Hiram Wright
Hiram Wright, one of the venerable residents of Scioto Township. Delaware County, Ohio, and the owner of an excellent farm of eighty-six acres, was bom December 29, 1825, in Barrington, Licking County. Ohio, and is a son of David and Chloe (Wells) Wright.
Simeon Wright, the grandfather of Hiram. was a native of Vermont, and one of the Green Mountain boys during the Revolutionary War. Late in life he followed his son to Ohio, and his death occurred at the age of ninety-seven years, near Hartford, Licking County.
David Wright, father of Hiram, was born on Otter Creek, Rutland, Vermont, whence he came to Ohio after his first marriage, bringing with him three children, and settling as a pioneer in St. Albans Township, Licking County. Later he purchased eighty acres of land in Barrington, which he cleared from the vvoods, building a log house in which the subject of this sketch was born. In about 1840 the family removed to Milford Township, Knox County, where they resided about twelve years, and in 1852 they located in Scioto Township, Delaware County, on Bokes Creek. David Wright was a remarkable man in many ways. He was within ten days of being ninety-three years of age at the time of hi- death in July, 1870, and with the exception of his eyesight, which had failed to some extent several years prior to his demise, he was in full possession of every faculty. For seventy-five years he used tobacco. Mr. Wright vvas always a hard-working, industrious man, and accomplished more hard work at the age of seventv-five years than do the young men of one-third of that age today. During the War of 1812 Mr., Wright served with the country's forces on Lake Champlain. He was made a Master Mason in Vermont, and occasionally attended meetings at Delaware. In political matters Mr. Wright was a Democrat. and he was the only man in Barrington to vote for Andrew Jackson, when the latter first ran for President. He was a justice of the peace for many years, and was well known for his honest dealings with his fellow-men. David Wright was married three times, and had children by each marriage. His third wife was Chloe Wells, who was a daughter of Israel Wells of Granville. Lebanon County, and they had two children, of whom Hiram grew to maturity. The family were members of the Presbyterian Church.
Hiram Wright was educated in the district schools during the days when the pupils brought axes and chopped down trees for fuel to heat the log schoolhouse. He grew up on the home farm, where he remained until his father's death, at which time he purchased 150 acres on Bokes Creek, about thirty acres of which had been partly cleared. There he resided until 1885. when he removed to his present eighty-six acre tract, which he had purchased in 1870, selling his original farm to his grandson, Charles Wright. His present fine residence was erected in 1883, and includes ten rooms and a good cellar. He engaged for some time in stock-raising, and during the war bought and sold sheep and horses. He now keeps ten cattle, and is quite extensively engaged in butter-making.
Mr. Wright was married first to Sarah Simons, daughter of John Simons, of Homer, Licking County, and to this union there were horn five children, one of whom grew to maturity: Henry, of Magnetic Springs. Mrs. Wright died in the faith of the Christian Church, and Mr. Wright was married secondly to Mrs. Rachel Green, a widow, who is the daughter of George McElroy of Harrison County. Mrs. Wright had two sons, Lawson and Cassius, by her first marriage. In political matters Mr. Wright is a Democrat, and he has served as justice of the peace for one term and as township trustee for twelve years. Mrs. Wright is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Radnor Township.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908