Year: 1866

| Hon. VIM. Wright, q. S. Senator from
New Jersey, died at his residence in Newark
on Nov. 1st aged seventy six years. The
decease of Mr.. Wright following SO closely
upon that of Commodore Stockton, may
almost be said to mark an era in New Jersey
in the passing away of her men of promni-
nence and power, for while Mr.. Wright laid
no claim to the character OF profond politi-
clan or statesman, yet as a businesss man,
in the halls of the Senate, especially so far
as it related to manufactures, he probably had
no superior, and the senate marked their ap-
preciation of his abilities by constituting him
the chairman of that committee.


His ancestors were originally of English ex-
traction and emigr anted early in colonial
history to Virginia, which they afterward
abandoned for Connecticut. His Father was
an intelligent and popular physician in
Rockland county N. Y, in which county at
Clarsville, the subject of this sketch was born.
The early death of his father compiled an
abandonment of his wish for liberal educa-
ton, and his early life was spent as an ap-
prentice to the harness making trade in New
York. Here by prudence and frugality he
saved $500, with which at his majority he
entered into business in Bridgeport, from
whence he soon removed to Newark where
he spent the remainder of his life. The
business firm of Smith, Wright & Co., with
until 1854 possesses national reputation, and
it is only necessary to say here that while
conducting this firm he accumulated that
magnificent fortune which has marked him as
one Of the millionares of the state. Mr..
Wrights first appearance In public affairs was
as volunteer in defence of Stonington in
1872. We next find him in 1840 elected
Mayor of Newark without opposition, an Incl
dent which stands alone in the political his
tory of that city. In 1912 he was elected to
the House of Representatives as an indepen-
dent candidate, and again in 1874. In 1853
he was elected tc the U. S. Senate as the
candidate of the democratic party, and again
in 1868 since which time his health has been
so feeble as to allow of but little attention to
ny..public duties. -





Newark for his christian benevolence and
judicious charity. 1t was his rule to give from
500 to $4,000 toward the erection of every
church that was erected in the city. AS a
business man the wages paid to the workman
were always liberal, and it was accounted
privilege among the trade to work for Smith
& Wright. In private beneyolence he dis
played a judgement which it was not easy to
surpass. At one time poor weak, sickly
man called upon him for some aid which he was
never known to deny to any worthy applicant.
The man was evidently unable to labor: and
his family were suffering. Mr.. Wright asked
him if he thought he could draw light cart.
The man replied in the affirmative, when he
handed him fifteen dollars and told him to
get such one as he could use and buy spring
vegetables, which he could retail from door to
door. By this means the man supported his
family in comfort and eventually regained bis
health. 1t was probably to such facts as these
that he owed his extraordinary hold upon the
people of Newark, and which accounts for his
election to the Mayoralty of that city without
opposition. In his decease New Jersey has
sustained the loss of one of its noblest citizens
and one who starting as poor boy in the ex-
ercise of the strictest honesty and liberality
reached a commanding position both in the
business and political world, and whose life is
one well worthy of imitation.