Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-05-31
rFrom The Indianapolis Journal

lFrou the Indianapolis Joarnal-l
,Ex-Governor Joseph A Wright, whose
death at Berlin we briefly noticed on yes
terdav. was q marked example of what we
are accustomed to call self made men.
Leff an orphan at an early age with no
one to depend upon but himself, he over
come, through the energy which character
lied his life the adverse circumstances sur
roundiog his youth, and rose to social
and political eminence to which few men
Of Indiana have attained.
AFTER brief period of instruction at the
State University at Bloomington, then in
its infancy. he commenced the study of
she law With Craven P. Hester, then one
ofthe leading lawyers of Southern Indiana,
sad now We believe q Judge in California,
and on his admission to the bar settled at
Rockville, Parke coxnty, in the year 1881.
He soon acquired remunerative practice.
and was as successful In his profession as
In the political arena in which he subse-
quently figured. He was at one time a
member of the legal firm Of Kinney
Wright and Gookins, we'll and favorably
known on the Wabash quarter of a Gen.
tury ago, the junior member of which was
sSupreme Judge. while Wright was Gov
ernor. be also enjoyed the benefit Of a
parfernship. for several wears. with Tileh-
nan A. Howard, once the leader of the
Democraticic party of this State, popular
lawyer. and man universally esteemed for
his upright and honorable character.
But it was chiefly as a political leader
that Joseph A. Wright was known to
the people of Indiana and of the
country at large. In 1913 he was elected
to represent the Terre Haute district in
Congress. having previously served one or
more terms in the State Legislature, but
In 1S45 was defeated for re. election, and
returned to bis profession which he follow
ed until 1910 In that year he was nomi-
mated BY the Democratic State Convention
for the Office Of Governor, and was elected
BY large majority, the Whig party then
being in that state of decadence which
eliminated ia its annihilation few years
later.
The administration Of Governor Wright
was popular, and he became a great favor
lite With his party and gained many friends
among his political opponents. la 1852
he was re elected for a term of four wears
and served until the expiration of his term
January 1857. when Le was succeeded by
Governor Willard.
While Governor he was active in en-
couracing the development fthe resources
Of the State especially its agricultural iu-
tcrests, aud under his auspices the State
Agricultural Society was organized and
the system Of State fairs inauguratcd.
On tie accession of Mr.. Bunchaman to
the Presidency. Governor Wright-wns sp-
painted Minister Plenipotentiary of the
United States to the Prussian Court, and
served 10 that capacity with honor to him.
sef and the satisfaction of the Admins
tration, until after the Inauguration Of
Mr.. Lincoln, in 1861.
lie was in Berlin when secession and
rebellion involved the nation in civil war,
aud had no hesitation in determining the
course which true patriotism demanded.
While many of his political friends we're
questioning the right of tho Government
TO ''coerce" rebels to obey the laws. he
wrote home letter, which was widely
published, advocating vigorous measures
for maintaining the Union and suppress.
ing rebellion. This, we regret to say, lost
him the confidence Of the Democratic lead
ers, and he never afterwards acted with that
party. After his return to Indiana he gave
his active influence TO the support Of the
war aud the Union party, travelling over
the State addressing the people when re-
cruits we're neede cd for the army,and pend
ing elections when the votes Of the people
were scarcely Of less Importance than bat.
ties in the field.
His patriotism al this irving period In.
<luced Governor Morton to appoint him
10 6ll the vacancy accustomed by the ex
ptision from, the United States Senate of
5csse d. Blight one Of the Senators from
Isdisna, until the assembling Of the Leg.
islsturo. lie entered the Senate under
fhis appointment, March 3. 1862, and ser.
we'd until January %. 1868, when he was
superseded by David Turpie, a Democrat,
who was chosen by tho ant. war Legislature
elected In 1862.
The following year Governor Wright
attended the Hamburg Exhibition, by ap.
po;ntmsnt of President Lincoln, as Com
missioner for the United States. where he
sntcrestod himself. successfully, In intro.
ducting American products and inventions
20 tho favorable consideration of the people
of Europe.
Shortly AFTER the accession Of sIr. John.