The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1895-12-12
Alfred S. Wright.

The many friends of Alfred 5. Wright,
both in this and other states, will be in
terested in some account of one whose
death has brought grief to so many
hearts. Mr.. Wright was born in Lewis
ton, Feb. II, 1881. His death occurred
in Norridgewock, Nov. 26, 1895.
From his parents, Dea. Timothy and
Susan X. Wright, he inherited many
sterling qualities. In his boyhood he
suffered from throat trou BILE that threat
ened to end his life and that left him in
delicate state of health. On this ac-
count he was spared those labors that
usually fall to the lot of boys reared on a
farm. In his early youth he taught
school in the ignoring towns with mark
ed success. W hen little past twenty
he went to Maryland to engage in teach
ing. Two of his older brothers were al
ready there in the same business. He pur-
sued teaching in Maryland and Delaware
for several years and at the same time
studied law. He returned to Maine and
was admitted to the bar He then mar
ried and settled in his nativeeity for a
few years when he again returned south
and Presumed the teachers vocation. In
1873 he married his second wife, Ellen
Francis Taylor OF Norridgewock. They
settled in Port Penn, Delaware. where
they remained three and one-halt years
and then removed to Middletown, in the
same state. where, associated with his
wife he spent more than ten years ia the
same school. Here in Middletown, he
"a nt
would have satisfied spirit even more
exacting than his, which is saying much.
As the Principal of a large public school,
that be built up in place where only
''Select schools" had flourished, he
found room for the play of his restless
energy and his superior administrative
ability. Middletown ut that time con-
tained a large number of practical, in
teligent business men, who saw with de
light so many of the youth of the place
fitted hy the thorough training given in
this school, for positions of honor and
usefulness.
Perhaps the richest fruitage of his life,
more than one-half of which was spent
south of Mason & Dixon's Line, was seeur-
ed during the decade spent in Middletown.
The spell that bound him there was never
letters from his former pupils gratefully
acknowledging their Indebtedness to him.
In 1884 he removed to Norridgewock.
Maine. This stop was deeply regr, tied
by the people of MiddletoWn but several
reasons compelled him to take it. lie
had business interests that needed his
presence, the aged mother of his wife
was anxious for them to return, and he
had repeatedly been solicited to take
charge of the High School in town.
This position he accepted and held for
four years. The warm place he held in
the hearts of his pupils was often mani
tested. and never more so than on the
day of his funeral by the presence of
many of them, and by the exquisite
floral tributes presented by twenty eight
OF them.
Mr.. Wright was a man of shrewd,
practical sense, a clear, logical mind, and
warm sympathies. A deep sense of JUS
tice lay mbedded in the very roots OF
his nature; hence when he suffered from
the injustice of others he felt it keenly.
He delighted to assist those in need OF
friendly advice or counsel and many a
case of doubt and perplexity has been
solved by him TO the great relief of those
helped. To people less fortunate than
himself he willingly lent helping hand
even at much personal Inconvenience.