Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-11-12


NAV, thirty-iive miles in extent. aiil
opening market for large farming
country. Mr.. Wright's time and mean,
contributed largely to the success OF
this enterprise.
In 1872 the Saginaw Valley & st
Louis railroad was deemed necessity
\ company was formed with Mr.
wright as treasurer, and, notwithstand.
ing many difficulties, through his char.
acteristic energy the enterprise was be.
gun and carried To completion.
The First National Bank of Saginaw
with capital of S2OO,OO0, organized in
1871, has been one of the most success
flll banking institutions in the State.
For nearly the whole period of his eXis-
tence Mr.. Wright has been its president.
lie has been president of the CONNER
cial Bank of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
from the date of its organization to the
present time; is also president of the
Merchants National Bank of Duluth,
Minnesota, and holds position Of direc-
rector of the First National Bank of
Saratoga, New York and in the Nation
al Bank of Commerce. Minneapolis,
Minnesota, and has banking interests
in Michigan. His commercial interests
are largely centered in Detroit, Duluth
Louisville and Minneapolis. He has
| investments in one of tide largest sash.
door and blind factories in the State of
New York, located at Oswego; in the
Advance Threshing Machine COM
pany, Battle Creek. Michigan, and in
the Saginaw Manufacturing company
OF Saginaw.
This brief review of Mr.. Wright's
business career und interest shows him
to be an extraordinary man. His
personal history exhibits the highest
and mobiles attributes of character. \
man of native endowments and re-
sources, with proper training and edu-
cation, could command large armies.
organize governments and administer
the affairs of an empire. His life has
been one continuous scene of incessant
activity and almost uninterrupted sue
cess His achievements suggest a
study of the man, his character, his
qualities. his methods of action, his
peculiar power to grapple the forces of
life around him. and to WELD the agen-
cieS of nature and humanity that are
essential TO the attainment of real
greatness IN a long and varied career
of business. Such study would re-
qulre the space of volume, and SO
lllllSl ENt Hldtt " III ltI ItlltCllOll ana
observations.
An eminent citizen of Saginaw. one
of Mr.. Wright $ many intimate friends. |
and well qualified to give sound judg |
mcnt of men and things, thus speaks of
him: |
Mr., Wright is strong man. physically and
mentally; of great business capacity, thorough
organizer; deep in then gencraliios and de-
tails of business: strong in his friendships |
sometimes almost to the point of danger, |
never willingly giving up To one in whom he |
has trusted: always willing 10 help tho worthy /
but sometimes turning deaf ear to an appli |
cant Tor his bounty who has not learned the |
pathway ID competency by industry and ccono-
my strong i'm his dslikcs of men whom he |
does not believe in n honest or worthy OF trust |
or who may have once betrayed his confidence:
strong in his convictions OF right and in his
hatred OF the tricks OF business OF which some |
g en- boast. His integrity stands as an un-
questionable fact In his history. Born to lead.
his varied experience in commercial enter
prsc~ makes him IA safe counsellor and guide.
modest and diiiidcnt. he Ia indepcnd-
cnt in thought and, when n conclusion Is reach
ed n RIM and unchangiug. He il a proud man,
but his pride IL an honest pride in a good name
among those who know him best. Hc stands
to-day in his mature years "A strong mpn ;strong
In the consciousress.of well spent years ;strong
yet 10 plan an perform; strong in his credit
and good name, and a worthy example for
Young mon To pattern after a. showing what
intelligence and probity may accomplish in
This excellent statement Of the main
elements and features of Mr.. Wright's
coming from a well-disci-
)lined. judicial mind, accustomed to
lear and accurate observations upon
society. Is such praise as can be rarely
bestowed in full measure on any man
n any of the walks of life but the com
nunity in which Mr.. Wright has spent /
Of ,c rti xrit ttri11 f,,11 ,,I L.
ndOrse it as Just and noble tribute to |
lis well-tried worth. 1t is now obvious I
II glance that the main element of i
success in Mr.. Wright's career is what t
nen call honesty, integrity, reliability. |
principle, a steadfast adherence to CON [
lotions of right. Such an attribute of |
'ower is always found in connection t
With great natural conscience. 1t
lands III opposition to all sham, pre-
ense. eXpediency, policy in the high
matters of life and business. Ii gives
lch iirmness to character and such re-
lily to personal history as the very {
give to the native state Of 4
Immi Willard Wright. {
When integrity is well balanced by 1
nergy 1t is evident what important re- q
ltiOnS ii SuStains to what we NAV call c
lullNNlOllN III DuSllltSS
fe. Plans are to be made. they are to v
e executed, and it is in their execution {
lat difficulties must be encountered. =
lat financial engagements must be met r
nd that persistency must come into de-
'rmned action. No man ever achiev. 7
| the highest success in business who =
1t not encounter difficulties and over =,
me Instructions. Mr.. Wright himself =,
Is been no exception to this rule u
hen he had been in Michigan seven p
'ars financial panic made him poorer n
AN he was on his arrival in tile state. u
en- went down to whom he had en- 81
listed his interests, but he did not 20 h
,wn. His ability, his pluck, but above
his good name. his credit, his integ- sa
", saved him. There thus comes a II,
ne in life when character is seen to be 70
ore valuable than money. He at one
ne, through the failure Of a deceiver Of
d to take care of endorsed PAPER To ri
e amount of one hundred thousand T
liars, but no note went to protest, no IT.
ne was asked for. and his credit rose A.
the highest point in the scale of com u:
Il