Umatilla County OR Archives Biographies.....Wright, David A. April 1, 1830 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Carlene Still crstill@oregontrail.net September 26, 2006, 6:00 am

Author: Colonel William Parsons 

Page 478

David A. Wright
	A pioneer of the pioneers, the first man to turn the virgin soil with 
the plowshare in the vicinity of Pendleton, a resident of Umatilla county 
while yet a good portion of the Mississippi valley was unbroken sod and roamed 
by the redskin, conversant with this region for nearly half a century, the man 
of whom we have the privilege now to speak has by brain and brawn marked and 
cleared the path or civilization's presence in a manner befitting his sterling 
qualities and marked ability, added to which his honesty and uprightness have 
won him a place in the estimation and hearts of the ever-increasing population 
of Umatilla county. To such an one we are bound to accord a place in the 
chronicles of our county, high in the roll of honor.
	Born in Tully, New York, April 1, 1830, he remained there for sixteen 
years and acquired a common-school education and then came to Illinois. Here 
he entered the ranks of the agriculturist, which occupation he followed until 
1853. The rumors from California were filling the air in those days and he 
started across the plains with an ox train to the land of gold, where he 
commenced operations as a teamster and continued until 1864, the date of his 
advent into Umatilla county. Upon arriving here he sought occupation as 
teamster and ranch hand until 1873, when he had accumulated sufficient funds 
to warrant his entering upon a business career for himself, and he opened a 
livery and feed stable in Pendleton, where he successfully operated until 
1880. At this date he sold out and took up farming near Pilot Rock, and was 
numbered among the prosperous tillers of the soil until 1891, when he bought 
the business in which we now find him, operating a livery and feed stable in 
Pilot Rock.
	His marriage occurred in 1873, when Miss Martha Cohoon, of Indiana, 
became his wife. They have two children living: Charles M., born January 21, 
1874, in the cattle business in Umatilla county; Mabel, born in 1879 and still 
living with her parents.
	Mr. Wright has passed an active and interesting career, in which he 
has maintained a prominent place among his fellows, demonstrating his ability 
as a leader and meriting the generous confidence that his friends and 
acquaintances have bestowed, in every way demeaning himself as becomes an 
upright, sagacious and substantial citizen, in whom shines a noble character 
and untarnished reputation.


Additional Comments:
An Illustrated History of Umatilla County by Colonel William Parsons and of 
Morrow County by W. S. Shiach with a brief outline of the early history of the 
State of Oregon.  W. H. Lever, Publisher  1902.

	Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Oregon Biographies 
Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the
individual featured in the biographies. 

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