Morning journal and courier., 1886-07-23
AT LIFE,S CLOSE.

 ator, Representative And Speaker Of The HOuse-His Life En New Haven. | The condition of ex-Speake1. Dexter R. | Wright was such last night that his death l vas momentarily expected, The sad intelli- ,ence will be received with sorrow not only n this city but throughout the State, which | will lose in his death citizen long prominent n Connecticut, beth in public life and at the 'ar It was thought in the early hours of mo rning that he would not survive lntll the g ln rose, but his native vigor of onstltu' jon prevailed yet little. For sev- 'ral days past he has been wholly uncon- 'ci'ous and like one calmly sleeping, and to e.n indications has been painless. Colonel Wright was stricken with paralysis four weeks ago last Saturday as he was about en- tering his residence after alighting from his carriage. He had just returned from taking a ride. The previous evening he remarked to friends at his house that he was feeling finely and that he thought his health had greatly improved. He had to be assisted into the house when stricken as above stated and re- marked upon entering that he never expect ed to leave the house again. The devoted
  ical aid have proved unavailing. The attack was of an apop1eptic character, due, it is thought, to the bursting of blood vessel in the brain which caused hemiplegia or par alysis of one half of the body and the limbs upon that side. Up to five days ago he was able, with his right hand, to grasp the hands of friends with something like the old vigor in token of recognition, but since that time all indications of consciousness ago he stu mbled and fell down the stone steps of his residence, nearly the whole length. It was very severe fall, and he struck heavily upon either the flag stone or upon the edge ot the lower step, breaking his left arm, and receiving severe concussion of the head, and it is believed his system re- ceived shock from the fall and the subse- quent confinement to his bed, which precipi- tated the last attack.
 He was born at Windsor, Vt., June 27, 1891, and was consequently little over 65 years of age. His ancestors were among the first settlers of Vermont and one of them was killed in the frontier wars with the Can adians and Indians. His father, Alpheus Wright held commission in the of 1872 and was severely wounded in the battle at Plattsburg. During Colonel Wright's boyhood his father removed to the northern
 
 milling and lumber business, together with woolen factory. All of his sons were em- ployed in these various branches of business and each learned some useful trade. Dexter, being of studious turn of mind, prepared himself for college and entered the university at Middletown, from which he graduated in 1S45. He has since secured the degree of A. NJ. causa honores from Trinity college, Hart ford. In 1845 he became principal of the Meriden academy and continued as such for about year and a half, having given in struction to many youths who are now among the most successful business men in Meriden. He was noted for his firm disci- pline and thorough teaching and the acad emy hourished under his administration. He graduated from the Yale Law school in 1S4S. He also studied in the office of the late Judge E. K. Foster. During his studies at Yale we'll as throughout his collegiate course he gave great promise of future eminence in his profession and particularly in the branch of it pertaining to advocacy. He began the practice of law in 1S4S in Meriden, and soon after married Miss Maria H. Phelps, daughter of Col. E. L. Phelps of East Windsor, Ct., who survives him. In 1849 he was elected Senator from the sixth Senatorial district and was the youngest man ever elected to the State Senate from that district. He served with credit to himself and the satisfaction of his constituents. After the adjournment of the legislature he sailed for California, where he spent two years, practioing in the territorial courts and taking part in the early political history of that State. In 1851 he returned to Meriden and continued the practice of his profession there until 1862, when he enlisted in the Union army as colo nel of the Fifteenth Connecticut volunteers. His practice in Meriden during this period was large and successful and he had the con- fdence and esteem of all men as thorough lawyer, an honest man and good citizen. He was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the Fourteenth regiment of Connecticut vol unteers early in 1862, and he assisted in raising company for that regiment. Owing to his zeal i'll the cause of the Union, Gov ernor Buckingham, without consulting Colo nel Wright's wishes, commissioned him colo nel of the Fifteenth regiment of Connecticut volunteers, thus promoting him before he en- tered the field. The latter regiment he recruited to it's maximum number in an un- precedentedly short time, by his personal ex- ertions and great influence and popularity. His regiment went to Virginia in August, 1862, where for several months he command ed a brigade. He participated in the battle of Fredericksburg, December IS, 1862, under General Burnside. After about years ser vice in the field, his health having failed he was discharged upon surgeons certificate of disability.
 In the devotement of his services to the Union, he sacrificed a large and successful practice, in the course of which he had &C., Quired the esteem and confidence of all for his honorable course, public spirit and thorough qualifications lawyer. Subse- quently upon special request of Governor Buckingham he was appointed commissioner on the board of enrolment for the Second congressional district, the duties of which, ,oc- cupying three years, he discharged with mark ed ability and zeal in the cause of the na- tion The office of the Board is in the up- per part of the custom house building in this city. The late Dr. E. A. Peck. of this city, city surveyor of the Board and the late Richard Clarke, provost marshal, were To- cated in the same office. In 1863 Colonel Wright was elected to the General Assem- bly, of Connecticut as a representative flom the town of Meriden. He was the recogniz- ed Republican leader of the House. Govern ornor Buckingham had just been re elected Governor by small majority and together with his supporters was enthuslastlcall, de termined on the suppression of the re bellion by armed coercion and on the support of the emancipation proclamation 'sas a meas ure of military necessity alike expedient and just" At this time William w. Eaton, proclaiming the State rights doctrine, intro duced resolutions relative to the case of Val landigham, of Ohio, and urged their passage in one of his forcible speeches. Colonel Wright voiced the Union sentiment of the times in powerful and masterly ad- dress, which further distinguished him be- IOr0 the peOpt0 or COnn0CGlcuG. The vote upon the resolution was of strictly partisan character, but was in favor of the Republi- cans, whom it united more firmly than be- fore in the prosecution of the war. Colonel Wright further chairman of the Commit tee on Military Affairs rendered important ser vice. Col. Wright at the close of the war re- moved to this city and here resumed the practice of the law. He has since resided here and achieved signal success in his pro- fession. He served as United States assist ant district attorney for term of years. In 1868 he was chosen 8 member of the Com mon Council of this city and in 1S72-3 was president of the Board of Councilmen. From 1872 to 1875 he was commissioner of police, and within those limits -1973-4- also held the position of corporation counsel. In 1877 he was elected member of the Board of Aldermen, and in 1878 was re elected for two years In the latter year he was also chosen representative from the town of New Haven to the General Assembly for 1879, and in the legislative ses ion of that year was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, which position he filled with signal ability and with great satisfae tion to the body over which he presided.
 Band Concerts At Savin Rock.
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