing or continuing the
business here.

Mr. Wright joined the Methodist Episcopal church when 12 years old, being one of
the charter members of the Ionia church, and one of four only who have resided
continuously in Ionia since that time, the three surviving being Mrs. L.D.
Smith, W.H. Howard, and Mrs. T.G. Stevenson.  For many years he has been a
member of the official board of the church, and one of the most active supporters.

Mr. Wright was noted always for his remarkable activity and power of endurance.
 It is now apparent that he has been living on his vital capital.  Had he been
more considerate of himself, he might have lived many years to enjoy the fruits
of his early labors.  When the Wagon Works was deeply involved and the company
was trying to keep the factory in operation for the benefit of the town, Mr.
Wright was appointed business manager and on him for six years fell a heavy load
of detail work and responsibility which no ordinary man could have endured.

After this, for six and a half years, he was cashier of the Ionia County Saving
bank, which had been involved by the previous cashier and was bumping over the
rocks all this period, until it was finally transferred to the State Savings
bank.  During all these years Mr. Wright continued to manage his own mercantile
business, and it can be seen now that the load he carried was too much for any man.

Mr. Wright became a Mason in 1885, and has always been prominent in the order,
having served as master of Lodge 36, as high priest and eminent commander of
Ionia Commandery Knights Templar, as well as filling creditably many of the
subordinate positions.  In 1894 he was chosen grand worthy patron of the State
of the O.E.S., then in its infancy, and he brought the order up to a high
standard, the accessions during his term being larger than during any other
period of same length in the history of the order.

For about 29 years he was a member of the Ionia School board and served most of
the time as its secretary, and mostly without pay, although he devoted more time
to the duties than any other man who has ever served on the board, and probably
more than any ever will.  His devotion to the school was remarkable, and his
pride in it greater than in his own business, or any enterprise with which he
was ever connected.  He received the usual reward for labors entirely unselfish,
but the good he did is known to many and has done more to make him widely known
and sincerely mourned than any other part of his life.  It is doubted if the
death of any man in the city would come with a sense of such personal loss and
sorrow to so many hearts.  And it may be doubted whether any business man has
devoted so much in proportion to means to unostentatious charity - the charity
that feels for the poor and struggling among the young, and the needs of the old
and unfortunate.

Mr. Wright dearly loved to assemble the teachers and pupils in social gatherings
and for many years his home was the scene of such gatherings every years.  He
was a prime mover in the B.I.G. organization; was one of the first presidents,
and always the most effective helper.  He never missed one of the meetings until
last fall, when he was not well enough to go.  It is safe to say that no other
member could be so missed as will Mr. Wright.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday afternoon, at two o’clock at the
Methodist church, under charge of the Knights Templar.  The public schools will
be closed, in honor of his memory.

------------

Tribute to Allen S. Wright

At the Funeral Service at M. E. Church on Thursday.

The tribute to Allen S. Wright paid in the attendance at the funeral service,
the eloquent words of the speakers, and the floral offerings, was quite unusual.
 And Allen S. Wright was every way worthy of it.  His good work was so wide, his
kindness had endeared him to so many, that it is no wonder that the church where
he so long worshiped was crowded to the doors with mourning friends.  Rev. E.G.
Lewis first spoke briefly, after the opening service, telling from his short
acquaintance how valuable he had found Mr. Wright as an assistant, and giving a
high testimonial to his Christian virtues and the deep faith that sustained him
to the last.

Rev. W.H.B. Urch, who had come 2,000 miles to look his last upon the dear face
of his friend, spoke with deep feeling of his four years close intimacy, and how
he learned to love him as he did no other man outside the circle of his
immediate family.  If a man did not deem Allen Wright a good man, it was because
he did not know him.  Not everyone had penetrated the natural reserve which
hedged him in, but those who were admitted to the privileges of close
companionship loved him like a brother.  He was never tired of doing for others.
 He would leave his own work to do a kind act for one in trouble or need.  He
was a friend to be relied on – always, everywhere.  It is no wonder the children
all knew him and loved him, and he who so easily wins the love of a child cannot
be far wrong in the final summing up.

Mr. Urch was eloquent in his tribute, and it was very evident that every word
came from the heart – a heart deeply saddened with grief.  And he turned to the
consolation of his faith that he should see his dear friend again, and he called
upon all the mourning friends to live worthily in the great hope of a reunion on
the other side, where pain and parting will come no more.

Seldom has been seen such a wealth of beautiful flowers.  Besides those from
personal friends were many pieces from societies including: spray of American
Beauty roses, from members of Board of Education, including those who retired
last summer; a bunch of American Beauties, State Savings bank; white and pink
roses, teachers and school children, also a spray of beautiful lilies from the
older teachers and ex-teachers; spray carnations, Ionia Electric Co.; wreath
roses and carnations, Clerks; circle of violets, General Aid Society M.E.
church; pieces from following chapters O.E.S.: Grand Chapter of Michigan, Ionia,
Lyons, St. Johns, Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti; Cross and crown, K.T. Commandery;
emblematic piece, C.E. Fink, Saladin Temple.  These were really only a small
part of the rich floral testimonial, the society tributes being equaled in
beauty and outnumbered by the many personal offerings.

We have seen the last of Allen S. Wright, but the memory of his kindness and
charity, and the good of the work he did, will long abide.

-----

Of the grand officers of the Order of the Eastern Star present at the A.S.
Wright funeral, were: Mrs. Emma Fink Lyon, worthy grand matron, Hillsdale; Mrs.
Eva Sprague Goodrich, grand secretary, Ann Arbor; Mrs. Jennie M. Newell, grand
treasurer, Fenton.  Past grand officers were: Mrs. Francis E. Gardner, Lansing,
past grand matron: Mrs. Hattie E. Derthick, past grand matron.  Past grand
patrons: Charles A. Cornell, Lansing; James Frasge, Kalamazoo.  Also present
from Lansing: Frank L. Gardner, N.C. Rice, E.J. Wright.


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