Born in Belmont County, Ohio, Nov. 30, 1820. His parents were pioneers in Ohio, and as was usually the case with the children of early settlers, his youth involved much hard work on the farm, with meager education. His first experience with the world at large came at the age of sixteen, when he teamed across the mountains over the government pike to Baltimore. A few glimpses of the world made him realize the need of education, and be left home and for three years attended Monroe Academy at Woodsfield, Ohio. In 1840 he began the study of medicine and graduated from the Medical College in Cincinnati in 1843. He immediately set out for New York, pursuing further courses in medicine and surgery, soon receiving the appointment of physician of a district including the Five Points in New York. His experience in this celebrated region was varied and valuable in the development of professional skill, but it convinced him that his future was in the west, and he returned to Belmont, where he began the practice of medicine. At the outbreak of the Mexican war he sought service as a Surgeon, but his health was broken by illness at Nashville, and he was obliged to return home. In 1856 he came west, intending to go beyond the Missouri, but inclement weather prevented, and he settled in Knoxville, Marion County, where he lived until 1861, when he removed to Chariton, where he continued to reside until his death. Besides his interest in his profession, Dr. Wright was generally concerned in outside business undertakings and in the promotion of civic and social enterprises. He was actively engaged in the building of the B. & O. R. R. in Ohio, and later in promoting the Burlington road in Iowa. At Knoxville he was active in organizing the County Fair Association and was identified with the State Board of Agriculture, of which he was a director for eleven years. In 1861 enlisted as a private in the 46th Iowa. Very soon thereafter he was made surgeon of the 47th Iowa. After the war he was elected to the State Senate and served during the 12th and 13th General Assemblies, 1868-1870. On March 3, 1847, he married Margaret Ann Evans.

Born in Belmont County, Ohio, Nov. 30, 1820. His parents were pioneers in Ohio, and as was usually the case with the children of early settlers, his youth involved much hard work on the farm, with meager education. His first experience with the world at large came at the age of sixteen, when he teamed across the mountains over the government pike to Baltimore. A few glimpses of the world made him realize the need of education, and be left home and for three years attended Monroe Academy at Woodsfield, Ohio. In 1840 he began the study of medicine and graduated from the Medical College in Cincinnati in 1843. He immediately set out for New York, pursuing further courses in medicine and surgery, soon receiving the appointment of physician of a district including the Five Points in New York. His experience in this celebrated region was varied and valuable in the development of professional skill, but it convinced him that his future was in the west, and he returned to Belmont, where he began the practice of medicine. At the outbreak of the Mexican war he sought service as a Surgeon, but his health was broken by illness at Nashville, and he was obliged to return home. In 1856 he came west, intending to go beyond the Missouri, but inclement weather prevented, and he settled in Knoxville, Marion County, where he lived until 1861, when he removed to Chariton, where he continued to reside until his death. Besides his interest in his profession, Dr. Wright was generally concerned in outside business undertakings and in the promotion of civic and social enterprises. He was actively engaged in the building of the B. & O. R. R. in Ohio, and later in promoting the Burlington road in Iowa. At Knoxville he was active in organizing the County Fair Association and was identified with the State Board of Agriculture, of which he was a director for eleven years. In 1861 enlisted as a private in the 46th Iowa. Very soon thereafter he was made surgeon of the 47th Iowa. After the war he was elected to the State Senate and served during the 12th and 13th General Assemblies, 1868-1870. On March 3, 1847, he married Margaret Ann Evans.