Senator James D. Wright View All Years

Senator Hasselquist, from the special committee appointed to draft suitable resolutions respecting the death of the late Dr. James D. Wright of Chariton, Lucas county, Iowa, submitted the following report:

Mr. President:— Your special committee appointed to draft resolutions of respect to the memory, life, character and public services to his state and nation, of the late Dr. James D. Wright of Chariton, Lucas County, Iowa, respectfully submit the following:

Dr. James D. Wright, who was an honored and trusted member of the Senate of the Twelvth and Thirteenth eneral Assemblies, departed this life December 26th, 1905, at Chariton, Lucas County, Iowa, In his 86th year.

Dr. Wright was born in Belmont County, Ohio, November 30th, 1820, of Quaker parentage, his father’s family having come to that locality as pioneers; he attended school in the winter and worked on the farm in the summer as was the custom of the pioneer children. Desiring further education, he attended a near-by academy and later began the study of medicine in Cinncinnati in 1843. After graduating he went to New York to continue his medical studies in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, from which institution he graduated and returned to Ohio for the practice of his profession.

He was married in 1847 to Miss Margaret Ann Evans and four children were born to them; his home was the center of his interests during the thirty-seven years before the family circle was broken.

In 1856 he decided to move west with his family and settled in Knoxville, Iowa. He took an active part in organizing a County Fair Association, believ ing that Iowa was to become a great agricultural state. He also became identified with the State Board of Agriculture and was a director eleven years. He believed the State Fair should be an educational influence in the state in developing agriculture and fine stock and took an active part in bringing about this result.

In 1861 he moved to Chariton, having purchased a flour mill there. Later he enlisted as a private in the 46th Iowa, but was soon made surgeon of the 47th Iowa. Owing to the illness of other surgeons, be assumed the care of an additional regiment, a gun-boat aground in the river and the refugee hospital. His health was soon affected by the strain, but he persisted in his determination to remain until his regiment was mustered out.

He was elected to the State Senate in 1867 from the 5th Senatorial district, and served in the Twelvth and Thirteenth General Assemblies with credit to himself and his district, his clearness of mind and Integrity of purpose giving him much influence with his fellow members. He was elected a trustee of the State College of Agriculture at Ames and served during the building and organization of the school, and always retained an active interest in its progress.

He was also associated with the early history and had a part in building the Burlington railroad in Iowa.

Although stricken first with paralysis in 1874, by the force of his indomitable will, and resolute courage, he arose above the affliction, and, although always under the shadow of the disease, he lived a life of cheerfulness, retaining a keen interest in the events of the day.

In the hearts of his friends will remain the memory of a man whose life stood for something definite; steadiness of purpose, integrity, kindliness and the modesty that is the mark of a gentleman.

Resolved by the Senate of the Thirty-first General Assembly of the State of Iowa, That this memorial be adopted, spread at length upon our Journal and that an engrossed copy of these resolutions attested by the President and Secretary of this Senate, be presented, with our sincere sympathy, to the bereaved family of the deceased.

R. A. HASSELQUIST,

JAS. H. JAMISON,

MARION F. STOOKEY.