Morning journal and courier., 1880-12-04
LOCAL NEWS.
Republican Candidate for Mayor.

AOOtAA IN w Republican Candidate for Mayor. A Sketch of the Career and Public Service of Hon. ID. R. Wright. An able sketch of the life and services of Col. D. R. Wright, the Republican nominee for Mayor of New Haven, is given in the his tory of Wallingford, Meriden and Cheshire, finely illustrated volume of about 500 pages published number of years ago by Charles Henry Stanley Davis, M. D. We transfer it substantially to our columns, as follows
 Hon Dexter F. Wright
 was born in Windsor, Vermont, on the 27th of June 1921. His ancestors were among the first settlers Of Vermont, and one of them was killed in the frontier wars with the Canadians and Indians. Alpheus Wright, his father, held commission in the war of 1872, and was severely wounded in the battle of Plattsburg.
 During the boyhood of Dexter his father removed to the northern part of New York, where he carried on the milling and lumber business, together with woolen factory. All of his sons were employed in these va rious branches of business, and each learned some useful trade. Dexter, however, being of studious tu1n of mind, prepared him self for college and entered the University at Middletown, from which he graduated in 1945. In the same year he became principal of the Meriden Academy, and continued as such for nearly year and a half, having given instruction to many who are now among the energetic and successful business of Ea fn1 for hi flynn discipline and thorough teaching, and the Academy fourished under his administra- ton.
 In the year 1646 he entered the Yale Law school at New Haven, from which he grad uated in 184s. During his studies at Yale, as well as throughout his collegiate course, he gave great promise of future eminence in his profession, and particularly in that branch of it pertaining to advocacy. In 1848 he commenced the practice of law in Meriden, and soon after married Miss Maria H. Phelps, daughter of Col. E. L. Phelps, of East Windsor, Conn.
 In I949 he was elected Senator for the Sixth Senatorial district, and was the youngest man that had ever been elected to the State Senate from that district He
 
 to his constituents. After the adjournment of the Legislature he sailed for California, where he remained for two years practicing in the territorial courts and taking part in the early political history of that State.
 In 1851 he returned to Meriden and con- tinued the practice of his profession until 1862, when he entered the Union army as Colonel of the Fifteenth regiment Connecti- cut volunteers. His practice in Meriden during this period was large and successful, and he had the confidence and esteem of all men as a thorough lawyer, an honest man and good citizen. The people of Meriden are largely indebted to his cultivation and taste pioneer in beautifying the village and in urging forward general public inn provements, and his spirit in those matters has become, largely from his example, the prevailing spirit of the people of the present city.
 He was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the Fourteenth regiment of Connecticut volunteers early in 1862, and he assisted in raising company for that reg giment. He had also aided in raising companies for every preceding regiment, for that purpose speak ing in different parts of the State. Owing to his zeal in the cause of the Union Governor Buckingham without consulting Colonel Wright's wishes, commissioned him Colonel of the Fifteenth regiment of Connecticut vol unteers, thus promoting him before he en- tered the field The latter regiment he re-
 
 excess, in al unprecedentedly short time, by his personal exertions and great popularity. His regiment went to Virginia in August, 1862, where for several months he commanded brigade. He participated in the battle of Fredericksburg Dec. 13, 1862, under Burnside. After about years service in the field he was discharged upon surgeons certificate of disability and subsequently,, up- on request of Gov. Buckingham, he was ap- pointed commissioner on the Board of Enroll ment for the Second Congressional district, the duties of which he discharged with mark ed ability and zeal in the cause of the nation. In 1863 he was elected to the General Assem- bly, of Conn, as representative from the town of Meriden. Having served in the field and as commissioner for three years with great pecuniary sacrifice, Col. Wrigh remov- ed at the close of the war to New Haven, Conn, where he resumed the practice of the law and has continued therein to the present time. He has served as U. s. Assistant Dis trict-Attorney for term of years and dis charged the duties of that office with ability and satisfaction.
 Mr Wright is thoroughly educated man His studies are not confined to the legal pro- fession alone, but he IS we'll read in every de- partment of general literature and natural science. His personal integrity has never been questioned, and his professional honor is fully up to the high standard always main tained by the Connecticut bar. His mind works quickly and logically, and has been well trained for the successful practice of the most drastic profession pursued by men. His diction is at all times polished and ele- gant his command of language and power of characterization is almost wonderful, and his manners are dignifed and well calculated to please all with whom he comes in contact As lawyer he is remarkably strong; examiner of witnesses he is powerful; in the presentation of facts in argument to court or jury he is clear and forcible; in the prepara- tion of his cases for trial, thorough and ex haustive; and in his drafting. of pleadings, neat, clear and logical
 Since his removal to New Haven, in 1864, he has, by strict attention to his business, built up large and lucrative practice. He is 8 laborious worker and is devoted to his calling, and has attained position in his profession which his many friends are glad to see him occupy
 Colonel Wright though Republican in sen timent, participates but little in politics yet the Republicans have few men in Connecticut who could shed more honor on their party than he were he to actually enter upon polit- ical life.
 While in the House in 1863 the famous Vallandighan resolutions were introduced, (which were under discussion for weeks and created more excitement than any other po itical proposition ever presented to the Gen eral Assembly of Connecticut Tho s'His- tory of Connecticut During the Recent War; says Nearly every prominent member of the House spoke upon one side or the other, and the floor and galleries were daily crowd ed, MT. Eaton delivered the most carefully prepared argument in favor of the passage of the resolution, showing great power and scholarly research and Colonel Dexter R. Wright, the recognized Republican leader, in a masterly speech of considerable length elo-