Umatilla County OR Archives Biographies.....Wright, Albert January 12, 1825 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Carlene Still crstill@oregontrail.net October 9, 2006, 7:32 pm Author: Colonel William Parsons Pages 488-490 Albert Wright It is very important in the compilation of a work of this character to have properly portrayed the careers of the early pioneers, whose praise-worthy efforts in opening up the way for their fellows to follow, wherein they were forced to contend with the harrassing and frequent attacks of the savages, enduring the arduous labors incident to subduing the virgin soil in a stubborn section, have been too frequently passed by with the incoming of newer blood that has been bent on acquiring the riches, to which these worthy representatives of our race blazed and then paved the way. As a leader and typical representative of this sturdy and capable class, being one of their prominent numbers, must be mentioned the distinguished and eminent citizen whose name initiates this paragraph. Mr. Wright recurs to the Empire state as the place of his birth, which occurred in Yates, Orleans county, on January 12, 1825, his parents being Jephtha and Betsy (Emerson) Wright, who were English descent. In 1837 our subject came with his parents to Michigan, and then eighteen months later to Indiana, settling in Steuben county on a farm. The country was very wild and the playmates of Albert were the boys of the Pottawattamie Indian tribe. Amid these scenes he grew to manhood, receiving the educational discipline to be had in the subscription schools of the day. When he had attained his majority he bought land and embarked as an agriculturist, continuing until 1852, in which year he sold out and gathered his substance and commenced the long and tiresome journey over the plains and mountains to the Pacific coast. The first winter was spent in Cainsville, Iowa, and the following spring the journey was renewed, being completed six months later when he halted in Clackamas county, Oregon. The entire trip was made without any molestation from the Indians. Their traveling companion was the illustrious missionary, H. K. Hines, now a resident of Portland and for many years presiding elder of the Methodist church in this state. Their first settlement was made seven and one- half miles southeast from Oregon City, where they took a donation claim, giving his attention to the development and cultivation of the same until 1872, the date of his emigration to Umatilla county. Here he settled on Rhea creek, where his son Silas now lives, taking a homestead and doing a farming and stock-raising business. At this time the county was very thinly settled and he was busy much of his time in hauling logs for houses and supplies from the river. He has now sold his donation claim, which he rented when coming to this county, and also has disposed of, his homestead, now residing in the city of Heppner, having there a fine residence and large grounds of twenty acres. His grounds are tastefully laid out and well kept, containing excellent outbuildings and a fine orchard among other attractions and improvements. He also has a number of lots in University Park, Portland. At the time of the erection of the Palace Hotel Mr. Wright put five hundred dollars cash into the affair, being one of the original stockholders, and has He also took stock in the Heppner flour mill and still owns one-fourth interest in it. Before Morrow county was cut off from Umatilla Mr. Wright used to go to Pendleton to act as juryman and attend court. He has acted in the capacity of public official frequently, having served as director of the city schools in Heppner for a number of years, and has always manifested great interest in the matters of the county and state, being a man of broad public spirit and especially interested in the welfare and advancement of his fellows. It is of note that in the early days he cast his first vote in the county in a little log house belonging to George Stansberry, that stood where Heppner is now located and at that time was the only building there. It was so small that the voters handed their votes through the window to the officers in charge. At that time he hauled all of his supples from The Dalles or Walla Walla, a distance of one hundred miles, while his mail was received at Leonard's Bridge, seventy miles away. Mr. Wright was married in Indiana, on October 30, 1846, to Miss Julia, daughter of John and Affa (Barry) Faling, of German descent. To them have been born the following children: Mary E., wife of J. B. David, but now deceased; Julia, wife of T. H. Bisbee, of Heppner; Silas A., living on Rhea creek; George E., living near Lone Rock in Gilliam county; Anson E., living in Hay canyon, near Hardman; Effie J., wife of Frank Gilliam, of Heppner. Mr Wright is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church in Heppner and is very active in support of its work and the advancement of its interests, being district steward at the present time. It is of note that Mr. Wright's grandfather on his mother's side of the house was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. In political matters Mr. Wright was an ardent Republican until he became convinced that the party was married to the saloon and then he became a Prohibitionist, where he stands to-day. While in the Republican ranks he was a prominent figure in politics and the doings of his party. Since he has allied himself with the smaller party he is thus less prominent since the county polls only a small Prohibition vote. In church affairs he is chosen to more offices than he is able to fill, being selected at one time as trustee, class- leader and steward. Mr. Wright wishes to be placed on record as one that has always been opposed to licensing the saloon. It is pleasant to contemplate the life of one so faithful and efficient in every avocation of life, that now is rounding out to its four- score station, while these golden years are spent in the continuation of his charitable works and the service of the One who has directed his steps thus far and in whom is his trust for the endless eternity yet to come, even the Savior of mankind. 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. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/umatilla/bios/wright248gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 7.0 Kb